Beautyesque

Love2 by AIR

2009-11-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

Cool French pop duo Air released their new album Love2 which is really great, just been listening to it. I was lucky enough to do the makeup for the album cover shoot and other images which were shot by the genius photographers Luciana Val and Franco Musso. I work a lot with Luciana and Franco (normally on fashion editorials and jobs) and they make beautiful and surreal images. The shoot and cover are styled by Sebastian Kaufmann. This was such a fun couple of days and working on art work for a music album is such a nice thing to be able to be apart of. Especially because I am a fan of Air, have all their previous albums and been to see them play at Brixton Academy. The Air boys are really nice and also really hairy. Talking of hair I also did their hair. I can't do hair at all (seriously at all) but as it was a grooming job I just turned up with a grooming kit full of hair products (mostly my boyfriends Kiehls stuff that I stole from our bathroom) and gave it a go. The boys said thanks but then fixed it themselves! So far this has been the pattern for me with all male artists that I have had to do grooming on and so far I have gotten away with this technique on not only Air but also: Depeche Mode (all of them!!) Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, Dizzee Rascal and Muse (all of them too!) Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa (cue evil laugh)
Last night Air were on the 6 Mix on the radio hear it: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ntg7b/6_Mix_07_11_2009/
Please feel free to see some of the other images of Air that we worked on http://en.aircheology.com/galerie_photo and also check out Luciana and Franco's work at http://www.art-dept.com/artists/valandmusso/index.html www.sebastiankaufmann.com

Weird Science

2009-11-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't been sick and full of self loathing since the last time I had to write on this a few postings ago the words "fashion forward" well now I have found a site that really makes me want to puke. It doesn't make me hate myself just other people in a Bill Hicks kinda way. Please just check it out http://www.mirrorofbeauty.com It claims to be the world's most advanced makeover programme and you can see yourself with everything from a virtual botoxed face, virtual de-ageing, the virtual nose job and my favourite is the feminize tool which makes your face appear more feminine ( I am sure that is a hit with all the trannys). Another site pretending to help women but actually make more women feel shit about themselves. However this is also creepy and fascinating at the same time in a M. Night Shyamalan film way if you see what I mean.The graphics look really dated and amateur and it looks like it was the programme the geeky boys used to make their virtual perfect woman; Kelly Le Brock in the '80's teen flic Weird Science. Enjoy.

La Fontana

2009-11-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

So, I am posting this image (the full story too) because it is one of my favourites and it's the jaw droppingly beautiful Isabeli Fontana shot by David Dunan and styled by Sebastian Kaufmann with the delightful Tracey Cahoon on hair, Jenny Longworth on the drums, sorry nails and I did the makeup. I am putting it up here because although it was published it was never placed in my book or on my agency website (www.clmuk.com) This happens to so many artists that I know and although I feel strongly about it as fantastic images and great makeup, sometimes there is not much I can do and thought I should share it so someone gets to see and hopefully like it as much as I do!!!! Isabeli is one of the greatest models I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She is a really cool person and very professional, she is a one shot kinda gal, in other words she gives it to the photographer in one shot. That doesn't always happen and it is great when you get a girl who takes the work seriously and really knows her angles, lighting and poses and wants to work fast. BTW she ate tons of Chinese food on this job and still managed to put on a skin tight rhinestone encrusted McQueen catsuit and look phenomenal!

Maybe She Wasn't Born With It

2009-11-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

I don't often get that excited by the launch of new products as a makeup artist, truthfully because I am only interested in what I can achieve with the product from a work point of view so when I heard that Maybelline are finally bringing out great lash BIG mascara I am intrigued to try it as when I was growing up all the mags like Top Model Magazine (which was my style bible!!) always talked about it being the 'must have' mascara and I was so disappointed with it when I did finally try it as I thought the brush was crap. Now they have a big wand on the brush which I think will make a difference for a thicker and fuller lash. Maybelline estimates that in the United States they sell one of the original product every 1.6 seconds. In a Love, Actually way I am excited, actually.

Stop Touching Me Up

2009-11-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

I was a bit concerned when I saw this very recently taken photo of Sofia Loren. Now I am all for retouching. I would have to be seeing it's everywhere in my line of work, however now I feel I have to mention that this image is ridiculous she is 75 for goodness sake. La Simpatica is well beyond her free bus pass age.This looks like a cheesy portrait from one of those dodgy portrait places where you see the free flyers saying "win a makeover and a professional photo session" I have been fortunate enough to actually do the makeup for Ms Loren (the image where she has really red hair and is wearing glasses is from when I did her makeup and shot by the photographer Robert Astley Sparke at an editorial shoot in the house of Mr Armani in Milan in 2006) and I can tell you that in the flesh the legend that she is actually looks her age. Ok, she looks good for her age, really good but she looks her age. This photo is too too much and she looks like a 40 year old. Ms Loren appears even younger than the photo when I worked with her, it is like Benjamin Button.The scary thing is that in the future no one will be able to look back at people and know the actual time frame of their life except from intrusive pap shots by scum bag paparazzi. Retouching is nothing new and I have early images by the great George Hurrell and his Hollywood portrait book showing retouched Joan Crawford and non retouched Joan Crawford from way back in the day, however she still looked human and her age (relatively) as you can see. We are entering frightening and dangerous digitally retouched times which falsify the age and time that we live in. I am all for a bit of fantasy but we need to know that reality still exists. http://www.georgehurrell.net/

Bloody Marvellous

2009-11-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

Please just read the freakyness below and let me know your thoughts. I found some info on a website. I am dying to see what Daniel Sister looks like.

They call it 'Dracula Therapy', it involves having your face injected with your own blood. But S3 Therapy is the news in anti-ageing.

The name is short for Stimulated Self Serum skin therapy, and has been introduced to the UK by the London-based French cosmetic doctor, Daniel Sister.

The idea is that a doctor draws vials of your own blood, then separates it into the red blood cells, the clear serum and the platelets. Then, after vitamins and amino acids have been added, the enriched serum is injected back into your face.

This, says Dr Sister, stimulates DNA repair, heals scars and makes dry, wizened, wrinkled and lacklustre skin look and feel younger naturally, without the need for synthetic fillers or harsh and painful lasers or peels.

If S3 sounds extreme, it has a surprisingly respectable medical pedigree. For more than two decades, dentists have used patient's own 'serum' to make receding gums regenerate themselves.

And in the U.S., several studies indicate that injecting plateletrich plasma into sports injuries can lead to faster recovery.

The secret? The serum is rich in growth factors, natural proteins that can supercharge healing and reverse damage in the body.

Dr Sister says: 'I thought, if serum therapy was good enough for bones and soft tissue like gums, then it could do even better in the skin.'

He decided to merge platelet-rich plasma therapy, which involves deep injections into damaged soft tissue, with the traditional French beauty treatment, mesotherapy, which involves dozens of tiny injections of vitamins and minerals into the superficial layers of the skin.

Plastic surgeons tend to sneer at mesotherapy, but studies have shown that trauma to the skin in the form of tiny puncture holes can dramatically increase natural collagen levels. Whatevs.

Pappa Don't Preach.

2009-11-03T15:47:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went to the private view of The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 at The National Portrait Gallery. I was particularly proud to attend as the guest of my father David Graham. His work was included in the exhibition as one of the 60 works. Many photographers entered the competition over 2,000. I am so incredibly proud of him. His image was a darkly disturbing and yet beautifully haunting image of a porter in a hospital with a covered corpse on a trolley. I guess I know where I inherited my macabre side from. If you get a chance please visit the exhibition and see the wonderful work by all the photographers and support the photographers involved.

www.npg.org.uk:8080/photoprize/site09/exhibition2.php and also www.photograhams.com

Eloise visits The Overlook

2009-11-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

Today I did the makeup for a Vogue (Italia) magazine shoot in a beautiful hotel in Knightsbridge's Cadogan Gardens called No 11. I had never heard of it and I was so impressed by the fact that it is discreet and beautiful with great interiors, service and food and all in a charming location. It's website calls it a couture hotel. I love finding hidden secrets in my city, London. I would love to stay here and recommend it to visiting friends. www.no11london.com The photographer apparently lived there for some time. I really think I could live in a hotel for a year or so, maybe like the children's novel and fictional character Eloise. She lived at The Plaza in NY. www.eloisewebsite.com
I am not too sure that I would like to live in The Overlook but a visit would be cool. Check out this crazy website that I found http://www.unrealaudio.net/theshining2/realoverlook.htm

Dance Dance Dance

2009-11-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Went to see the legendary dancer and choreographer Michael Clark and his dance company at The Barbican. It was a performance set to the music of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and The Velvet Underground (the holy trinity of rock and roll) I loved the music and a lot of the dance pieces but not all. I was mostly amazed to watch the dancers and I respect their talent, discipline, dedication and passion. Some of the costumes were well dodge, especially the blue bell bottoms and the gal in a flesh tone bodysuit covered in plus size syringes writhing on the floor to the Velvet's song Heroin- a little too obvious for me but I loved the person in the silver glitter ball/gimp costume. It was also an honour to see Michael Clark himself perform as I believe he does not always do so and he is such a charismatic man. As we went on Halloween night there were a couple of the living dead in the audience who came with fake blood and ripped suits looking great in the theatre and adding extra ambience. www.michaelclarkcompany.com www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=9477

Mischief Night

2009-10-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

This evening my pals came to my house to get ready for a pre Halloween party. I went early in the day to Screenface to buy Vampire fangs. Whilst I was in the shop it was full of civilians, as oppose to the regular makeup artist crowd, buying bits and bobs for their own Halloween costumes. I listened in to the conversation of a tall bald man and his conservative looking female friend next to me which went something like this-

Man: "So I am going to wear a red catsuit a bit like Britney in the Oops!... I Did It Again video. Do you think cat eye effect contact lenses are too much" Woman: "Maybe a little". I really want to see his final look. I can not imagine him as that Britney more of a I'm A Slave for You video Brit with snake and all. Anyway tonight I created a pop art Andy Warholesque sexy Vampire and an ancient Egyptian meets Jean-Michel Basquiat vampire and a sweet little healthy Marie-Antoinette vampire with pink cheeks flush from a recent feed. We all had problems with the fang application as we had to mould them to teeth and they just kept falling off. We were all far too impatient. It was so much fun and doing makeup on friends is just the best. I don't do it too often and really love it when I get to do something on them that is not just a beauty makeup. So Happy Halloween. What/who are you going as? Enjoy the pic from my fav horror flic Nosferatu the Vampyre from 1979 starring Klaus Kinski and the gorgeous Isabelle Adjani.

La ragazza con la valigia

2009-10-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

I think that all makeup artists have great suitcase knowledge and packing abilities (well my assistant would say I am a useless packer) Anyhoo, the suitcase that so far has beaten all the others before dying a death normally at Gare du Nord station in Paris dying to make it on to Eurostar after the delightful customs man wants us to open all jam packed cases and look at all the bags of products (he's a secret tranny) So lets cut to the chase the winner is Samsonite Cosmolite Spinner 74cm/27 inch in a delightful Silver shade and metallic finnish costing the grand total of, drum roll puh-lease, £289.00

Go to http://www.samsonite.co.uk but I bought all of my cases in Selfridges.

Image below is from the film La ragazza con la valigia 1961 film starring the rather gorge Claudia Cardinale (Girl With A Suitcase, see where i was going with that?)

If David Blaine were a makeup artist not a magician

2009-10-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

David Blaine would pull out of his hat FIX + Spray by MAC Cosmetics. Have you used this? I have no idea what the real purpose of this product is but I use it on shoots and shows and get a gazillion different finishes with this. On skin with no makeup for a slight sheen to the skin. On skin with loads of makeup to set it. On skin with too much powder to revive and hydrate on shoots in a studio. On skin with loads of makeup that needs a dewy finnish from tiny bit to a very very soft porn (think the film Emmanuelle) kind of dewy or even drenched. Can go on hair and on body. Can be spritzed into chromacake colours or pigments to change texture or function of product. I use it every season on the Josh Goot show and it has become an integral part of the beauty makeup I design. Josh Goot is genius, if you don't know him check him out at http://www.joshgoot.com/ Fix + is great for real people too not just fash people. It is good on planes, holidays at home on the bus or anywhere. If you want to know more go to www.maccosmetics.co.uk and also www.macpro.com it might explain the real purpose of Fix+ Spray. It really is magic.

Beautiful Food at Boucherie Rouliere

2009-10-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

I love food. I love eating food. I love cooking food. I love my friends and family cooking for me at their homes and I enjoy going to restaurants. I love reading about food, watching food shows. I dream up new recipes or I think how I could try to improve recipes I have read and tried. I think about fashion and food probably equally. If I didn't do this beautyesque blog I could quite happily and easily have made a food blog. I love all types of food and will try nearly anything and everything but the food that really excites me is non pretentious simple seasonal cooking using the best ingredients and well presented. I am so not in to foams and architectural towers of food. So when I recommend a restaurant I really really mean go there 'cos it is amazing. So this is a little gem in Paris called Boucherie Rouliere in Saint Germain. It is simple and lovely and was an old butchers. Expect meat and lots of it. I had the most tender steak and bone marrow. It was delish but I don't eat bone marrow that often as I really in my head think it is heart attack food!!!!!! There is fish too and the odd veggie dish for the veggies but not really veggie friendly 'cos I bet all the stocks are meat stocks. Wine list is great and they really know their shit and are happy to advise. So decor wise think long and narrow and white walls and battered wooden tables and chairs and deep leather banquettes. Masculine and minimal but chic. Food written on black boards (in French not English so if you aren't fluent in cuts of meat etc bring a French/English translation dictionary) If I was on death row I would really consider this place for my last meal, not sure they would allow that though. Book well in advance as it gets properly packed full of cool Frenchies. Here is the address and number.

Address: 24 rue des Canettes, St-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
Phone: 01-43-26-25-70

More is More: Tony Duquette

2009-10-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

I recently bought the book More is More: Tony Duquette by Hutton Willkinson. It is a brilliant read and he was such a renaissance man and it is inspiring and witty and brilliant. I loved it also because I am not a minimalist in my life or in my decor taste.

http://tonyduquette.com/ also www.amazon.com

Read the following which I took from the amazon description for you as it says it all perfectly

More Is More, the exquisite second volume about Tony Duquette, delves into the creative process and personal life of this great American designer renowned for his fantastical artwork, sculpture, jewelry, gardens, film sets, and interiors. Using "The Enchanted Vision"--a three-day lecture delivered by Duquette at UCLA in the early 1970s--as its springboard, More Is More conveys through lavish illustrations Duquette's artistic credo on the arts of living and the living arts. Author Hutton Wilkinson explains Duquette's design philosophy, creative process, and studio practices, as well as the evolution of his exceptional style and vision.

While Duquette's own work receives full attention, an entire chapter is devoted to the artwork and persona of his wife, Elizabeth "Beegle". This personal dimension is further enhanced by countless anecdotes about the fabulous life they led together: their international travels, active social lives among royalty and the jet-set, their many dinner parties and gatherings, their homes and studios.
The final chapter reveals that Duquette's legacy is alive and well as Wilkinson continues to develop the Duquette style and expand the brand across the globe.

My shoulder pads are bigger than yours.

2009-10-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

Last week ITV showed Joan Collins Does Glamour. It received tons of criticism from worthy journalists basically saying "Well it's fine for Ms Collins to give advice as she doesn't have to clean her house and do things that ordinary women do on a daily basis blah blah blah" Joan Collins is fabulous ( I really want to see her in a Tim Burton or David Lynch film) and I'd rather watch Alexis Carrington a true icon give advice than watch crap formulaic fashion tv shows which are quite frankly yawnsville. It was fun and silly and not pretending to be anything other than that. We'll never see Joanie trying to be fashion forward. Ugh i can't believe I even typed fashion forward, ugh did it again, pass me the sick bucket, i hate myself. http://www.itv.com/Lifestyle/JoanCollinsDoesGlamour/default.html

The IMATS

2009-10-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

The Imats are the International Makeup Trade Show. It is a fantastic world wide event with products and tools to buy, demonstrations and speakers and makeup artists to meet and talk. It is also a sea of women in Ugg boots. This year in February I was a keynote speaker invited by MAC cosmetics and the IMATS at the event in Alexandra Palace. I did a talk followed by a demo called Communication + Collaboration= Success. Sound confusing? Yeah, I think so too but it was really mostly about how as a freelance makeup artist team work is crucial. I gave examples of where things not only went well for me but also when I made mistakes in the past. I showed some slides and I did 2 demos and had a Q&A with the audience. I was really nervous at first but got in to the swing of things as I kept talking , having the slide show helped as I could look at that and forget about the ugg boots. I also went to listen to the legend that is Mary Greenwell talk about her long and successful career. They next IMATS are in Toronto at then end of November and I wish I could attend the talk of Norma Hill- Patton. She is an incredible film makeup artist. I love film so much and am intrigued with the film making process and inspiration for the key artists and how they prep etc and work to budgets and the business side of it all too. Anyway Norma designed the overall look and beauty makeup on Robert Pattinson and Dakota Fanning for the second in the Twilight series New Moon. Can't wait to see it..... Here is a picture of Rpatz because it beats hands down a pic of products that you can buy at IMATS!

http://www.imatsshow.com/toronto/toronto_index.php

A Beautiful Voice

2009-10-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Listening a lot to Hope Sandoval as in Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions. Beautiful women and what a beautiful voice. The new album is called Through The Devil Softly. Available on itunes etc etc etc http://www.hopesandoval.com/home.shtml

"Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist"

2009-10-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

A new competition tv show to become America's Next Top Model. Sorry, Makeup Artist. My brother brought this gem to my attention, which I then forced him under duress to watch all episodes with me!!! It is hosted by another bland celebrity alongside Brit makeup artist Charlie Green as the expert and adviser. There is a strange panel of judges that look like they share botox with The Bride of Wildenstein. All the contestants have to do tasks and the best one involves models and exotic animals and another with brides on their actual wedding day. Watchable in passing a car crash kind of way. My favourite in the competition is a nut job called Maxi as seen in the pic I posted. Look out for the show as an alternative to Come Dine With Me.

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/blush

Ra The Sun God, Stargate

2009-10-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

I love the 1994 film Stargate and my icon is Ra The Sun God played by Jaye Davidson. If you want to achieve this look or a smudgy dirty sexy smokey rock chick or punky graphic eye then Indian Kajal is the best eyeliner in the world. It is so cheap and you can get it from Whitechapel or Southall and in any Asian shops that sell gorgeous sari's and bangles or Asian pharmacies. You can probably get it elsewhere but I think you get the authentic Indian product in the Asian shops. Lots of big cosmetic brands have copied this product and sell it for loads but essentially it is the same, less waxy and in fancy packaging. I love the cheap waxy one that smells of the 70's. For fusspots you can buy organic kajal. I tried it but didn't find it as workable. The amazingly talented designer Ashish who is a dear friend and colleague whose show I am key artist on always brings me kajal back from India. I get him to do this twice a year before the shows and love him all the more for doing so. http://www.ashish.co.uk

Santa Maria Novella

2009-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Unique and beautiful shop and pharmacy. Visit the UK shop which originates from the Santa Maria Novella church and shop in Florence. Ancient recipes: soaps, candles, lotions & potions made by monks. My secret item which I use myself & in my kit for jobs and trips away is the Olio Nutriente Notte (night oil) My friend Concetta (Princess Superstar) was on tour and we happened to be in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and running low on our youthifying preciousness and nicknamed it The Sultan of Brunai's Ass Oil which then became just Ass Oil . So get down to the London store or better yet a quick trip to Firenze!

Santa Maria Novella: 117 Walton Street, Knightsbridge SW3 tel: 020746066007 Walton Street, South

Small is Beautiful

2009-10-26T18:00:00.001-07:00

Crest Whitestrips

2009-10-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Crest Whitestrips now have a new facebook application. You can alter one of your facebook photos to see how you will look with whiter teeth if you were to use the strips. I took the liberty of trying this out for you on Jennifer Aniston. Now that's a true Hollywood smile.

http://apps.facebook.com/whiten-it/

Grey Today, Gone Tomorrow

2009-10-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

I read about some new thing from L'Oreal who have invented a scifi style treatment that will banish grey hair in 10 years from now and a hair dye called INOA (Innovation No Ammonia- try saying in that in a Penelope Cruz voice/accent) that makes greying hair return to it's virgin colour. Whatevs. I actually love grey hair and think it can be so amazing. I think it is probably a bit of a shock when you get your first grey hairs but I think a full grey head, grey streak or that whole salt n pepper thing is gorge; just needs good cut and good condition. Viva le gris.

Marilyn

2009-10-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

I own the dvd the box set and I still think that Sugar Kane Kowalczyk her character in Some Like It Hot is amazing. I wanted to be her.

The Dead Weather

2009-10-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

They are playing in London this week. I did her makeup on a shoot not too long ago and she is truly lovely and beautiful and funny.

Review by Josh Hurst

Jack White’s latest joint contains more references to the devil than any other rock record in recent memory — not too surprising, coming from the man who once gave us Get Behind Me Satan. But The Dead Weather’s music isn’t demonic; it’s just devilishly stylish, taking cues from swampy blues and the sleaziest, seediest rock the 1970s had to offer and transforming familiar sounds into bewitching gothic fairy tales and murder ballads, all sex and sleaze and boozy shoot-outs. The music’s scary-good, and the devil’s got nothing on Jack White.

check out their site: http://www.thedeadweather.com/

Maharaja at the V&A

2009-10-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

The exhibition shines a light on the lavish manner in which India's royal courts lived their daily lives. Well worth it with beautiful art. I was particularly taken with the jewels and jewellery commissioned from Cartier and VanCleef & Arpels in the 20th Century. Check out the never been seen before in the UK - Patiala necklace, which is part of the largest single commission ever executed by Cartier. I bet Elizabeth Taylor is fuming that she doesn't own it!

http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/maharaja/events.html

Ode On A Grecian Urn and Helen of Troy

2009-10-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

I did an essay on this when I was at school aged maybe 14. This was probably the first time I really examined beauty. I got an A on my essay. I still think the poem is beautiful. This Saturday I went to the V&A museum and I thought about the poem whilst passing ancient vases, busts and urns on the way to the Maharaja exhibition. the picture is of Helen of Troy by Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys my favourite rebel Pre-Raphaelite artist.

ODE ON A GRECIAN URN

By John Keats

Thou still unravished bride of quietness,
Thou foster child of silence and slow time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fringed legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
What men or gods are these? What maidens loath?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endeared,
Pipe to the spirit dities of no tone.
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal---yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss
Forever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;
And, happy melodist, unweari-ed,
Forever piping songs forever new;
More happy love! more happy, happy love!
Forever warm and still to be enjoyed,
Forever panting, and forever young;
All breathing human passion far above,
That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloyed,
A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.

Who are these coming to the sacrifice?
To what green altar, O mysterious priest,
Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,
And all her silken flanks with garlands dressed?
What little town by river or sea shore,
Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,
Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?
And, little town, thy streets for evermore
Will silent be; and not a soul to tell
Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity. Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty"---that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

Reading List Part 1.

2009-10-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Peggy Zeglin Brand's Beauty Matters

Umberto Eco's History of Beauty and On Beauty

Kant's Critique of the Power of Judgment

The Blackwell Guide to Aesthetics

Monroe Beardsley's Aesthetics

Roger Scruton's The Aesthetics of Architecture

George Dickey's Evaluating Art

Eddy Zemach's Real Beauty

Jerrold Levinson's Pleasures of Aesthetics

Noel Carroll's Philosophy of Art

The Oxford Reader on Aesthetics

Dorothy Vallens.

2009-10-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

What is Beauty?

2009-10-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? We try to define beauty as that which brings enjoyment to the person who looks or contemplates. When we say something is beautiful, are we recommending to others that they should take delight in it? Beauty may be intersubjective, but is it objective? Can we argue rationally about whether something is beautiful? Is beauty both skin deep and in the eye of the beholder? How do we distinguish surface beauty and deep beauty and should we?

If we think something is beautiful then we want everyone to agree with us. Should we propose the idea that perception is a skill. Would the world be better off if everyone agreed on what is beautiful? I say no to that as the world would not be better off because what we find beautiful is a reflection of our personality and individuality. What can we learn about ourselves from what we find beautiful? I think that it illuminates our style. Is taste a function of education and economics?

Is natural beauty ever better than constructed beauty, like in art or music? Not necessarily. Do beauty and happiness go together? Not in my opinion. What is the relation between beauty and the sublime? The sublime is our reaction in the face of something so overpowering that it consumes or obliterates us. There is a saying that truth is beauty and beauty is truth, but is that correct? Probably not. Why does beauty matter? Well, it just does.