Art is a strange thing.  I grew up the son of an art teaching mother, but am by no means anything approaching an expert on the subject.  I think there was a point in High School when I got talented enough to draw someone’s face so it was recognizable, if not particularly good.  As far as appreciating art I do what I think everyone should do; I like what I like and I try to take opportunities to be exposed to new art.

Several years ago my wife and I traveled to Chicago for the first time.  The highlight of the trip was to be our first visit to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play.  We also decided to visit the museum at the Art Institute of Chicago.  Looking back, that would have been the true highlight of the trip if not for getting to see the greatest living pitcher Greg Maddux pitch, and steal a base.

The AIC has one of the best collections of art in the world.  And it was there that I finally figured out why my mother loved the works of Claude Monet.  I was shocked how much better his work looked in person.  It is a difficult sensation to describe, that sensation when a work of art touches you like that.  I suppose I might describe it like an echo of falling in love.  In that instant Monet changed from “that guy that draws flowers that my mother likes” to “that f#@king masterpiece painting genius”.

Dusk in Venice by Claude Monet

One of many Hay Bale paintings by Claude Monet

I suppose my experience is not that unique.  Claude Monet is one of the more well-known names in art, and is probably the best know impressionist.  I am sure his work has touched others this way over the years.  Since our first trip to Chicago, we have returned several times, once with my parents along.  It was a real joy seeing my mother in a room full of Monet’s paintings.  We have also seen his work in San Antonio, New York and Edinburgh.  While I always find his work impressive, nothing has touched me like that first time in Chicago.

I was also impressed with the works of several other artists I encountered in Chicago, and during a later trip to New York (The Met).  In particular, the works of Japanese artists Ando Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai stood out.  Again, these are two of the best known Japanese artists, so I am not expressing anything particularly unique or earth shattering.  But these artists represent a completely different style of art than that of the impressionists.  I found a new respect and passion for Japanese art.  The following Hokusai image adorns my MacBook case (in the form of a permanent sticker the size of the case).

The Great Wave by Hokusai

These are wood-block prints.  This particular painting is from a famous series of prints he made called 36 Views of Mt. Fuji.  I find it amazing that he was able to create this type of detail with wood-block.  We have one of Hiroshige’s prints at home, and have purchased other Japanese artwork.

About a year ago I stumbled across artist Shepard Fairey.  Mr. Fairy has gained some fame for his iconic Obama posters, but I came to appreciate his genius when I stumbled across the image below on a web site.

Chinese Soldiers by Shepard Fairey

Of course you have probably seen the poster below.  Mr. Fairey is the guy posing.

I really love Fairey’s style.  His propaganda look with genuine artistic originality is appealing.  A couple of months ago I bought a book showing a recent installation of Fairey’s, E Pluribus Venom.  I would recommend it to anyone looking to get a good look at Fairey’s work, with a couple of interesting interviews with the artist.  He is quite the trouble maker.

Art is a strange thing.  You never know what is going to excite you.

I’ve rekindled my interest in music following my reading of Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, which dealt with math, art and music.  I found a great site that teaches music theory from the ground up, Ricci Adam’s MusicTheory.net.  The tutorials are fairly basic but instructive.