Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
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VERONICA PETRELLI: First, tell me a little bit about your trajectory in life. You were born in Ivory Coast. How long have you been living there? Why did you decide to go to Brussels? Are your relatives from Belgium?
BEN HEINE: Yes, my family is originally from Belgium. My parents traveled to Ivory Coast in 1980 for professional reasons (my father worked as a commercial engineer in Abidjan). I was born there in 1983 and we all came back to Brussels in 1990. I lived one year in UK and 6 months in The Netherlands during my studies. I lived the rest of my life in Brussels. I’m willing to move abroad permanently as soon as possible.
What are the differences between life in Ivory Coast and life in Belgium?
I was just a little child but I still have lots of good memories from the life we had in this beautiful country. Everything was more colorful, there was more light, lots of smiles and happiness on people’s face. Belgium is much colder and less colorful but it’s a nice little country, full of surrealism.
You have a degree in Journalism. Where did you graduate? Beside this, are you graduated in any other course, such as Photography, Digital Arts or Design? Or you are a self-taught man?
I graduated in Brussels, Belgium. I also studied Sculpture and Painting during one year in Hastings, England. One year is not enough, so I’m mainly a self-taught person in arts, especially in drawing, photography and digital arts. And I think it’s better this way, as I prefer to not have any academic influence on my work.
When did you realize that drawing was your passion? Were you a young boy?
Oh, yes, I was quite young when I realize that! Every child loves to draw. This interest never disappeared in my case.
Talking about your job: how did the Internet contribute to the propagation of your work?
The Internet has always been very useful for me. I think it is a gorgeous tool for anybody willing to get noticed worldwide and to build a network.
How did the idea of “Pencil Vs Camera” appear? Are you enjoying doing it?
The idea came at a very random moment. It’s always a huge pleasure to start a new Pencil Vs Camera image. I’ve been focusing on this series since almost one year. I can’t believe time went that fast!
Why do you think “Pencil vs. Camera” had a really good reception in the public?
I’m not sure about the answer. What I’m sure of is that the majority of the people appreciates this series, no matter their language, their culture or their nationality, which is really unbelievable. I think it speaks to the child that’s still in every one of us. It’s very simple and accessible to everybody. There is something universal about that and imagination has no boundary!
And “Digital Circlism”? How did it all start?
I’ve been doing portraits since several years now. I always love to use small elements that make a whole new structure when viewed together. I like to add texture and little details to the images I’m working on. So I tried with different shapes (triangles, squares…), when I tried with circles, I thought it looked really cool and special. I think this series is a bit less creative than my other projects. I see it more as a delight for the eyes and a technical challenge because it is always time consuming and sometimes tricky to do.
How does your experience in Journalism modify the way you make art?
Journalism has had a huge influence on my perception of the world. During my studies, I started making pictures having strong political connotations (I stopped making political illustrations a few years after my studies). So I guess this period of my life really had a direct effect on my sources of inspiration. As I often said, I was an artist before being an activist/journalist. I’m no longer an activist but I remain an artist, forever. More positively, Journalism also helped me be curious about everything, be willing to read the worldwide news, have a critical eye about what’s happening in general and verify twice everything I say or do…
Inspiration, creativity… For you, where do they come from?
There is something magic and divine about it. I guess they come from events happening around us. I think artists are used to find these little creative universes hidden around us. As far as I’m concerned, they are the results of past events in my life and expectations for the future. They are also the fruits of a long and slow evolution. Inspiration and creativity are everywhere! Each thing I see around me could be the subject of a creative project.
Do you have a personal style at your pieces of art? I noticed that some of your drawings are surrealistic… Do you like surrealism?
Certainly true I love surrealism! But I don’t think I have a particular style. Uniformity and sameness are not my priority at all. In my opinion, they diminish the potential of a creator. The mediums and instruments I use define the style and I use many. Creativity, quality, hard work and innovation are my leitmotivs.
There is a huge conflict between the traditional ways of making art (with paints and brushes) and the technological ways (with computer programs). What do you think about this? Which one do you prefer? Is this confrontation worth?
Yes, there is a big difference between digital and traditional, especially in the making of an image. But the results are often very similar in the end. I don’t see it as a conflict or a problem, I think both traditional and digital tools can be mixed with harmony. I use them in my daily work. Pencil Vs Camera is a good example… I think artists should live with their time. There will be other tools available in 20 years. Softwares and hardwares are now being employed by creators to express their feelings in an even more powerful way.
Tell me a little bit about your blog “Ben Heine in Colleague’s Eyes”. How is the sensation of being portrayed by other artists?
It’s a nice feeling! We do that quite frequently between artists. =)
I noticed that, in some of your “Pencil vs. Camera” pictures, you use some Walt Disney’s characters, such as Mickey and Tinker Bell. Why do you have this preference? Are you a big fan of Walt Disney?
Walt Disney and his contribution to our western culture is amazing. So I used these 2 famous characters (Mickey and Tinker Bell) as a tribute to his enormous legacy and vision.
To end up: what is art for you?
For me, Art is a door to imagination, freedom, hopes, meditation and happiness.
(*) Grappa is an advertising company based in São Paulo, Brazil.
BEN HEINE: Yes, my family is originally from Belgium. My parents traveled to Ivory Coast in 1980 for professional reasons (my father worked as a commercial engineer in Abidjan). I was born there in 1983 and we all came back to Brussels in 1990. I lived one year in UK and 6 months in The Netherlands during my studies. I lived the rest of my life in Brussels. I’m willing to move abroad permanently as soon as possible.
What are the differences between life in Ivory Coast and life in Belgium?
I was just a little child but I still have lots of good memories from the life we had in this beautiful country. Everything was more colorful, there was more light, lots of smiles and happiness on people’s face. Belgium is much colder and less colorful but it’s a nice little country, full of surrealism.
You have a degree in Journalism. Where did you graduate? Beside this, are you graduated in any other course, such as Photography, Digital Arts or Design? Or you are a self-taught man?
I graduated in Brussels, Belgium. I also studied Sculpture and Painting during one year in Hastings, England. One year is not enough, so I’m mainly a self-taught person in arts, especially in drawing, photography and digital arts. And I think it’s better this way, as I prefer to not have any academic influence on my work.
When did you realize that drawing was your passion? Were you a young boy?
Oh, yes, I was quite young when I realize that! Every child loves to draw. This interest never disappeared in my case.
Talking about your job: how did the Internet contribute to the propagation of your work?
The Internet has always been very useful for me. I think it is a gorgeous tool for anybody willing to get noticed worldwide and to build a network.
How did the idea of “Pencil Vs Camera” appear? Are you enjoying doing it?
The idea came at a very random moment. It’s always a huge pleasure to start a new Pencil Vs Camera image. I’ve been focusing on this series since almost one year. I can’t believe time went that fast!
Why do you think “Pencil vs. Camera” had a really good reception in the public?
I’m not sure about the answer. What I’m sure of is that the majority of the people appreciates this series, no matter their language, their culture or their nationality, which is really unbelievable. I think it speaks to the child that’s still in every one of us. It’s very simple and accessible to everybody. There is something universal about that and imagination has no boundary!
And “Digital Circlism”? How did it all start?
I’ve been doing portraits since several years now. I always love to use small elements that make a whole new structure when viewed together. I like to add texture and little details to the images I’m working on. So I tried with different shapes (triangles, squares…), when I tried with circles, I thought it looked really cool and special. I think this series is a bit less creative than my other projects. I see it more as a delight for the eyes and a technical challenge because it is always time consuming and sometimes tricky to do.
How does your experience in Journalism modify the way you make art?
Journalism has had a huge influence on my perception of the world. During my studies, I started making pictures having strong political connotations (I stopped making political illustrations a few years after my studies). So I guess this period of my life really had a direct effect on my sources of inspiration. As I often said, I was an artist before being an activist/journalist. I’m no longer an activist but I remain an artist, forever. More positively, Journalism also helped me be curious about everything, be willing to read the worldwide news, have a critical eye about what’s happening in general and verify twice everything I say or do…
Inspiration, creativity… For you, where do they come from?
There is something magic and divine about it. I guess they come from events happening around us. I think artists are used to find these little creative universes hidden around us. As far as I’m concerned, they are the results of past events in my life and expectations for the future. They are also the fruits of a long and slow evolution. Inspiration and creativity are everywhere! Each thing I see around me could be the subject of a creative project.
Do you have a personal style at your pieces of art? I noticed that some of your drawings are surrealistic… Do you like surrealism?
Certainly true I love surrealism! But I don’t think I have a particular style. Uniformity and sameness are not my priority at all. In my opinion, they diminish the potential of a creator. The mediums and instruments I use define the style and I use many. Creativity, quality, hard work and innovation are my leitmotivs.
There is a huge conflict between the traditional ways of making art (with paints and brushes) and the technological ways (with computer programs). What do you think about this? Which one do you prefer? Is this confrontation worth?
Yes, there is a big difference between digital and traditional, especially in the making of an image. But the results are often very similar in the end. I don’t see it as a conflict or a problem, I think both traditional and digital tools can be mixed with harmony. I use them in my daily work. Pencil Vs Camera is a good example… I think artists should live with their time. There will be other tools available in 20 years. Softwares and hardwares are now being employed by creators to express their feelings in an even more powerful way.
Tell me a little bit about your blog “Ben Heine in Colleague’s Eyes”. How is the sensation of being portrayed by other artists?
It’s a nice feeling! We do that quite frequently between artists. =)
I noticed that, in some of your “Pencil vs. Camera” pictures, you use some Walt Disney’s characters, such as Mickey and Tinker Bell. Why do you have this preference? Are you a big fan of Walt Disney?
Walt Disney and his contribution to our western culture is amazing. So I used these 2 famous characters (Mickey and Tinker Bell) as a tribute to his enormous legacy and vision.
To end up: what is art for you?
For me, Art is a door to imagination, freedom, hopes, meditation and happiness.
(*) Grappa is an advertising company based in São Paulo, Brazil.
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French Singer Henri Salvador Dies
Henri Salvador, the French musician and singer credited with helping inspire both the bossa nova and the music video, has died in Paris aged 90.
Renowned for his booming laugh, elegant crooning and durability, he had planned to record a new album in 2008 and last performed on stage in December.
At the time, he said he was "the only one who can bow out while still alive". In a statement, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Salvador's death was a cause of "infinite sadness".
"For more than a half-century, with humour and elegance, Henri was the incarnation of the art of song 'a la Francaise,'" he added.
Influence
A legend in his native France, Salvador was also a star in Latin America - particularly in Brazil.
His 1957 song Dans Mon Ile was thought to have inspired Brazilian jazz musician Antonio Carlos Jobim to conceive bossa nova's distinctive rhythm. "When I recorded that little tune, holed up in my apartment in Paris, I could never have imagined it would change musical history," said Salvador said.
And he was among the first performers to set his songs to televised images, prompting some in France to call him the father of the music video.
(Source : BBC News)
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OBITUARY :
French singer of novelty records, jazz and early rock
Henri Salvador, who died on 13 February, 2008, aged 90, was a versatile French singer, most famous for eccentric and silly songs that became popular on French television and the Scopitone video jukeboxes of 1960s Europe.
For songs such as Le Blues du Dentiste (Dentist Blues), Mais Non, Mais Non (But No, But No), Minnie Petite Souris (Little Mouse) and Juanita Banana (Miss Banana), he would film early precursors to the music video, often dressed in ludicrous costumes and pulling silly faces.
Despite this, he was originally a jazz musician and had also played on early French rock ’n’ roll records. As well as his novelty songs, he recorded love songs and ballads and turned his velvety voice to many forms of music during his 70-year career.
Henri Gabriel Salvador was born on 18 July, 1917, in Cayenne, the capital of French Guyana. His family moved to France when he was seven and a few years later he discovered the music of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.
From that moment on he was determined to be a jazz musician, taking up the guitar and learning to play along with Django Reinhardt records. At 16 he began performing in Parisian cabaret clubs, gaining plaudits for his playing and for his comic approach.
In 1935, his hero Django Reinhardt hired him as an accompanist and he also began working for American jazz violinist Eddy South. The Second World War interrupted his jazz career for several years until he was demobbed in 1941.
In occupied France he joined Bernard Hilda's jazz orchestra in Cannes before Ray Ventura spotted his talents as a novelty musician. They went on an English-language revue tour in South America where they entertained American GIs. On returning to France, M Salvador decided to branch out with his own show.
By 1949 he was playing at the most prestigious venues in Paris and won the Grand Prix du Disque for his record Le Loup, La Biche et Le Chevalier (The Wolf, the Deer and The Knight). During the 1950s he played to packed auditoriums in France and was interviewed by Ed Sullivan in America.
Towards the end of the decade he began to experiment with blues, rock and even Caribbean styles. But in 1959, Boris Vian, his songwriting partner on more than 400 compositions (including Rock and Roll-Mops, the first French rock ’n’ roll record), died from a sudden heart attack.
At the start of the ‘60s he concentrated on television presenting in France and Italy, but also founded his own record label. His releases during this decade were his biggest hits. They included Zorro Est Arrivé (Zorro Has Arrived), Syracuse, Le Travail c'est la Santé (Work is Health) and were generally accompanied by a video of M Salvador acting out various comic roles against a gaudy studio backdrop.
During the following decades he continued to release new material and present on television, where he was renowned for his sharp wit and rich laugh. He was also backed by the Walt Disney Corporation and recorded several numbers inspired by their feature films, taking advantage of his popularity with children.
During his later career he returned to his first love, jazz, giving recitals in Europe, North and South America. He was particularly popular among French-speaking communities in Canada and was also awarded the ‘Order of Cultural Merit’ by Brazil’s culture minister.
In 2006, aged 89, he finally retired after the release of his final album, Révérence (Bowing Out). He died of a ruptured aneurysm at his home in Paris. He had been married four times and had one son.
(Source : Lastingtribute.co.uk)
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Peace Trace
Ben Heine by Cival Einstein
Above is the portrait Cival Einstein (Brazilian graphic artist) did of me. Read the interview I had with him and which was posted on this Blog a few days ago "Peace Trace" is the title Cival gave to the portrait.
Thank you Cival, I’m so much honoured. You have a unique style in all your artworks: Perfect lines, perfect colours and very deep message. Just amazing. And in this particular portrait, you described brilliantly the difficult situation I'm often in: trying to talk about Peace in war times. My intention is to criticize, through my political cartoons, all kinds of injustices towards mankind and continue to draw what the oppressors don't want to see. I sincerely hope we can one day reach this peaceful world we all dream of.
Cival Einstein was born in1982, in Fortaleza-Ceara Brazil Para Brazil Turkey Iran France Portugal Serbia Montenegro Romania
Thank you Cival, I’m so much honoured. You have a unique style in all your artworks: Perfect lines, perfect colours and very deep message. Just amazing. And in this particular portrait, you described brilliantly the difficult situation I'm often in: trying to talk about Peace in war times. My intention is to criticize, through my political cartoons, all kinds of injustices towards mankind and continue to draw what the oppressors don't want to see. I sincerely hope we can one day reach this peaceful world we all dream of.
Cival Einstein was born in
See more artworks by Cival Einstein :
On Brazilcartoon
On Caricatura
On Syriacartoon
On Sadurski
On nosorog
On Artija
On Fabricarica
On Tabrizcartoons
On Caricatura
On Syriacartoon
On Sadurski
On nosorog
On Artija
On Fabricarica
On Tabrizcartoons
Interview with Cival Einstein
“People think better
when they laugh"
when they laugh"
Cival Einstein was born in 1982, in Fortaleza-Ceara , Brazil Para didactic books, reviews…). He exhibited his work in Brazil , Turkey , France , Portugal , Serbia & Montenegro , Romania
- How did you come to draw professionally?
I had different artistic phases. I started to illustrate books and worked in the advertisement field for periodicals.
- Which papers, magazines and Internet sites do you work for?
I illustrate books and collaborate with local companies. I also work with the online magazine Don Quichotte. I have some cartoon galleries on some sites specialized in the cartoon art.
- What is it in the political language that inspires you the most?
Social inequality, dictatorship, arrogance, intolerance and violence.
- Should there be any limitation to freedom of speech whatsoever?
I think that ethics in certain moments has its importance. The cartoon is an intelligent message but it is difficult to find the right equilibrium. We live in a world full of active dictators. Therefore, we must “shoot” the right targets, at the right moment. Courage is needed in such occasions.
- Is there, according to you, one single form of freedom of speech or are there several?
I think there are different ones. It really depends on how this freedom is used. Cartoonists have to denounce what they think is wrong through visual gestures and varied expressions.
- What do you think of the Holocaust cartoon contest arranged by the Iranian daily Hamshari in response to the caricatures of Mohammed published in various European dailies?
This contest was mainly a reply to the Muhammad caricatures in Denmark
- Have any of your drawings been censured? If yes, then why and under what circumstances?
I have only received anonymous threats via the Internet. But I haven’t been the victim of real censorship.
- Are you practicing self-censorship? Which are the most difficult topics to depict?
I do have self-censorship on specific issues dealing with religion and racism. These sorts of subjects require prudence and intelligence. Then only you will be able to affect the people who see your work.
- Do you think the drawing is a political power able to change people’s behaviour?
I don’t consider myself as political, but more as a defender of the truth. Our mission is to remind the necessity of equal rights between people. The cartoon medium is very original. It has the power to “print” ideas in the conscience of people.
- Do you think that the satirical drawer is an artist or rather a journalist, or even both?
The cartoonist is also a journalist when he seeks the elements of information that he will use in his graphic works.
-According to you, is the role of the drawer to make people laugh or to think?
I think that the force of the cartoon is to be a satire that makes think. People think better when they laugh.
- Which situation or person do you think is hardest to draw?
It really depends on each situation.
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--> You can see some of Cival’s works on these links :
Caricatura
Fabricarica
--> Interview by Benjamin Heine
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Caricatura
Fabricarica
--> Interview by Benjamin Heine
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