Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys – Reviewed in the Noise
From our friends Walter Sicket and the Army of Broken Toys Hi All, We are very pleased to announce that we have been reviewed in the venerated Boston Music Magazine The Noise - now in its 26th year highlighting local talent. See review below and follow the link to more great Noise content or pick up a hard copy today - you'll find them →
William Blake – The ancient tradition that the world
The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true, as I have heard from Hell; For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at the tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed and appear infinite and holy, whereas →
Peter Conrad
The camera is a killing chamber, which speeds up the time it claims to be conserving. Like coffins exhumed and prised open, the photographs put on show what we were and what we will be again. Peter Conrad (b. 1948), Australian critic, author. Down Home: Revisiting Tasmania, pt. 5, “Seeing Tasmania” (1988).
Walter Benjamin
The camera introduces us to unconscious optics as does psychoanalysis to unconscious impulses. Walter Benjamin (1892–1940), German critic, philosopher. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, sct. 13 (1936; repr. in Illuminations, ed. by Hannah Arendt, 1968).
Denis Donoghue
The camera has an interest in turning history into spectacle, but none in reversing the process. At best, the picture leaves a vague blur in the observer’s mind; strong enough to send him into battle perhaps, but not to have him understand why he is going. Denis Donoghue (b. 1928), Irish educator, author. The State of the Language,“Radio Talk” (1980).
Dirk Bogarde
The camera can photograph thought. It’s better than a paragraph of sweet polemic. Dirk Bogarde (b. 1921), British actor. Quoted in: Independent (London, 28 Jan. 1990).
Arthur Schopenhauer
That the outer man is a picture of the inner, and the face an expression and revelation of the whole character, is a presumption likely enough in itself, and therefore a safe one to go on; borne out as it is by the fact that people are always anxious to see anyone who has made himself famous. … Photography … →
Eliot Porter
Sometimes you can tell a large story with a tiny subject. Eliot Porter (1901–90), U.S. photographer. Quoted in: Guardian (London, 6 Nov. 1990).
Edward Weston
Photography suits the temper of this age—of active bodies and minds. It is a perfect medium for one whose mind is teeming with ideas, imagery, for a prolific worker who would be slowed down by painting or sculpting, for one who sees quickly and acts decisively, accurately. Edward Weston (1886–1958), U.S. photographer. The Daybooks of Edward Weston, vol. 3, pt. 3, →
John Berger – It is comparatively easy to achieve a certain unity in a picture
It is comparatively easy to achieve a certain unity in a picture by allowing one colour to dominate, or by muting all the colours. Matisse did neither. He clashed his colours together like cymbals and the effect was like a lullaby. John Berger (1926 - ) British novelist, essayist and art critic.Referring to Henri Matisse. Toward Reality: Essays in Seeing
William Leith
Photographers never have much incentive to show the world as it is. William Leith (b. 1960), British journalist. Independent on Sunday (London, 13 Sept. 1992)..
William Blake – Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. Songs of Experience, "The Tyger"
Joyce, James (1882-1941),
Joyce, James (1882-1941), Irish author, whose writings feature revolutionary innovations in prose techniques. He was one of the foremost literary figures of the 20th century. Joyce is best known for his epic novel Ulysses (1922), which uses stream of consciousness, a literary technique that attempts to portray the natural and sometimes irrational flow of thoughts and sensations in a person’s →
William Blake – Little Lamb, who made thee?
Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. Songs of Innocence, "The Lamb"
Václav Havel
There is only one art, whose sole criterion is the power, the authenticity, the revelatory insight, the courage and suggestiveness with which it seeks its truth. … Thus, from the standpoint of the work and its worth it is irrelevant to which political ideas the artist as a citizen claims allegiance, which ideas he would like to serve with his →
Rainer Maria Rilke
Portrait painting Surely all art is the result of one’s having been in danger, of having gone through an experience all the way to the end, where no one can go any further. Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926), German poet. Letter, 24 June 1907, to his wife (published in Rilke’s Letters on Cézanne, 1952; tr. 1985).
William Blake – A Robin Red breast in a Cage
A Robin Red breast in a Cage Puts all Heaven in a Rage. William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. "Auguries of Innocence"
James Joyce – Once upon a time
Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that was coming down along the road met a nicens little boy named baby tuckoo. James Joyce (1882 - 1941) Irish writer.Opening sentence. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Tony Benn
Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure. Tony Benn (b. 1925), British Labour politician. Quoted in: Independent (London, 21 Oct. 1989).
William Blake – I was angry with my friend
I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. Songs of Experience, "A Poison Tree"
Sinclair Lewis
In other countries, art and literature are left to a lot of shabby bums living in attics and feeding on booze and spaghetti, but in America the successful writer or picture-painter is indistinguishable from any other decent businessman. Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951), U.S. novelist. Babbitt, ch. 14, sct. 3 (1922), giving the annual address at the Zenith Real Estate Board.
John F. Kennedy
In free society art is not a weapon. … Artists are not engineers of the soul. John F. Kennedy (1917–63), U.S. Democratic politician, president. Speech, 26 Oct. 1963, Amherst College, Massachusetts.
William Blake – Ah, Sun-flower! weary of time,
Ah, Sun-flower! weary of time, Who countest the steps of the Sun; Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the traveller's journey is done. William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. Songs of Experience, "Ah, Sun-flower"
William Blake – He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence.
He who desires but acts not, breeds pestilence. William Blake (1757 - 1827) British poet, painter, engraver, and mystic. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, "Proverbs of Hell"
