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by *MARX77

An excellent attempt at something different but as much as it seemingly amuses the artist it does so at the expense, or with the purpos...

by `getcarter

It is an image of the photographer in fact but the photographer hasn't titled it as a self-portrait. So it is valid to ask if the inten...

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deviantID

$makepictures
jsw
United States
Current Residence: Los Angeles
Favourite genre of music: all good music
Favourite photographer: too many to list
Operating System: XP
Favourite cartoon character: Woody Woodpecker
Interests

Once a week on the top of a hill overlooking Hollywood there is a farmer's market with a poet.



Poem Store1  by $makepictures
   

My brother-in-law came to visit Los Angeles last weekend and we wanted to show him the Watts Towers.  I was disappointed that we went on an overcast day until I learned that even when the sun doesn't shine the Watts Towers hold their own. 


The Watts Towers are certainly the most important work of art indigenous to the region.  The Watts Towers are exhaustively documented including a conservation project with over 5000 images recording every tile and every placement.  On other visits I didn't take a single photograph. 


But this time on my fifth or sixth visit I found myself taking shots just for the pure pleasure of acting with the artwork.            


                                                                                                                       

Watts Towers 109 Panorama1 by $makepictures


Watts Towers 105 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 108 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 103 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 102 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 110 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 111 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 107 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 106 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 113 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 112 by $makepictures


Watts Towers 114 by $makepictures


Watts Towers 101 by $makepictures

Watts Towers 115 by $makepictures



Watts Towers 100 by $makepictures







The best thing I learned on this visit was that Charles Mingus, the extraordinary jazz musician, as a neighborhood kid in Watts was a helper to Simon Rodia, the artist who built the Watts Towers.  Mingus reportedly said that Rodia taught him patience and discipline.  But you can't help but see that Rodia might have taught Mingus something about improvisation and something about jazz.


Watts Towers 200 by $makepictures

Simon Rodia


Charles Mingus Wallpaper by $makepictures

Charles Mingus



You can download full size images here [link] and read more about this remarkable work here [link]

INTOLERANCE

Journal Entry: Mon Mar 25, 2013, 12:39 AM
Intolerance 2 by $makepictures

 

Andy Warhol let it happen.  As the leading conduit of popular and unpopular culture in his time he presaged what we take to be commonplace today. Nothing good has been as edgy since Andy.  In letting it happen he embraced it all. We may need a hundred years to catch up -  - who's to know?


This "Thank You" to Andy hit the sidewalks along Melrose Ave in Los Angeles some months ago.  The blue butterfly, added by another, I believe, is Andy Warhol iconography.  It reminds us all of how much he contributed and of the vibrancy of his legacy, still thoroughly modern after all these years.

 

Someone scrawled onto this tribute the word "Jew" in yellow paint; in the same color of yellow demanded by the Nazi for the Stars of David forced to be worn by Jewish people as they were herded into the ghettos before they were exterminated.

 

I could not remove the paint or ink or caked-on chalk whatever this filth was made from.  And I wondered if Andy would have just let this happen as well.  A lot about him was sad, too.  Even Andy Warhol, who let most anyone do most anything, suffers intolerance. No cruel irony in that.  There is truth.  Even if it can never be conquered, he certainly led us as far away as anyone may have come in doing so.

 

Thank you, Andy.



Bolt Award

Each year, on deviantART's birthday, we honor one of our own with the Bolt Award — the most prestigious award to be bestowed upon anyone. Ever. For his never ending enthusiasm and commitment to not just deviantART, but the empowering of artists on a global scale, we are extremely proud to present the illustrious Bolt Award for 2011 to $makepictures. Josh's charismatic personality, and seemingly never ending knowledge enriches every person who interacts with him. A true living legend. Congrats Josh!
-awarded August 2011

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Comments


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:iconkarmacursed:
I liken the pelican to an old, and seasoned, sailor. They have a pungent smell and very abrasive personalities. But they can be liiked and admired for their character and uniqueness.
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:icongetcarter:
`getcarter 4 days ago   Photographer
:manhug:
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:iconolivier-ramonteu:
~olivier-ramonteu May 12, 2013  Professional Photographer
thank you for the fave on [link]
:)
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:iconjuan91:
Mood: Affection ~JUAN91 May 10, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
A happy cake badge for you, I want a pelican badge, please.
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:iconmakepictures:
I don't give out the badges. They appear if you buy a print of the pelican and after your print is in the mail - - doesn't matter what size print you get.
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:iconrycia:
~rycia May 10, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
I love your DA.
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:iconvaughnjustice:
HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY!!!
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