What work of art you find inspiring, funny or interesting?

submitted by Innisfree from self.Lesbians

It can be anything from sculpture, painting, installation, music, famous or anonymous artists, old or contemporary, a piece of art you made as a child or was a gift.

Would be wonderful to hear the stories behind it or details as to how it was created/came into your possession etc. Feel free to post more than once :)

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[–]VioletRemi 10 insightful - 4 fun10 insightful - 3 fun11 insightful - 4 fun -  (6 children)

There a lot of them, different ones during different times in my life. Mostly books and music. Pintings were not accessible for me for majority of my life, so I can't really appreciate them much. And most inspirations I was taking from biographies of women of the past, and sometimes from men's biographies.

For me most important book was I'd say "Tsarevna" ("Empress" or "Queen") of Olga Kobylyanska, closeted lesbian Ukrainian writer of late 1800s and early 1900s.

Book is about a strong woman, who self-educated and had strong enough will to go against the society and gain rights to herself and build her own future, in a world where it was hard to do even as a man. It gave me a lot of strenght to fight back all the hell what society was throwing at me. I am pretty happy that this book was (and still is) mandatory to read in the school cource of "native literature". I believe it was first time in our literature where woman was independent and not required man for anything. She translated this book to german herself, and most likely there are translations to other languages nowadays. It was one of her first books.

[–]Innisfree[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Omg she's the Ukrainian Anne Lister, Frida Kahlo (she was paralysed) and Emily Dickenson put together! She lived around not far where I'm from and I never heard of her. Thank you!

Russian Wikipedia says she was lifelong "friends" with Olga Ustyanovich. Just like Emily Dickenson was "friends" with Susan Huntington Gilbert. Interestingly nothing about her love life is mentioned. I cry lesbian erasure! Anywho, thank you, thank you. I'm reading more on her now.

[–]VioletRemi 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Her main romance was with Lesya Ukrainka, tho. And after that she was not really dating anyone. Sadly they were extremely closeted and in fear for others to know, they were not even using their names in letters. In sexting to each other they were using "someone" and "someone else" instead of their names, and sexual content was mostly presented in ways of innuendos (except few times with more clear descriptions).

She was dating a man before her first woman relationship, but she wrote in letter that relationship with man was "for practical means", so most likely it was fake relationship (and guy she was dating was helping her to get published, etc, so most likely he knew). Lesya was bisexual, tho.

I do recomend to read that her book, tho. And in school we did not know she had relationship with women at all. So I just liked the book itself, without even knowing anything. If I knew - maybe I would accept my sexuality earlier.

Russian Wikipedia

You know Russian? As it is better to read Ukrainian sources, there less homophobia and often more details about ukrainian authors. For example in russian one is never mentioned about her sexting and relationship with women, while in ukrainian it is mentioned (and even used word "possibly lesbian relationship").

[–]Innisfree[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Thank you for the details. So intriguing. In Russian (I do know it) it is really hard to find such info. From what I've read so far she was a strong, self-made woman - very inspiring. And thanks for the book recommendation. :)

[–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I learned russian as well, it was around age of 19 (started studying around age of 13, tho). As russian is a bit too far from ukrainian, but because of USSR, many older people were fluently speaking on it, so it was easier to learn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQLM62r5nLI

very inspiring

And that book is even more inspiring! Especially if you keep in mind when and by whom it was written and what situation was around for people, especially for women.

[–]Innisfree[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Great video. Lol at February being called Lyutii (means cruel in Russian). Explains why Russian speakers can't understand Ukrainian :)

[–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Well, Lyutiy means also "harsh, angry, cruel" on Ukrainian too. Like "very strongly cold weather" will be "lyutiy moroz". And it is mostly from old slavic languages. Russian is most diferent from all slavic languages, as they took too many words from greek (church slavic), turkish and french.

[–]Innisfree[S] 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

For me it's the Chauvet cave paintings in the south of France. I was blown away by Herzog's documentary on them. The footage and the music made me feel like I'm communing with people from 30,000 years ago.

Louise Bourgeois' work I find terrifying but I admire the expressivity with which she exorcises her inner demons.

[–]southpaw 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Holy cow! Bourgeois' work is truly terrifying. Don't look at it right before bed. Lol

[–]CJLez 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Most people would think me pretty basic to pick him as a favourite artist but, as someone who has struggled with life-long severe mental health issues, I've always loved Van Gogh's work - partly for the art and partly for the artist.

I went to the Van Gogh museum in January 2010. It was a late night opening with a pianist in the foyer that you could hear as you walked throughout the whole museum. It was breathtaking. I'd love to go back sometime.

Plus, Vincent by Don Mclean is an amazing song.

Plus, he inspired my two 1 2 favourite TV moments of all time.

[–]VioletRemi 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Van Gogh

I actually like his paintings too, and in general "weird paintings". Or paintings that are playing with mind.

[–]Innisfree[S] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Shoot I'm crying with that moment 1. I wish we could do what the Doctor did for him. Yo, who asked for the power to change time on the superpowers thread?

His letters to his brother Theo are helpful when one is burned out or in self-doubt. There's this song that really captures his beautiful soul and was a comfort to me when I was struggling.

Edit: Just saw you mentioned the song, my myopic eyes must've skipped that line sorry :)

[–]CJLez 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

When the episode was first mentioned I assumed they were going to leave out his death alltogether in order to make the show family friendly but the 'good things and bad things' speech in the second clip is such a lovely and gentle way to introduce children to mental health issues without talking down to them about it.

I love that song. I've consdered buying a book of his letters but I don't know if it would be too sad to read.

[–]Innisfree[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

'good things and bad things' speech

I also though it's just brilliant and a good philosophy of life in general.

I heard a similar phrase in one of my favorite films Jane Eyre (1996): "The shadows are just as important as the light"

On the letters, I agree, they are a tough read. I confess I couldn't read them all because of that.

[–]TheHighPriestess 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Anything Waterhouse. Basic of me, but it's the truth. A lot of myth, legend, and storytelling in his art. I have a print of Lady of Shallot framed above my dresser.

[–]Innisfree[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

For what it's worth, I don't think anyone's tastes are basic :). Them art critics are wrong. If something moves us - then it is beautiful.

The painting is gorgeous btw. And I think the legend of The Lady of Shalot can also be read as a parable of lesbian sexuality. She spends her lifetime in the closet and when she falls in love - she dies in a way, but you can see it as the death of her old life and the start of a new one. Just my shoddy take :)

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

Speaking of lesbians, this is from 1866:https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/oeuvre/sleepers

The painter was so ahead of his time. His best known work is a painting fully showing a pussy: https://loeildelaphotographie.com/en/constance-queniaux-the-face-of-the-origin-of-the-world-at-the-bnf-kk/

[–]Innisfree[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Masterful detail on that second one. Despite the clear intro from you, had a bit of a shock when the link opened 😂.

Also since we're on the theme Toulouse-Lautrec did a series :) I think his are a bit more prudish, perhaps because of the style.

[–]florasis 4 insightful - 4 fun4 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 4 fun -  (2 children)

Yeah, it looks like a pic. A true master. It portraits femaleness in all its hot glory. i also like the naturalistic look of the time. So savage lol

[–]Innisfree[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Dude was savage. Perfect description! 👌

[–]florasis 4 insightful - 4 fun4 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 4 fun -  (0 children)

Someone who loved the pussy very much. Cannot blame him lol

[–]sootsprite 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Not a big fan of how it's essentially a disembodied torso with a sheet over the head. Almost makes me feel like I'm looking at a corpse.

[–]florasis 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The girl is the dark haired girl of the female on female portrait. I like the view lol

[–]Innisfree[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I think we can safely say that Courbet was not a champion of the female gaze. :)

[–]Innisfree[S] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

For the funny category, there's this classical painting: on the surface, it's a scene of falling in love, but it also depicts the aftermath of the god Bacchus ripping a huge fart. LOL  check out the faces of the satyr and the leopard - they caught a whiff 😂

[–][deleted] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

There’s an art installation in central Washington call Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. It’s up on a ridge overlooking the Columbia River. My grandpa used to load us in the car and take us to see it just for the hell of it. Every time I drive thru the area I make it a point to go see it, luckily my wife entertains me by going along with it now days.

[–]Innisfree[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Gosh it's beautiful! "The spirit of free will". If there is a list of places for lesbians to visit - this should be on it! :)

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

It’s great from the highway. The full experience comes from hiking up the steep gravel hillside to the top of the ridge when it’s about 100 outside.

[–]Innisfree[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

"the full experience" at 100! 😂 But it sounds worth it. Your wife sounds like a great person, btw.

[–][deleted]  (6 children)

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    [–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    They are reminding me jellyfish and different deep ocean fish.

    And I am loving this.

    I was watching all of the journeys of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and was amazed with what oceans can naturally produce!

    [–][deleted]  (1 child)

    [deleted]

      [–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

      Yeah, his videos and engineering club were few bright things in my childhood. I am still really loving everything about ocean because of that.

      [–]Innisfree[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

      What the hell did just happen to me? I think I went on an awesome 7 min trip! Surely they use cgi at some point! These are a long way from the beach walking ones .

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

        I am pretty sure it is not using CGI, because boys were building similar things in the "Club of Junior Engineers" where I was left for evenings, as mother had second job. So I saw similar ones with my own eyes. Not as cool ones, tho.

        [–]whateverman 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

        Rembrandt's "Night Watch" is my favourite painting. I just love the way he used light in his work.

        [–]Innisfree[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

        Your comment made me revisit him. This video helps appreciate his genius more. Was particularly touched by how much he packs into a painting and my entry point was, for some reason, the shade the captain's hand casts on the lieutenant's clothes. The devil is in the details.

        [–]yayblueberries 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

        I love Catalina Estrada's artwork, even her website is a piece of art! http://www.catalinaestrada.com/ I have easily gotten bored with most of the art I see around me and then somebody gave me a planner designed by her. I do really like contemporary art but a lot of it is very basic or with rather drab colors. The vibrant colors and beautiful nature-based designs of her work cheer me up.

        [–]Innisfree[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

        In the words of Marie Kondo, "these designs spark joy!" There is a word my language shares with Spanish: deleitarse. Thank you, I haven't seen before such bright colours, such rich yet balanced designs.

        The drab colors of contemporary art are also a barrier for me. And I am glad the users here shared some contemporary art we can all enjoy.

        [–]al-Amira 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

        One sculpture that I really, really like despite not having seen it in person is Monument to the Laboratory Mouse, which can be seen here

        [–]Innisfree[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

        Wow, mindblown about how they capture the moment the mouse has discovered sth - you can really see it if you look into his eyes. And particularly heartwarming that it recognizes the sacrifice of mice in research! I hope some day you'll get to visit Novosibirsk and Siberia in general. Just get mosquito spray, lots of it :).

        [–]al-Amira 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

        Animals tend to be the unsung, and more often than not, the involuntary and forgotten heroes/victims of mankind. There's a monument of Laika that just breaks my heart, that one I have visited in person though - and thank you, I hope I will too someday - but it's currently a bit difficult to justify that travel distance for just one monument. Had it been closer to St Petersburg or Moscow (the only two Russian cities I've been to) I would most likely already have visited it.

        [–]Innisfree[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

        Agree about animals. We owe them so much!

        It's great you visited Russia. Siberia is too far anyway, so perhaps only if luck brings you there.

        Thanks for the Laika monument mention. I'll check it out

        [–]al-Amira 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

        Russia has a lot of things to see if you ask me. It's not as though the Laika statue is horrible by any means, but it's more what it represents and I suppose that neither that nor the one I first mentioned can be considered works of art, at least I don't think that's what the creators intended it to be. That said I've always found street art such as graffiti or murals (particularly political ones) to be interesting.

        [–]Innisfree[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

        Yeah Russia is a mind-bogglingly huge country. There's a Russian poem that translates roughly as: You can't encompass Russia in a mind, /Can't take it's measure with a common yardstick. It fits your description.

        I am a great believer that art should be democratic - that is available and accessible to all people. And for that street artists and especially folk and self-taught artists have a special place in my heart. And if it inspires people to think and improve their lives - even better.