Art Slice - A Palatable Serving of Art History

Oh jeez - this is a wild one...... Stephanie and Russell are back with another serving and boy, is it a _ROMP_. This week, join them as they head further back into Art History than ever before – to the 16th century to introduce El Greco, a catalyst of Modern Art. Looking to make it big, El Greco left the island life of Crete for the bustling Italian cities of Venice and Rome. There, he picked up traits from Renaissance and Mannerism styles and added some hometown Post-Byzantine spice – resulting in a bizarre yet stunning combination of colors and dynamic compositions never before seen in art history. He also made some friends - and enemies - along the way. Despite the Counter Reformation's harsh grip on Europe, EG was still able to thrive utilizing his strange style (that echoed his eccentric personality) to continually score commissions while managing to stand out amongst his contemporaries. After his death, he was mostly forgotten about until his rediscovery in the 19th century. Modern artists of the 20th century claimed him since he laid the groundwork for breaking visual tradition. And it was famous works like The Annunciation (1597) that caught the eye of Remedios Varo and Pablo Picasso among other art giants like Paul Cezanne. Stephanie and Russell discuss the first iterations of abstraction present in The Annunciation (1597) in which a teenage Mary is receiving heavenly news from towering angels and a turbulent celestial cloud column with floating cherub heads. Topics include: the rebranding of the Catholic Church (RC²), a lotta olives, trash talking Michelangelo (not us), long babies, miniature galleries for rats, time travel, and a plushie Remedios Varo mascot. There is no Art Pantry this week because Bean is missing. The song featured in this episode was “A Forest for me and You” by Komiku from the album A Tale is Never Forgotten which can be found here. Consider supporting their work! https://chezmonplaisir.bandcamp.com/album/a-tale-is-never-forgotten Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Be sure to listen to all the cuts that didn't make it into the episode on our Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/artslicepod Grab a sticker or a Three Witches t-shirt artslicepod.com/shop Check out some great books related to our episodes here (and support independent bookstores in the process): https://bookshop.org/shop/artslicepod

Welcome to Art Slice: an irreverent, inclusive, and Palatable Serving of Art History, brought to you by visual artists and Art Historian Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker. We cover Art History in a totally different way - without all the gatekeeping, privilege, and that cognitive fog called ‘art speaking'. We dig into the famous artists you may have slept through during your Art History lectures, and the ones that have been left out; possibly due to their ethnicity, gender, race, sexual identity, or lack of institutional access. We talk about the context of the time, relate it to today and then we discuss the actual artwork: what's in it, what it's about, what's it made from - is it any good? All from an artist's perspective, and then we decide if it goes in the eclectic Art Slice Museum - which is definitely real and NOT imaginary. Oh… and we have to keep our hungry, hungry Pantrémons satiated by feeding them practical descriptions of art mediums and movements from our Art Slice Pantry, or they might eat us. Follow along with ALL the images we discuss on our website at artslicepod.com or some of the images we discuss on Instagram @artslicepod

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker are back with another slice of Art History: they discuss Rene Magritte and his painting "The Unexpected Answer" from 1933, Giorgio “Daddy” De Chirico's influence on Rene and the Surrealists, and De Chirico's "The Song of Love" from 1914. De Chirico's metaphysical works were a first in art history and has since influenced generations of artists, especially the Surrealists. Both he and De Chirico evoke a sense of stimmung, or mood, that is especially unnerving when their paintings are realistically painted but Rene takes it a step further.  While Rene is considered a Surrealist, he was not quite like the others. His compositions raise more questions than answers and were likely inspired by the tragedy and war he experienced early in life. His interest in the macabre and uncanny, taken from Edgar Allen Poe and Lewis Carroll really took off once he left Brussels and headed to Paris, to the heart of Surrealism.  Somewhere between all of the melancholic marble statues, architectural arcades, giant chess pieces and bowler hats, Stephanie and Russell finally discuss the beginnings of Surrealism which include Andre Breton's military career, Sigmund Freud's ideas, and Max Ernst's French translation skills. Lastly, they confront the Daddy in the room and discuss that disturbing, lingering sense of uneasiness Rene's works leaves us in. And if Rene, at the end of the day, is truly a Surrealist.  Our Art Pantry of the week are Automatic, Surrealist Techniques: Frottage, grattage, eclaboussure, fumage, and decalcomania.  Topics include Belgian waffles, Surrealist bedtime stories, a forgotten Krautrock band, why your daddy doesn't listen to David Bowie, theatre, The Treachery of Images, and Daddies - lots and lots of Daddies.  The song featured in this episode was ‘Fowl and Fruit' by Patrick Kilpatrick , from Kill Patrick vol 1, which can be found here: https://patrickkilpatrick.bandcamp.com/ Consider supporting his work! Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show! Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. You can also support us and grab some merch: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts.

After a summer hiatus, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker (finally) discuss Swedish painter Hilma af Klint's journey to abstraction, from a young girl in Navy Cadet school to an accomplished, individual, and independent female artist - a rare combination in the 19th century. Hilma is often sensationalized as a mystical hermit artist who spoke to ghosts, or as the inventor of abstract art - both of which sound sexy for an exhibition - but do a disservice to an artist who worked with such intentionality and purpose throughout her life. Hilma's interest in the unseen, science, religion, clairvoyance, and meditation would lead her to find the connective threads between representation and abstraction. For example, like in The Ten Largest ; Ten giant, powerful, and vibrant paintings, while deeply personal to her, have a universal message everyone can connect to. Topics include Madame Helena Blavatsky, Theosophy, gweenies, God Bod, astral chore coats, ice-cream sampling, Swedish Melodic Death Metal Band De Fem, and pony parties. Our Art Pantry of the week is Automatic Drawing. The song featured in this episode was ‘Kāra' by Hninja which can be found here. Consider supporting their work! https://hninja.bandcamp.com/ Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts. Fill out our color surveys here: http://linktr.ee/artslicepod You can pick up a 4 pack of stickers to help support the show: http://linktr.ee/artslicepod

WE ARE BACK with another Art Slice Short: Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker cover one of their favorite contemporary painters, Black artist Kerry James Marshall and his painting, “Memento #5” of his Souvenir Series. You can find all the images we discuss today on artslicepod.com or instagram http://linktr.ee/artslicepod They also discuss the Black Liberation Movement, the Civil Rights movement of the1960s that visually inspired the Souvenir Series: from Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, to the nationwide Civil Rights protests and how these events continue to impact and inspire social reform and change today. Topics include Mambo #5, Dodge hemis, Watts Riots, political lawn signs, punky emo belts, and a tailgate party featuring blue weenies. Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram: http://linktr.ee/artslicepod Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts. You can pick up a 4 pack of stickers to help support the show: http://linktr.ee/artslicepod

This week, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker tread through the fascinating history behind the sculpture work “Silver Bedhead” from 1946 by Alexander “Sandy'“ Calder, mobile master, commissioned by Peggy Guggenheim, a woman whose art addiction influenced Modern Art History of the last century. They go back to the beginning of Peggy and Sandy’s lives when each experienced serendipitous moments that changed the trajectory of their lives, their paths running parallel to one another until art brought them together resulting in the one-of-a-kind work discussed in today’s episode. Topics include secret bookstores, a hefty inheritance, a miniature circus, baguette bopping, and Stephanie’s encounter with a too mobile mobile. You can see all the images we discuss today at artslicepod.com or on our instagram http://linktr.ee/artslicepod Our Art Pantry of the week is Craft. A huge thank you to photographer Steph Black, who let us use her images of “Silver Bedhead”. You can check out her work here: Steph Black Photography Music featured in this episode was "Milton Rogovin" Rob Lynch and Jonathan Hughes from the album Public / Private. Consider supporting their work! https://www.amazon.com/Public-Private-Lynch-Jonathan-Hughes/dp/B007EGVSKO There is no Art Assignment this week. @ us and # us with a photo of your completed Art Assignment from any episode, along with the episode’s title. Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts. Buy a three pack of Art Slice Stickers - or help support us at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artslicepod

In your snack-size serving of Art History this week, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker are on vacation - BUT they’ve compiled a sampler of previous episodes for easy sharing with friends who might enjoy the show. You can find the Youtube version of the sampler at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaVRwPc1cFQanQi1ObR8CJA We are truly thankful for all your support over the last few months! Episode Clips Featured: 1. Ep 08: Vincent Van Gogh X Utagawa Hiroshige - 1887 / 1857 2. Ep 05 & 07: The Three Witches (Part 1 & 2) Leonora Carrington, Kati Horna and Remedios Varo 3. Ep 04: WTFlag - Jasper Johns “Three Flags” - 1960 4. Ep 03: Three Disturbing Presents - Edvard Munch, “The Scream”, 1893 / Remedios Varo, “A Disturbing Presence” 1959 5. Ep 09: Sculpt to the Future - Augusta Savage - “Lift Every Voice and Sing” 1939 - Music by Kris Keough  6. Ep 10:  Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Detroit: Part 1 - “Detroit Industry Murals” 1932 7. Ep 05 & 07: The Three Witches (Part 1 & 2) Leonora Carrington, Kati Horna and Remedios Varo 8. Ep 12: Suddenly Subtly Psychedelic -  Charles Burchfield - “Childhood’s Garden” 1917 /  “The Coming of Spring”1917 - 1943 9. Ep 11: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in Detroit: Part 2 - “On the Border...”1932 10. Ep 08: Vincent Van Gogh X Utagawa Hiroshige - 1887 / 1857 11. Ep 05 & 07: The Three Witches (Part 1 & 2) Leonora Carrington, Kati Horna and Remedios Varo The song featured in from episode 09 was "Your eyes said we were never coming back" by Kris Keogh. Consider supporting his work! http://kriskeogh.bandcamp.com/ You can find all the previous episodes at  www.artslicepod.com/ or our instagram page at www.instagram.com/artslicepod/ Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts. Buy a 3 pack of stickers here: www.buymeacoffee.com/artslicepod

In this week’s episode, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker immerse themselves in the sensory watercolor world of the prolific artist and writer Charles Burchfield: from his early psychedelic Golden phase, through his Regionalist period, and finally, the works he made toward the end of his life after revisiting those Golden Phase paintings. They explore what exactly drove the vibrant works that bookended his career spanning several decades. You can find all the images we discuss on our website at https://www.artslicepod.com/ or our instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/artslicepod/ Charles was just a small town boy, born and raised in Ohio. He was known as a lunch pale artist, clocking in Monday through Friday and spending time with his family and dogs on nights and weekends. While his paintings sold enough to support his family, even during the Great Depression, something was unresolved in his artistic career . . . something that had been unresolved before he became the beloved Regionalist. Toward the end of his career, his splice-of-life watercolors transcended into multi-sensory and psychedelic landscapes vibrating with the songs of crickets and the buzzing of telephone wires. Stephanie and Russell find out that the answer to "Was this Mr. Rodger’s - type figure popping LSD in the woods? Or was he so deeply connected to the nature all around him?" Our Art Pantry of the week is Watercolor. A special thank you to Andrew Leslie who voiced the words by Charles Burchfield. You can check out his poetry here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1980482012 The song featured in this episode was ‘Charle Burchfield’ by Rob Lynch & Jonathan Hughes from the album Public / Private which you can find here: https://www.amazon.com/Public-Private-Lynch-Jonathan-Hughes/dp/B007EGVSKO Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts. Buy a 3 pack of stickers here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artslicepod

In this 2 part series, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Frida Kahlo’s and Diego Rivera’s time in Detroit, Michigan - a moment in time that proved to be a turning point in both of their artistic careers as well as their personal lives. You can find all the images we discuss on artslicepod.com or on instagram @artslicepod "Ribbon Around a Bomb” was the expression Andre Breton used to describe Frida Kahlo’s work. This episode explores the inner workings of said bomb: Frida’s chronic pain, sudden loss and heartbreak, combined with the disillusionment of the USA during her time in Detroit. All the while, she’s soaking in everything and discovering she is a woman of complex identities, leading us to “Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States”. Our Art Pantry of the week is Metal (Painting). The song featured in this episode was "It Felt Like My Future, Inside a Black & White Move" by by Kris Keogh. Consider supporting his work! https://kriskeogh.bandcamp.com/ There is no Art Assignment this week. @ us and # us with a photo of your completed Art Assignment, along with the episode’s title. Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts.

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Frida Kahlo’s and Diego Rivera’s time in Detroit, Michigan - a moment in time that proved to be a turning point in both of their artistic careers as well as their personal lives. You can find all the images we discuss on artslicepod.com or on instagram @artslicepod “Detroit Industry Murals Manifesto”, starts with Diego Rivera’s epic Detroit Industry Murals where a universal vision of equality was taken to new heights (literally). Even though Rivera’s commission came with controversy and criticism from the start due to his Communist beliefs, nevertheless Detroit Industry brilliantly combined Renaissance fresco with a modern and inspiring narrative of the working class. And even after 88 years, they still stand at the Detroit Institute of Arts as a reminder of a desperate and hopeless time when such a bold statement of unity brought inspiration to the workers of the Ford Motor Company yet it still resonates to this day. Frida Kahlo is also introduced as she leaves Mexico for the first time, along Diego’s side, and gets to experience how the ‘American Dream’ involves individualism and Capitalism, among the modern and industrializing city of Detroit. Our Art Pantry of the week is Fresco. This week’s Art Assignment is: share your favorite mural! Be safe if you can physically travel to it or use Google maps - and share a pic or screenshot and tell us why you like it! The song featured in this episode was ‘Fall in your Fall’ by Kecap Tuyul https://kecaptuyul.com/ - Consider supporting his work! Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts.

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Augusta Savage’s unstoppable ambition that knew no bounds. Her talent and courage culminated in her World’s Fair masterpiece, “The Harp”. Featuring her classic academic precision along with a refreshing quasi abstracting element - “The Harp” was and remains a piece like non other. Her monument extended to teaching the future African American Artists like Jacob Lawrence. Our Art Pantry of the week is Plaster. Topics Include: The 1939 World’s Fair, Rose Gold Mussolini “robot,” The Great Migration, Jim Crow Laws, The Harlem Renaissance, phallic monuments, carrot and potato hats, a brief cameo by Basel Ricketbottom III; mudpies, the racist vapors, and the introduction of the Art Slice Museum’s new sculpture wing The song featured in this episode was "Your eyes said we were never coming back" by Kris Keogh. Consider supporting his work! Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show: Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts.

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss the Collab of the 80s - the 1880s that is, Van Gogh’s master studies of Japanese printmaker master Utagawa Hiroshige. We try to unpack the difference between influence, appropriation, and just good ol’ fashion theft. We discuss the subtle ways Van Gogh was forever changed into the artist he is known for by the wholly new-to-the-west Japanese Ukiyo-e prints. But do VG’s studies belong in the Art Slice Museum??? Hopefully by the end you’ll agree that Pablo Picasso was a dipshit, and great artists do not, in fact, steal. They instead give credit where credit is due, stay open to the world around them, and process their influences into something unique to them. Our Art Pantry of the week is Negative Space. In this episode, we discuss Hiroshige’s lasting influence on Van Gogh. Topics include: Japonisme, World’s Fairs, Ukiyo-e prints, Kano School of Painting, Japanese Woodblocks, and English Basel’s polymer clay Sailor Moon figurines. If you’re enjoying the show please leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too! Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram. linktr.ee/artslicepod

In your Art Slice this week, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker dive into Part 2 of Las Tres Witches and discuss three works including the ethereal "The House Opposite" painting by Leonora Carrington, an image from Kati Horna’s supernatural "Ode to Necrophilia Series," and lastly, another fantastic work by Remedios Varo, "Centaur Tower Landscape." You can see all the images we talk about today at artslicepod.com or https://www.instagram.com/artslicepod/ The Art Assignment this week is to write and illustrate your own spell! In this episode, we discuss how Mexico’s magical side inspired the witches’ imagination and how it manifested not only in their works but also in their equally captivating lives. Topics include witch hat hair, hyena housemate drama, Italian predellas, unwanted gifts, dancing centaurs, Sur La Table’s future artisanal line of witch kitchenware and Frida Kahlo’s true feelings towards Las Tres Witches. If you’re enjoying the show please share, subscribe, and leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too! Check out Siddhartha Corsus' music at - https://siddharthamusic.bandcamp.com/ Follow us on twitter and instagram @artslicepod

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Red Colored Elegy; a ground-breaking graphic novel that shook the manga world with its unusual illustrations and depictions of the everyday mundane and raw human emotion in 1960s-70s Japan. Probably inspired by his own life experience, Hayashi gives us a glimpse into the manga machine churning out content for the hungry masses. Check out Red Colored Elegy from Drawn & Quarterly! Our Art Pantry Quickie of the week is ‘cels’. Our Art Assignment is to make your own sequential narrative in 2-4 panels on a single page. In this episode, we discuss Hayashi’s lasting influence on 20th century manga. Topics include: faceless rejection, Hayao Miyazaki, the birth of Astro boy, manga, and anime. The summer wind, lamentations of aging hands, and of course Pantrémons - fun stuff! @ us and # us with a photo of your completed Art Assignment, along with the episode’s title. If you’re enjoying the show please leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too! Follow us on twitter and instagram.

In your snack-size serving of Art History this week, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker briefly discuss the influence of Tarot Cards on artists from the 20th century with a couple contemporary examples sprinkled in including Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dali, Andre Breton and (some of) the Surrealists, Remedios Varo, Yoshitaka Amano and Suzanne Treister. Topics include: the history of Tarot, taro (root), card spread on baguettes, Speed Racer, and Madonna’s image thievery. The Art Assignment this week is: Design or create your own tarot card! Redesign an existing tarot card OR if one doesn’t speak to you, create your own a la Breton. You can find all the images we talk about @artslicepod on Instagram or at artslicepod.com If you’re enjoying the show please leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too! Follow us on twitter and instagram.

In your serving of Art History this week, Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker introduce the fascinating lives of The Three Witches aka Remedios Varo, Kati Horna and Leonora Carrington. All images for this episode can be found on Instagram @artslicepod or artslicepod.com We discuss the war, heartbreak and trauma that brought these powerful female artists together in Mexico City, world’s away from their native Europe. Topics include: cassette covers, Bayer aspirin, 1940s Mexico City, running from Nazis (again), debutante balls, lots of hyenas, a J. Crew sock and tequila. Our Art Pantry Quickie of the week is Gouache. Our Art Quickie Politicky entry of the week is Anarchy If you’re enjoying the show please leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too! Follow us on twitter and instagram @artslicepod

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Three Flags; a drawing from 1960 based on a sculptural painting by the same name from 1958. Our Art Pantry entry of the week is Encaustic. Our Art Assignment is to make your own personal flag. In this episode, we discuss Jasper John’s disruption of the 1950’s post war New York art scene. Topics include: Prodigal Stephanie’s return to grey, Peach Cobbler seduction, Abstract Expressionism’s appeal to a changing America, Robert Rauschenberg’s bird like wing, day dreaming about going on amazing journeys while looking at boring art, ‘scribbins,' and WTF flags mean to us. You can find all the images @artslicepod on Instagram and artslicepod.com If you are enjoying the show please leave us a positive written review on Apple Podcasts - it’s one of the best way for our show to reach a larger audience. Sharing the show is great too!

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker save a Demon Reindeer from Christmas cheer. To do so they cover not one but two spooky artworks: The Scream, a 1893 painting by Edvard Munch and A Disturbing Presence, a painting by a lesser known artist, Remedios Varo from 1959. Our Art Pantry quickie of the week is Tempera. And we have no Art Assignment this week since we were too busy saving our Demon Reindeer friend. In Part One, we discuss Edvard Munch’s troubled upbringing, the start of expressionism, the Bad Boys of Post-Impressionism Painting, Steve Painttube, and we try not to throw our pitchforks at The Scream. In Part Two, Stephanie is interrupted by A Disturbing Presence 1959, we discuss toxic chair relationships, witchy science, and the bad girl behavior that made her too hot for Art History to handle. Please be sure to leave a positive review on Apple Podcasts so that our show can reach more people!

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker discuss Attorney Street (Handball Court with Autobiographical Poem by Piñero); a language packed and illustrative painting of 80’s era Lower East Side by a lesser known artist, Martin Wong, from 1984. In this episode, we discuss Martin Wong’s time in, and inspiration from, the crumbling New York of the 1980s. Topics include: Boutique Yoga Studios and a multitude of Jerry Seinfelds over running NYC throughout the decades. Hey Arnold. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists thumbing their noses at the conventional art genres. The first ever Graffiti museum. Wong’s short life and interest in the people around him. And some groans for the Supreme x Martin Wong collection.

Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker, your artist sherpas, answer all of your itching syphilis-ridden questions and discuss Dominant Curve; a vibrant, athletic, and abstract painting by Wassily Kandinsky from 1936. Our Art Pantry entry of the week is Oil Paint. Our Art Assignment is to make an abstract composition, with whatever materials you have (including your cat), based on an instrumental musical composition. In this episode, we discuss what this podcast is all about. Topics include: Was Kandinsky a low-key cult leader? What is the Bow Wow Haus? Positive vibes and finding that Haystack Feelin’ in the face of a global pandemic, Turkish Airlines’ ridiculously cramped seats, the best pizza in Florence, and of course, the art: A really fantastic painting by Wassily Kandinsky.

Introducing a new weekly podcast, Art Slice: A Palatable Serving of Art History