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Showing posts from April, 2022

A Queen Barbie

The toy company Mattel has released a Barbie version of the Queen. The doll pays a tribute to the platinum jubilee and also celebrates the monarch's 96th birthday. And since the release there have been quite divided opinions about the doll.  The article states that the harmless toy became a true representation of the lower class women’s position in the UK . I would agree to some extent with the author. I believe that the doll serves as a reminder that being born to a wealthy and white family is a privilege. And people should remember that even though the Queen is privileged, she still has a hard job to do. She also didn't have a choice to which family she was born to. So in a way she is a good role model to younger people. But making a doll which represents a national treasure of the UK just seems off and unneeded.  source: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/queen-jubliee-barbie-mattel-feminism-b2062393.html

Marilyn Monroe Painting By Andy Warhol For Sale

One of the most famous paintings of the even more famous artist Andy Warhol’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe (1962) will go on auction in May in New York. It is estimated for £150m and which will make Andy’s painting the most expensive 20th century artwork ever auctioned. In addition, the artist will become the greatest artist of the modern age therefore beating Pablo Picasso.  Personally, I consider Warhol as one of my favorite artists, so it’s hard for me not to be biased. I believe his artwork deserves to be valued highly. He was able to grasp a modern idea of art which can exist at the same time as the vastly-changing world of the 60’s, 70's and 80's. Also, people like to make little of his artwork into simple pop art, but he was a thinker, who lived way before his times. And the way that he changed the perception of the public about an artist in the culture is just remarkable. source:https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/apr/13/yours-for-200m-how-warhol-overtook-picass

A Special Comeback Of a Rock Band

The well known British rock band Pink Floyd has collaborated with Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk, on their new song Hey Hey Rise Up. This the first songs which the band has produced since their split in 1985. Moreover, the proceeds from the song are going to the Ukrainian humanitarian relief.  In my opinion, it was a high time for musicians to take a stand for the Ukrainian cause. They can reach people through artistry like no other news outlet. Helping those who need help and collaborating with the person who had the first hand experience of the tragedy, is so powerful and pivotal at times like this. I believe that music can express so much more than words, especially through lyrics and melody. Pink Floyd should be taken as an example for others’ musicians, especially those in America, which haven’t done anything „special” involving Ukraine cause. source:  https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/07/pink-floyd-reform-to-support-ukraine

Lost Opportunity

 Many people were expecting the Oscars to take a stand about current political issues in Ukraine. One of those people was the actor Sean Penn (previous academy winner). He said publicly that he expects The Academy to give some air time for President Zelensky. If that doesn’t happen, he will melt his Oscars, as a sign of protest directed at the Academy.  We now know that the Academy did a bare minimum in the matter of the Ukraine- Russia war. The gala lasted three hours, in which only at the end there was a moment of silence. On the screen appeared tile cards about Ukraine and that was it. The hosts didn’t pay enough attention to the war, let alone the winners in their speeches. It was like nothing was happening in the world besides American issues. Letting this pivotal opportunity to slip by and losing the chance to educate and share awareness about the most important topic right now was a huge mistake on the Academy's part, which I hope will not be forgotten. source:  https://vari