Painted Ladies – Part 2 – ‘Aesthetic Lust’
The second programme in our exploration of the relationship between painting and fashion looks at notions of modesty throughout the ages and considers the nude in art. It also looks at the development of men’s tailoring and its beginnings in the armour of mediaeval knights.
Dear Vivienne,
I belive in the Power of Love
so,
Just one thing can stop the climate change
It’s The Love for nature.
The one thing can be make a DIGNIFIED Person
will LOVE for her/himself.
The one thing will stop the depression of economic crisis
will be LOVE.
A man
A woman will rich if
their hearts will be rich.
Every things will be thanks LOVE.
We must re-educate to LOVE:
.watching more LOVE’s film,
.showing more LOVE’s pictures,
.listening more LOVE’s songs,
.telling more about LOVE,
.making more Sex-LOVE.
*moscamilena*photographer
Comment by mosca milena photographer on 22/03/2012 at 5:27 pm
Hi Vivienne,
I have to thank you and Cynthia for bringing these fantastic films onto the blog, and for you both and your brother Gordon for making them in the first place. They are so informative and entertaining, I have learnt already so much. Whenever I go to the art galleries nearby (and I have been going back like you said) I think about the faces more, and the folds of silk that you tend to get, when executed well, it never fails to shock me with accurately the folds, light, etc is done. But now I feel I need to go back more often to focus on the more ornamental clothes, like the simple portraits with the huge dresses and gowns.
Honestly, thank you, this has really really opened my eyes. I can’t wait for part 3.
Thanks, Kyle.
Comment by Kyle Nash-Baker on 26/03/2012 at 11:16 pm
Hello Vivienne!
I am currently studying an Australian philosopher by the name of Elizabeth Grosz and i highly recommend! In short, one of her arguments is of the ontological and historical emergence of art. She is an utmost beautiful writer, and her main premise stipulates that we should rethink the existence of art. In the case of art being rooted in a political and cultural history, it has ultimately lead to ‘ideas’ reigning higher than artistic talent and has become a clear byproduct of commoditised culture (which therein lies an argument for another day).
What she proposes is an extraordinary fusing of philosophy and biology to explore art as the material result of the ‘being’ and ‘becomings’ of sexualised forces of energy and natural life. She merges the two concepts of Darwin’s ‘sexual selection’ and Giles Deleuze’s ‘sensation’ to come to this point, which along the way, eradicates the idea of art as a product of contemporary culture- which is, unfortunately an embodiment of society today, and instead substantiates art as a natural and immanent ‘sensation’ within the universe.
This kind of thinking resonates of particular interest with me, as i do feel people today need to be more critical of their cultural and political surroundings(especially of the art, if i can call it that, being produced). It bears the question of what kind of crap is being propagated to make up the world that we live in today.
I immediately thought of your philosophy(s) when reading this book(entitled chaos, territory, art) and thought that you too would enjoy it. I love reading your blog which voices amazing ideas and is full of great literary recommendations, so thought this best shared with someone who cares! I do believe, as a twenty-something year old art student, that knowledge is indeed power and that your advocation of this is extremely humbling and important. Thank you.
Comment by Jade on 28/03/2012 at 4:11 am
Dear Jade
It sounds like you are following your deep interest in your studies. For sure, I wouldn’t have time to read this book at the moment because I have so many others I want to read first. But could you send me copies of a couple of pages or so which could indicate what she’s getting at about “art as the being and becoming of sexualized forces and natural life”?
Comment by Vivienne on 23/05/2012 at 10:54 am
Thank you Vivienne for sharing these inspiring videos!
Comment by Petra on 07/04/2012 at 1:22 pm
I have gone through life with my fathers words always in my head. ‘look!’ he would say – now look again. “That lady wadn’t just wearing blue, she was wearing a blue dress with green buttons, so tiny you would hardly notice at first glance. There are leaves on the flowers too – look!!”
I loved to draw & he always advised to look & look again – you will always find new detail. He wasn’t an artist – just an ordinary man with a fantastic eye for detail & a wish to share that skill with me – an observer.
I have continued to draw all my life & now design furniture. But, my starting point for ideas, textures, colour, always come from fashion.
You Vivienne Westwood remind me of him in so many ways. An ordinary woman turned into something extraordinary & now taking the time to share it with us all.
The circle continues.
Comment by Kath Fairburn on 19/05/2012 at 7:23 am
Hello Vivienne, Thank you for your reply! I shall email you a few scanned pages I have on hand. Where/what email do i send them too?
Comment by Jade on 23/05/2012 at 1:57 pm
Dear Jade
I’ll email you directly about the scanned pages!
Best
Cynthia
Comment by Cynthia on 23/05/2012 at 2:39 pm