Monday, January 20, 2014

Dimensional Illusion: A Poem by Ross Smirnoff

Into the window I stare and gaze into the sun.
I am nervous about the future but optimistic about life.
I've been allowed to live today.
When it can easily be plucked from me at any time.
There are greater mysteries at work.
I hold on to the hope that I have a purpose in life.
If only the void will show me the way, and rip through this dimensional illusion.

Painting by Ross Smirnoff


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Her: A Film by Spike Jonze


Cave of Existence: A Poem by Ross Smirnoff

We would rather stare at each other through the mirrored glass.
A sign of our modern age disconnection from reality.
My heart is darkened by broken hope.
Temporary moments are washed in a bath of poison broth.
Yellow damp skin is unwoven by seething heat.
Bones harden into desperate cries of echoed dreams in the cave of existence.

Painting by Ross Smirnoff


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Painting by Ross Smirnoff


Basquiat, An American Icon

Basquiat, the first movie directed by American artist and now filmmaker Julian Schnabel, came out in 1996. Before this film, Jean Michel-Basquiat was still an insider art world artist. It is my belief that his art has reached a wider audience because of this film. When I first saw Basquiat at a summer art program at RISD in 1999, I was taking classes in Graphic Design, trying to imagine myself on a career art track. Seeing it, I was inspired to want to create art for personal expression instead of commercial enterprise.  It encapsulated the highs and lows of the 80's art world with amazing performances by Jeffery Wright, Gary Oldman, David Bowie, and more.