The Big Show!

Go see the annua The Big Show! at the Lawndale Art Center. Then tell me which pieces you like.

My standouts:
  Tony Garbarini, Shark Week.
  Tamara D. Kontrimas, Rising.
  Daniela Koontz, Coiled Rope.
  Tara Rene Ratliff, Concealment.

A perfect match?

The painter everyone loves to hate + the shoes everyone loves to hate =

The Jackson Pollock Crocs! Yes, they're for real. I almost bought a pair, just for the stupid novelty.
Instead, I'm holding out for Rothko Prada loafers.

Vanity Fair

Back before I had more productive things to do (that is, before I had kids) I read Vanity Fair magazine, every month, cover to cover. I've re-subscribed for the iPad edition, and I remember what I like about it. Check out this story on Frank Gehry's proposed Dwight Eisenhower memorial, which gives insight not only into how memorials are designed, but also why memorials are denounced. And while you're at VF, check out the short piece on Ellsworth Kelly.

Let's revisit our "art made of money" theme

Benjamin Franklin, Biggie Smalls, and Stephen Colbert portraits made of bills. Obama made of pennies. What emblematic material would your portrait be made of?

Spy software used for medieval windows

Software used to put together destroyed documents is now being used to try to put together a medieval stained glass mosaic.

The scores are in!

Art History 4.0 did better than they predicted. Great job!

Number of tests: 19

Score 5: 4
Score 4: 7
Score 3: 4
Score 2: 1
Score 1: 3

Average score: 3.421
Percent with score of 3 or higher: 79.8

Past years' scores for context:

Year	% score 3 or higher	National % score 3 or higher	Average score	National average score
2009	72.7%	56.9%	3.45	2.74
2010	88.9%	61.5%	3.5	2.89
2011	72.2%	58.0%	3.056	2.85
2012	78.9%		3.421

The Book That Can't Wait

Most writers want their work to last, but a new book printed in Argentina is guaranteed not to last, because it's printed on disappearing ink.