PROJECT CANCER

Why Project Cancer?

 

You're probably sitting in front of you chosen electrical device and thinking, what is the girl on about. Has she got cancer? Is she a voluntary helping people that have cancer?

If so, you've got a totally wrong idea. Before you read on here is a hint.

 

 





Project Cancer is the title of a film about Ulay (real name Frank Uwe Laysiepen) a German artist, if you can even call him that. I don't think there is another word to describe him, but even this one doesn't do him justice. He is a creator of art, a recreator of real life in the art world, a performer, an observer, a poet. I don't want to smear all of my opinions onto his work so I will merely be a messanger, delivering the inspiration to you. You have to let your own mind do the interpretation - I can only go so far with this... But I have to say this one thing, his work carries a deep, deep message. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's something you'll either love or hate to bits. Its execution, both his earlier works (his era working with Polaroid) like the photograph above that explores the border between genders, - essentially the whole concept of gender as well as, his performance art is sharp to say the least. The simplicity seems to be the key here.

You see, you register, you think for a while, you understand, you realise what a genius Ulay is, you continue to admire his other works and then like myself, the whole concept of art becomes redefined in your head - nothing seems the same.

 

Getting back to the film, the first thing you should know is that it's a documentary. Pure and true in it's form, a great way to get to know the artist - how does he think? where does his find his inspiration? the way he dresses and talks? It sounds vain ( at least the last question), but I have to be honest with my readers... I find it a crucial part of the whole 'discovering an artist' experience to see him in his natural habitat and everyday life. Is he nice? Is he this is he that? This enables me to put a few pieces of the puzzle together and understand, even in the slightest, what the guy is on about. ( I do hope I'm not the only one!!!) To tie those thoughts up with the movie - it's just the thing a newbie to Ulay needs. I was one until 2 days ago. I only went because I saw Marina Abramovic in the trailer of Project Cancer and... the banner on the facebook event was very intriguing.

 

Enough of my babbles. Here are the bits and bobs I found to give you a head start in your discoveries. I tried to pick out things that won't offend anyone, because some of his work (along with his collaborations with Marina can be a bit, well ... shocking).

 

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

Marina and Ulay - they were together for 12 years.
They said their goodbyes on the Great Wall of China in 1988.

  

 

 

Julia xo 

 





🌵🌵🌵Cacti day🌵🌵🌵 OOTD

Hey you guys,

 

I'm here today with another OOTD. The weather here in Cracow has been pretty good the last few days (minus the extreme humidity), so I managed to meet up with friends have a few spontaneous photo sessions.

I have to be honest with you. The outfit isn't something too original, nothing you haven't seen before. I like to keep it simple in the summer. To tell you the truth, putting on the choker was quite and ask for me as it was at least 30 degrees outside and way too humid for any living creature. I'm usually the type of person who finishes up her outfits with accessories - most of which are earrings and necklaces, but hot weather is an exception :) So here you go guys, a patterned crop top, high-waisted shorts, a belt, a red bag and sandals. I hope it'll inspire you to go creating your own 'combos of magic'! And... if you have any questions, I'm always happy to answer them....

🌵OUTFIT DETAILS🌵
~crop top - tally weijl
~shorts - thirfted (originally H&M)
~belt - reserved
~sandals - shoe boutique in Cracow
~ choker -eBay
~bag - hand-me-down

YoUtH

a wall near the main market square

 

jungle...my natural habitat

 

the thing behind is a caravan believe it or not!

casual...

contemplation in full swing...

 

If anyone is interested, since I recently did a post on Tate Modern, and his work is exhibited there, here is an article on 'How to be like Andy Warhol, according to Andy Warhol'. It's his birthday today so I thought it'd be a nice gesture.

READ THIS!

 

And... you can also check out my fb page dedicated to art, books, music and fashion;a daily dose of inspiration is the best way to sum it up! ART CLAN

Till next time,

Julia xo

Tate Modern: a surrealistic paradise?

To mark the time that has passed since I was last in London (exactly a week ago today), I've decided to put together a post for you guys about surrealism, my experience at Tate Modern and in general what makes the museum such a wonderful place to visit.

 

If you've never heard of the place before, Tate Modern is an art gallery/museum in London, right by the river Thames, just across from St. Paul's Cathedral. (It's a 10/15 min walk from Waterloo station.) The greatest thing is that the visit is totally free. There's a recommendation that you donate £4 to the institution to keep it free.

 

Obviously talking about everything will be impossible so I just chose a few of the art pieces that left me stunned.

 

Nude, Green Leaves and Bust 1932 (Picasso)

Pisces 1938 (Man Ray)

Seated Woman in a Chemise 1923 (Picasso)

Painting 1927 (Joan Miró)

The Three Dancers 1925 (Picasso)



The Autobiography of an Embryo 1933-4 (Eileen Agar)

The Uncertainty of the Poet 1913 (Giorgio de Chirico)

Metamorphosis of Narcissus 1937 (Salvador Dali)

Swinging 1925 (Wassily Kandinsky)

From this short list, you may get the idea that Tate Modern on hosts surrealistic pieces and a bit of abstract art... If you're not up for seeing these type of works, you'll definitely find something for your liking. 19 & 20th century realism is exhibited there, as well as temporary exhibitions too!

 

You see I'm a big fan of the likes of Dali, Miró, Picasso, Kahlo etc. (the classics of 20th century art). My knowledge is very limited and I hope to delve into the whole subject a lot more in the future, but I still think I know more about art than the average person. I have quite a wholesome knowledge; the problems start when it comes to details etc. For now one step at a time. Wisdom (knowledge too) comes with age...

 

 I must be completely honest and say that some of the works I was looking forward to seeing disappointed me a little. Nonetheless, some artists (Beuys, el Salahi) that I had never heard of prior to this trip exceeded well beyond my wildest expectations. I guess that's just how it is nowadays. 

 

Overall, I think that the experience was a one I won't regret. Though I would recommend that you wear comfortable footwear and enter Tate with a lot of patience and a full stomach :) Hunger can sometimes get in the way of your interpretation skills. Maybe read something about the exhibition beforehand, that way you'll exactly what you're looking at as I found some of the captions very confusing. The stories behind the artwork are always exciting and I can assure you that the feeling of ''I already knew that'' in this type of gallery is a pretty nice one. Tate also offers free guided tours at certain times of the day, so be sure to check that out. Here's their website ---> TATE MODERN

 

And now to the photoblog part. Enjoy guys. Thanks to mum for taking them (canon 5d mark ii)

Outfit details:

Frida Kahlo top ~ RESERVED

denim jacket ~ THRIFTED

high-waisted jeans ~ ZARA

black sneakers ~ originally VANS (got them second-hand online)

scarf ~ MEDECINE

 

Frida Kahlo in Tate...



The installation by an artist called Beuys. Very cold and mystical don't you think?



A man admiring Picasso



The are meant to be the human organs. An interesting take on the actual thing.
I swear that the frame only makes it more interesting...



Posing next to Hillier's 'Variation on the form of an Anchor' 1939



This was probably the weirdest exhibit there. What do you think it is?
1988 (reconstructed in 2011) Lee Bul 'Untitled (White Carvings)'

The joy you feel when being constantly photographed... (I'm kidding)



Juxtaposition: trio vs. wall with painting

The was a video installation showing this face mask in action - this lady
drawing monotonously on a wall with the pencils that stick out.
If I remember correctly it's called a pencil mask.
The piece is by Rebecca Horn. (1972)

The Millennium Bridge leading to St. Paul's Cathedral

Me and Warhol's self portrait.

This piece is made up of bright blue copper sulphate crystals. Pretty cool hey?



Time for a ponder downstairs in a desolate place.

Stare.

Industrial feel.

 

 





 

 

Thanks for your time,

Julia xo

 

 

OOTD: cinema MIKRO (a little throwback)

Hey everyone,
I guess this will be the normal OOTD post.  Some photos and captions to go along with them. I had a blast with my friend that day. The weather was perfect and we were going to see "Body/Ciało" by a famous Polish director Małgorzata Szumowksa. The film was about a girl with a severe eating disorder,her relationship with her father and her physiatrist etc. A great outlook on the situation,I believe,nonetheless a little bit bland for my taste. A 7/10 for me,but do go and see it in the near future, because it's a movie one should have an opinion about. The acting was mesmerising. The scenery,true to the harsh realities in Poland and that's what i liked most about it. There wasn't any unintentional or intentional propaganda making homes and streets look better. Everything was plain and simple. I guess the film also explored the inner deeps and desires of a lonely human being - the needness of closeness and friendship, communication.

Now to the photo part....