Intricacy of Science as Art
One of my favorite books and inspiration for art is by a German scientific illustrator, Ernst Haeckel, whose works are featured in Art Forms in Nature: The Prints of Ernst Haeckel. The illustrations will draw in me for hours of contemplation. This year, 2019, is the 100th anniversary of Haeckel’s death.
Kunstformen der Natur (1904), plate 28: Discomedusae
Haeckel had a professorship in 1864 at the University of Jena, and this is where he studied various weird forms of sea life, such as segmented worms, protozoa, and sponges. With such a subject, who would think there is a whole world of intricate beauty to be found?
Kunstformen der Natur (1904), plate 31: Cyrtoidea
Haeckel supported Darwin’s controversial theory of evolution, and spoke in well-attended lectures to students and fellow townspeople. He may have influenced more people than Darwin himself, having sold more copies of his scientific work and getting translated into more languages.
In the 1800’s, scientists had to work with primitive equipment. Some of his colleagues accused him of distorting his images in his detailed sketches. His practice was to portray idealized “types” of organisms and thus his representations may not have been completely scientifically faithful. 
Kunstformen der Natur (1904), plate 43: Nudibranchia
All science aside, his illustrations were works of art. Haeckel, in fact, was originally going to be a landscape painter before he turned his interests to science. His work influenced many later art forms, including lighting, jewelry, furniture, and the gateway to the Paris World Fair in 1900, designed by Rene Binet, pictured below. During his career, Haeckel produced over 1,000 engravings based on watercolors and sketches he made on his travels.
Haeckel-inspired Porte Monumentale on the Place de la Concorde, René Binet, Architect World’s Fair 1900
Additional Sources: https://arthistoryproject.com/artists/ernst-haeckel/ https://www.strangescience.net/haeckel.htm
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Art and Dance
The design/business side of my life has brought a whole new world of enriching art experience to my world this past year. My business partner and I have launched an online destination for adult ballet dancers, BalletforAdults.com. I am wholeheartedly loving this project for creativity I can bring to it.
Integration of photography, vintage ballet paper doll cutouts
BalletforAdults.com
We are playing with all sorts of fun artistic experimentation, from photo shoots with vintage ballet items, to animated gifs, and finding fine art on Instagram.
Animated gif of book cover for “Cantique”, by Joanna Marsh
Ballet for Adults
One of my pet projects for our site is an Instagram account called @danceartgallery. I am growing to love this research as much as I love doing the research for this art blog. There is so much inspiration to be found, and it is fascinating to see portrayals of dance through history and through all cultures. Dance and Art have been hand in hand since prehistoric time.
“Midnight Campfire” found on Instagram, Iluka Designs
Dance and art are both visual. Watching a performance or studying a painting can take you into your imagination and beyond your self. Inspiration can be found, and both of these mediums speak to the inner heart.
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The Arabesque
Ballet Arabesque
image from Wikipedi
I picture a dancer in arabesque, poised gracefully on the tip of one toe, her other leg straight behind her at 90 degrees, one hand back and one artistically stretched forward — the embodiment of grace in classic ballet.
“The name arabesque applied to the flowing ornament of Moorish invention is exactly suited to express those graceful lines which are their counterpart in the art of dancing.” [“A Manual of the Theory and Practice of Classical Theatrical Dancing,” 1922]
Look a little deeper into the arabesque, and you find a rich history, and the story of biomorphic art. Here, the arabesque refers to flowing, spiral patterns that represent the underlying order and unity of nature. Interwoven lines form They are a fundamental element of Islamic art, and have subsequently been found in European, and then Western design.
Photo by RD Shaw, from islamic-arts.org
The intricate patterns of the islamic arabesque symbolize the infinite, the nature of creation, conveying spirituality without iconography. The photo above was taken in the Alhambra, a palace and fortress in Southern Spain.
Design Art, Arabesque en Grisaille, Antique Watercolor, 19th Century
from http://georgeglazer.com
The art of the arabesque moved on to Europe, and from Renaissance until the early 19th century, it was used to decorate illuminated manuscripts, walls, furniture, metalwork and pottery. As the design was westernized, human figures were sometimes introduced into the design.
Mahmood Kaiss, The Dome, 2017
featured at The Museum for Islamic Art: Contemporary Arabesque exhibition Jan – Apr 2018
If you are around Winter Park, Florida this summer, you can stop in at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. They are hosting an Arabesque Exhibit, interpreting Islamic art through the eyes of contemporary artists.
Article Credits:
http://artofislamicpattern.com/resources/introduction-to-islimi/
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Hello. Welcome to the Blog.
I'm Linda Oeffling. I've been working in glass for over 30 years, finding time to keep up the habit in between having children and starting a business in graphic design.
I have a home studio in the basement, and a bunch of steadfast friends who also love glass. We meet almost every week to work together. I won't say the wine & snacks afterward is the best part, but it's a nice way to wrap things up!
I have a great husband who supports everything that I do, three children, and five grandchildren. My family members are the greatest loves of my life, but coming in right behind them are my computer, kayak, camera, and travel plans...
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