Vociferous Whimsy

In this video, leading Japanese contemporary artist, Riusuke Fukahori demonstrates his technique. Using layers of acrylic paint separated by resin Fukahori creates extremely life-like images. Inspired by a goldfish he kept for seven years, he began painting fish in 2000, while searching for ideas.

Riusuke Fukahori is represented by ICN Gallery, London which focusses on Japanese and Asian artists. 

ADA - analog interactive installation
A kinetic sculpture by Karina Smigla-Bobinski

From the artist’s website:

Filled up with helium, floating freely in room, a transparent, membrane-like globe, spiked with charcoals that leave marks on the walls, ceilings and floors. Marks which «ADA» produces quite autonomously, although moved by a visitor. The globe obtains aura of liveliness and its black coal traces, the appearance of being a drawing . 

Roman Ondák discusses Performance 4, Measuring the Universe, at MoMA New York.

The gallery space allows for different participatory acts. The viewer is encouraged to take risks and have fun. In the past passivity was all that was expected - to look and appreciate. Today viewers frequently produce the artwork under the direction or suggestion of the artist.

Measuring up the Universe is formed entirely by gallery goers having their height, name and date recorded on the gallery wall. The installation would look different every day as the black marks increased and darkened the walls. This is a very versatile idea, I’d love to see it replicated in Australia, perhaps with white text on a black wall. Lighting up the universe.

Artist bio:

Roman Ondák (b. 1966, Zilina, Slovakia) is widely regarded as one of the most important neo-conceptual artists working today. His work is characterized by a minimal use of materials paired with a subtle humor. Inviting strangers to participate in the production of his works is also a common strategy for the artist. Ondák lives and works in Bratislava, Slovakia.

You might also like Yayoi Kusama’s The Obliteration Room  at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art.

Yayoi Kusama - An Introduction. (Via KusamaDocumentary). 

An exhibition of Kusama’s work is currently on display at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, until 11 March 2012. 

Sir Kenneth Clark on Raphael - The Hero as Artist (episode 5) from the BBC series ‘Civilisation’ (1969). 

In this rare video Clark describes how Raphael was received at the time. Though not in favour as he is today Raphael’s significance is noted by Clark who goes into great detail about several of Raphael’s great works. 

A brief overview by Nicholas Penny from the Grove Dictionary of Art states:

He has always been acknowledged as one of the greatest European artists. With Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian, he was one of the most famous painters working in Italy in the period from 1500 to 1520, often identified as the High Renaissance, and in this period he was perhaps the most important figure. His early altarpieces (of 1500–07) were made for Città di Castello and Perugia; in Florence between 1504 and 1508 he created some of his finest portraits and a series of devotional paintings of the Holy Family. In 1508 he moved to Rome, where he decorated in fresco the Stanze of the papal apartments in the Vatican Palace—perhaps his most celebrated works—as well as executing smaller paintings in oil (including portraits) and a series of major altarpieces, some of which were sent from Rome to other centres. In Rome, Raphael came to run a large workshop. He also diversified, working as an architect and designer of prints.