Big Bang Rafael Montilla Kubes in Action Street Art
Portafolio Artístico
Tú me dices: “Me encanta crear, pintar… ¡qué sé yo! de tantas áreas artísticas que manejo y que, según mi familia, debería proyectar y que alguien las conozca y las valore”. Yo te respondo que si sientes el arte visual como parte de tu vida es el momento de proyectarte, como una catapulta, a que muchas personas te conozcan y reconozcan. ¿Alguna vez escuchaste el término “portafolio artístico”? ¿Has escuchado que para ingresar a alguna institución o proyecto te exigen ese “bendito portafolio”? Pues no es otra cosa que reunir en una sola carpeta tus creaciones; esas que te hacen sentir orgulloso, que te han brindado elogios de algunas personas, conocedoras o no de arte. En fin, una muestra de lo que has hecho y haces, relacionado con arte, visual o no. Algo que hable de ti y lo haga bien. ¿Te gusta la fotografía, el dibujo o la pintura? O más bien te inclinas hacia el diseño y o el interiorismo? Hay quienes se sienten motivados por el diseño de modas. Algunos más audaces lo hacen por la escultura o la arquitectura. Y habrá artistas que se sienten identificados con los comics y dibujan maravillas. Aquí te vamos a presentar algunas recomendaciones para preparar ese famoso Portafolio Artístico que tantos dolores de cabeza puede producir. La primera es: Reunir tus creaciones, las más recientes, donde demuestras tu talento, experiencia, trayectoria… La cual puede ser corta o larga, no importa, lo que nos interesa es reunirlas. Tu me dirás: ¿Y eso para qué? Por si quieres optar por un empleo, o simplemente continuar profesionalizandose. —No tengo mucho tiempo dedicado al arte. No importa, se necesitan solamente algunas piezas representativas de tu estilo y originalidad, así como tus preferencias. No te preocupes porque tu amiguito reunió una muestra “así o asao”, es tu imaginación y creatividad lo que hace tu portafolio algo individual, único e irrepetible. Lo primero que recomiendan los expertos es que ¡Comiences ya a crear! Esto significa: dedicar tiempo a que tu talento se vuelque a tu inspiración. En segundo lugar: ¡Observa y crea..! Todos los artistas, novatos o no, deben incluir esos dibujos que han realizado en un momento de ocio, cuando observaban algo que los inspiró. Escenas de la vida real… Eso está cargado de detalles maravillosos y enriquecerán tu portafolio. No dudes en plasmar cualquier concepto o idea que encuentres interesante, con los colores que te provoque, con lo que te recuerde alguna experiencia de vida. Esto significa que no te reprimas, confía en ti y añade tu toque particular. Algunos pasan un mes diseñando la portada de su portafolio para que luzca atractivo, yo te aconsejo que nunca una fachada puede valer más que el contenido, eso es lo que se busca: “calidad”, es mejor que cantidad.
Te traigo algunas sugerencias que te servirán de apoyo en el momento de armar y lograr tu atractivo portafolio profesional Sé tú mismo. La originalidad es clave en ese momento. Refleja quién eres y es tu tarjeta de presentación. Es lo que te diferencia de los demás. ¡Y, por supuesto tú no quieres ser del montón..! La calidad de tu habilidad. Es importante destacar por encima de la cantidad.Es preferible una pequeña muestra, digamos 10 a 20 imágenes con tu mejor trabajo que muchas imágenes que no sean tan dignas de elogio. Coherencia y consistencia en el trabajo. Aunque seas múltiple en tus habilidades, es importante mantener una continuidad y destacarse en una o dos técnicas, recuerda que “el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta” y es mejor evitar incluir exceso de obras que desentone. De ti y de tu buen juicio depende la escogencia de lo que sea conexo y coherente. La Paciencia es una cualidad y la mejor forma es encontrar la oportunidad adecuada para introducirse como artista con un concepto sólido. No abrumar queriendo mostrar todo lo que hay en ti en una sola presentación. Se recomienda mostrar tu serie más sólida y adecuada y confiar en que se te abrirán las puertas para exponer tu trabajo y todos sus aspectos. Actualizar tu carpeta de trabajo es obligatorio. Cada cierto tiempo debes revisar y desechar lo que a tu criterio ha quedado obsoleto. Ya sea porque tus habilidades técnicas han mejorado o porque ya no estás interesado en promoverlas. ¿Y qué me dices del orden? Teniendo en mente a las personas que vayan a ver la muestra de tu obra, lo más lógico es presentarte de una manera cuidada, sencilla y adecuada. Un ejemplo podría ser agruparlas por temas, por técnicas y/o estilos. O bien por su orientación o agrupación. ¿Cómo debo ordenar las obras? Sencillamente, de la manera que tú quieres que las vean. Por supuesto que la mejor debe abrir el grupo, ya que la primera abrirá la puerta a las demás. Y que tu segunda mejor obra sirva para cerrar el portafolio, para que quede esa última buena impresión. ¿Debe ser personalizada? Si. No te olvides de ese detalle, y deberás incluir toda la información que te hayan solicitado y la que consideres conveniente. Puedes preguntar qué es lo que quieren ver y qué tipo de información exigen. También es necesario información de las imágenes, formato, etc. Procura mostrar lo más reciente de tu trabajo, indicando siempre las técnicas o herramientas que usaste para lograrlo. En lo posible, evita repetir imágenes, así no sean la misma, pero si son parecidas no causa buena impresión.
Ser profesional, es importante, porque además de tu trabajo se te va a valorar a ti como persona con la que trabajar. No significa que tengas un título universitario, se trata de irradiar esa profesionalidad que representa el hecho de prestar atención a los detalles, crear una carpeta cuidando la calidad en las imágenes y textos que la puedan acompañar; sobre todo mostrar don de gentes y amplitud mental. ¿Cuántas obras incluir? Los expertos recomiendan no menos de diez, pero respetando: 1, tu estilo; 2, pulcritud y habilidad y 3, integración armónica de la muestra. Siempre deberás mostrar obras terminadas, incluso si incluyes imágenes del proceso creativo o bocetos. Un último consejo: Si no te sientes listo, no vayas a crear un portafolio. Ser honesto es lo mejor y así podrás evitar una decepción. Ya ves que la paciencia es la mejor consejera. Espera, confía y produce, son los mejores consejos para estar seguros de mostrar lo mejor de nuestro talento.
“BEYOND MONET”, LA EXHIBICIÓN INMERSIVA DE UNO DE LOS MÁXIMOS EXPONENTES DEL IMPRESIONISMO, CLAUDE MONET.
“BEYOND MONET, THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE” SE ENCUENTRA EN MIAMI, CON UN MUNDO MULTISENSORIAL DE MÁS DE 400 OBRAS DEL PINTOR FRANCÉS.
Tras el éxito arrasador de “Beyond Van Gogh” con millones de boletos vendidos en Estados Unidos y el mundo, ahora pueden visitar en Ice Palace Studios de Miami, “Beyond Monet”, la exhibición inmersiva del máximo exponente y creador del impresionismo Claude Monet. Esta fascinante propuesta cultural, lleva a los asistentes a un mundo multisensorial, presentando más de 400 obras emblemáticas del pintor francés (www.miamimonet.com)
“Beyond Monet” ofrece al público un vistazo a las emociones, pensamientos y sueños de Claude Monet combinando tecnología con piezas diseñadas a la perfección. Las impresionantes imágenes del artista, rodean todas las superficies del salón, desde el piso hasta el techo, sumergiendo a los invitados al interior de las pinturas, que cobran vida fuera de los marcos a través de proyecciones animadas y tecnología de vanguardia. “Beyond Monet” es toda una experiencia inmersiva para despertar los sentidos, ambientada a la perfección por una banda sonora.
Cortesía fotos: Beyond Exhibitions
Despues de ingresar al Garden Gallery, los visitantes llegan al área más grande de la exhibición. Inspirándose en el Musée de l’Orangerie de París, el hogar de las obras maestras de Monet, los asistentes pueden caminar libremente por el Infinity Room, un espacio de forma ovalada, y cautivarse con las pinturas más icónicas del artista como la serie “Nenúfares”, “El puente japonés”, “Impresión, sol naciente” (el cuadro más famoso de Monet pues es el que dió origen al estilo impresionista), entre otras obras, que pueden ser apreciadas por diferentes tipos de público, amantes del arte y la familia en general.
Cortesía fotos: Beyond Exhibitions
“Beyond Monet” se basa en el éxito global de “Beyond Van Gogh” que estuvo recientemente en el Ice Palace de Miami por 6 meses recibiendo a más de 200 mil asistentes. Abarca 50.000 pies cuadrados, lo que la convierte en una de las exposiciones inmersivas más grandes de Estados Unidos. Creada por el responsable de Beyond Van Gogh, el franco canadiense Mathieu St-Arnaud, uno de los mejores diseñadores audiovisuales del mundo y su equipo creativo de Normal Studio.
“Beyond Monet,The Immersive Experience”: Tickets a la venta en www.miamimonet.com Ice Palace Studios: 1400 N. Miami Ave. Miami, FL
“Beyond Monet”, una experiencia inmersiva como ninguna otra, la nueva forma de apreciar el arte.
Para más información y boletos de “Beyond Monet”: www.miamimonet.com Instagram: @monet.miami Facebook: Beyond Monet Miami
All you need to know about Geometric Abstract Art…
5/5 (2)
In 1852, renowned writer Gustave Flaubert wrote a letter of what today seems like a premonition of what was about to happen back then in the world of art: “Perhaps beauty will become a feeling useless to humanity, and art [will become] something half-way between algebra and music.” Little time after this words were written down, meaning and representation would radically change the limits of visual perception and understanding through a series of artists and styles that would define the geometric abstract art movement and the different artists and facets that have represented it.
Cezanne and Seurat began to complete Flaubert’s prophecy, setting preconditions for abstract geometric art. Cezanne created his art on the strict and specific laws of geometry, treating nature through different figures like a cylinder, a sphere, a cone, everything seen through perspective, in a way in which every possible side of an object in the composition would be directed towards a central point. Cezanne attempted to go beyond nature and find the laws that composed it, hence his allegory of the divine which would later influence other painters as well. Seurat on the other hand, found harmony in an almost musical perception of reality, highlighting use of primary colours and simple shapes. He said “Art is Harmony. Harmony is the analogy of the contrary and of similar elements of tone, of colour and of line, considered according to their dominance and under the influence of light, in gay, calm or sad combinations”.
0,10 Exhibition: A section of Suprematist works by Kazimir Malevich exhibited for the first time.
These two artists established the grounds for what was to come afterwards and we now recognize purely as fauvism and even expressionism which would be the transcendental basis of geometric abstraction. Geometric abstraction arrived after many decades of figurative painting where sensitive images of detailed landscapes, and portraits of pompous characters where featured in many paintings. This fundamental change consisted in the use of simple geometric figures (squares, circles, triangles) combined inside subjective compositions that lived inside surreal spaces. There was no reference to the real world, only fictional, utopic scenarios as if the goal was to say that painting is something that simply one does. It was born as a reaction towards the excess of subjectivity of the visual artists of previous movements in an attempt to distance themselves from the purely emotional. Abstract geometrical art tried to be precise, sticking to the rules of nature and science.
Kazimir Malevich, Black Square, 1915, oil on linen, 79.5 x 79.5 cm, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow (Image By Kazimir Malevich – Tretyakov Gallery, Public Domain
Piet Mondrian, Composition with color fields, oil on vanvas, 48cm x 60.5 cm, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
One of the pioneers and most emblematic artists of abstract geometric art was Kazimir Malevich, who founded the Suprematist movement. His purpose was the search of an absolute and pure expression, nonfigurative, unlike customary art. During his twenties Malevich established contact with Larionov, which opened the doors for him to new experiences and international relationships, getting to know fauvists, cubists and Italian futurists, playing a huge role on his own creations. His first experiments lead him to create this movement, based on an acute visual language which consisted of abstract geometric figures and neutral colours. He developed his work between 1912 and 1923. Along with his career, he created a series of numerous black and white geometric abstract art paintings. In 1915 he presented his most iconic and historically transcendental piece, called Black Square. Malevich promoted values of logic, mathematics and objectivity contrary to the subjective sensitive technicality of art established then. Claiming superiority in the abstract arts, this piece also rejected mainstream art of the moment and was considered the beginning of a new current, representing the death of conventional art, opening the doors to a new tradition of art.
Piet Mondrian, Composition number iii, oil on canvas, 19 ¾ x 19 ¾ in. (50 x 50.2 cm), 1929.
Another transcendental exponent of modern abstract geometric art Piet Mondrian. He would be initiated in the art world by his uncle Frits, a landscape impressionist painter. The early youth days of Mondrian, influenced mostly by Amsterdam’s pictorial environment, included still life paintings, landscapes and academic studies. In order to survive, young Mondrian created copies of paintings that were exposed at the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) and drawing illustrations for books. Around 1901, he took on a trip to Spain to watch the bullfights, he was completely shocked and entered in a sort of mystical crisis that leads him to isolate himself in search of a new order, a new synthetic law. Between 1907 and 1908, he started getting in touch with fauvist artists before going to study cubism based on straight lines. During those years, he created a series of now-famous geometric abstract art paintings simply called “composition”.
Theo van Doesburg. Simultaneous Counter-Composition. 1929-30. Oil on canvas. 19 3⁄4 x 19 5⁄8” (50.1 x 49.8 cm). The Sidney and Harriet Janis Collection
In 1914 Mondrian went back to the Netherlands and in 1917 established a connection with Theo Van Doesburg with whom he created the “De Stijl” (The Style) magazine and its manifesto where we would write many theoretical articles of how art was supposed to be done. He created his first compositions of blue, yellow and red compact rectangles on a white background with primary colours and abstract geometric art with black and white. The purpose of his art was to re-establish the balance between man and nature. In 1920, due to disagreements with Van Doesburg Mondrian separated from the De Stijl movement and started getting in touch with the Bauhaus current and its players. Layer in his life he moved to New York, where we stopped using lines and started substituting them for rectangles and squared figures. Mondrian’s painting changed to be based completely on absolute thorough mathematics. He pretended to create a mix between art, matter and spirit to capture neo-plasticism (De Stijl) the universal harmony (using right angles and primary colours): an approach which goal was to discover the deep spiritual essence of reality and life. In the De Stijl movement, the principles that dominated artistic creation were always absolute abstraction, no reference to reality was allowed, and the language was restricted to lines and right angles, the three primary colours (blue, yellow and red) and the three non-primary colours, grey, white and black.
Theo Van Doesburg, CompositionVIII_(The Cow), circa 1918, oil on canvas, Height: 37.5 cm (14.7 in); Width: 63.5 cm (25 in), Museum of Modern Art
Famous geometric abstract art painter Van Doesburg, (co-founder of De Stijl) created a series of figurative studies to abstract them into geometric figures composed of lines, colourful rectangles and squares. He would later move on from the movement’s aesthetics by inserting lines of different lengths and widths and colours, this would be a cause of rupture with Mondrian inside the De Stijl since the artist was taking a different path to the one established in the manifesto. Van Doesburg lived a vivid political and educational life, establishing contact with different Bauhaus and constructivism artists, he even got involved in architecture and was a key promoter of the Dadaist movement all across Europe. Since the role of Van Doesburg was so essential to the De Stijl, the movement was not able to survive after his death, although many members stayed active and in touch with each other. Many of its original artists, especially Mondrian continued however to create artworks that would be heavily influenced by the current.
Bart Van der Leck, Composition, 1918, Oil on canvas, 21 3/8 x 16 3/4 (53.5 x 42.5). Tate Museum
Bart Van der Leck, was another transcendental member of De Stijl, who despite having participated for a brief period of time, was extremely meaningful for the movement. Even though the artist refused to sign the manifesto, he created a series of geometrical abstract artworks in which his conception of geometrical painting and his colour palette had a determining influence on the creations of Piet Mondrian and Theo Van Doesburg. The artist would later still create realistic and figurative paintings and would sporadically continue experimenting with geometrical abstraction without sticking to the previously established rigid geometrical rules of De Stijl.
Bart van der Leck, Study for Compositions No. 7 and No. 8, 1917, Gouache on tracing paper, 100 x 154 cm, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Geometric abstract art has had many different stages and facets across the history of art starting from the early XX century and expanding towards the present day. The influences of geometric abstract art could be seen along with different decades and continents, having also new waves in Latin-American art during the 60s and 70s. Its influence can still be identified in contemporary art and other movements of the XX century.
Cover image: Theo Van Doesburg, CompositionVIII_(The Cow), circa 1918, oil on canvas, Height: 37.5 cm (14.7 in); Width: 63.5 cm (25 in), Museum of Modern Art.
In the Netherlands constructivist art looks back on a long tradition. The group “de Stijl” originated in the 1920s and in the course of time came to shape the development of constructivist art decisively, so that it is today considered by art critics to be one of the main directions in classical modern art. The creed of the “de Stijl” group still influences art, architecture, and industrial design in the Netherlands today, in that it continues to live as a creative maxim in the aesthetic program “Less is more”.
Bob Bonies can be considered to be a successor of the “de Stijl” movement in as much as he did not just restrict himself to free art alone but extended his artistic work to architecture, industrial design, and art teaching, and exemplified the aim of those pioneers who wanted to use their artistic ideas for shaping their surroundings. Moreover, he can also be considered a pioneer of the second generation, as his constructivist painting imparted a new impetus to the geometric direction of art in the Netherlands of the 1960s.
Prototyp, 1965, acrylic on wood, 30 x 30 cm
Were one to look for a conceptual motif in Bonies’ art work, one would in the first instance cite the theory of Josef Albers on “The Unity behind the Many” and “The Many behind the Unity”. His method, however systematic it may be, is directed less towards the programmatic and more towards investigating the potential of variables. Thus Bonies’ art work does not develop in a serial way as is usual in the constructivist domain, but rather in a sequence of cycles of works whose themes recur with varied points of view. The only fixed factor in Bonies’ investigation over many years into color and form is his handling of colors: he has always used and today still uses only four colors, namely the three primary colors red, yellow and blue, the secondary color green (as the complementary color of red) and the noncolor white. On the other hand, he has given the handling of form as well as of format a more open interpretation. His vocabulary of forms includes differently weighted categories of areas with linear edges (stripes of varying thickness, triangles, and rectangles) arranged in the three classical directions horizontal, vertical and diagonal, and has in the last years been extended to include the circle as well as the circular segment. The basic colors and forms appear in different systems of arrangements, of which there are, as regards their number and combination, essentially two types of picture. First there is the closed and contained absolute shape of the square which dominates Bonies’ work and which also occurs standing on a corner (diamond), and then there is, so to speak, the polarly opposed type, the “shaped canvas”, which is sometimes included in the shaping of the picture. This novel shape was developed by American artists during the 1960s and was intended to free them from the traditional rectangular pictorial shape in order to achieve a congruence between picture and format, as well as at the same time attaining an enhanced objectivity.
Were one to seek a common denominator for Bob Bonies’ process of visualization which now encompasses nearly four decades, one would surely find it in the dynamic extension based on a tension-laden balance of forces. Thus, for example, Bob Bonies combines progression with rotational moment in a square format and at the same time quasi extends the construction beyond the boundaries of the picture (Without Title, 1986, p. 22). Or he achieves a displacement of the diagonal axis in a “shaped canvas” by flapping open the upper part of the picture (Without Title, 1987, p. 30). This virulent dynamization of elements has in the last years been further heightened by a return to the method of omission practised in the 1960s (Without Title, 1966, p. 19) or the inclusion of the circular segment (Without Title, 2002, p. 29). In the multipartitioned pictures, several parts constituting the whole are omitted, leaving the completion of the gaps to the imagination (Without Title, 2003, p. 42). Furthermore, the basic system of proportional partitioning in the multipartitioned picture is now harder to comprehend. Thus, in recent years his intention has distanced itself from the initial elementary order and has proceeded in the direction of increased complexity, without, however, renouncing his reductionist convictions. The pictorial organization continues to be based on the interpretation of progression, rotation, displacement of axes and omission, but the extensive character of the most recent works is more strongly accentuated.
Prototyp, 1967, acrylic on wood, 30 x 30 cm
In view of the prevailing social background, it is not difficult to interpret this tendency to break through the boundaries as a characteristic of Bonies’ democratic understanding of art and his typical open-mindedness. Willy Rotzler has used the medium of sailing to describe Bonies’ work. He considers his works to be “sheer as a sail, reduced to minimal essentials”, and they suggest “a dry cheerfulness and distant vision, as is typical of a coastal, seafaring people” (Rotzler, Willy: Bob Bonies und Nelly Rudin. In: Zwei Künstler aus zwei Ländern – Nelly Rudin, Bob Bonies. Zuger Kunstgesellschaft (ed.), 1989). Bonies’ paintings appear cheerful and composed, inspired by the pioneering spirit of the 1960s, as if the artist were at all times prepared to send his pictorial intentions across the seven seas.
Preface
Bob Bonies has, with his particular form of art, taken up a direction which can be considered to be a successor to the de Stijl movement. His works are a continuation and development of the principles of this art form which originated in the Netherlands. He has extended the strict reduction to the three basic colours by including green in his large works. Not only in this way, however, but also in formal ways has he endeavored to shift the boundaries of his preceding generation. He paints segments of circles which he combines with strictly rectangular shapes. Bob Bonies is an impassioned innovator. Thus he demonstrates through his art, which has connections with hard-edge painting as well as with the classical shaped canvases, that a composition constructed solely according to aesthetic criteria loses nothing in the way of relevance or freshness.
Formally, Bob Bonies is interested in the phenomenon of movement. This he achieves not only by juxtaposing the three basic colours with green, leading to a differentiated sense of depth, but also by placing the different shapes and forms in an irritating way relative to one another within the picture. These subtle effects help to demonstrate to the viewer how sensitive his spatial perception is.
It is a pleasure for us to extend our hearty thanks to Bob Bonies for his dedicated help. It was not only his “Haagse Hopjes” but also his honest enthusiasm for this exhibition which made the preparations really enjoyable. We also thank Naomi Duveen, who accompanied the preparations with many good proposals and suggestions. Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. Elisabeth Grossmann, director of the “Haus Konstruktiv” in Zurich and a friend of the Arithmeum from the beginning, who has agreed to contribute an article to this catalogue and to speak at the opening.
As always, we are especially grateful to our sponsors, without whose continued support this exhibition would not have been possible.
Biography
1937
Born in The Hague.
1960
After five years of professional art courses in The Hague and Stockholm, he has his first exhibition in 1960 at the Observatorium Gallery in Stockholm. During these years he frequently meets with Olle Baertling. At the end of this period he establishes his studio in The Hague.
1962/63
Visits the United States and Canada, where he paints abstractly. He marries Hanneke Schuitema there.
1964
He settles in Wassenaar near The Hague.
1964/65
Once back in the Netherlands, the development of his work is characterized by a continued reduction of pictorial elements, forms, and colours. He not only paints, but also constructs reliefs and spatial structures out of fibreglass and aluminium as multiples (“art for the people”).
1965
He joins the “Bond voor Beeldende Kunstenaars” (BBK).
1966
He became board member of the BBK.
1965/66
Marks the beginning of fifteen years of cooperation with Riekje Swart of the Swart Gallery in Amsterdam.
1966
First one-person exhibition in the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Participates in the international exhibition “Forms of Colors” in Amsterdam, Berne and Stuttgart, with Albers, Bill, Judd, Kelly, Lohse, Newmann and Stella, among others.
1967
First meeting with Richard Paul Lohse in his studio.
1969
Cooperates with choreographer Hans van Manen to create the ballet “Squares”, the pre- mière of which was performed by the “Nederlands Dans Theater” in the “Théatre de la Ville”, Paris.
1971
One-person show at Galerie Teufel, Koblenz.
1972
Cofounder of the trade union “Bond voor Beeldende Kunstarbeiders (BBKA)”, whose chairman he becomes.
1972 onwards
Is active as member of various consulting bodies among others of the ministry of cultural affairs concerned with the integration of the plastic arts, architecture, and municipal planning.
1972 onwards
Realization of numerous commissions in public buildings.
1976
One-person show at Galerie Teufel, Cologne.
1979
One-person exhibition in the Gemeente Museum in The Hague with “shapes” and constructions.
1981
Retrospective exhibition in the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven.
1981 – 1988
Worked with the dancer Naomi Duveen to produce several different performances with the overall title “Danswerk”.
1988 – 2001
Director of the Free Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague.
1989
Together with the couturier Frans Molenaar and the composer Simeon ten Holt, he realizes the “Constructivistic Triptych” which is exhibited in Utrecht and Tokyo.
1991 onwards
Visits the United States annually to work there. He stays, in particular, in New York, Marfa (Texas, Donald Judd), and Taos (New Mexico, Agnes Martin).
1991
Comprehensive exhibition entitled “Bob Bonies, Works from the Years 1965-1991”, in the Hoffmann Gallery, Friedberg.
1993
Marries Naomi Duveen.
1999
Invitation to participate in “The Quindao International Art Exhibition” held in the Municipal Museum in Quindao, China.
2001
Rehearsal of the ballet “Squares” by Introdans, Arnhem.
2001 onwards
After retiring from the directorship of the Free Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, he once again devotes himself fully to his own artistic work.
Bob Bonies in Conversation
How did you discover art for yourself? When did you decide to become an artist?
I began to find art exciting somewhere back in the middle of the 1950s. I was at middle school at the time – without much success, to be honest. Thus the question arose as to whether I would be better off learning something practical. My father was a photographer, and so it was only natural to consider whether that might be something for me, too, or perhaps interior designing or decorating. So I started at the Academy of Art when I was only sixteen years old. The director, an artist himself, said to me: “Oh well, now you’re here we’ll start you off learning to draw”. At that time the drawing classes were naturally traditional – we sketched models realistically. I worked very enthusiastically, which my parents noticed, and eventually they said: “If you want to continue doing this, then we’ll support you”. So I stayed at the “Vrije Academie voor Beeldende Kunst”. After that I studied for some time at the Royal Academy in The Hague, where I concentrated on sculpture. That, too, was handled completely traditionally, figuratively. My interests were, however, wider than that. I was also interested in interior layout and design. So I then went to the “Konstfackskolan” in Stockholm, which is a college for arts and crafts. It was there that I first became aware of Olle Baertling’s work, which impressed me deeply at the time. I often returned to Stockholm, right into the 1960s, and on this foundation I then decided to become a professional artist.
Prototyp, 1965, acrylic on wood, 30 x 30 cm
Where was your first exhibition?
My first exhibition was in 1960 at the end of my training in Stockholm. I then returned to the Netherlands, where I have lived and worked as an artist ever since.
Was it very difficult to get going as a young artist? How did you orientate yourself in those days?
The first years were naturally very hard. In those days I was doing abstract painting and sculpture, lyrically abstract. In the Netherlands, COBRA was all the rage as modern art, for example Karel Appel, but I had a different idea of art. In 1963 I visited America and there I saw a totally different form of art, one not normally seen in Europe. This visit certainly influenced my work, which underwent a large reduction in style in the space of three or four years.
Were there any artists in those days on whom you modelled yourself?
There were such artists, American ones. When I was in America, I lived for a while in Washington D.C. It was there that I got to know Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland. Another such artist was Clyfford Still whom I very much admire. I consider him to be an absolutely top painter. When looking at a painting by Clyfford Still, it is difficult to explain why I feel such an affinity for his work, but I do and have done for many years.
Do you think that your roots have something to do with the direction of art which you have chosen?
I am from The Hague, I was born there. The Gemeentemuseum in The Hague has the most extensive collection of Mondrian’s works in the world. I was always very interested in the de Stijl movement. I studied the works of Theo van Doesburg, Mondrian, and all the others with great interest. That was always part of my baggage, as it were, wherever I went. But at the time I had no idea that I would go in that direction myself.
What else appealed to you apart from the de Stijl movement? What else contributed to your development of form and colour?
I was extremely interested in the development of modern art in Russia: Malevich, Tatlin, and Lissitzky. The connection between de Stijl and Malevich and the Russian artists at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as the freedom and breadth of the American avantgarde, were the three main roots from which my further development sprang. Thus one can, I think, see today, that my work is partially the continuation of a certain European tradition and at the same time also has a certain connection with America. In this sense I am, after all, a loner, as I have always been in the Netherlands.
Your particular form of art sprang from these roots, but surely also from modern ones?
Yes, also from modern ones, but on the other hand, from the American standpoint one perceives the European traditions. That’s what makes my work different.
Can you say something about the development of the pictorial language of your pictures?
That was a long path over a period of forty years, concentrating on the question as to how far one can go with restrictions and reductions without losing all the tension in the picture. Today, I don’t need to start from the beginning every morning. My work now has a large, firm basis. With every completed painting one gains in experience, which one can then invest in the next one. I now feel completely at home in my work. I don’t need new inspiration every single day. What is essential for me is not to lose track and go astray, but to follow and deepen my path consistently. I need to be convinced of my own work and have full confidence in it.
In constructivist art, and also in your work, what matters in the end is the picture itself. The creative process plays only a minor role as no expressive strokes of the brush are involved. Can you imagine your works of art being created by some other media rather than by painting, or would that entail the loss of some essential element?
In constructivist and also in concrete art the restrictions of the media used must be concentrated totally differently. The more sparse and restricted the media become, the more difficult it is to work. You can, for example, see that clearly in Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, from which one can learn a great deal.
Prototyp, 1974, acrylic on wood, 30 x 30 cm
The original idea of constructivist art was to induce people to see the world around them in a new way, to integrate art into their lives. To what extent do you think this has been achieved so far?
In the middle of the 1960s I established my own studio near The Hague, and I also intended to become engaged politically. I was filled with the idea that art was for everybody. “Everybody is an artist”, Beuys once said. I found this idea fascinating, but who wants to be an artist? On the other hand, I still believe in the goals of constructivist art. The constructivist artist wants to open a door for people to enter through, or a window for people to look through in order to see a different kind of reality. I believe that is the purpose of the artist and his art. For me, constructivism as a concept is still highly topical, especially in this visual era with its enormous two-dimensional visual flood through television and advertising. I think it is very important that something with a deeper quality is available. That is why I believe that artists have a definite and proper place in society today, as they have always had in the past.
By what criteria do you judge whether one of your pictures has turned out to be good? Does it ever happen that you paint a picture which you liked when you sketched it but which doesn’t satisfy you when it is finished?
Yes, that could happen. But with my way of working I am given several chances to judge my work. I have a lot of experience with the form and effect of colours and with judging the quality and quantity of colour. I also have a lot of experience with questions of format. My first sketches are small and also large, then I make prototypes and at the very end I decide on the actual format and paint the picture one-to-one.
You have restricted yourself not only in your pictorial language, but also in your choice of colours. Does it ever happen that you wake up in the morning and say to yourself: today I want to paint in purple, or in orange?
Neej, neej, neej, I haven’t done that for decades. Since the 1960s I haven’t painted in a subjectively colouristic way. I use colour for contrast, for perceiving forms. Different colours act differently in the way they form contrasts: red is the number one and blue is its main contrasting colour, then comes yellow and finally, in contrast to red, there is the fourth colour green. I have in the past never used more than four colours. Each of these I also use for a special direction in space: vertical, horizontal, diagonal. In my paintings I aim to achieve a synergy between the three-dimensionality or the construction of my picture on the one hand, and the real space in which the picture exists on the other. This correspondence between pictorial space and surrounding space is what makes up the actual quality of the picture. In this sense I also see myself as a spatial constructor. For forty years now, I have been using only the primary colours plus green and white. The same goes for forms. Only now am I actively using compasses again, something I have hardly done in the last twenty years, during which I worked mainly with squares and rectangles. I am now connecting up with the past again, not only with respect to compasses. When one considers the essence of the picture and concentrates the possibilities, then one needs no more but fewer means. In this sense I also feel a great affinity for Ad Reinhardt or Agnes Martin.
What they express in their pictures is not usually so direct. Your paintings are quite different – they are utterly direct on account of the clarity of their colours and forms.
Certainly my pictures express themselves more directly. When one studies them, one doesn’t immediately feel compelled to look for a psychological meaning, or for a particular experience, as one would with artists who choose their colours subjectively.
In spite of the clear directness of your paintings, do you not sometimes want to reach the viewer emotionally, or is that completely impossible with your paintings?
No, that is not impossible. Just as it isn’t impossible for me to paint an emotional picture. There is an emotional component in me too, namely, when I decide when it is enough. Then I find that it can’t be less either. Thus there is always also a subjective component. And it has to be like that, that is typical, that’s what art and artists are all about.
By what criteria can one judge the quality of works of constructivist artists?
Today the category of constructivist art is rather wider than it used to be. Often concrete art is also included. When painting, I proceed very systematically, but the pictorial quality is of more importance to me than the programme. That is the main difference. There are several different birds in the constructivist tree and each one sings its own song. It is difficult to say in general what constitutes a good piece of art. One must judge from a historical perspective. If, for example, one looks at the works of Robert Mangold with their picturesque surface, then that is somewhat irritating. On the one hand this has something to do with the constructivist conception of the picture, and on the other it is cosmetic, with an awfully false romanticism. But when one considers his development, then one must agree that he deserves the position that he holds. He has crossed certain boundaries. One can honestly say that his is a very comprehensible and good form of art.
How do you proceed in detail when you begin a new painting?
When I now set to work in my studio, I proceed completely traditionally: canvas on dovetailed wooden frame. I usually paint with a brush, that is quick and efficient.
So your skill with the brush still plays a role in the creative process?
Not as a means to an end. In my work manual skill is not strictly necessary in order to achieve my aim. But the direct contact with what is being represented is certainly necessary, with the result that there are little nuances in the use of colours – not colours as colours but as matter. Colour saturation plays a decisive role. I can’t leave that to anyone else. Or perhaps I could, but I don’t want to. That remains an essential point. When one judges the end result, then one can also perceive this, one experiences it. Colour quantity always also influences colour quality, and this constitutes a subjective component of the judgment of the picture. I like to be in control here. In this way I am thus also a colourist.
With regard to your work “Kunst am Bau”, what was your artistic relationship to architecture?
Whenever I was commissioned to do such a project, I had the chance to work together with people of other disciplines. We always strived for a synthesis. I was involved in an interdisciplinary team comprising a constructor, an architect, and an artist. That was really exciting. Of course, as an autonomous artist I always had to restrain myself a bit.
Were you also able to contribute as an artist outside your own studio?
From 1988 to 2001 I was director of the Vrije Academie in The Hague. That is a totally different facet in the life of an artist. For many years I was also a consultant for art projects in the Netherlands, and was responsible for all commissions. Seen as a whole, one can certainly say that I did not spend all my time in my studio. I think it’s important for an artist to orientate himself more broadly and not to spend all his time with brush and palette in his studio.
When you were director of the Academy, did you try to convert the students to your ideas?
No, never. It is very important that each one of them follows their own path and discovers art in their own way. I have never ever tried to impose my own conception of art on others because I know, that is fruitless. Students who are receptive for that sort of influence soon become passive, or imitators.
Can one really learn art at an art academy?
It is practically impossible to learn art, but one can create a climate or offer an environment which one hopes will inspire young students. In the end, however, each one of them must make their own way as an artist. And that’s not too much to expect. Of course, one can act as an example as well, one can show them that it is worth while to persevere and not to let oneself be led astray too easily, which unfortunately often happens. Selling pictures, following trends and fashions, and the promise of quick success all play a role. In this sense real art is something quite different. Quick success doesn’t exist here.
Of course, the question always remains whether quick success is also lasting success.
That is indeed always the question these days. When one is a professional artist, then one becomes part of a system with all its associated marketing. In the fine arts, quick success is usually strived for, especially by the non-artists involved, who want to become rich quickly. One should really try to stay clear of that environment as much as possible.
How do you recognize lasting values in constructivist art? Do you find in your own work that you painted something thirty years ago which you still like just as much today?
Naturally not everything is always as good today as it was thirty years ago. But at the same time one can realize that it was necessary to paint a certain picture at that time in order to go a step forward. There are long lines and also short moments, and both should be judged in concert, and at the end one can say that this is a good artist and another perhaps a not so good one.
But usually every artist will assert to be a good one!
Yes. One tries to go a step forward every day, or at least as often as possible. But one cannot always produce top quality work.
Have you ever destroyed a picture, or thrown it away, or at least placed it in a corner?
No, or nearly so. There are pictures which I hardly ever look at, and others which I enjoy hanging in my rooms. But that’s the same with every artist. And moreover, different viewing times make different judgments possible. There are certain periods when I love Mondrian’s pictures, and others when I say that I have painted much better ones myself. Things are not static, they are dynamic, and the same holds when judging one’s own pictures.
Is there nothing, then, that you consider to have really lasting value as a work of art?
Naturally, I have several icons or experiences tucked away in my mind, of which I say that they have a constant quality for me. Brancusi’s sculptures, for example, and some of Mondrian’s pictures. They will last. Then there are also some pictures of Malevich from the 1920s. Several pictures from that period are the absoplute pinnacle for me.
classical musicMany classical ballet works are performed with a classical music accompaniment. Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, The Nutcracker, refers to the music itself, as well as the dance moves, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.
Why is music important in ballet?
During a dance performance, music plays an important foreshadowing and guiding role in dancers’ body movement, stimulates dancers’ inner throbbing and gives more passion to dancers, so that they will have the strong desire for performance.
What ballet has the best music?
Top 9 ballet recordings
Port De Bras Vladimir issaev
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker.
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake.
Stravinsky The Firebird.
Delibes Coppélia.
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé
Adam Giselle.
Khachaturian Spartacus.
How do you choose a ballet song?
Consider Age Appropriateness. …
Stay Away From Top-40 Songs. …
Make Sure Everyone Loves It. …
Look for Must-Haves.
What are the 7 movements of ballet?
Noverre analyzed ballet movement into seven basic categories. These are known as the seven movements in dancing. These are plier (to bend), etendre (to stretch), relever (to rise), sauter (to jump), tourner (to turn), glisser (to glide), and elancer (to dart).
How is music connected to ballet?
Ballet as a music form progressed from simply a complement to dance, to a concrete compositional form that often had as much value as the dance that went along with it. The dance form, originating in France during the 17th century, began as a theatrical dance.
How does music affect ballet?
Dance needs music to set the mood, drop the beat, and create the motivation needed to start moving. Music has that ability to make us feel a certain way, which is why it plays such an immense role in dance. Different styles of music create various types of beats, which all correspond to a specific dance style.
What are the qualities of ballet music?
A huge element of ballet music is a strong rhythm. The music must be expressive to capture the plot of the ballet. Leitmotivs, or simply motivs, are signature tunes for each character. Most ballets have pit orchestras, especially for classical and romantic ballets.
Who is the most famous composer for ballet?
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is the composer behind some of the most well-known ballet titles we have – The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. He was born in a small town in Russia called Votkinsk in 1840.
Los “tokens no fungibles” (NFT) son certificados de propiedad almacenados en una cadena de bloques y respaldados por un blockchain. Los NFT ofrecen nuevas posibilidades de ingresos para los artistas, ya que al crear una obra digital pueden autenticar su archivo y tienen la posibilidad de darse a conocer en subastas digitales, a tal punto de vender sus obras por buen dinero.
Un ejemplo de lo mencionado anteriormente es la casa de subastas Christie’s, que vendió la obra de arte digital, Everydays: The First 5,000 Days, de Beeple por más de 69 millones de dólares,llegando a posicionarse junto a Picasso, Monet y Van Gogh. Como una de las obras de arte más costosas en ser vendidas en una subasta.
Para este punto del artículo algún artista o persona que esté interesada se preguntará ¿Cómo adquirir un Art NFT? La respuesta es sencilla. El artista adjunta la obra de arte digital a un NFT, que luego se pone a la venta en un mercado de criptomonedas, o un mercado especializado en arte, como Known Origin,Flipkick o Nifty Gateway y allí el usuario podrá realizar la compra.
Aclaración: Aunque el archivo digital adjunto se puede reproducir en un entorno digital, la obra de arte de NFT sigue siendo auténtica. Ya que su procedencia se remonta al artista original que creó ese token no fungible. De esta forma, los NFT representan la propiedad de los activos digitales para que los artistas puedan vender esa pieza de arte digital. En pocas palabras, los NFT representan el valor en criptomoneda de las obras de arte digitales, lo que les permite ser comercializadas como bienes digitales negociables. Aunque más allá de tratarse de un activo no tangible, lo que aumenta su valor son los comentarios positivos de los internautas hacia esa obra en particular.
El arte NFT ¿se trata de una burbuja o llegó para quedarse? Es algo que solo el tiempo y el interés por las obras podrán decidir, lo cierto es que desde 2019, las obras digitales no paran de ser vendidas.
Por qué los NFT está haciendo millonarios a muchos artistas
Internet democratizó la posibilidad de acceder a contenidos. Cualquiera con un dispositivo celular o computadora puede ver una obra de arte expuesta en un museo de Nueva York o cualquier parte del mundo. ¿Por qué las personas están pagando millones de dólares por tener algo que podrían descargar de internet?
Los tokens no fungibles (NFT) parecen haber salido disparados del éter este año. Desde arte y música hasta tacos y papel higiénico, estos activos digitales se venden como exóticos tulipanes holandeses del siglo XVII, algunos por millones de dólares.
Qué son los NFT y por qué están valorados en millones de dólares
Una pieza de arte que no existe en el mundo físico fue vendida en una subasta de Christie’s por US$69 millones: el comprador no recibirá una escultura, ni una pintura, ni tan siquiera una copia.
Recibirá un token digital (o vale digital) conocido como NFT.
Si el bitcoin fue aclamado como la respuesta digital a las divisas, los NFT son ahora considerados la respuesta digital a las piezas de colección.
Pero hay muchos escépticos que consideran que es una nueva burbuja a punto de explotar.
¿Qué es un NFT?
NFT son las siglas en inglés de token no fungible.
El argentino Sebastián Wainraich presentará el monólogo “Miami. Tierra prometida”
Wainraich actuará en Miami por primera vez; hará tres funciones inolvidables para reír sin parar y disfrutar del humor inteligente, que además nos invita a reflexionar. Jueves 31 de marzo: 7:30 pm; sábado 2 de abril: 7:30 y 9:15 pm. La cita es en The Alan and Diane Lieberman Theater, de North Miami Beach. Los boletos están disponibles en http://www.marjcc.org/wainraich Reconocido como uno de los principales comediantes de Buenos Aires, con 6 temporadas en el histórico Teatro Maipo; líder en su programa de radio; y protagonista de “Casi Felíz”, una de las series de comedia latina más vistas en Netflix. Con su mirada única, Wainraich recorrerá temas como el judaísmo, la vida en pareja, los hijos y el sinsentido de la vida que sabe plasmar con el sentido del humor que lo caracteriza. Es actor, comediante, guionista, presentador y escritor. Ha sido ganador del premio Martín Fierro. Ha hecho dos proyectos para Netflix: en 2015 grabó su especial de comedia, con una hora de su mejor material de Stand Up; y en 2020 estrenó “Casi feliz”, su serie de comedia. En 2016 estrenó “Una noche de amor”, su primera película, de la cual también es autor. Desde 2003 se presenta en teatro: primero en el espectáculo “Cómico Stand Up”; y luego con sus propios espectáculos, primero “Wainraich y los Frustrados” y luego “Frágil”. Es autor de dos libros: “Estoy cansado de mí” (2005) y “Ser felíz me da vergüenza” (2008). Fue conductor de más de 20 programas de la televisión Argentina. En los canales más importantes (Canal 9, América, Telefé, y Canal 13). También ha destacado en canales de Latinoamérica como Disney, Cartoon Network, VH1, y Comedy Central.
A non-fungible token (NFT) is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded. Types of NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and audio. Because each token is uniquely identifiable, NFTs differ from blockchain cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.
NFT ledgers claim to provide a public certificate of authenticity or proof of ownership, but the legal rights conveyed by an NFT can be uncertain. NFTs do not restrict the sharing or copying of the underlying digital files, do not necessarily convey the copyright of the digital files, and do not prevent the creation of NFTs with identical associated files.
NFTs have been used as a speculative asset, and they have drawn increasing criticism for the energy cost and carbon footprint associated with validating blockchain transactions as well as their frequent use in art scams and claimed structure of the NFT market to be a Ponzi scheme.
wikipedia.org
JOE CAMEL NFT by Rafael Montilla
What are some examples of non-fungible tokens?
Non-fungible tokens can digitally represent any asset, including online-only assets like digital artwork and real assets such as real estate. Other examples of the assets that NFTs can represent include in-game items like avatars, digital and non-digital collectibles, domain names, and event tickets.
Joe Cool NFT by Rafael Montilla
How does non-fungible tokens work?
Essentially, NFTs are like physical collector’s items, only digital. So instead of getting an actual oil painting to hang on the wall, the buyer gets a digital file instead. They also get exclusive ownership rights. That’s right: NFTs can have only one owner at a time.
Joe Cool NFT by Rafael Montilla
How do I buy NFT tokens?
How to buy The NFT Token
Download Coinbase Wallet. …
Choose a Coinbase Wallet username. …
Securely store your recovery phrase. …
Understand and plan for Ethereum network fees. …
Buy and transfer ETH to Coinbase Wallet. …
Use your ETH to buy The NFT Token in the trade tab.
Joe Cool NFT by Rafael Montilla
Is bitcoin an NFT?
For example, Bitcoin is not an NFT. But a one-of-a-kind piece of art is non-fungible. You cannot replace it. If you trade it with another piece of art you will have something completely different.
Joe Cool NFT by Rafael Montilla
What is an example of something fungible?
Commodities, common shares, options, and dollar bills are examples of fungible goods. Assets like diamonds, land, or baseball cards are not fungible because each unit has unique qualities that add or subtract value.
Joe Cool NFT by Rafael Montilla
Where can I sell NFT art?
11 NFT marketplaces you should know to sell your NFT ART
OpenSea. The broadest and most established NFT marketplace. …
Nifty Gateway. The NFT marketplace with big drops. …
Rarible. The NFT marketplace for rare media and sports collections. …
Binance NFT. One of the largest and future-proof NFT marketplaces. …
SuperRare. offers a traditonal gallery approach to NFTs. The NFT platform with an art gallery feel
Async Art. This NFT marketplace is a leader in programmable art. Async Art NFT market where you’ll find programmable art
MakersPlace. An NFT marketplace hosting established fine and modern artists.
KnownOrigin. This NFT platform supports limited-run drops and high-quality art. KnownOrigin is one of the most established NFT marketplaces
Foundation. An artist-run NFT marketplace with rare and exclusive projects. Foundation is a very select, artist-led NFT marketplace.
Zora. An NFT marketplace that supports artists and creators of all kinds. Zora enables creators to sell NFTs of physical items, such as RAC’s album Boy.
Mintable. A newcomer that makes creating and selling NFTs very easy. Create an NFT from almost any digital file on Mintable.
The best NFT marketplaces: frequently asked questions
There’s a lot of jargon involved in the world of NFT marketplaces, and some controversy around NFTs themselves. Many NFT marketplaces are trying to make their platforms easier to use, and some even now take debit and credit cards as well as crypto wallets, so creating, selling and buying NFTs is becoming easier. Below are the answers to some common questions many newcomers to the NFT scene still have.
What are gas fees?
This is the charge you need to pay on the Ethereum blockchain to perform a function, which includes the case of creating (minting) an NFT. Gas fees are measured in gwei, and they can go up and down depending on how heavy the use of the blockchain is. On average you’ll be charged 0.0042 ETH per transaction. You can find lower fees early in the morning, between 1am and 3 am (UTC) or late at night, between 9pm and 11 pm (UTC).
Can I avoid gas fees?
Yes, some NFT marketplaces are offering gas-free minting. These including OpenSea and Rarible. This approach essentially places the gas fee on the buyer not the creator, so it will show in the sale (a little like VAT, or the fuel tax added by some airlines). There are some blockchains that have no gas fees or at least lower fees. These include Polygon on Opensea, or ImmutableX on Mintable. Before minting or buying an NFT, look into the fees and at which blockchain and token are being used.
What is minting?
Like with physical currency, “minting” is the term used for the process of creating a currency and NFTs on a blockchain. With NFTs it’s usually on Ethereum. The process of minting records data in a public ledger that is unchangeable and tamper-proof, and which can follow and track the NFT as future sales are made. Minting usually has a cost – the gas fee that we mentioned above. But as we said, some marketplaces are becoming creative about how, when and to whom the fees are charged.
What’s a blockchain?
Investopedia describes a blockchain as: “a distributed database that is shared among the nodes of a computer network.” The strength of blockchain tech is that it guarantees security and trust without the need for a third-party, speeding up data transactions. The data entered is irreversible, ensuring it’s permanent. For NFTs, it means the artist can trace their NFT and ensure a percentage on future sales.
Do I need a crypto wallet?
In most cases, yes. In most cases, you will need to pay in cryptocurrency to mint an NFT, or to buy an NFT. As a result, most NFT marketplaces require you to create a crypto wallet to mint and trade NFTs. A common one is MetaMask, though Coinbase is another secure wallet. Some newer NFT marketplaces, such as Nifty Gateway, have started allowing the use of Fiat currency payments (US dollars, etc) via credit and debit cards, making access to NFTs easier.
Can anything be an NFT?
Yes. Any kind of digital file can be stored as an NFT. Most marketplaces are set up for digital artwork, but more are now supporting video, game assets, and music. Physical items are also now digitised as NFTs, for example physical limited edition Nike trainers. Expect NFTs to exist on and between the digital and physical spaces in the future.
Are NFTs controversial?
Yes. You can’t escape the fact Ethereum minting has a high carbon footprint, but perhaps not as high as some believe. Yet everyone accepts there is a problem. Ethererum 2.0 should solve this issue, and is due this year.
Are there any energy-efficient blockchains?
Yes, and NFT marketplaces are now offering alternatives to energy-hungry Ethererum with better carbon footprints. These include Flow, Tezos, and Polygon. New blockchain Solana boasts of being carbon-neutral. Check on your NFT marketplace which is being used and opt for one that suits your conscience.
Source: Creativebloq.com
What is the difference between cryptocurrency and NFT?
The term cryptocurrency is used for “virtual currency,” “tokens” and “digital assets.”) One NFT cannot be exchanged for another, and an NFT’s value, if any, is based solely on what someone is willing to pay the seller to buy it.
What is the meaning of fungible token?
A. F. A representation of an asset on a blockchain that is interchangeable. Cryptocurrencies are the prime example of fungible tokens because each coin has the same value as any other coin of the same type at any given moment.
What is meant by non-fungible?
A unique digital identifier that cannot be copied, substituted, or subdivided, that is recorded in a blockchain, and that is used to certify authenticity and ownership (as of a specific digital asset and specific rights relating to it)
Catching Up with David Byrne’s American Utopia’s band member Tendayi Kuumba
Exclusive: Catching Up with David Byrne’s American Utopia’s band member Tendayi Kuumba
Dec 17 Written By Wilson Morales
Currently playing at the St. James Theatre is the return of David Byrne’s American Utopia, which received a Special Tony Honor and won Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Rob Sinclair and Brian Spett’s Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special as well as Paul Hsu, Michael Lonsdale and Pete Keppler’s Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special. Both were based on Spike Lee’s pre-recorded version of the show..
Spike Lee’s acclaimed filmed version of David Byrne’s American Utopia made its world premiere opening the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival and is currently streaming on HBO Max. It also played in movie theaters nationwide for a special, one-night-only theatrical event on September 15, 2021.
The show features David Byrne with returning band members Jacquelene Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman, Chris Giarmo, Tim Keiper, Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, Mauro Refosco, Stéphane San Juan, Angie Swan and Bobby Wooten III.
Blackfilmandtv.com caught up with Tendayi Kuumba as she shared some insights to her background and experience being a band member.
How long have you been with the company?
Tendayi Kuumba: I’ve been performing with David in the band since the World Tour in 2018. I’m a dancer and backup vocalist.
How did you come to join the band?
Tendayi Kuumba: Well, I joined the tour about two months in, and they were in the midst of doing the world tour, the album, and the former person who held my role, I think was just having difficulty holding on to all of the work. And through word of mouth, colleagues, with the assistant grandma for Lizzie, who’s under NTB Pearson, and she and I had worked together formally. And so she passed on information along to David. And next thing I knew I was getting an email asking me to join the tour.
Was there no one else in the band that could step up?
Tendayi Kuumba: Well, everyone else in the cast are just musicians. So there are only myself and my counterpart Chris Giarmo, we’re the only two dancer vocalists of the entire show. So it’s just David and the two of us backing him up. And then everyone else are musicians. So they were looking for someone that could really hold off to the all of the choreography, as well as holding down the vocals to bring more to the show. I was glad I was able to step up to the part.
How challenging is it?
Tendayi Kuumba: What’s challenging now is getting back into shape post pandemic, in the midst of pandemic. But before the most challenging part was that I only had two weeks to learn the entire show, before joining the tour, and I didn’t meet anyone in the band before my first show. I met everyone that morning. And then did that show that day. So that was the most challenging part, just making sure I had everything down so I could just jump right in and not skip a beat.
Prior to this, had you watched any of his work before?
Tendayi Kuumba: I’ve seen some Talking Heads and some Talking Heads music. But I wasn’t as much as familiar with some of the other songs, and some of the other work that he’s done. Of course, now that I have worked with him for so long. I’ve just continued to discover more and more what he’s created in his legacy of history of music.
When you’re on stage, you can’t see the excitement before, during and after the show, but when you tell friends that you’re in the band, do you see the level of respect people have for him and the show?
Tendayi Kuumba: Yeah, all kinds of excitement. I think both excitement from people that are already familiar with his work. And then excitement from people that are just discovering it, that see videos or pictures pop up, and then they discover it for themselves, watch the film for themselves and or come to this show, and they’ve never heard of David Byrne and then just be blown away and opened up to a whole new world of music. So I’ve gotten a lot of positive response all around people that are familiar already with his work and are just super supportive in my life, as me as an artist, to have this situation and opportunity. And then also just being able to open up a new crowd of my world to his work and music too and find ways to keep it fresh. It’s been a really positive overall. The pandemic happened and we all have gained a pound or two.
How much time did you give yourself to get back in shape before you hit the stage again?
Tendayi Kuumba: Throughout the midst of pandemic, it was been this question of if and when. When the conversation started coming up, about a good four months before I was really like, Ok, gotta lock and load,” but prior to doing getting back into rehearsal, I had already started teaching some dance classes at NYU Tisch and some other workshops and doing some of my own choreography. And so I was lucky enough to already have some virtual and small social distance performances before jumping right into the show. I had a little combination of pre-peloton workouts for about three, four months before the show and doing some other stuff on the side that helped me tap in back into performance mode.
What’s been the protocol has been so far?
Tendayi Kuumba: Everyone’s vaccinated, and we get tested twice a week. And if we’re doing award shows, or events, we get tested again, I think about twice the day before and the day of. So it’s very consistent testing on a regular basis. If there’s ever any results or things like that, we’re always notified and taking precautions and all of that. So they’re all on it.
Is the show playing for a limited engagement?
Tendayi Kuumba: It’s a limited engagement. But right now, I believe towards the closing being either in March or June, which is a big gap. But I know June for sure. But as you know, things are up in the air. And fingers crossed that everything just keeps growing with Broadway opening up and ticket sales going up.
How long had you been dancing? Was this show the first time you did both dancing and singing?
Tendayi Kuumba: I’ve been dancing since I was three and singing since I was seven. My background in dance is a combination of modern ballet, tap, hip hop, West African, you name it, and vocally growing up singing jazz and musical theater. A lot of the people that I’ve been able to work with growing up even just doing musical theater, throughout growing up and high school and as well as other dance companies has always been a combo package for me. Before coming into David Byrne’s tour, I was consistently with a company called Urban Bush Women, which connects movement and sound and storytelling and all of that. So it’s second nature to me to have music, dance, movement, all in the same chord all the time. And even within my own work that I create with myself and with my partner. It’s always music and sound and movement all connected.
Is there a favorite song of David’s that you like performing?
Tendayi Kuumba: One of my favorite songs to sing is “Glass, Concrete and Stone” just because I really just love the harmonizing of it, on a personal selfish note. So yeah, that’s definitely one of my favorite songs to sing.
When you’re not on stage, what do you do during your downtime?
Tendayi Kuumba: Well, I do a lot of yoga, and meditation. And then my partner and I, my boyfriend Greg, we have our own creative world. Under the name UFly Mothership, we just create music and have fun in that in our own arena. I describe it as Neo soul, Afro futuristic, a little bit of hip hop, and a little bit of jazz inspired. We make music that makes us feel good. That’s inspiring. It’s storytelling. We put out a visual album and mixtape throughout during the quarantine. We just continue to build and it’s great. So that that’s our therapy, and then just staying active and getting rest, getting sleep, and eating good food. Tendayi KuumbaDavid Byrne’s American Utopia
Exclusive: Uzo Aduba talks Lynn Nottage’s New Play ‘Clyde’s’
Dec 31 Written By Wilson Morales
Currently playing at the Hayes Theater aka Second Stage Theater is Clyde’s, the new play from Lynn Nottage and starring Emmy Award winners Uzo Aduba and Ron Cephas Jones, along with Kara Young, Reza Salazar, and Edmund Donovan. The play has a limited run until Jan. 16, 2022.
In this stirring new play from the team of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and director Kate Whoriskey (Ruined, Sweat), a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at reclaiming their lives. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff members are given purpose and permission to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.
For Aduba, who is best known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black and won two Emmy Awards for her performance as well as winning another Emmy Award for her role as Shirley Chisholm in the Hulu miniseries Mrs. America, this is her return to theater after years doing on-screen work. In 2021, she had the lead role in the fourth season to HBO’s In Treatment and was also featured in Amazon’s anthology series ‘Solos.’ In film, she appeared in Angel Kristi Williams’ Really Love, which is on Netflix and most recently National Champions, opposite Stephan James. That film is currently in theaters.
BlackFilmandTV.com caught up with Aduba as she spoke about her work in Clyde’s.
How long has it been since you’ve been on stage and what attracted you to this project?
Uzo Aduba: The last time I did a play was 2017. With this project, it was the story. Lynn Nottage. I opened the binder and the first page it said, “Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage,” who I’ve been a fan of since God was boy. She’s one of our, not just our black people, but globally, the world of all people, one of the finest writers who have ever existed. In terms of her ability to capture story. I think she does such an wizard job of centering women, strong women, who are complexed, complicated, and who are more than just the surface narratives that exist.
With this show, was it like riding a bike. Exercising muscle memory to being back on stage and being ready to do it eight time a week?
Uzo Aduba: Yes, in that, like, if I haven’t ridden a bike for years and years and years, and you’re trying to reacquaint yourself with how to change gears and make it seamless and then you start to remind and learn.
How’s working with this ensemble?
Uzo Uduba: It’s amazing. Actors like Ron Cephas Jone, for example, who I’ve respected and love. The first time I ever saw him was in a play called The Overwhelming in 2008. I just thought he was incredible, and I had been in love with him ever since. It’s been absolutely amazing. Everybody in this cast has such an incredible spirit and energy and voice and then what’s really been exceptional has been watching each person’s superpower come to life. Everybody has a different one in this piece and each one beautiful and exceptional. It’s really been wonderful to watch them spring up, and take voice, and take center take space. A show like this with such a beautiful makeup of so many different stories and background experiences for these characters, is really great. Just love it. Kate Whoriskey was the our director and has been a longtime collaborator of Lynn’s. She has such a specific great eye. she is a true artist and listener, which I think is really super important in a director. She’s great.
You can never stop learning, and you’re constantly working, This is Broadway and you said it’s been a minute since you’ve been back on stage. What are you learning now being back on stage?
Uzo Uduba: Take your time. Breathe. Enjoy.
What makes you say yes to the projects you take?
Uzo Aduba: Am I moved by them? Does it have something to say? Do I have something to contribute to it that I can say; that my voice can add into it? Yeah, That’s my guide. The challenge of it too. Those are the reasons I would say.