Still in the mood for Art

[chani]

On Saturday I rewatched Frida, starring Salma Hayek, on DVD. It's really a good movie. It's beautiful, the picture suits Frida's style and Salma is truly amazing. She created a strong Frida (stronger than she was in RL) and yet so touching when it came to the matter of heart. It's crazy how brave she could be and how much she loved her Diego.

Here's one of my favourite paintings by Frida Kahlo:



Because of this painting and because of others of her "monkeys paintings", I feel a connection to Frida.

I love this one because of the green colour which is my favourite colour, because of the thorns necklace that evokes torture and also looks like a cage for Frida (not for the humming bird !) who has been in so many surgical corsets during her life. That necklace is a brilliant idea. The humming bird could actualy be the key. Pain and bounds are always there in her paintings.  
And of course I love the monkey and the black cat. The cat seems so alive ! Look at his eyes and his ears!

Here's another one that is more famous I believe:



And last but not least:



This last painting moves me a lot because it reminds me of  a spider monkey I met in Mexico 6 years ago. It's a memory I cherish. It occured in Villahermosa, precisely in an archaelogical Park called La Venta where Olmeca Big Heads are shown among various animals going freely around.  And suddenly near a Stone Head there was that little spider-monkey that seemed so sad and so lonely that I went towards him and as I got closer he didn't run away.

I crouched down, holding out my hand and asked him to give me his hand. He looked hesitant, so I asked again. And he did it ! He put his hand in mine. My friend tried to take a picture and my little monkey shied away. He withdrew his hand but I reassured him and asked him again : give me your hand.
And he did it again.

I can't tell you how moving it was. I had unshed tears in my eyes and now as I recall the scene there's something moving in my chest still. A humming bird maybe. It was really a special moment.
There was a hand in mine, and it was not a human hand.

Comments

[candlelightfrot.livejournal.com]

You don't believe that Frida Kahlo was the One True God (Kahloism) do you? I think you'd have to be bisexual!?

I've hand-fed hummingbirds sometimes as many as three at a time. I once had one land on my finger to sip from a sugar-water bottle I was holding in my other hand.

Mom used to go out and talk to fawn deer in the back yard. Didn't Frida draw herself as a deer once?

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

Nope, still godless here, don't worry.

I'm not sure Frida was bisexual the way people nowadays would define it even though she practiced bisexuality. She was open minded for sure, and loved life and she was in such physical pain all the time that she knew to find a bit of joy wherever and whenever she could, especially when she and Diego were separated. But she was completely focused on him, obsessed with him. She wasn't bisexual, she was Diego-al!

Poor wounded deer Frida...



As many women (have you noticed it's always women who work with apes ?) I'm "attracted" to monkeys. Have you ever seen the film "Max Mon Amour"? ;- P

[candlelightfrot.livejournal.com]

I thought there was one woman with whom she was rather involved.... but at any rate, no I haven't seen "Max Mon Amour." I take Max was an ape. Well, if you're so attracted and find a male chimp you like, then you could possibly answer that question about which science has been wondering for some time now.
;~P

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

Silly trésor!

[comava.livejournal.com]

Frida's work reminds me stongly of Dali, even though there isn't too much of a similarity, IMO. I can't really like the way she painted herself because from the photos I've seen of her, she's was quite beautiful.

What a lovely story, about the monkey, I mean.

[jerusha]

Huh. I don't know much about Frida, but I've thought about seeing that movie. I may have to try and rent it someday when I have time.

And that is a very moving story. I've always liked monkeys. They're so interesting and intelligent.