Historical Painting with Wikipedia Links & Mouse Over Tagging. Chinese Artists Dai Dudu, Li Tiezi, and Zhang An, 2006, oil on canvas.
When Chou En Lai was asked what he thought of the French Revolution he allegedly replied “it’s too early to say”. However others are willing to make a judgment on history. Chinese artists Dai Dudu, Li Tiezi, and Zhang An painted a fascinating panorama of 103 persons in 2006 they considered famous. The selection reflects their point of view. It contains many more Chinese and Asian figures than might figure in an American choice. It is understandably a Sinocentric view of the world; where Hitler strikes an indifferent pose but it is Hideki Tojo who is singled out for torment. Movie stars and sports stars have more prominence than would be expected. It’s cavalcade of fame as seen from the international news pages.
Since the painting was done in 2006 there is one conspicuous omission. Is it a fatal shortcoming? And have the artists failed to anticipate the most significant historical figure of all? Belmont Club » Three Portraits
You can see the painting if you....
The One? Bottom right hand corner, if you look closely :).
Also for the uninitiated, right by Duchamp's feet is a traditional Chinese porcelain piss pot. Can only be a matter of time before someone writes a thesis on juxtapositions or personalities and/or found objects in this painting.
Also, they have made an effort to cover the arts, sciences,
Missing persons: Christ, Alexander, ...
Li Bai is drunk as usual. Hemingway is keeping up. Pavarotti is costumed as Calaf in Turandot. So must naturally be singing Nessun Dorma.
Could go on, but i don't want to wake up in 2034 to find that I've become Jorn Barger.
"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.
HOME