Ben Louis

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Fell into a Josef Fenneker hole... (2/2)

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Fell into a Josef Fenneker hole... (1/2)

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The New Paradise (1921). Poster by Josef Fenneker? 

Note to self: research Franz Schroedter.

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The Climax, print, Aubrey Beardsley, 1894, England. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Good read: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-whiplash

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Karin Dreijer Andersson.

[smithsonianlibrariesarchives]

​The title of the book De anima brutorum commentaria by Francesco Maria Soldini translates to “Commentary on the Soul of Animals” in English and the text is about exactly that topic. It is unclear, however, if the subject of the text is what got the book onto the Index Librorum Prohibitarum, the list of books banned by the Roman Catholic Church1 or if the illustrations are to blame. Largely unrelated to the text (aside from the fact that they are both focused on animals), the book’s woodcuts portray what some scholars2 believe to be the earliest graphical representation of the concept of evolution in a book, predating Lamarck. The plates do seem to portray life emerging from the sea to populate the land, a portrayal which could be seen as a prefiguration of Darwin’s theory of evolution. Scientific and historical merit aside, the plates also have undeniable aesthetic value, illustrating real and fantastical animals side by side in scenes that are a bit more dream-like than your average scientific illustration.

The full text is available here: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/232227#page/7/mode/1up

1Mellby, Julie L. 2009, September 15. Retrieved from https://www.princeton.edu/~graphicarts/2009/09/de_anima_brutorum_commentaria.html

2Barbagli, Fausto. “In Retrospect: The earliest picture of evolution?” Nature 462, 289 (19 November 2009) Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v462/n7271/full/462289a.html

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Belgium has some interesting jewellery designers.

Cleo van Woensel (necklace)

Sam de Herdt (photography)

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Lovers.

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It brings me joy that both Rotterdam and Ghent feature this line of poetry by Lucebert in their street view. 

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Schildersverdriet

Alle stenen, alle steden

zijn oorden van verderf & kunst.

Daar wonen witte kunstenaars in zwarte huizen

Daar slapen in het zachte bed der muzen maagden,

die hun liefdesvliezen laten openspatten 's avonds 

als luchtmatrassen volgepompt met beter bloed.

Daar sterft de kunstenaar zijn dagelijkse enge dood. 

Dan parelt uit zijn rode oog een traan van terpentijn.

Dan weent hij onopvallend zachtjes in zijn ribben,

waaruit hij niet ontsnappen kan, als vingers

zwetend in een hete handschoen.

En omdat alles wat hij liefhad even onvolmaakt is

als alles wat hij met zijn goede wil heeft aangeraakt

aanvaardt hij droef te zijn tot het einde der tijden.

Want na het schilderen komt het grote verdriet,

dieper dan de leegte na de liefde. 

Paul Snoek.

[queens-of-lockscreens]

Raja + her golden warrior look ❦ (like/reblog if u save, honey)

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If everybody could just human normally and openly, that'd be great.

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Yas. Gawd. Werk. Betch.

I’ve seen the video of Sasha performing ‘Praying’ by Kesha several times on YouTube but I just know I would still cream my panties if I were to see it live.

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Harry Clarke's E.A. Poe inspired illustrations.

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If this is your art, let me know. I think it's amazing and I'll give credit where credit is due.

[missdelrey]

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It's been years since Raja won Drag Race, but it took 6 seasons for a drag queen to get me as excited (wet?) as her. What Sasha Velour brings to the table reminds me of the same androgyny/gender fluidity, knowledge of drag (history) and other cultures, artistry, open mindedness, wit that Raja possesses, all the while they both remain a bit reserved and mysterious. They are not loud queens, but put a lot of thought in their craft and seem to be very contemplative. No t no shade to other queens, I have more that are near and dear to my heart (Bianca, Alaska, etc.), but there is something about Sasha and Raja that makes me feel a certain excitement and inspiration throughout my entire body that only really good art does. Also: Sasha as a boy gives me Michel Foucault REALNESS!