The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

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Top Art & Illustration Topics

Small wars

Vague Blue • 339 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Vietnam War Simulation
  1. Photographer An-My Lê captured a series of black-and-white photos of a Vietnam War reenactment, revealing a complex exploration of war and its representation.
  2. Lê's work explores the layers of simulacra, offering insights on the physical manifestation of virtual representations like hand-embroidered scenes from pornographic material.
  3. The staged nature of the reenactment blurs the lines between reality and simulation, prompting viewers to question the authenticity and implications of the images.

Posters and Merch Now Available!

50 Years of Text Games • 2888 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Merchandise Visual art
  1. Merchandise such as posters, t-shirts, and maps for classic text games are now available for purchase on Redbubble.
  2. A revised and expanded edition of Further Explorations, a companion to 50 Years of Text Games, will soon be released for standalone purchase, featuring extra material and content.
  3. The newsletter platform Substack has faced controversy for allowing the publishing of objectionable content, prompting authors like Aaron A. Reed to consider switching platforms in the future.
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Trying To Make Sense Of The Venus Figurines?

Grey Goose Chronicles • 805 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Archaeology Symbolism Interpretation Religion Feminism
  1. The interpretation of Venus figurines has evolved over time with theories ranging from race and primitivism to goddess worship and fertility magic.
  2. Scholars have debated whether the figurines are realistic representations of Palaeolithic people or symbolic artifacts with functions related to protection, fertility, or ancestoral worship.
  3. Recent studies have explored the possibility of the figurines being dressed, connected to clothing, and even representing maternal figures based on archaeological evidence.

22 questions with Aaron Aalto

Design Lobster • 319 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Aaron Aalto designs products that empower people and is known for his illustration work.
  2. He dreams of designing a self-actualization product dedicated to helping people reach their goals, like a Fitbit but for mental health and spiritual needs.
  3. A key lesson he learned is to stay curious, be well-read, and experience the world, as it amplifies his hunger for learning and openness to new things.

#144 Design Déja Vu

Design Lobster • 479 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Typography Creativity Aesthetics Visual Arts
  1. Corporate Memphis or Globohomo is an overused illustration style characterized by flat colors, geometric elements, and simplistic human figures, popular in Big Tech software.
  2. The Lobster typeface, designed by Pablo Impallari, became widely popular in the 2010s for its retro-contemporary appeal, but font choices should always align with the intended message.
  3. Designers should aim to bring a human touch to designs without relying on typical illustrations, considering alternatives to communicate warmth and humanity.

art delivery : 09.09.23

The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society • 786 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art
  1. American artist Anne Patterson's work explores the concept of multiplicity and creating awe-inspiring metaphorical works using one material in great quantity.
  2. Patterson uses materials like aluminum wire, piano wire, and satin ribbon to create art that transcends the individual parts, resulting in powerful visual and kinetic effects.
  3. The repetition and multiplication of shapes and materials in Patterson's art demonstrate the transformational power of group dynamics and the beauty that emerges from combining individual elements.

What's got my attention this week #34

The Shift With Sam Baker • 419 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Comics
  1. Graphic novelist Posy Simmonds won the Grand Prix at the Angoulême comics festival, making her the 5th woman to achieve this. Recommended reads include Gemma Bovery, Tamara Drewe, and Cassandra Darke.
  2. Articles of interest include one on Cindy Sherman not embracing aging, Poorna Bell's piece on living alone, and a story about medical gaslighting towards women.
  3. Encouragement to appreciate the mundane miracles in life, a reflection on Roe v Wade 51 years later, and sex myths debunked for long-term couples.

Europa Regina

Cosmographia • 579 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology History Paintings
  1. Europe is said to be named after Europa, a Phoenician Princess from Greek mythology who was seduced by Zeus in the form of a bull.
  2. Europa bore Zeus three sons who played significant roles in mythology, such as Minos, King of Crete, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon who fought in the Trojan War.
  3. The story of Europa and Zeus showcases a classic mythological tale of love, seduction, and divine descent, contributing to the rich tapestry of Greek mythology.

Which intelligence?

Paola Writes • 471 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Science Fiction Intelligence Music
  1. Intelligence comes in various forms beyond traditional measures like logical-mathematical or linguistic-verbal.
  2. The definition of human intelligence can be complex, with factors like motivation and self-awareness playing a role.
  3. Efficiency in gaining skills may be a significant factor in measuring intelligence, but human intelligence is complex and cannot be solely defined by efficiency.

art delivery : 09.07.23

The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society • 766 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Gallery Community
  1. Canadian painter Sean William Randall's acrylic on canvas work is full of light, palettes, and intricate detail
  2. Randall's latest solo show 'BECALMED' opens on September 9th at Ian Tan Gallery in Vancouver BC
  3. Member of the community asks about balancing being a commercial and museum artist, sparking reflection on the possibility of being both

ART: The Etchings of Martin Lewis

So Here’s a Thing • 766 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Drawing
  1. Martin Lewis created captivating etchings admired by renowned artist Edward Hopper.
  2. Lewis had a diverse background, from mining and logging to being a sailor, before becoming an illustrator and printmaker.
  3. His best-known urban scenes were produced in the 1920s and 30s, showcasing an uncanny poise and gaining him recognition in the art world.

A hunger striker's medal, a Danish love token, and Hello Kitty

Dearest • 766 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History Jewelry Auctions Collectibles Design
  1. A hunger striker's medal awarded to a suffragette for her efforts in the campaign for women's right to vote
  2. A Danish love token called a hovedvandsæg given by men to their beloveds in the 18th and 19th centuries
  3. Hello Kitty jewelry collection created by Mikimoto and Sanrio, featuring pieces like a pearl necklace with a Hello Kitty face design

The third annual Elysian print volume is here

The Novelleist • 65 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Print media Collectibles Book design Visual art
  1. Elysian Volume III is a collection of one year of work, including essays and a series of letters about various important topics. It's made for collectors who subscribe at the Collector tier.
  2. The book has a unique cover designed by Patricia Faggi, symbolizing two paths: unity or collapse. This theme reflects the uncertainty of where society is headed.
  3. Each volume is designed to match and is filled with essays that cover governance, capitalism, the environment, and philosophy, providing a deep dive into contemporary issues.

Lord of Light

Opaque Hourglass • 299 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry
  1. The author recounts a personal moment involving his wife's pregnancy and a memorable scene from Game of Thrones, highlighting the emotional connection to a TV show.
  2. The description delves into the characters of The Hound and Beric Dondarrion, reflecting on their roles, actions, and the impact of their duel.
  3. The narrative ties the intense fight scene to the author's real-life experience of feeling his baby kick for the first time, showcasing a powerful and emotional connection.

art delivery : 09.06.23

The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society • 727 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings
  1. Ellen Akimoto's paintings leave the viewer in a state of suspense and expectation without a clear narrative.
  2. Engaging in creative collecting and documenting can help bust through creative blocks and enhance your visual vocabulary.
  3. Take time to think about what you love to collect and why, allowing your mind to wander and develop your creative practice.

The Spanish Visualization Diaspora: An Exhibition

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 199 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Exhibitions Infographics Cultural Journalism
  1. Many Spanish infographic designers have moved to other countries since the 1990s, especially the USA, to find better opportunities. They often notice much better salaries and working conditions compared to Spain.
  2. Spanish designers are trained to be versatile, handling various tasks such as drawing, programming, and creating data visuals. This diverse skill set is attractive to employers abroad.
  3. Even though they face challenges when leaving their home country, many Spanish designers maintain a positive attitude and good humor about their work, making them well-liked in their new environments.

Creativity is Domain Independent

Insight Axis • 671 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Science Art Writing Programming Creativity
  1. Creativity is not limited to specific fields like art or music; it is a fundamental aspect of being human, manifested across various domains like science, art, writing, and programming.
  2. The creative process involves daring to create something, followed by refining and improving upon it - a cycle present in science, art, and literature.
  3. In programming and software engineering, creativity is not just about writing code but also about the iterative process of refining, debugging, and deleting code - highlighting the importance of continuous improvement and simplification.

art delivery : 03.07.23

The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society • 707 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Book release Author Events
  1. Featured artist Michael Pederson is based in Sydney, Australia and creates tiny public art installations.
  2. Danielle Krysa's new kids' book "ART and JOY ~ Best Friends Forever" is out today and her book tour starts in Los Angeles, followed by other cities.
  3. Excitement for the upcoming book tour events in Vancouver, Portland, New York, Philly, Santa Fe, and San Francisco.

The Great Escapism

In Bed With Social • 455 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Escapism Architecture Digital Art Fashion Visual storytelling
  1. Escapism serves as both a flight and a quest in different realms like cycling, architecture, and literature.
  2. Digital escapism reconfigures our interaction with the online world by introducing the concept of 'pulse' - a natural form of interaction.
  3. Future personal assistants may evolve to prioritize our attention based on the concept of 'pulse,' respecting our fundamental human needs.

no. 84: acts of cartography

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative work Visual art Storytelling Craftsmanship Design
  1. The term 'umarell' is used to describe retirees who stop in the street to watch construction, often asking questions and offering unwanted advice.
  2. Building a restaurant involves acts of cartography, rewriting mental maps, and spending a significant amount of time on a construction site.
  3. Engaging in 'umarelling' - observing and learning on site - can provide valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding that goes beyond what blueprints can offer.