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Ketchup on the Walls

By | 2D, More 2D | No Comments

Full disclosure: I used ChatGTP to generate this description as an experiment.

“Illuminated Manuscripts” is a recent art series by a NYC-based artist that has been gaining attention in the Brooklyn art scene for its unique blend of traditional illuminated manuscript style and contemporary news events. The series, which has not yet been featured in a gallery, presents a thought-provoking and powerful commentary on current events.

One particularly striking piece in the series is called “Ketchup on the Walls” and is inspired by a headline from the Independent, “Donald Trump ridiculed after suffering three major blows in one disaster day: ‘Ketchup on the walls'”. This work uses the vibrant colors and ornate details of illuminated manuscripts to depict the chaos and absurdity of the situation described in the headline.

The artist’s use of the illuminated manuscript style adds an extra layer of depth and meaning to the work, drawing the viewer in and inviting them to consider the events depicted in a new light. This piece, along with the rest of the “Illuminated Manuscripts” series, is a must-see for anyone interested in the NYC and Brooklyn art scenes. Its innovative blend of traditional and modern elements makes it a standout among contemporary works, and its thought-provoking themes make it a powerful addition to any collection.

The National Identity Project: Nigeria

By | National Identity | No Comments

Nigerian National Anthem by Ame (John) Anteyi: National anthems are meant for monumental surroundings: diplomatic visits, military parades and international sporting events. But what happens when an ordinary citizen is displaced from these environments and asked to sing their own national anthem without additional stimuli or fanfare? The effects of such an isolating experience is carefully and sensitively catalogued on film in The National Identity Project. Originally screened at the Brooklyn Museum, this film penetrates layers of self-reflexive contexts of nationalism, freedom of expression and personal pride. Filming against a controlled, neutral backdrop, subjects are exposed to an unusual psychological channel; one in which singing a stripped-down national anthem of their country of origin (not necessarily their current domicile) forces a reconsideration of their own social, political and cultural values as well as those of a larger audience. The solo acapella performances of songs which instill emotions ranging from peaceful passion to extremist rage or from collective trauma to fond nostalgia fundamentally changes the usage, reception and execution of such a wide-reaching creative gesture as a pledge or outcry of allegiance.