ArtWalk's - 5 Cool Things - 11/12/21

A weekly newsletter by Aaron Massey

ArtWalk

Nov 12, 2021

5 COOL THINGS

1) FILM/TELEVISION

PIG - (2021 Film - Amazon Prime)

If you’re looking for something to watch that has a familiar face, but is just a little bit different, then may I suggest the film Pig, starring Nicholas Cage. This was a feature directorial debut for Michael Sarnoski, and I have to tip my cap to him. The cinematography by Patrick Scola puts you into a world that is particular, and allows you to sink into the fibers of it.

PLOT: “Robin "Rob" Feld is a former Portland-based chef turned reclusive truffle forager…He hunts truffles deep in the forests of Oregon through the use of his prized foraging pig. He begins supplying the truffles he and his pig finds to Amir, a young, inexperienced seller. One night, Rob is assaulted by unidentified assailants who also steal his pig.” -IMDB

The film is not necessarily what you expect from a Nicholas Cage revenge story. And that is what took hold of me as I watched this film. It has a slow burn to it, with really solid performances throughout, including the supporting cast of Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, and David Knell. It’s honestly one of the best things I have seen Cage do. His presence on-screen is potent. And the story has something to offer in terms of its presentation to the audience. I won’t say any more than that. This film is for the viewer to experience, and to sink inside of.

Here is the trailer for Pig":

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2) MUSIC

GARY CLARK JR. - (American Musician)

I just had the pleasure of seeing Gary Clark Jr. and his band tear up the night at the Express Live indoor stage here in Columbus, Ohio. The sounds that came out of his multitude of guitars was exactly what I have been searching for.

(Gary Clark Jr. performing on Saturday Night Live, Photograph: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

I think I counted five guitar changes in total on the night. Each one channeling the raw, distinct sound that Gary has been gaining notoriety for. His sound is a mixture of blues guitar, with rock and southern soul all meshing together in a cohesiveness that is his signature sound. Gary pours his soulful vocals onto the top layer of this cake, for a sweet finish that is pure, sugary icing.

In my opinion, the Austin, Texas based Gary Clark Jr. is the musician we have all needed in our lives for quite some time now. And he’s finally getting national recognition for the unique sound he brings to the table. You can tell he puts music first and foremost, keying in on guitar riffs that will leave you wanting more. Bring out the cellphone lights (or the lighters if you can still bring those into venues these days), encore, encore, encore!

His entire collection of music is worth combing through, but here’s a sampling of the cake he bakes: (You’re going to want to turn the volume up to 11 on this one, and make sure you stay till the end ;)…

3) ART

EGON SCHIELE - (Austrian Painter)

Egon Schiele is another artist who fell victim to an early death, leaving us with that feeling of “what if”? After the 1918 Spanish flu caused the death of his pregnant wife, it also took the life of Schiele just three days later, at the age of twenty-eight.

Schiele worked mainly in painting, using line-work to create an expressionist style of self-portrait, and sexually focused art. When you look at a Schiele piece, it hits you with a force of originality. You know where it came from.

The shape of the portraits he painted give his works a particular, almost uncomfortable feeling. One that makes you want to stretch your back out, or crack your knuckles in hopes that it will align things back to normal. It draws you in with the characters, that are often staring right back at you.

His body of work is worth the time to check out. More information on Schiele can be found here: https://www.wikiart.org/en/egon-schiele

4) BOOKS/WRITING

THE LOTTERY By SHIRLEY JACKSON, June 18th, 1948 / The New Yorker Magazine

This short story is considered one of the more famous short story writings in American literature. It has been widely admired, as much as it has been scoffed at with hatred. I am not one to decide that for you, but I do suggest you attempt to take in the deeper meaning of it. So I have included the link to The New Yorker Magazine website page that hosts the writing. Included is an audio version of the story:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lottery

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5) PHOTOGRAPHY

ALAN SCHALLER - (London based Photographer)

Known for his black and white street photography, Alan Schaller has made a name for himself in the modern photography world. He has worked major brands and publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and many more. The wild part about it, is that he only recently became interested in photography over the past five years.

He definitely takes influence from Fan Ho, one of my all-time favorite photographers, using a contrasted mix of light and shadow, often with an unbeknownst subject in the frame. Street photography is not easy, trust me, but every once in awhile you can conjure the photography gods to align, and when it works, it is truly magical.