Short List #2

A Second Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa has survived and established itself in the art world as one of the greatest and most mysterious paintings.  Recently researchers stumbled upon an unexpected twist, a replica of the Mona Lisa that was once thought to be a good for nothing copy was found to have evidence suggesting it was painted by one of Da Vinci’s students while he was working on the original.  Sitting unimportant and unnoticed for years in a museum in Madrid, this painting is finally beginning to receive the respect and attention deserved as well as reviving modern interest in the mysteriousness of one of the greatest paintings in the world. 

 

The Burning House

From cameras to kittens to Mac books and blankets, The Burning House takes a deep look into what matters most.  The contrast and similarities between the material possessions all the various people choose to take is intriguing.  Each picture displays character, priorities, and a life; its almost as if seeing the picture gives you a snap shot of someone else’s world.  If your house was burning, what would you choose?

 

Pablo Genovés: Precipitados

While scrolling through a gallery of photos, eventually, I expect to come across something that’s out of the usual.  I never expected anything like Pablo Genovés’ photos, but once I saw them my hand almost involuntarily clicked on the link.  They were so bizarre that I had to see more.  The combination of such sporadic, uncontrollable nature and refined civilization was so sharply contrasting that the pictures were hypnotic.  It almost seems to summarize the whole realm of conflict involving man and nature, but the images appear harmonious and functional as if there is no conflict at all.  However, the absence of humankind leaves an air of eerie discontent and cold loneliness.