So said the sage of Cupertino Siri…I’ve just updated to iOS 6 and one of the first things I wanted to try out was the much vaunted Siri and it didn’t disappoint. I read somewhere that this is the Microsoft paper lip of the iPad generation and from what I’ve seen at the moment that about sums up the program. No doubt it will get better but I won’t hold my breath nor will I use it. Goodness only knows what Martin Scorsese’s diary was like after Siri had butchered it.
Still it does make for a great parlour game for about 5 minutes. Sent from my iPadWho indeed is Marilyn Monroe? I haven’t got the first clue and having examined many images over the past few days I really don’t think no one knows. Undoubtedly there may be a few people still alive who actually did know the woman but they must be an ever decreasing group.
For the rest all we have is the myth based on what? Well a bunch of variable movies and almost limitless images circulating to enforce and enhance the image of a mysterious creature. She really isn’t a human being anymore but semi goddess. So we are served up Marilyn the sex goddess or Marilyn the exploited play thing of a President who is as much a Demi-god as she or perhaps a woman just trying to make her way in a mans world or all of these or none. On a more practical level the week has been a fascinating experience – trying many things before coming to the conclusion that I am, at heart, a really conservative artist who likes nothing better than to sit down with a pencil, graphite or conte, and try to make the best likeness I can. I think I have succeeded in that endeavour in some small way.
Sent from my iPad
Of course it is impossible to say for certain from the Internet but in principle the photographs in the Australian version of the portrait prize are of a higher standard than the British.
I wonder why that is? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/gallery-e6frg6n6-1226012006561?page=2 Sent from my iPadThis was a drawing that really got away from me, which at one point was really annoying then I just went with the flow and just enjoyed creating this Mad Manesque image. Sometimes I think you have to remember that this is supposed to be enjoyable and rewarding as well as deeply frustrating.
Sent from my iPad
Day two of the Monroe exploration and I seem to be going in a totally different direction – a bit more Frank Auerbach (only a bit). Again the question is it a likeness, I am not sure but then again I really don’t know what a likeness of Monroe should be as she changed so much. Perhaps Warhol had it right all along.
Sent from my iPad
Now I know she was only 36 when she died, my god 36 and it is 50 years since she died and yet here she is probably more powerful than she ever was! Anyway as I was drawing this I suddenly realised that this might have been how she might have looked at 50 – all the pain of a life spent being exploited and exploiting in probable equal measure etched into her eyes. So very sad.
Sent from my iPad
