Στήλη: Arts

Art, An expensive pleasure

By Iro Kanariou

picasso

 

It is not a secret that paintings such as Picasso’s ones are sold for millions to individuals. This actuality in the world of art is dated back at the beginning of time, even at the medieval times. Back then, only by the kings and really rich people could afford  paintings . Even today, many galleries and organizations have gained respectful amounts of money by people who just want to make their places look even more outstanding, by adding to their personal spaces famous works of art and spending millions of money at the same time. However, what makes a work of art, such as paintings, worth that much and how well rounded is spending so much money for art?

Why a work of art (such as a sculpture or a painting) can be sold for hundreds of millions of dollars can be explained by a variety of reasons. First of all, these works have usually been made in other centuries, such as in the 18th century . Back to these days technology was not as developed as it is nowadays. Due to this, creating an outstanding piece of art with groundbreaking techniques was not only time consuming and extraordinary, but also really expensive.

Moreover, art, such as Guernica by Picasso, reflects the beliefs, the traditions and the culture that used to exist back on those days. Because of this, it is explained how priceless a piece of art can potentially be, if it is taken into consideration that it is not just a painting or a sculpture for instance, but at the same time, a historical statement.

Lastly, paintings, sculptures, photos and so much more art works, made by famous, gifted and extremely rare artists, such as Vermeer, may worth millions of dollars, just because they were created by timeless artists. Of course, in this day and age, a respectful part of the high society would not hesitate to pay a fortune to buy something that precious and gorgeous; while other people, who are financially insecure, do not hesitate to dream the day they might end up buying their favorite painting.

All these reasons lead a lot of people to buy extremely expensive art works, in order to admire them every day, without taking into consideration the amount of money they have spent, so as to do that.

Summarizing, all these reasons can justify why a piece of art can cost millions of dollars, since it reflects other beliefs, times and may have been made by a famous artist in times when technology was not as advanced as it is today.

However, no matter what, we can all agree that we love a welldrawn painting, a wellshaped sculpture, a wellframed photo and generally, art. Because we can be reflected in it, see every day issues in it or even time travel with it.

Se7en

By Myrto Kaiafa and Zoe Dimitropoulou

 

Se7en is considered by many as a “modern cinematic masterpiece”, with “supreme acting performances” starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, directed by David Fincher in 1995.

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This film follows the story of a young detective named David Miles who is given seven days to work with detective Somerset, who is just a week away from retirement and whom he is going to replace. Their contrast personalities can be seen from the first scenes of the movie, where gentle, distant and logical Somerset meets the impulsive, full of energy and arrogant Miles. They both have to work closely to uncover a series of disturbing, ritual murders that lead to a thrilling manhunt in order to catch the  intelligent serial killer.

This incredibly powerful film can only leave you speechless and engrossed in thoughts, something that can of course be explained if we take a deeper look into the movie, so let’s divide it into four main sections:

SOUND DESIGN

The film’s sound design and score, composed by Howard Shore, play a crucial role in building tension and atmosphere in order to emphasize the dark side of human nature and lighten the plot development. The haunting soundtrack complements the visuals and adds to the overall sense of unease. The famous opening credits sequence, accompanied by the industrial and ambient score, immediately sets the tone for the film. Moreover, the intense music tones that are used , make the spectators feel  the escalation of the heroes’  actions and relate to them.

DIRECTION

David Fincher’s meticulous direction and the cinematography by Darius Khondji contribute significantly to the film’s success. The use of a handheld camera and a desaturated color palette complements the dark subject matter. Fincher’s attention to detail, as seen in the disturbing crime scenes and the methodical investigation, enhances the film’s realism and intensity and enlightens the main theme of the film; the seven sins.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND MOTIVATIONS

The characters in «Se7en» undergo significant development throughout the narrative. Detectives Mills and Somerset are portrayed as contrasting figures, with Mills representing youthful idealism and the energy of his age and Somerset embodying experienced cynicism and stubbornness. The dynamics between the characters are crucial to the film’s exploration of morality and the consequences of one’s actions. The differences between the characters of the two detectives are what make them approach the serial killer and realize the connection of the cases. As for John Doe, is not a typical serial killer . His motivations go beyond the usual desire for power or thrill. Instead, Doe sees himself as a moral crusader, seeking to expose the sins he perceives as rampant in society. This adds a layer of intellectual engagement to the film, as viewers are prompted to consider the nature of morality and justice. The most shocking thing about this character is the composure and the methodicality of his actions that seem to be organized very carefully a long time ago before they actually occurred. The common aspect in both the detectives and the serial killer is the smartness and the alternative way of thinking  , which is  why the plot twist is so unpredictable.

IMPACTFUL ENDING

The film’s climax and the shocking revelation at the end are pivotal to its impact. The twist not only subverts expectations but also reinforces the film’s themes about the nature of evil and the potential darkness within us all. The ending prompts viewers to reflect on the consequences of actions and the blurred lines between justice and revenge.

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In conclusion, «Se7en» stands as a masterclass in filmmaking, blending a gripping narrative with thematic depth, powerful performances, and a meticulously crafted visual and auditory experience. Its enduring legacy in the thriller genre is a testament to its impact on both audiences and subsequent filmmakers. It is so shocking for us that we watched the movie, the fact that the innocent detective Mils’ girlfriend was one of the victims of the brutal serial killer and his tragic intentions. Thanks to its unpredictable plot , se7en is a masterpiece of the modern cinema productions.

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Sketch

By Orfeas Efthimiou Mouyzouras

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Graffiti As Art

By: Nick Gkaveras

How and where it started from.

Graffiti (known also as graffito) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, with or without permission and within public view. Usually, it is done illegally. Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times, in ancient Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire.

It was discovered from a man called Jean-Michel Basquiat. He was an American person who rose to success during the 1980s as a part of the Neo-expressionism movement. Basquiat achieved fame as a part of a graffiti crew called SAMO.

Debate on whether it is or it in not art.

Nowadays when people hear about graffiti, they think of the art they see on big houses, like apartment buildings, which are made by professional artists who get paid a lot of money to do it.

This mindset leads us to a debate on whether graffiti is art or it is not.

Graffiti in some points of view is not art, because it is just a bunch of big letters drawn on a wall which with a little bit of practice can literately be done by everyone. This type of graffiti does not require any skill in painting and can be done by everyone with just a little bit of practice and that is why it in not art. Instead, in other points of view it is a real art when it is done by a professional who knows how to paint and will make something incredible. This type of graffiti, now, can only be done by professionals because it requires a lot of skills and it is very expensive.

Types” of graffiti writers.

Basically, there two categories of graffiti artists. The street ones and the professional ones. The fact that stands out street graffiti artists from professional graffiti artists, is that the first ones do their “job-hobby” illegally which leads them in taking the risk of getting caught and ending up in prison. Professional artists do not have to worry about getting caught because they do graffiti legally. Also, professional graffiti artists not only get paid to paint but also all of the supplies they will use, get covered from the person who pays them, so they pay nothing.

Pictures of different types of graffiti art.

This picture is an example of what people think when they hear about graffiti. This painting work has been done by a professional artist who might has been paid to do this.

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In the other hand that is a picture of a man painting a wall illegally. As we can see he is dressed in black clothes which gives him a layer of “privacy” from people who might not like his acts and call the police. The paint he has done, in the graffiti “language” is called a “throw up”.

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The consequences of getting caught.

Important is also the fact that in most countries, marking or painting property without permission is considered vandalism, which is a punishable crime, and the person who did it can go to jail for a long period of time depending on the place he drew.

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Street graffiti artist getting arrested for painting somewhere illegally who will probably end up in jail.

Links of the pictures

Infos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti

picture of the arrested person:https://www.google.com/search?q=arrested+graffiti+artists&sxsrf=ALiCzsb1n7NlnigWjohjNLQkX5z44ORJKg:1671744164870&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjKwOiolI78AhUAYPEDHcfZDq8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=912&dpr=1#imgrc=L9SJJK6_6LXh-M

picture of the character piece: https://riversofsteel.com/artist-profile-shane-pilster/

picture of the man painting: https://www.facebook.com/ThrowUpsGraffitiShop/photos/seen/488515781332512/?paipv=0&eav=AfazXrP65VtGvYq6xv9_5NGRGgklHMZgilhUMZHoCNLSwpQKaCd7yE0mAXeB2Ir2CzY&_rdr

 

 

Van Gogh Paintings Student Collages

Van Gogh Paintings Student Collages

2023-01-08, Vangelis Barouchas A1

Van Gogh Paintings Student Collages

vangoghcollage-EllieSotiropoulou,AClass

Art in Εducation

By Iliana Kotta, Eleana Liaskou & Emmelia Michalopoulou

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Art is something that all humans can see anywhere in their everyday lives and it is a way of expressing ourselves. Specifically in education, art plays a huge role in every student’s life and it is something that will probably affect their future.

 

First of all, art in education is a must-have in every school. All students need to be aware of what is going on in the world. But it is the art teachers’ job to help students to learn these kinds of things. A great art teacher is the one who is going to follow the right steps so the students have a great result. Firstly, based on the students’ works, art teachers are supposed to give them the right feedback and guide them to improve their work. Secondly, they must give their personal opinion on the art work. And lastly, teachers should give students some space to re-think and re-vision their art work. In some countries there are seminars for art teachers to learn and think like artists and to re-imagine art.

 

On the other hand, art in children’s life is not only based on their art teachers. It is also about them making an effort to understand and to take place in some activities that could really help them act and think more like an actual artist. For example, in some places around the world there are seminars for little kids to realize how important art is for our lives. These seminars are collaborations of teachers and artists to have a better result in the children’s lives. Also, having an art class in school is something that students should be thankful for because they are given a chance to learn something that is really important and plays a huge role in everyone’s life.

 

Art is a subject that every school must include and students should really embrace something so important and helpful for themselves and for the society, too. Every person in the world should be informed about the huge role art plays every day. Everyone should think and act as an artist to see and imagine creatively.

The Children are the Future

By Maria Stefanidi & Aphridite-Hara Papachristopoulou

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Comic strip: Snoopy

By Faedra Drossou

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Read the comic strip below:

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Vincet van Gogh: an original presentation

 By Helen Georgiou and Helen Gianakopoulou (A Class)

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Do you know Vincet van Gogh? Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life.  Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful during his lifetime, and was considered a madman and a failure. According to the legend van Gogh sold only one painting, The Red Vineyard, bought for 400 Francs by the painter and art collector Anna Boch.  His reputation began to grow in the early 20th century. Today, he is widely regarded as one of history’s greatest painters and an important contributor to the foundations of modern art.

 

Nowadays, in Athens there is a magnificent and unique exhibition of all the works of the great Dutch painter, which we visited last month.  This presentation is unique because it is done with a method that reveals new perspectives.  Van Gogh’s works of art, are projected on the walls, floor and ceiling of the venue and visitors are able to walk through them.  It narrates the history of his works of art, it describes the historical, social and cultural environment in which he worked. The exhibition records and analyzes his creative periods and influences and touches his thoughts and his feelings.

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In our opinion, it is an interesting presentation and definitely different. We also liked it because you can learn a lot about his life in an enjoyable way. WE definitely recommend this extraordinary exhibition for everyone. You don’t want to miss it!

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