ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE: HOPE WITH THE FIRST LIGHT OF DAY

Orpheus walks full of hope towards daylight, expecting his beloved Eurydice to follow him all the way out of the underwold. He has been granted an extraordinary and unique opportunity: to have the breath of life restored to his wife. Hades, king of the land of the dead, softened to Orpheus request, marking Greek history as the only time this ever happened with this fearsome god. Even Cerberus, the horrifying hound of the gates of Hades, succumbed to the sad songs Orpheus played. Hades and his wife Persephone conceded Orpheus a chance for getting back Eurydice, alive. She would walk behind him, all the way to daylight, but he could not turn back to look at her, or would lose her for ever.

Read more about this topic at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytia

Coson Beach

Coson Beach
Originally uploaded by esperanzadickson

A long, long line of coconut trees, and white foam in beautiful Coson beach, Samana, Dominican Republic.

Apollo And Clytie Greek Myth

Apollo climbs the sky in his chariot of fire, and ignores Clytie, who betrayed his beloved Leucothea in order to gain back his favors. She suffers silently and finally turns into a sunflower; her face will now follow forever the Sun in its daily path.

Read more about this topic at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clytia

Abstract Painting: Postwar Minds, Historical Positions In 1960's & 1970's

Galleries In Vienna now Exhibiting striking abstract paintings, showing the art development in the postwar period. Later, how artists' perception changed in time, showing the historical positions through the 1960's and 1970's. Learn more about this Exhibition at http://artnews.org/gallery.php?i=667&exi=22234&Painting_Proc
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Matisse: A Bit More About; Exhibition Now In New York Galleries

A very interesting Exhibition of Henri Matisse's very enigmatic works is now in New York Galleries, until next October 11. Matisse's works primarily from the period 1913-1917. More information available at this page:

http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/35206/moma-throws-a-dignified-homecoming-party-for-matisse/

Guloyas Dancing

Linda, King Of The Guloyas in Dominican Republic

"Linda" is Donald Ulester Juana Henderson, known by all as the King of the National Carnival Parade 2006, in Dominican Republic. He was identified as the head of a cultural celebration recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Guloyas from San Pedro de Macoris.

The Guloyas, or Buloyas, are descendants of black cocolos who immigrated to San Pedro de Macoris (in the South East of the Dominican Republic, just West to La Romana). They came from the british islands of the Caribbean. Juan Luis Guerra, a famous Dominican singer and song writer, honors the Guloyas in the musical video of his song "A Pedir Su Mano". In their activities, the Guloyas dance with folkloric music which is heavily African accented with particular rythms, drums and flutes. The Guloyas costumes are very original, decorated with peacock feathers, capes covered with stones, mirrors and great handfuls of colors.

If you ever decide to visit Dominican Republic for your vacations, which I highly recommend (beautiful beaches, weather always between spring and summer, interesting historical places...), the visit to Teofilus Chiverton's house is something to consider in your agenda. Teofilus was the founder of the Guloyas, and his very picturesque house, painted by Dominican artists, awaits in San Pedro de Macoris. This house is also part of Dominican Cultural Heritage.

Naif Art in Haiti Affected By Earthquake, Too

The following is a translation from my friend Glenda Galán's blog post "Arte Entre Escombros", about the unfortunate current moment in Naif Art, in Haiti. You can see Glenda Galan's Blog Posts at http://glendagalan.blogspot.com/

(Approximate translation of "Arte Entre Escombros", a blog post in spanish by Glenda Galán, http://glendagalan.blogspot.com/)


"Art Among Debris"

It filled me with great sorrow to read in these days that the best from Haiti's cultural heritage was lost in the earthquake of January 12. The best world's collection in Naif Art exists no more.

Only around 400 oils have been rescued from the 15,000 that were part of Museum Nader of Naif Art. In addition, nothing is known about the luck of several Haitian artists and their artwork which they kept in their studios.

The only survivor was a minimal part of the artwork from great national artists, such as Héctor Hyfolite, Philomé Obin, Valcin, Benoit and Wilson Bignud. But the legacy from other important creators has been buried for ever. In Haiti, the Art lies, too, among debris.

* Naif painting is a synthesis of French Art and the Popular style born in XIX in Haiti, and evolutioned from its African origin. In XX, this style is outlined as characteristically Haitian, standing out in native and national themes, with local customs scenes and very bright colors.

See original post in spanish by Glenda Galan, at http://glendagalan.blogspot.com/