When Dudi Ben Simon observes the world around her, visual puns and parallels are everywhere: a cinnamon bun stands in for a hair bun; the crinkled top of a lemon is cinched like a handbag; or yellow rubber glove stretches like melted cheese. “I see it as a type of readymade, a trend in art created by using objects or daily life items disconnected to their original context, changing their meanings and creating a new story from them,” the artist says. “I attempt to preserve the regular appearance of the items, but with a switch.”

Ben Simon also takes inspiration from the directness of advertising, focusing on a finely tuned, deceptively simple message that can both be read quickly and provoke humor or curiosity. “I truly believe in minimalism,” she says. “What is not required to tell the story does not exist.”

See more playful takes on everyday objects on Ben Simon’s Instagram. You might also enjoy Eric Kogan’s serendiptous street photography around New York City.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Dudi Ben Simon’s Playful Photos Draw on Visual Puns and Humourous Happenstance appeared first on Colossal.

Artist Alleys are a popular part of any established anime convention and provide a venue for amateur and professional artisans alike to sell their anime or manga-themed works. Alleys are usually held approximately every three to six months and usually occur in honor of Valentine’s Day, spring, summer, Halloween and Christmas.

The free Dallas-Fort Worth-based Minna Art Market allows others to attend an Artist Alley-type event without paying the hefty price of tickets that anime conventions usually have.

“We pick various art forms from digital art, traditional art, printmaking, nail art, jewelry, accessories, plushies, crochet, apparel, candles and soaps, ceramics, etc.,” said Stephanie Son, Carrollton resident and founder of Minna Art Market, in an email to the North Texas Daily. “Most of our artists have an anime influence to their works, and attendees are drawn to everyone’s unique creative input.”

The next Minna Art Market event is on May 11 at the Denton Civic Center. 

The first Minna Art Market event was in August 2021. Son said the inspiration behind starting the market laid in the desire to generate a space to allow artists to make ends meet amidst the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to the COVID-mandated requirements. Minna events were outside of Denton in the past. However, they continued to thrive and expand, and the Civic Center accommodated their size, leading to the utilization of the current space.

“Individual vendors will bring their own merch and stuff like that [at conventions], and that’s always been my favorite part because I always love seeing how different artists interpret certain media [and how they] show off their own original art,” said Steph Williams, a Dallas resident and customer of Minna Art Market. “You don’t even have to buy a badge like you would at a convention. It’s just a chance to connect with other artists too.”

Williams began attending Minna Art Market events in 2022, the first one being in May of that year in Lewisville. They have been in the DFW anime and convention scene for ten years and value how smaller artists can participate in the market since it is a small event. They said because Minna is on a smaller scale, it fosters a more cozy and intimate community atmosphere. 

“I feel like Denton is an area that really values art, like the arts in general, and I’m thinking about UNT and how I know that their music program is really good and that’s something they’re known for,” Williams said. “You can definitely tell the people in the area are very appreciative of art in all its forms, and Minna is a great showcase for that.” 

Minna means “all of you” or “everyone” in Japanese. Son chose the name desiring cooperation and customer and vendor assistance. The intentions behind Minna are to help foster support for the artists and expose people who attend the events to new artists. Son is impacted by how she gets to connect to artists she had not known of, and in addition, there is an impact by artists telling her about their experiences with selling at the market.

“I wanted to participate in the market because I have always heard about it, and I think it’s a really good community,” MOLDYWORLD owner Josey Contreras said. “I’m very excited to participate.”

Contreras will sell their creations through the market for the first time in May. They make crocheted items through their small business, MOLDYWORLD. They said they heard a great deal about the market previously, but will be experiencing it in full for the first time in May.

“The best thing about Minna is when the artists and attendees leave happy! I’m overjoyed to hear people express their gratitude towards me about their positive experience at Minna.” Son said in the email. “I love being able to help facilitate an artist community for the DFW area.”

Son said she is shocked to witness just how much Minna has grown, and that word of the marketing spreads even outside the local DFW areas. Artists and attendees travel from out of the state to attend the market.

“I think it’s really impressive what she’s done with this event. I know it’s not easy to start stuff like this, especially on the scale that it’s grown to, because I know that they’ve had to outgrow two different spaces before the current one that they’re in,” Williams said. “Steph herself is really sweet. She’s one of the kindest artists I’ve ever met at conventions and stuff like that.”

Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 765 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru recently hosted the exhibition titled Charvi (‘something beautiful and intelligent’), curated by Sydney-based Car Street Studios. In this photo essay, we showcase some of the paintings along with artist insights on their creative process.

“Art helps me live each moment deeply, and assimilate and document my experience,” Spoorthy Murali tells YourStory.

Spoorthy Murali” align=”center”>

She has been painting for around 12 years now. “I am happy to have been a part of several reputed projects and shows, many of which are fundraisers for worthy causes,” she proudly says.

“To me, life is a journey to deconstruct and free the constraints that we put around ourselves. Life is about experiencing this journey fully in all its glory,” Nirupama SP observes.

Art is one of the modes to achieve absolute chaos or absolute stillness. “With each work, I try to break free of a barrier and become just a piece of life,” she adds.

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Nirupama has held a solo show and a number of group shows. They include the Karnataka Lalith Kala Academy annual show in 2022.

“Art is an exploration of the soul. My journey as an artist began at a young age when I discovered my fascination for colours and their ability to convey emotions beyond words,” Anupama PG describes.

She experimented with various mediums and techniques, developing a distinctive style that merges realism with an ethereal touch. “My works often feature intricate details that showcase an unwavering commitment to craft,” she says.  

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She has won a string of awards over the years from the Gulbarga Academy of Art and Culture, Parameshwara Pulakeshi Award (2018) from the Akhila Karnataka Kannada Chaluvali Kendra Samiti in Bengaluru, and Nammoora Saadhaki award from Kartikeya Charitable Trust in Kasaragod.

Other awards include the Women Achievement Award (2019) from Nava Bangalore Club, Art Legend Golden Mayuri Award (2023) from Konaseena Chitrakala Parishath Amalapuram, and Gold Medal at the 19th annual Royal Academy National Awards (2023) in Kalburgi.

The exhibitors suggest different means to increase and improve art appreciation in society. “Broader art education is needed at the elementary level. More eminent people should come forward and express their opinions on art,” Anupama suggests.

Murali advises that more events should be facilitated where the public and the art world interact with each other.

Nirupama recommends that art appreciation should start early in life by exposing children to the art world. “They should be encouraged to express themselves freely through art, and see how such expression works through regular visits to art galleries,” she says.

“The art market needs to be strengthened so that artists can depend on it for their bread and butter,” Nirupama signs off.

Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?

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(All photographs were taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at the exhibition.)

Today we’re returning to a dark comedy classic that, although released in 2017, rings just as true in 2024. Directed by Swedish animator Niki Lindroth von Bahr, “The Burden” is a wildly wry musical that skewers loneliness, greed, beauty myths, and the existential woes of modern life through a lively cast of animal characters.

The award-winning short film visits a bleak supermarket, hotel, call center, and fast-food restaurant where employees break into song and dance, sometimes to the tune of common sales refrains. “Would you like to sign up for our money-back guarantee? Try our satisfaction guarantee?” monkeys croon. When an apocalypse hits the bizarrely relatable world, the characters jump at the chance for change.

Watch “The Burden” above, and find Lindroth von Bahr’s other films on Vimeo.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article The Burden: A Darkly Funny Musical Punctures Existential Dread with Unusually Cheerful Song and Dance appeared first on Colossal.

First published in 1997, Phaidon’s The Art Book has long been a go-to source for introductions to some of the most influential artists. Spanning medieval to modern times, the volume contains more than 600 works and is available in 20 languages. About two decades ago, the iconic title received another type of translation geared specifically toward younger art lovers when editors released The Art Book for Children.

That kids’ edition presents a bite-sized, accessible version of The Art Book and was recently updated and revised. The new volume features 30 artists from its predecessor along with 30 additions, bringing together the most significant names from art history like Katsushika Hokusai, Jackson Pollock, and Frida Kahlo. Each spread includes one or more works by each artist and a fun, informative text, inviting children to look closely and discover a variety of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more.

The Art Book for Children will be released on May 22 and is available for pre-order in the Colossal Shop.

Katsushika Hokusai

Vincent Van Gogh

Artemisia Gentileschi, “Esther Before Ahasuerus” (1622), oil on canvas

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Two Decades After Its Release, ‘The Art Book for Children’ Gets a Vibrant Makeover appeared first on Colossal.

Reaching toward universal experiences unclouded by specific identities, Jason Limon strips his recurring characters to the bare bones. The San Antonio-based artist (previously) continues his uncanny paintings of skeletons, who find themselves in precarious, startling, and genial situations. Recent works include “Peas In A Pod,” which features two friends adopting new heads from a large, curved shell. Similar smiling orbs appear in “The Right Grape” as a character chooses and fits the cheerful green fruit onto its neck.

Working in acrylic paint, Limon conjures myriad textures, whether through the deckled edges of a paper-craft structure or thin, crinkled plastic wrap. Combined with his muted palette of neutrals and jewel tones, these three-dimensional effects imbue the scenes with a vintage charm and a sense of timelessness.

Limon is currently working on a few personal projects, so keep an eye on his Instagram for updates. Find originals and prints in his shop.

“Drift,” 12 x 9 inches

“The Right Grape,” 9 x 12 inches

“Succumb,” 6 x 8 inches

“Lightning,” 6 x 8 inches

“Framed II,” 8 x 10 inches

“Look Around,” 10 x 10 inches

“Sleepy,” 6 x 8 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Jason Limon Gets to the Heart of Human Emotion in His Soul-Stirring Skeleton Paintings appeared first on Colossal.

Paris-based artist Stéphane Thidet invites viewers into wondrous worlds that skew perceptions and distort the laws of physics: a small wooden boat appears to arise from hard planks, flat stones nest inside a bookcase where paper tomes once stood, and water cascades from a Nantes theater making it impossible to enter without being drenched. Crafted with familiar materials and subject matter, Thidet’s site-specific installations and sculptures twist common scenes into unexpected territories.

Explore an archive of the artist’s work on his website.

“Chair” (2009), chairs, wood shavings, and sawdust, variable dimensions. Photo © Stéphane Thidet, courtesy of the artist and Galerie Aline Vidal

“La Crue” (2010), poplar wood, nails, variable dimensions. Photo © Galerie Aline Vidal courtesy of the artist and Galerie Aline Vidal Collection MAC VAL

“Rideau” (2020), in situ installation at Théâtre Graslin, Nantes, France, water, pumps, pond installation in situ. Photo © Martin Argyroglo, courtesy of the artist and Galerie Aline Vidal

“Sans titre (Je crois qu’il y avait une maison, il me semble y avoir vécu)” (2010), bookcase and white stones, 239 x 187 centimeters. Photo © Stéphane Thidet, courtesy of the artist and Galerie Aline Vidal Collection CNAP

“Il n’est pas de nouveau monde” (2023), wood and steel, 300 x 550 x 400 centimeters. Photo © Cité internationale de la langue Française, courtesy of the artist and Galerie Aline Vidal

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Stéphane Thidet Challenges Physics and Social Norms in His Site-Specific Installations appeared first on Colossal.

Sacha Jafri’s 17,000-square-foot “Humanity Inspired” collection captured global attention when it achieved the record as the world’s largest art canvas in 2020. The following year, he became one of the world’s most expensive living artists.

Between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on April 24-26, LSU’s Free Speech Alley is transformed into a unique showcase of artistic talent as the LSU Ceramic Arts Student Association hosts its biannual School of Art Market.

The event brings together students from various art disciplines, including ceramics, digital art, graphic design, painting, sculpture and printmaking to showcase their work in a shared space.

Aspiring students line the walkway displaying a diverse array of artwork. Whether simply admiring or looking to purchase a piece, students passing through can immerse themselves in the creativity of their peers, supporting local talent and adding a touch of art to their day.

The School of Art Market is a platform for students to showcase their talents and profit from their work. Proceeds from the market go to the individual artist, giving them a valuable opportunity to earn income from their creative endeavors. Additionally, funds raised from the market contribute to the School of Art’s efforts to bring in guest artists.

The Reveille spoke with some of the artists about themselves and their artwork.

“I was a high school art teacher for the better part of 18 years, and ceramics has always been my focus … I wanted to come back and get a master’s degree to hopefully teach at the collegiate level,” said Pete Froehlich, a second-year ceramics MFA student.

“I’ve been doing ceramics for about 25 years now, on and off,” Froehlich said. “My work is functional and intended to be used. I’ve recently started making larger serving pieces that are gathering spaces, encouraging social interaction and connection during shared meals.”

“I’ve been in the School of Art for three and a half years. And I just really love working with my hands. There’s no real comparison to it. I like making little things that people can take with them,” said Adrianna Hawkins, a fifth-year sculpture major. 

“The only thing I like to do is paint. I think that if I weren’t doing art, I would not be in college,” said painting and drawing junior Cheyenne Marchetta. 

Ella Madura, a junior painting and drawing and chemistry student, discussed her evolution as an artist, saying, “I took my first painting class here, and it took over my life. I switched to being dual-degree, so now I’m getting a BS and a BFA.” 

Madura’s work often reflects personal spaces and relationships. “A lot of my pieces are interiors, their personal interiors, to me, they’re kind of self-portraits. So a lot of it is personal space for me with people who are close to me,” she said.

“I love how stories can impact people. That’s why I mostly want to go towards more comics and illustrations,” said digital art senior Loreal Bart. 

By participating in the School of Art Market, these students not only showcase their talents but also gain valuable experience in marketing and entrepreneurship. The market provides a platform for students to sell their art, connect with the community and take a significant step forward in their artistic careers.