I stumbled upon this amazing series of photographs by Justin Bartels that go beneath what we're wearing (literally), showing the actual imprints visible on skin caused by tight clothes we're putting on ourselves and how both fashion and our desire to attract bind and hurt us in various senses. Take a look! all photos can be found here -Maja
"THE STREETS SPEAK We may not be listening But we react" Even though I am not a big fan of documentaries (maybe because I've never actually given 'em a chance), recently I saw one that I liked a lot and wanna tell you a thing or two about it. Las Callas Hablan is beautiful, one-hour long insight into Barcelona's Street Art. Despite people's unawareness of it, the rich and colorful world of public art highly contributes to the vibe and energy of whichever city, as well as to our perception. It mostly happens on the subconscious level, but still - it happens. As they say at the beginning of the movie: "The streets speak, we may not be listening, but we react." It is a constant and everchanging communication of personal expressions, social, political and economic issues. It is the voice of the citizen that tries to be listened to, but (as it usually happens in this pseudoliberal world of ours) is being more and more silenced and much of the artistic work in public spaces is being prohibited - in Barcelona, but also in other cities. You may have noticed that in between those who hate street art and those who just adore there is a huge gap of the people that like and even appreciate murals but despise tags, which is personalized signature of artist's name and the most spread form of street art. They see it as ugly while actual drawings and murals may be something they can relate to easier and therefore they like it. As I mentioned before, the governments of many countries, under the pretext of "cleaning the city" and "trying to protect the value of the architecture from vandalism" are prohibiting all kinds of public art, menacing those more courageous with high penalties. By doing that, they are putting actual vandalism and a form of art expression in the same box. I am all against destroying old and valuable facades, but to breathe in some life and energy to those grey and abandoned streets, doors, passages should not be seen as a crime - just the opposite. Well, it is pretty obvious that they are getting scared as shit about some other stuff here. More than colored streets and funny pictures on the corners, they are afraid of the voice, of the liberty, of the statements that are now open to the sight and may provoke the consumers, the people who pass by, to think, rethink and form the statements on their own. It is so much easier and safer to simply keep our mouth shut and keep power for themselves, to fill up every visible corner with Adidas, Zara and Coca-Cola ads and continue to rule over the nation. It is sad, but there's not much we can do about it, except continuing to fight and not ceasing at any moment to be conscious who we are, what we think and feel vs. what they make us feel and think. Every city has a beat and I would like to be able to choose the music that it is going to fill my head up with. Here come some pictures from Barcelona's street artists (but you should definitely see the movie as well!) To find out more check out the official Mapping Barcelona Public Art Page!
Lots of love, Maja Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and based on the novel “The Holy Innocents” by Gilbert Adair, The Dreamers is an extraordinary beautiful film I highly recommend!
Enjoy the movie!
Love, Maja "Accrochons nous à nos rêves, car nous pouvons changer le monde par nos rêves, nous pouvons faire rire les gens, les faire pleurer. Nous pouvons changer leurs idées, leurs esprits. Et en changeant leurs esprits nous pouvons changer le monde."* (Discours lors du Festival de Cannes 2014) *Hang on to our dreams, 'cause we can change the world with them, we can make people laugh, we can make them cry. We can change their ideas, their spirits. And by changing it, we can change the world.
I came across his work few years ago, when I saw a French-entitled movie on my dad's computer and decided to give it a chance. It was Les amours imaginaires (or in English translation: Heartbeats). I instantly fell in love with both story and the way he presents it, as well as interesting and personalized approach to the photography and camera angles and perfectly chosen background music. Absolutely thrilled with the film, I watched also J'ai tué ma mère and Laurence Anyways. Here I'll give you short intro into those films in case you don't know from where start with this amazing man's artwork! The story follows two friends, a guy named Francis and girl Marie, who both fell in love with Nicolas. In the battle for his affection, they slowly become jealous of one another and their friendship loses its strength. It may sound a bit banal, but that's where the genius of Dolan is being recognized - in telling a simple love-triangle story in an interesting way! Highly recommended! Dolan's first movie is incredibly strong and impressive piece that talks about relationship between mother and her homosexual son. Dolan claims that the movie is semi-autobiografical and he wrote the script when he was only 16! Highly appreciated by the critics, movie discloses profound complexity of mother-child relationship. "Passionate and powerfully acted, Laurence Anyways sometimes strains to achieve its narrative ambitions (and fill its three-hour running time), but ultimately succeeds." Impossible love between a woman named Fred and a transgender woman named Laurence (then living as a man) who reveals her inner desire to become her true self by changing her gender. Visually lyrical scenes followed by warily chosen background music that perfectly complement one another. Have to warn you that it lasts 3 hours, so watch it when you have time to spare, but WATCH IT - it's great! I have two more Dolan's films on my watchlist and can't wait to find some time and finally see them! I'll let you know what they're like.
Wish you lovely Sunday, Maja So, guys, it’s finally that time of the year! The new edition of Zagreb Film Festival is here and I am super excited to visit it and have the chance to enjoy some of the greatest new releases. Even though there are a bunch of film festivals throughout the year here in Zagreb, this is surely my favorite (though it’s strictly subjective as the movies just happen to meet my taste). You’ve never heard of this festival? Well, let me give you some general info about it. It is being held for more than a decade now, usually in October and it brings attentively chosen recent movies from all around the world. The festival takes place in six different avenues and offers amazing art pieces, more than worth of watching. Here is the link where you can check out this year’s programme: http://www.zagrebfilmfestival.com/en/program/main-program Yesterday evening I went to the projection of the movie Pasolini directed by Abel Ferrara held in the Museum of Contemporary Art. Film deals with the mysterious circumstances under which the famous Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini was murdered in 1975 and the director tries to find the answers recreating the last days of artist’s life. I won’t tell you anything more in case you want to watch it by yourself! (There’s another projection this Saturday. For those who don’t know who Mr Pasolini is, I recommend to do some research or watch one of his most controversial and famous pieces “Salò o 120 giorni di Sodoma” (you can watch the complete version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpqTaxVBCzM) and you’ll easily get the idea why this guy and his work still cause so much scandal in Italy. Have a nice weekend and remember to spice it up with a bit of art! ;)
Kisses, Maja "The public needs art - and it is the responsibility of a 'self-proclaimed artist' to realize that the public needs art, and not to make bourgeois art for a few and ignore the masses." Keith Haring
But, it seems that during past few years, the importance and quality of Street Art in our modern times is being slowly recognized and the Museum of Street Art is being regularly held in Zagreb for already 5 years! It changes its location and it lasts for just a few days, but that makes the whole thing even more intensive and dynamic. You can see some photos of this year’s edition below! Open your eyes a little more today and maybe you’ll also find some beautiful and interesting stuff on the walls of your town which will find a way to your inner world and make your day a bit more magical! Because that’s what art is all about.
Love, Maja As you may or may not know, I am a BIG fan of Italian movies or to be more accurate: I am seriously obsessed with everything that is Italian or in some way connected to Italy. I decided to skip on writing about all-time-classics (even though they’re great and everyone should watch them sometime!) this time and present some of the movies I recently watched and really liked. Here it comes... MARINA (2013) Film based on real life story of Rocco Granata, Calabrian musician, who passionately follows his dreams against wishes of his poor family and watches as they slowly become reality. I love this kind of films, where the character is led by the really strong wish to succeed at something, even though the circumstances aren’t the best possible. I find it so inspiring, motivating and after watching it I feel more willing to pursue my own dreams. Not to mention that the lovely song after which the movie was named will be playing in your ears for days! "Marina, Marina, Marina, ti voglio più presto a sposar..." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05-sVnhLLD8) REALITY (2012) The story talks about Luciano, Neapolitan fishmonger, who forced by the pressure of his family, decides to apply for the Big Brother and very soon becomes obsessed with the competition. That obsession grows day by day and along the way he starts to lose the perception of reality and is overwhelmed by constant paranoia. I liked this movie so much, because in one moment it makes you laugh, but by the end, as the story develops, you get attached to the main character and feel compassion and pity for the state he got himself into. It also sends strong message about the modern society, its general superficiality, distorted value system and how easy one can lose themselves in all of that chaos, just trying to blend in. IO NON HO PAURA (2003) The film is based on the same-titled book by Niccolò Ammaniti, great Italian author and is directed by brilliant Gabriele Salvatores. It’s summer in the little village in Italy and while playing outside in the field, Michele, a nine-year-old discovers the hole in the ground and a young boy chained in it. He soon starts to bring his new friend food and water and tries to liberate him. He’s doing it all without his parents’ knowledge which, in the end, costs both him and them really big price.
I read the book first and liked it SO, SO much that I was a bit sceptical about ruining it by watching its film adaptation. But I gave it a try - and it was beautiful! Gabriele Salvatores did a great job here and the movie perfectly captured all that I felt while reading the book. It emphasizes the difference between the unspoiled, genuine human nature and the way it disappears through growing up, being destroyed by the insatiable hunger for money and power. Buona serata e a presto! Maja |
Ana
˝My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” (Maya Angelou) Lucija
Maja
"I do not wish to live practically. I wish to live passionately and recklessly and with every ounce of my being." Archives
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