What’s in Your Frame? – And The Oscar Goes To… #3

by | Feb 23, 2012 | And The Oscar Goes To... - 2012, Art, Claude Roy, Francis Picabia | 0 comments

It’s day #3 of Oscar Week and today we are paying attention to what Directors do.

What's in Your Frame

Take a look at what’s in the frame. Would you be able to tell what is happening outside it if it wasn’t shown?  Next time you are watching a movie, pay attention to not only what is in the frame but what is not. THAT is tells a lot about what the director is trying to tell you. 

Now replace the word ‘cinema’ with another word.  ‘Art’ is an obvious choice since it also often uses a frame.  How about ‘Wisdom’?  Maybe ‘Life’?  I like that.  Let’s use the word ‘Life’. 

“Life is a matter of what’s in the frame and what is out.”  

When I had my exhibition last month a lot of non-art people came to it. Many of them said it was their very first time ever to be in an art gallery of any kind.  Art galleries and the art that is shown there, was out of their frame until that night.  For some they will choose to not bring art galleries into the middle of their frame permanently, and that is cool.  But some have had a new experience and will now seek out art galleries and will have the urge to explore them and the art inside.  It will be in their frame from now on.  In either case though they come away with knowledge and exposure, both of which leads them to greater understanding of what is out in the world, it expands their frame.  I like that. 

What is in your frame? What is not?  Is that how you want it to be?

 

Drawing and commentary by Martin Coleman, who builds his own frames.

Quote by the film director, Martin Scorsese. I pick him to win Best Director for ‘Hugo’.

 

 

My Arse Contemplates – updated 2017

by | Dec 17, 2009 | Francis Picabia, Self | 0 comments

This is a bit of a companion piece to the one yesterday about worrying about what others think of you.

Remember two things. If they are talking about you negatively behind your back they deserve the arse treatment.
If they are talking about someone else behind their back and want you to join in, protect yourself and honor the person not present by giving them the arse treatment.

See them for who they are. They are damagers (yes, I just made that word up) because they are damaged. They work desperately to find a way to make the world in their damaged image instead of changing themselves to a less damaged self. They deserve your compassion and help but not at the expense of your ethical and social safety.

Now, of course this sounds self-righteous talking about ‘they’ as if I, you, never gossip, never talk behind other peoples’ backs. We do. So, start to look around you. If you see a lot of arses you might need to reconsider your own way as well!

Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman

“My arse contemplates those who talk behind my back.” – Francis Picabia, 1879-1953, French artist and poet. He contributed to the evolution of impressionism, cubism, fauvism, dadaism and surrealism.