Mariel Clayton's barbie world and Vermeer

I came across with the work of Mariel Clayton at Stumpleupon and as I was enchanted by this recreation of Vermeer's "The Milkmaid", left picture, I searched her name.

She has an amazing collection of scenes she creates with Barbie dolls that expresses many situations of human life in a very deep way.

Her work is divided in labels and this is what she says about "Fables":

"The whole idea of Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes has always been fascinating to me because most of the stories and ditties that we know from youth have the darkest, most gruesome origins you can think of - and nothing that we would ever consider telling our children today.

Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes were not intended strictly for entertainment, they were meant to be harsh lessons in life that children could comprehend and learn from, morality stories and ways to remember important events.

I'm absolutely absorbed by some of the original versions, and the original messages - and I wanted to pictorialise and interpret them in my way. I would also recommend, for anyone interested - that you research further into the background and history of your childrens stories."

Barbie's world can have other meanings when used by creative and inquisitive people.

All rights reserved by Mariel Clayton - 'Organically Warped'

Vermeer's Girl with a pearl earring

Last April I did a post about Vermeer's "Girl with a pearl earring" that I believe must be known by many people because of the movie and because this painting is being used in advertisements and as a decoration in mugs, umbrellas, bags and any place people want it to be printed. The left picture is the puzzle I did here, you can do it too, and if you get in trouble with the black pieces there is the "auto solve" button to help you. The right picture is a toilet advertisement and I don't know what to think about it but my face contracts some muscles when I look at it... I have to check at the mirror to know what it means.

Vermeer Van Delft: "You've got a letter" theme

In Vermeer's, Delft is his city, universe the letter being received or written is usual and treated in a very direct way: letter received, some thoughts and answer.

The titles are explanatories:

"A Lady Writing a Letter", 1666, (left)

"The Love Letter"(right and detail)

There are more paintings with women receiving and writing letters and it is striking that there are no dramas and the expressions of the faces show  control of emotions and no doubts about what to do with the envelop that has just arrived. In the left painting the woman is staring at the public and I can even listen: "Calm down, I know what to do and I'm so happy!" But this is me.

"Girl with a pearl earring" must be known iconic illiterate people!

I'm sure you were exposed to the right painting whether you know it or not. "The girl with the pearl earing", painted in 1665 by Vermeer, is everywhere and she must be almost next to Mona lisa in popularity. Ok, if you don't know Mona lisa. The Last Supper? No? You are in serious trouble. You are an iconic illiterate and knowing Madonna or Lady Gaga will not help you.

Some paintings are used by designers, advertisers, artists and all of those who work with images because they take for granted that everybody knows them for they are part of the western cultural patrimony just like Bart Simpson is.

You may not like art but it is a shame, a shame not to know some works of art and still, some people claim: "I don't like paintings or anything of this kind" as if they were saying "I don't like running, I rather walk."

And they start laughing!

I wonder if in the scientific era anyone would dare to say: "I don't know how the four operations." without feeling ashamed.

Or I'm wrong and not knowing is the new black. "I don't know, and I don't wanna know."

I will try to find this memo I didn't receive to see if I have to continue or stop here. brb

Mary Cassat meets Vermeer

Right: Woman in blue reading a letter, Vermeer, 1662-63 Left: The Letter, Mary Cassatt, 1880-81 Both captured daily and intimate moments. Here Mary Cassatt, in a Japanese inspired technique, meets Vermeer and it seems that at her painting a decision has already been done while in Vermeer's work something is about to happen after the woman finish reading the letter.