Yes Man was a movie I watched a month or two ago now.
I had not seen any Jim Carry movies for a long time and was eager to get to watch this movie because he has been an old time favorite of mine and probably a lot of other people around the world. His work is always new and funny and even though he is always in a humor role he managed to draw out the character from within.
Yes Man is a movie about a man with a dull repetitive life and a job he finds boring. His friends are beginning to dislike him due to his negativity when he is asked anything. His life is turned around suddenly but an old school mate showing up at his work and introducing him to the Yes man himself, when he goes to his seminar.
The story begins with Jim Carry's character nearly losing his friendship with his best friend and so hes forced to either live his life alone or do something about it. From this point the story introduces new characters into his life due to his radical changes after the Yes man seminar. He finds himself in situations he never thought he would and starts to believe that he cannot say no or bad things will happen.
The movie has some hilarious scenes with Jim's character interacting with the people in the public as he goes on a mission with almost every question asked of him.
I think the movie can relate to many little things people take for granted and if people took the time to agree to help someone or go out of their way, we could improve everything in life. There is always challenges in life and people who put them aside to sit down and watch television or something similar will never learn new skills or make new friends all because they may be afraid of a little failure.
This movie shows that there is a brighter side to agreeing to things you wouldn't normally do and to embrace the excitement that follows when enjoying points of life you haven't before. The feeling of achieving something and knowing you've learned from your life experiences is far greater than sitting at home imagining what it could be like.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Lane Gallery
The Lane Gallery (www.lanegallery.co.nz) had a selection of contemporary works on display during my time there.
The artists who contributed to the works are Pippa Blake, Clive Humphreys, Liam Davidson, Rona Ngahuia Osborne, Christine Mathieson, Nic Moon and Michel Tuffery.
The most significant art they had on display by Pippa Blake was a dramatic and expressive landscape which exaggerated the shadows and colours of the environment. Extravigant colours are spray painted in to highlight the impressiveness of her landscape, while she paints the rest of the image using warm yellows on the spray paint and leaving the majority of the painting wallowing in shadowy blues to black.
Some of the art on display by Clive Humphreys was largely contrasted. By this I mean one of his workings has colour with expressive strokes but portrays two characters with one trying to life the other from what I could see. Nothing simple or detailed about this image would relate to his other work that was done in nothing but black and white. Diamonds repeated throughout the image next two strange faced characters in suits, also repeated. Without a name tag I would find it hard to believe someone would differ so dramatically between painting styles.
Some of the work at The Lane Gallery is very inspirational and brings out the best in some of these New Zealand artists.
A beautifully painted beach scene done by Liam Davidson shows several characters within the image enjoying a sunny day at the beach. His style, although not extremely detailed keeps the image alive and helps elevate the shading tecniques he has used. His large canvas looks appealing when standing back from it and thinking about the scene itself.
One day I will take some time to find more art done by some of these artists I admire and previous ones I have seen at other art galleries also. I would be interested in what directions they take to further there work and maybe also the direction the started with.
The artists who contributed to the works are Pippa Blake, Clive Humphreys, Liam Davidson, Rona Ngahuia Osborne, Christine Mathieson, Nic Moon and Michel Tuffery.
The most significant art they had on display by Pippa Blake was a dramatic and expressive landscape which exaggerated the shadows and colours of the environment. Extravigant colours are spray painted in to highlight the impressiveness of her landscape, while she paints the rest of the image using warm yellows on the spray paint and leaving the majority of the painting wallowing in shadowy blues to black.
Some of the art on display by Clive Humphreys was largely contrasted. By this I mean one of his workings has colour with expressive strokes but portrays two characters with one trying to life the other from what I could see. Nothing simple or detailed about this image would relate to his other work that was done in nothing but black and white. Diamonds repeated throughout the image next two strange faced characters in suits, also repeated. Without a name tag I would find it hard to believe someone would differ so dramatically between painting styles.
Some of the work at The Lane Gallery is very inspirational and brings out the best in some of these New Zealand artists.
A beautifully painted beach scene done by Liam Davidson shows several characters within the image enjoying a sunny day at the beach. His style, although not extremely detailed keeps the image alive and helps elevate the shading tecniques he has used. His large canvas looks appealing when standing back from it and thinking about the scene itself.
One day I will take some time to find more art done by some of these artists I admire and previous ones I have seen at other art galleries also. I would be interested in what directions they take to further there work and maybe also the direction the started with.
Tim Melville Gallery
Tim Melville Gallery (www.timmelville.com) is on 2 Kitchener street in the Auckland CBD. A very small gallery down the backstreets.
As I mentioned the gallery was very small. One little room that consisted of about 6 different pieces of art from different artists.
The first piece of art I would like to talk about is one of the first pieces I set my eyes on when I walked into the gallery. The picture was of a young girl in a dark setting, black with a barely visible face. Within this darkness the artist had covered the model water and as it has passed down over the contours of their face a picture has been taken as they hold the most soul less look on their face. A scary thought looking back in my memory at this image it is not something I would normally go out of my way to see but it was there and as disturbing as it can be I took my time to look and try to understand what meaning this brought across from the artists point of view.
Even with the time taken to think things over I cannot honestly see any meaning coming out of the sadness portrayed within the photograph. Maybe the sadness and discomfort someone is suppose to feel upon viewing it.
Onto more colourful and expressive was some art by an aboridginal lady of about 70. Her art his executed with creative strokes and vibrant colours, over exagerating the boarder of her work she looks to have enjoyed creating what some would see as a childs painting. Her art is obviously her own however and she understands and loves it which only brings forth the comfort in her paintings that she must feel while she works. The story behind the paintings and painter are something I must look into more often as hearing about this lady from the gallery owner/receptionist changed my opinion on her work dramatically.
I don't like to be judgemental but obviously thoughts like this come forward when you are dealing with art so simple. These simple things we underestimate and discourage and it is something that should be encouraged especially if it is bringing happiness into someones life, maybe not only to feed their family but because its something they love to do.
A lot of the other artwork in the gallery I passed over. Viewing things like a Skull which had been printed with a 3D printer and had marbals glued inside it. An interesting concept indeed, one which I find hard to understand but it was colourful more so than creepy.
Although small I got a lot out of the Tim Melville gallery and I would love to go back some time when they have a new display up to see the small but interesting range of art.
As I mentioned the gallery was very small. One little room that consisted of about 6 different pieces of art from different artists.
The first piece of art I would like to talk about is one of the first pieces I set my eyes on when I walked into the gallery. The picture was of a young girl in a dark setting, black with a barely visible face. Within this darkness the artist had covered the model water and as it has passed down over the contours of their face a picture has been taken as they hold the most soul less look on their face. A scary thought looking back in my memory at this image it is not something I would normally go out of my way to see but it was there and as disturbing as it can be I took my time to look and try to understand what meaning this brought across from the artists point of view.
Even with the time taken to think things over I cannot honestly see any meaning coming out of the sadness portrayed within the photograph. Maybe the sadness and discomfort someone is suppose to feel upon viewing it.
Onto more colourful and expressive was some art by an aboridginal lady of about 70. Her art his executed with creative strokes and vibrant colours, over exagerating the boarder of her work she looks to have enjoyed creating what some would see as a childs painting. Her art is obviously her own however and she understands and loves it which only brings forth the comfort in her paintings that she must feel while she works. The story behind the paintings and painter are something I must look into more often as hearing about this lady from the gallery owner/receptionist changed my opinion on her work dramatically.
I don't like to be judgemental but obviously thoughts like this come forward when you are dealing with art so simple. These simple things we underestimate and discourage and it is something that should be encouraged especially if it is bringing happiness into someones life, maybe not only to feed their family but because its something they love to do.
A lot of the other artwork in the gallery I passed over. Viewing things like a Skull which had been printed with a 3D printer and had marbals glued inside it. An interesting concept indeed, one which I find hard to understand but it was colourful more so than creepy.
Although small I got a lot out of the Tim Melville gallery and I would love to go back some time when they have a new display up to see the small but interesting range of art.
Orexart Gallery
The Orexart gallery (www.orexgallery.co.nz) was an interesting and small gallery which had two artists work on display at the time I was there.
After walking in the door I was confronted by some of Jennifer Masons work which caught my eye because of the vivid bright colour of a splash of red water around a persons face. A large picture which looked slightly out of control like there was a large amount of randomness within its creation. Her work seems all like this to my eyes. It all looks very hard to describe and explain although I was told her work was very in depth and she took a large amount of time toward preparing photographs and setting them up.
Her work was not very attractive to me due to the simple ideas she has for her work. A lot of the work she had on display was pictures of families or friends who are involved in several ways like watching television together. Each of these pictures has been doctored in some way to involve distortions or a random array of objects which you would not normally see in the photographs situation.
Not all of these pictures I thought were unappealing but they do not seem very imaginative and I think from a life of growing up with my father enjoying photographing amazing Otago landscapes (Barrie Wills) I've come accustom to realistic photos that don't have strange anomalies and weird distortions.
The second artist at the Orexart Gallery was Richard Adams. His work reminds me of something similar I attempted in High School art class where I sectioned off the canvas and used contrasting colours in different sections. Although I went further with this sort of idea and had characters and objects in a landscape or structure it does take me back. I think art like this is very comforting because it doesn't invade the viewer with things he or she may not like. Every one in the world has a favorite colour or shape and the simplistic design features with rough brush strokes make the art look rustic and homely. Something I would hang over a fireplace or in the living room. His use of earthy colours and lack of bright ones also appeals to me, it doesn't assault the eyes and cause distractions and his sectioning allows flow within the painting.
I enjoyed my time at Orexart Gallery although not all of the art was what I prefer, everyone has a personal preference and obviously some people will disagree with my opinions.
After walking in the door I was confronted by some of Jennifer Masons work which caught my eye because of the vivid bright colour of a splash of red water around a persons face. A large picture which looked slightly out of control like there was a large amount of randomness within its creation. Her work seems all like this to my eyes. It all looks very hard to describe and explain although I was told her work was very in depth and she took a large amount of time toward preparing photographs and setting them up.
Her work was not very attractive to me due to the simple ideas she has for her work. A lot of the work she had on display was pictures of families or friends who are involved in several ways like watching television together. Each of these pictures has been doctored in some way to involve distortions or a random array of objects which you would not normally see in the photographs situation.
Not all of these pictures I thought were unappealing but they do not seem very imaginative and I think from a life of growing up with my father enjoying photographing amazing Otago landscapes (Barrie Wills) I've come accustom to realistic photos that don't have strange anomalies and weird distortions.
The second artist at the Orexart Gallery was Richard Adams. His work reminds me of something similar I attempted in High School art class where I sectioned off the canvas and used contrasting colours in different sections. Although I went further with this sort of idea and had characters and objects in a landscape or structure it does take me back. I think art like this is very comforting because it doesn't invade the viewer with things he or she may not like. Every one in the world has a favorite colour or shape and the simplistic design features with rough brush strokes make the art look rustic and homely. Something I would hang over a fireplace or in the living room. His use of earthy colours and lack of bright ones also appeals to me, it doesn't assault the eyes and cause distractions and his sectioning allows flow within the painting.
I enjoyed my time at Orexart Gallery although not all of the art was what I prefer, everyone has a personal preference and obviously some people will disagree with my opinions.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Compendium Gallery
Several weeks ago I took a visit to the Compendium Art Gallery (www.compendiumgallery.com) in the Auckland CBD.
The art gallery is on a street running alongside Queen street at 5 Lorne Street.
The art gallery itself looked nice, large viewing glass walls inviting me in from the street. Upon entering my ears were assaulted by a strange beep that persisted the whole time I was at the art gallery, this did not help make me comfortable but I put it aside.
The exhibition they were currently displaying was "Three Glass Artists via New York" and the artists involved are Emma Varga, Gerry King and Claudia Borella and between them their art styles and views are all very different. The glass art on display was a bright vivid change from some of the less colourful art I have seen more recently.
The glass art designed by Gerry King is well sculpted, to the viewer it looks as though a lot of time has been spent to get the right shapes and sizes with the glass. Bright colours like deep reds are used in conjunction with some texture. His art is "pretty" and well proportioned and is something that could light up someones home nicely.
Emma Varga has her glass art in a largely different style. She has taken the approach of more simplistic shapes like cubes and rounded the edges, making types of crystal looking cubes which bubble with light. The pieces look angry and dense. Using similar bright colours like the deep red her art has disruption within which looks like bubbles. Her art would appeal to some buyers but I would have to say from an unprofessional point of view like my own they seem to be bright, over sized glass paperweights.
With less colour and more finesse, Claudia Borella has taken an approach to the glass art from a different direction to the above two artists. Her work has flow and precision within the patterns she has created. On one of her pieces, using almost typical looking glass she has created flowing designs which have be measured out to the millimeter in a semicircle pattern. Her art appeals to me because it views like a piece of art should, in my mind. There is something holding or containing something with a unique and new look. Art should be your own and display your name without any writing if necessary. A glass cube does not do that for me.
Aside from all this art there were some brilliant paintings in the entrance of the building. Displaying landscapes and urban settings the paintings were extravagant and expressive but kept a sense of realism due to the well proportioned objects.
I enjoyed my time at Compendium Gallery because it isn't often I see art work done with glass and I think its a beautiful process to create glass masterpieces.
The art gallery is on a street running alongside Queen street at 5 Lorne Street.
The art gallery itself looked nice, large viewing glass walls inviting me in from the street. Upon entering my ears were assaulted by a strange beep that persisted the whole time I was at the art gallery, this did not help make me comfortable but I put it aside.
The exhibition they were currently displaying was "Three Glass Artists via New York" and the artists involved are Emma Varga, Gerry King and Claudia Borella and between them their art styles and views are all very different. The glass art on display was a bright vivid change from some of the less colourful art I have seen more recently.
The glass art designed by Gerry King is well sculpted, to the viewer it looks as though a lot of time has been spent to get the right shapes and sizes with the glass. Bright colours like deep reds are used in conjunction with some texture. His art is "pretty" and well proportioned and is something that could light up someones home nicely.
Emma Varga has her glass art in a largely different style. She has taken the approach of more simplistic shapes like cubes and rounded the edges, making types of crystal looking cubes which bubble with light. The pieces look angry and dense. Using similar bright colours like the deep red her art has disruption within which looks like bubbles. Her art would appeal to some buyers but I would have to say from an unprofessional point of view like my own they seem to be bright, over sized glass paperweights.
With less colour and more finesse, Claudia Borella has taken an approach to the glass art from a different direction to the above two artists. Her work has flow and precision within the patterns she has created. On one of her pieces, using almost typical looking glass she has created flowing designs which have be measured out to the millimeter in a semicircle pattern. Her art appeals to me because it views like a piece of art should, in my mind. There is something holding or containing something with a unique and new look. Art should be your own and display your name without any writing if necessary. A glass cube does not do that for me.
Aside from all this art there were some brilliant paintings in the entrance of the building. Displaying landscapes and urban settings the paintings were extravagant and expressive but kept a sense of realism due to the well proportioned objects.
I enjoyed my time at Compendium Gallery because it isn't often I see art work done with glass and I think its a beautiful process to create glass masterpieces.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monterey Art Gallery
My first proper outing to an art gallery, my apologies for not doing this earlier.
I was scratching my head as to how I was going to find an art gallery around my local area of Howick and google was proven to be my friend. It found the Monterey Art Gallery which seemed promising. They have a nice little website (www.montereyartgallery.co.nz) which I had a look around.
When I arrived the other day at the gallery I was confronted by some art they had on display by a lady named Crispin Korschen (www.crispinkorschen.co.nz). Her art caught my eye because it seemed very simple and almost childish. Most of her art looks to consist of two main colours for her landscape and/or background on which she has a small group of characters or a single character acting something out. Every piece of her art however has a tiny message written somewhere on the canvas which relates to the character or the actions on the picture which I find helps describe to the viewer what message she is trying to bring across. As you stand back and admire her art she draws you in as you start to look at the more detailed parts and find these messages. I find her style of drawing very beautiful because even with the elongation (is that a word?) of her characters she has put a careful amount of detail into the characters which shows she has a very big talent for detail using what looks like a fine pin type brush, however she decides to proportion these characters in weird and wonderful ways.
Apart from the work displayed by Crisin Korschen there were some other pieces which mainly consisted of vases and pots and mixed media most of which had some type of New Zealand or Maori relation. Dont get me wrong now, I thing some of these pieces are quite dramatic or beautiful to look at but a lot of art done in a New Zealand or Maori theme does not seem to interest me as much as most art. One piece I spent some time staring at was a large mixed media piece which was strapped with rusted barbed wire and had a wooden hair comb item forced into the middle of this 'slab' which I could only describe as white stone like Oamaru stone or something similar which I got the chance to work on while I was at high school.
I think a lot of these pieces and a lot of pieces I have not described here have unique stories or symbolism the artist wishes to sneak into viewers minds on a subliminal level however for me that probably takes more time and effort to pick up on. The art is beautiful to my eyes and not really my mind, for now at least.
I was scratching my head as to how I was going to find an art gallery around my local area of Howick and google was proven to be my friend. It found the Monterey Art Gallery which seemed promising. They have a nice little website (www.montereyartgallery.co.nz) which I had a look around.
When I arrived the other day at the gallery I was confronted by some art they had on display by a lady named Crispin Korschen (www.crispinkorschen.co.nz). Her art caught my eye because it seemed very simple and almost childish. Most of her art looks to consist of two main colours for her landscape and/or background on which she has a small group of characters or a single character acting something out. Every piece of her art however has a tiny message written somewhere on the canvas which relates to the character or the actions on the picture which I find helps describe to the viewer what message she is trying to bring across. As you stand back and admire her art she draws you in as you start to look at the more detailed parts and find these messages. I find her style of drawing very beautiful because even with the elongation (is that a word?) of her characters she has put a careful amount of detail into the characters which shows she has a very big talent for detail using what looks like a fine pin type brush, however she decides to proportion these characters in weird and wonderful ways.
Apart from the work displayed by Crisin Korschen there were some other pieces which mainly consisted of vases and pots and mixed media most of which had some type of New Zealand or Maori relation. Dont get me wrong now, I thing some of these pieces are quite dramatic or beautiful to look at but a lot of art done in a New Zealand or Maori theme does not seem to interest me as much as most art. One piece I spent some time staring at was a large mixed media piece which was strapped with rusted barbed wire and had a wooden hair comb item forced into the middle of this 'slab' which I could only describe as white stone like Oamaru stone or something similar which I got the chance to work on while I was at high school.
I think a lot of these pieces and a lot of pieces I have not described here have unique stories or symbolism the artist wishes to sneak into viewers minds on a subliminal level however for me that probably takes more time and effort to pick up on. The art is beautiful to my eyes and not really my mind, for now at least.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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