Almost like from Dr. Seuss.
Short man and tall man.
Actually a whole step taller.
Guy on the left, little stubby legs.
One on the right, long long legs.
When you're on a ladder, I guess it doesn't matter.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Contrast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contrast. Show all posts
July 21, 2020
Short Man Tall Man, What Do You Say
Almost like from Dr. Seuss.
Short man and tall man.
Actually a whole step taller.
Guy on the left, little stubby legs.
One on the right, long long legs.
When you're on a ladder, I guess it doesn't matter.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 19, 2020
@Eastern State Penitentiary
Photos are from my tour of Eastern Penitentiary in Philadelphia.
The prison cells were in these tomb thick concrete structures, freezing cold, and completely claustrophobic!
You have to stoop through a tiny doorway to get in and out.
The cell with the car in it shows how small these prison cells were.
There is a photo of a cell with a stinking toilet and also the one with a barbers chair.
Then there is the picture of the fancy cell which is that of Al Capone's (right after the regular disgusting cell). Pretty sure Capone had some real pull with the warden and guards, and I'm sure they were afraid to cross him.
There was even a synagogue in this frightful gothic-style prison with a light that says Shalom (peace).
One cell had art painted on the walls and had many of these dreamy-looking women in Island type spots so far away from the reality of these horrible prison conditions.
It was also interesting the the prisoners inside these walls were I'm sure dying to get out, and yet the visitors to the prison were lined up at the ticket booth to get a glimpse inside.
The whole experience was so full of juxtaposing contrasts.
I feel like I learned a lot. Overall, a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here! ;-)
(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
March 29, 2017
X Marks The Spot With A Dot Dot Dot
Unfortunately, they were out of passes for this special showing, so I could only grab a quick photo or two.
But I was amazed at how splashes of dots and color can make such am amazing impact on a room.
Futuristic and yet surreal.
Everything in the room--walls, floor, chairs, tables, fixtures, and ornaments--had the design elements on them.
The only thing that didn't were the people checking it out and what a contrast that was.
It felt like being in the fantasy world of Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory or something amazing like that.
It is no surprise that people were lining up out the doors for tickets to this exhibit.
What an spectacular vision for the world--so happy, so magical and so wow beautiful! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 25, 2016
Cherry Blossom Sky
Just loved this gorgeous Cherry Blossom tree with the white leaves against the pale blue sky.
Almost looks like snow flakes, but thank G-d those are gone now.
All this nature is sort of the opposite of work, but on my mind is this quote that I heard this week:
_____________
"Plan the work
AND
Work the plan"
_____________
It's simple, but gets right to the point of the necessity of planning and then executing on the plan.
I like the gorgeous nature and this smart saying. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 20, 2015
The Cup Runneth Over
It's a really nice fountain...actually 3 double-fountains in a row.
The top fountains run over into the bottom ones, which in turn runs over into the larger pool basin at the bottom.
I like the contrast between the grey and white stone, the gold fountain, and the pewter basin with the water overflowing between them.
As the water (a symbolism of life) continues unabated to run over in the fountain, so too, I pray that our good fortune is abundant and overflowing, and that we have more than we than enough for our needs, and plenty extra to share with others. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 16, 2015
Wild Advertising Art
Milagro ("Miracle") is a company that prides itself on it's collaboration with artists to create cool murals to advertise it's liquor.
Tequila is made from the sweet, fruity, blue agave plant from northwest Mexico, hence the writing over the mural saying, "Agave Expressionism."
It must be challenging to look out the windows of this tour bus covered in this very blue mural and messaging.
Why is this ad effective?
First, it is intense and exciting--the vibrant colors, the big mask with the bulging eyes, and the skulls with the green leafy stuff growing out of the head.
Second, it really is a work of art, and you wouldn't expect to see this on a regular tour bus shlepping around town.
Third, the cultural contrast between the Mexican artistic expressionism and the rest of the comparatively humdrum city life is standout.
Fourth, after a long hard day at work, people are tired, thirsty, and ready for some fun--so this is a welcome message.
Overall, this has the creativity and connection with the people to hit the mark--pretty neat. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 24, 2014
Art In The Trees
This is art in the trees.
A Renaissance child in gorgeous red and gold robes on an expansive scroll in the lush green trees is marvelous to me.
Also, the contrast of the heavenly creation of the world and nature alongside the man-made art affirms to me how we, ourselves, are made in the image of G-d, and can contribute to the beauty of the world we live in.
I hope you this like it too! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 27, 2014
The Cello And The Horse
This guy in a shirt and tie is playing this awesome looking cello...
And sitting next to him is this other guy wearing a horse mask, rolling his head, and staring intently at the people passing by.
Behind them is a farmers market and in front to the left is someone selling beautiful flowers.
Overall, just another weird scene in the Nation's capital.
Next up, the guy in the horse head plays the cello and everyone sings along and neighs. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 22, 2013
Black and White and Gray All Over
1) Attention and Inattention—There were 2 father-son pairs in this gorgeous infinity pool at the resort. One father and son (age maybe 3) were together—jumping, splashing, swimming, holding each other—it was really beautiful. The other father and son (maybe 4) in contrast had the kid standing alone in the pool trying clumsily to pull a pair of goggles over his face, while his inattentive father stood off to the side glued on his smartphone. The first kid was smiling ear-to-ear under the attentive and adoring eyes of his father, the second kid was clearly rejected and dejected.
2) Beach and Poverty—I visited the beach in Hollywood; we were told it had a great little boardwalk. When we got there at first, it seemed awesome with the sun and palm trees, music, eateries, skaters, and bicyclists, and more. But as we started walking and exploring, it quickly became apparent that this was the poor side of town. There were no high-rises here, no fancy cars, no eloquent shops, and sort of a menacing feeling overall. The contrast of the beautiful beach and boardwalk with the surrounding poverty left me feeling sort of confused about wanting to be there, but also wanting to leave.
3) Ocean and Starbucks—whenever, I come down to South Florida, I invariably end up thinking about finding a place down here. This time, I saw some options that were attractive for very different reasons. One place was an older building, nice and enticing with a direct ocean view. The view from the apartment was so amazing; it literally made my wife cry. But then we saw another condominium—this one brand new, about 15 minute walk from the ocean, but right over all the shopping, Starbucks, and conveniences. The first place had a million dollar view, but the second place was practical and we could see ourselves really living there.
4) Driving and Jolly--We took a trolley ride and the driver was obviously hard-working, but low paid. Yet he turned up the tunes and took us around town not just driving, but literally singing and sort of dancing to them too--waving his arms and smiling the whole time. It was great to see someone so spirited and happy in whatever they were doing in life.
As I get older, and hopefully wiser, I see more clearly that situations in life are not simple or “black and white,” but there are lots of complexities, choices, and grays.
Do you choose self or family, live where you like or where you can earn a good living, go for the view or for the convenience, bemoan what you don't have or celebrate what you do? Lots of decisions in life—each choice has consequences, so choose carefully.
No one has it all—even if it looks like they do. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 17, 2013
Two Pictures From DC Today
Both photos represent contrasts of the reality with life in the city.
The first was a car junked-up and sitting on the sidewalk. It was quite out of place in front of the neat rowhouses and otherwise nicely manicured street.
The second was the "free samples" tray of delicious Pumpkin Munchkins at Dunkin' Donuts with all the samples gone--empty--nothing there.
Perhaps, if we put these together in a storyline then it's simple...someone wrecked their car, put grafitti all over it in some sort of artistic or social statement, made their way over to DD and in their anxiety ate up all the free munchkins, and left only a short while later to get over to the car dealship to look for a new set of wheels.
That's a pretty full day even in Washington, D.C. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
August 17, 2013
New York?
My daughter went on a Shabbaton to the Big Apple.
They put her up in an amazing multi-million apartment overlooking Central Park.
The contrast between the city and the nature-y park is stark and stunning.
I guess the have and have nots are alive and well in NY.
But wow, this would be nice to wake up to in the morning. ;-)
(Source Photo: Michelle Blumenthal)
June 22, 2013
Beach In All Its Beautiful Colors
I took this photo of a picture in Fort Lauderdale Airport.
The colors are stunning to me--the blue sky, the turquoise water, the white sand, the green palm trees, the dark blue beach umbrellas, the white wall, the pink sidewalk, and the off white road--and don't forget the dude walking in the orange trunks.
What an amazing, happy place--this picture captures it for me.
Hope you enjoy it. ;-)
(Source Photo of photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 12, 2012
Why Orange?
These two Tibetan Buddhist Monks.
I asked about their amazing robes--"why orange?"
They said, they didn't know why, but told me black, white, blue, and red were a no-no.
They started to teach words from their language to another inquisitive fellow from New York riding on the train, and asking them how to say this and that.
They were laughing at his pronunciation.
As he was about to get off the train, he grabbed for their hands and gave them a good shake, and off he went.
I asked if I could take their picture and they smiled and immediately sort of sat up and posed.
At one point on the ride, the monk on the right pulls out a cell phone and starts talking away--the modern technology was sort of a funny contrast with their religious robes and serene nature.
Anyway, I loved this picture and wanted to share this experience.
Hope you enjoy!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 26, 2011
How Leaders Can Imitate Art
Mental Floss (July-August 2011) has an article on the awesome art of "Christo and Jeanne-Claude." Their pieces are large, imposing, and environmentally-based. Some examples are:
1) The Umbrella (1991)--Installed 3,100 umbrellas across a 12-mile stretch in California and an 18-mile stretch in Japan."
2) The Gates (2005)--Erected "7,503 steel gates, each with a giant rectangle of orange fabric flowing from it."
3) Surrounded Islands (1983)--"Surrounded 11 uninhabited islands in Biscayne Bay with 700,000 square yards of pink fabric."
4) Wrapped Reichstag (1995)--Wrapped the German parliament in "119,600 square yards of shimmering silver fabric."
What I like about their art is the duality of on one hand, magnitude of the projects--they are huge!--and on the other hand, the utter simplicity of it--such as using a single color fabric to just line up along, spread over, or surround something.
Further, I really like their use of contrasts whether it is the colors of the blue water and green islands with the pink ribbon or the lush green valley with the blue umbrellas--it is in every case dynamic and spell-binding.
Each work even in a microcosm would be beautiful, but when done on a massive scale like with the entire German Parliament building or on multiple continents simultaneously, it takes on an air of magic, almost like Houdini.
Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009, but together she and Christo created "20 gargantuan works of art, and Christo carries on the "couples's 45 years of collaboration" with new works today.
To me, Christo and Jeanne-Claude are incredibly inspirational:
1) They were highly productive and developed a multitude of magnificent works of art.
2) They defined a sense of beauty in both urban and rural settings that combined the natural surroundings and augmented it with human interventions to complete the creative process.
3) They took on monumental tasks, "funded all the projects themselves," and would obsessively plan all the details to get it right.
4) The were truly collaborative--Christo was the artist and Jeanne-Claude his encouragement and manager, yet they considered each other "equal partners in the creative process."
Their work reminds me of floating in virtual reality like in Second Life, but in this case, it's the real thing. And it's incredibly important because it teaches us that we are partners in the creative process and can do enormously great things in simple and beautiful ways. Similarly, true leadership is about being one with our surroundings, at peace, and yet envisioning how to improve on it and make the good things, spectacular.
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