ART 4 empty store fronts -- meet the artists

ART against empty store fronts in West Hollywood

ART against empty store fronts in West Hollywood 

Help us to get this community project off the grounds. 

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More ART to come to West Hollywood soon by Raton

succulents - some ideas for your garden by Raton

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History of Glass .... some interesting facts by RATON

History of glass, some interesting facts ... 

Indigenous development of glass technology in South Asia may have begun in 1730 BCE. In ancient China, though, glassmaking seems to have a late start, compared to ceramics and metal work. In the Roman Empire, glass objects have been recovered across the Roman Empire in domestic, industrial and funerary contexts. 

Anglo-Saxon glass has been found across England during archaeological excavations of both settlement and cemetery sites. Glass in the Anglo-Saxon period was used in the manufacture of a range of objects including vessels, beads, windows and was even used in jewelry.

The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3500 BCE in  Mesopotamia .Archaeological evidence suggests that the first true glass was made in coastal north Syria or Ancient Egypt. The earliest known glass objects, of the mid third millennium BCE, were beads, perhaps initially created as accidental by-products of metal-working or during the production of faience, a pre-glass vitreous material made by a process similar to glazing. Glass remained a luxury material, and the disasters that overtook Late Bronze Age civilizations seem to have brought glass-making to a halt.

Naturally occurring glass, especially the volcanic glass, has been used by many Stone Age societies across the globe for the production of sharp cutting tools and, due to its limited source areas, was extensively traded. But in general, archaeological evidence suggests that the first true glass was made in coastal north Syria or Egypt. Because of Egypt's favorable environment for preservation, the majority of well-studied early glass is found there, although some of this is likely to have been imported. The earliest known glass objects, of the mid third millennium BCE, were beads, perhaps initially created as accidental by-products of metal working or during the production of faience,  a pre-glass vitreous material made by a process similar to glazing.

During the Late Bronze Age in Egypt and Western Asia there was a rapid growth in glass-making technology. Archaeological finds from this period include colored glass ingots, vessels (often colored and shaped in imitation of highly prized hard stone carvings in semi-precious stones and the ubiquitous beads. The alkali of Syrian and Egyptian glass was soda ash, sodium carbonate, which can be extracted from the ashes of many plants, notably halophile seashore plants. The earliest vessels were 'core-formed', produced by winding a ductile rope of glass round a shaped core of sand and clay over a metal rod, then fusing it with repeated reheatings.

Threads of thin glass of different colors made with admixtures of oxides were subsequently wound around these to create patterns, which could be drawn into festoons by using metal raking tools. The vessel would then be rolled smooth ('marvered') on a slab in order to press the decorative threads into its body. Handles and feet were applied separately. The rod was subsequently allowed to cool as the glass slowly annealed and was eventually removed from the center of the vessel, after which the core material was scraped out. Glass shapes for inlays were also often created in moulds. Much early glass production, however, relied on grinding techniques borrowed from stone working. This meant that the glass was ground and carved in a cold state.

By the 15th century BCE extensive glass production was occurring in Western Asia, Crete and Egypt and the Mycenaen Greek term , ku-wa-no-wo-ko-i, meaning "workers of lapis lazuli and glass" is attested. It is thought the techniques and recipes required for the initial fusing of glass from raw materials was a closely guarded technological secret reserved for the large palace industries of powerful states. Glass workers in other areas therefore relied on imports of pre-formed glass, often in the form of cast ingots such as those found on the Ulu Burun shipwreck off the coast of modern Turkey.

Glass remained a luxury material, and the disasters that overtook Late Bronze Age civilizations seem to have brought glass-making to a halt. It picked up again in its former sites, in Syria and Cyprus, in the 9th century BCE, when the techniques for making colorless glass were discovered. The first glassmaking "manual" dates back to ca. 650 BCE. Instructions on how to make glass are contained in cuneiform tablets discovered in the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. In Egypt glass-making did not revive until it was reintroduced in Alexandria. Core-formed vessels and beads were still widely produced, but other techniques came to the fore with experimentation and technological advancements. During the Hellenistic period many new techniques of glass production were introduced and glass began to be used to make larger pieces, notably table wares. Techniques developed during this period include 'slumping' viscous  (but not fully molten) glass over a mould in order to form a dish and 'millefiori' (meaning 'thousand flowers') technique, where canes of multi-colored glass were sliced and the slices arranged together and fused in a mould to create a mosaic-like effect. It was also during this period that colorless or decolored glass began to be prized and methods for achieving this effect were investigated more fully.

History by culture

This account is more a reflection of Roman experience of glass production, however, as white silica sand from this area was used in the production of glass within the Roman Empire due to its high purity levels. During the 1st century BCE glass blowing was discovered on the Syro-Judean coast, revolutionizing the industry. Glass vessels were now inexpensive compared to pottery vessels. A growth of the use of glass products occurred throughout the Roman world. Glass became the Roman plastic, and glass containers produced in Alexandria spread throughout the Roman Empire. With the discovery of clear glass by glass blowers in Alexandria circa 100 CE, the Romans began to use glass for architectural purposes. Cast glass windows, albeit with poor optical qualities, began to appear in the most important buildings in Rome and the most luxurious villas of Herculaneum and Pompeij. Over the next 1,000 years glass making and working continued and spread through southern Europe and beyond.

INDIA

Indigenous development of glass technology in South Asia may have begun in 1730 BCE.Evidence of this culture includes a red-brown glass bead along with a hoard of beads dating to that period, making it the earliest attested glass from the Indus Valley. Glass discovered from later sites dating from 600–300 BCE displays common color.

By the 1st century CE, glass was being used for ornaments and casing in South Asia. Contact with the Greco-Roman world added newer techniques, and Indians artisans mastered several techniques of glass molding, decorating and coloring by the succeeding centuries. The Satavahana period of India also produced short cylinders of composite glass, including those displaying a lemon yellow matrix covered with green glass.

CHINA

Blue glass plaques found in the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King , dating from late 2nd century BC

In Chinese history, glass played a peripheral role in the arts and crafts, when compared to ceramics and metal work. The limited archaeological distribution and use of glass objects are evidence of the rarity of the material. Literary sources date the first manufacture of glass to the 5th century AD However, the earliest archaeological evidence for glass manufacture in China comes from the late Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC to 221 BC).

Chinese learned to manufacture glass comparably later than the Mesopotamians and Egyptians. Imported glass objects first reached China during the late Spring and Autumn period  – early  Warring States period (early 5th century BC), in the form of polychrome 'eye beads'. These imports created the impetus for the production of indigenous glass beads.

During the Han period (206 BC to 220 AD) the use of glass diversified. The introduction of glass casting in this period encouraged the production of moulded objects, such as bi disks and other ritual objects. The Chinese glass objects from the Warring States period and Han Dynasty vary greatly in chemical composition from the imported glass objects. The glasses from this period contain high levels of barium oxide (BaO) and lead , distinguishing them from the soda-lime-silica glasses of Western Asia and Mesopotamia At the end of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), the lead-barium glass tradition declined, with glass production only resuming during the 4th and 5th centuries AD.

ROMANS

Glass objects have been recovered across the Roman Empire  in domestic, industrial and funerary contexts. Glass was used primarily for the production of vessels, although mosaic tiles and window glass were also produced. Roman glass production developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely colored cast glass vessels.

However, during the 1st century CE the industry underwent rapid technical growth that saw the introduction of glass blowing and the dominance of colorless or ‘aqua’ glasses. Production of raw glass was undertaken in geographically separate locations to the working of glass into finished vessels,^[ and by the end of the 1st century CE large scale manufacturing, primarily in Alexandria,resulted in the establishment of glass as a commonly available material in the Roman world.

ANGLO-SAXON WORLD

Anglo-Saxon glass has been found across England during archaeological excavations of both settlement and cemetery sites. Glass in the Anglo-Saxon period was used in the manufacture of a range of objects including vessels, beads, windows and was even used in jewelry.^[23] In the 5th century CE with the Roman departure from Britain, there were also considerable changes in the usage of glass.^[24] Excavation of Romano-British sites have revealed plentiful amounts of glass but, in contrast, the amount recovered from 5th century and later Anglo-Saxon sites is minuscule.^[24]

The majority of complete vessels and assemblages of beads come from the excavations of early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, but a change in burial rites in the late 7th century affected the recovery of glass, as Christian Anglo-Saxons were buried with fewer grave goods, and glass is rarely found. From the late 7th century onwards, window glass is found more frequently. This is directly related to the introduction ofChristianity and the construction of churches and monasteries.^[24][25] There are a few Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical^[26] literary sources that mention the production and use of glass, although these relate to window glass used in ecclesiastical buildings.^[24][25][27]Glass was also used by the Anglo-Saxons in their jewelry, both as enamel or as cut glass insets.^[28][29]

ARAB WORLD

The Arab poet al-Buhturi (820–897) described the clarity of such glass, "Its color hides the glass as if it is standing in it without a container."^[30] In the 8th century, the Persianchemist Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber) described 46 recipes for producing colored glass inKitab al-Durra al-Maknuna (The Book of the Hidden Pearl), in addition to 12 recipes inserted by al-Marrakishi in a later edition of the book.^[31] By the 11th century, clear glass mirrors were being produced in Arab Islamic Spain.

MEDIEVAL EUROPE

A 16th-century stained glass window

Glass objects from the 7th and 8th centuries have been found on the island of Torcellonear Venice . These form an important link between Roman times and the later importance of that city in the production of the material. Around 1000 CE, an important technical breakthrough was made in Northern Europe when soda glass, produced from white pebbles and burnt vegetation was replaced by glass made from a much more readily available material: potash obtained from wood ashes. From this point on, northern glass differed significantly from that made in the Mediterranean area, where soda remained in common use.

Until the 12th century, stained glass  – glass to which metallic or other impurities had been added for coloring – was not widely used, but it rapidly became an important medium forRomanesque art and especially Gothic art. Almost all survivals are in church buildings, but it was also used in grand secular buildings. The 11th century saw the emergence in Germany of new ways of making sheet glass by blowing spheres. The spheres were swung out to form cylinders and then cut while still hot, after which the sheets were flattened. This technique was perfected in 13th century Venice. TheCrown glass process was used up to the mid-19th century. In this process, theglassblower would spin approximately 9 pounds  (4 kg) of molten glass at the end of a rod until it flattened into a disk approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter. The disk would then be cut into panes. Domestic glass vessels in late medieval Northern Europe are known as Forest glass.

MURANO

The center for luxury Italian glassmaking from the 14th century was the island ofMurano, which developed many new techniques and became the center of a lucrative export trade in dinnerware, mirrors, and other items. What made Venetian Murano glass significantly different was that the local quartz pebbles were almost pure silica, and were ground into a fine clear sand that was combined with soda ash obtained from the Levant, for which the Venetians held the sole monopoly. The clearest and finest glass is tinted in two ways: firstly, a natural coloring agent is ground and melted with the glass. Many of these coloring agents still exist today; for a list of coloring agents, see below. Black glass was called obsidianus after obsidian stone. A second method is apparently to produce a black glass which, when held to the light, will show the true color that this glass will give to another glass when used as a dye.^[33]

The Venetian ability to produce this superior form of glass resulted in a trade advantage over other glass producing lands. Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire might burn down the city’s mostly wood buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano's glassmakers were soon the island’s most prominent citizens. Glassmakers were not allowed to leave the Republic. Many took a risk and set up glass furnaces in surrounding cities and as far afield as England and the Netherlands.

BOHEMIA

Bohemian glass, or Bohemia crystal, is a decorative glass produced in regions ofBohemia and Silesia, now in the current state of the Czech Republic, since the 13th century. Oldest archaeology excavations of glass-making sites date to around 1250 and are located in the Lusatian Mountains of Northern Bohemia. Most notable sites of glass-making throughout the ages are Skalice(German: Langenau), Kamenický Šenov(German: Steinschönau) and Nový Bor (German: Haida). Both Nový Bor and Kamenický Šenov have their own Glass Museums with many items dating since around 1600. It was especially outstanding in its manufacture of glass in high Baroquestyle from 1685 to 1750. In the 17th century, Caspar Lehmann, gem cutter to Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, adapted to glass the technique of gem engraving with copper andbronze wheels.

Know your glass 

www.retroglass.com

retroglass@aol.com 

Only two more days - collect your gift - March spring promotion - www.ARTSHOP.la

Only two more days :

http://www.artshop-usa.com/collect-your-gift/

livingART at Los Angeles Sporting Club starting MAY 15th 2014

www.ARTSHOP.la

www.ARTSHOP.la 

Miripolsky - n. 1. World renowned artist who pushes the limits in many media, creating his own brand of expression in painting, sculpture, mobiles, graphics, sets and costumes; groundbreaking provocateur who marries idioms of art, music, and film; name translated in Russian means “fields of peace.” 2. The Cole Porter of Pop! 

Andre Miripolsky’s keen understanding of pop imagery and energy has resulted in collaborations with Elton John (famous Central Park “Piano Key” costume and 1997 

stage acts for his “Tonight Show” appearance), Bette Midler (album package/visual design for her worldwide “DeTour”), Quincy Jones, Rolling Stones, Gato Barbieri, Robin Williams, Beastie Boys, Cheap Trick, MTV, and “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. His work has also been seen on the Absolut Vodka bottle as part of one of the most successful advertising campaigns of all time, featuring famous artists interpreting the brand for the label. UCLA’s center basketball 

court at Pauley Pavillion got a makeover for MTV when Miripolsky painted a colorful mural on it for MTV’s “Rock and Jock B-Ball Jam.” 

More recently, Andre has turned his attention to projects that promote the revitalization of Los Angeles, including a large 3-D wall sculpture depicting his vision of the exploding Downtown L.A. skyline for the Central City 

Association of L.A. This image, coupled with his phrase “Viva L.A., ” has blossomed to much acclaim and is very well on its way in the branding of the new and improved Downtown L.A. His long-lasting stained glass “L.A. Historama” mural proposal is pending final approval for inclusion in the planned new Convention Center. He continues to be celebrated in gallery shows and other special projects, 

including this year’s world-wide installation called “Play Me, I’m Yours,” a public music and art program. Literally hundreds of working pianos were placed in very public areas in major cities throughout the world. The program’s intent 

is to continue to beautify the world through the arts. The Miripolsky/Hollywood arts piano, decorated in a mosaic of mirror tiles to best reflect the glamour of Hollywood, resided in the forecourt of the Egyptian theatre. @ www.ARTSHOP.la

Friendly City Sharks invade Sydney by Andre Miripolsky (c)

Follow the joyful journey of a Shark who with his friend invade Sydney . Subscribe and stay tuned . 

City Sharks by Andre Miripolsky, Pop Artist @ ARTSHOP.la by Ulrik Neumann

The ART of traveling is surrendering to the travel - by RATON (c)

Is traveling just fun or for work ? Or can it help us to learn and maybe be more tolerant? The more you know and the more you travel  the less you are afraid of the unknown. It is as simple as that .  Following RATON will just share a little bit of his travel stories . That mouse has been to a lot of places. 

Every time he arrives in Costa Rica , or Australia or Germany he grabs a friend and  goes straightaway to a little cafe or restaurant or any place where people gather, cause that helps to not feel alone and pushes him to stay active and on track . Never he lays down to sleep after a long flight , always trying to stay with the local time . A walk around the block before even going into the hotel room seems to help , drinking lots of water for sure is essential . All things that seem normal , but we tend to forget our good habits sometimes when we travel .

He has been so many times to Santa Teresa , that he can spot certain animals  he recognizes from the trip before , like this orange cat that seem to stretch out  always  on the same windowsill, basking in the hot tropic sun.  The beauty is when  you repeat going to places you love , you eventually make friends who actually live there , so when you go out he hears little screams, smiling faces rushing over, many hugs and short stories to share . Local friends guide you to the best places . Effortless you find the best food , the nicest people and ambience. RATON never likes to hear  “You are too thin” or "You are to pale " , even though they are innocent signs of love , he prefers to talk about how the year was or who is in town. 

And that's why RATON loves traveling ! In Gremany where he comes from, people are reserved, they take longer to get to know. They say only Germans who actually travel are okay , which probably can be said about any country . If someone never has Left Orange County , and thinks it is need that you are from Europe living in Los Angeles , one might want to share the hint that it is actually time to travel ..... In Germany you maybe get a shy little hug when you meet people , even if they are friends.  RATON had to adapt to that and he had to restrain himself. But by nature he laughs and cries easily, gesticulate wildly, upset his wine glass, drop food in his neighbor’s lap, and in general creates happy mayhem. At least that are always his intentions . 

When you travel it is an amazing experience to feel the spirit expand and take up its full shape! Everyone is flourishing , when they travel , their spirit is free. Discovering a "new you" is one of the best feel ins of travelling. 

Each new country brings out a different part of us that is usually hidden. Sometimes we find places we love immediately , others might take a bit longer , bout try to enjoy every moment of it since it is part or the experience we will take back home.

And the gift that traveling has given RATON  has changed his life back home. His time on the road taught him that it’s vital to have moments in life that remind us that we are free spirits. That we are actually alive and likable. 

by RATON (c) 

SpellCheck

"Don't they know how incredibly frustrating it is to write a german Text with American spell - check ;..... they must know  " ......  RATON

RATON'S NEW MAILING ADDRESS . THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN REACH HIM

$625 +tax  

livingART succulent chair (small)

RATON practices the ART of humor

RATON constantly was trying to use humor,laughter and a good attitude to get things done . But how important is Humor really for a healthy [ATMOSPHERE]? And why do we need to laugh together as a group? Questions that are very complex to answer, but there are many studies out there that laughter is really the best medicine and not just a saying. 

Humor and laughter are extremely important elements of a happy and healthy life. In fact, we regard them as one of the five characteristic marks of any genuinely thriving life : conversation, laughter, time spent together and regular dinner with friends or family . What’s more, we’d suggest that laughter is one of the easiest and most fun ways to help us thrive. Laughter RATON believes is almost like an exercise in the gym .  Neurochemicals are released into the bloodstream, creating the same feelings that long-distance joggers experience as “runner’s high.” More Laughter most less likely reduces burnout and depression. People who laughed often have a better sense for Adventure , They do things , therefor often that turned them into leaders.

That’s because humor helps us cope, not just with trivial frustrations, but with genuine tragedy and permanent loss. It has been well said that “to have a sense of humor is to have an understanding of human suffering.” Laughter deflects negativity. It provides a positive distraction from hardship and helps us let off steam. In these ways, it plays an important role in guarding the wellsprings of the heart (Proverbs 4:23) and protecting the soul from bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). How can you turn your life around where everything around you is filled  with laughter and where family members actually get a kick out of being together? RATON has a few simple suggestions:

1. First, don’t take yourself so seriously. If you and the rest of your family are like most people, perspective is probably hard for you. You find it difficult to remember how small and insignificant you are in the grand scheme of things. You allow your petty trials and concerns to cast a pall of gloom over the entire universe. RATON'S advice is to lighten up and relax. Take a step back and try to get a sense of where you fit in the “bigger picture.” And remind yourself that God alone sees your situation as it really is. 
2. Second, resolve to laugh even when you don’t feel like laughing. It’s precisely when you’ve had a tough day that your need for a good laugh is most urgent. At such times, a bit of humor will help wash away the stress. It will also keep your marriage and family together when you’re coming unglued. 
3. Next, look for the humor around you. This may require some extra work, but it’s worth the effort. Once you open your eyes, you’ll find that life is full of good comedic material. Art Linkletter had it right when he said that “people are funny.” So stay on the lookout for the comic element in everyday life. If you can’t find it, create it for yourself. 
4. Discover what makes your spouse and children laugh. When you hear guffaws coming from their direction, pay attention and investigate the cause. Study their individual humor styles. Learn to distinguish between sarcasm, slapstick, irony, clownishness, and absurdity. Exploit your findings at least once a day. Pay special attention to the ways in which these humor styles reflect the various temperaments and personalities of your children. Think in terms of birth order. Learn to recognize each individual’s unique role in the family system. An awareness of these issues will help you find the correct balance between humor and sensitivity. 
5. Finally, learn how to poke fun at one another in a light-hearted, healthy, affirming, and non-derogatory way. A certain amount of good-natured “teasing” can actually increase feelings of intimacy among the members of your household. But be careful. Some skins are thinner than others. It’s all too easy for one person’s “joke” to become another person’s raw and bleeding wound. It may be acceptable for people to laugh at one another if they share a certain kind of relationship. But when that connection is lacking, it’s best to avoid the kind of “playfulness” that is all too easily interpreted as disrespect.

livingART by RATON (c)

livingART @ LASC (Los Angeles Sporting Club)

RATON is so excited to let his friends know that his livingART chairs and wallART is going to be on display at an amazing men's boutique next month , which has been the fashion hot spot in West Hollywood for over 15 years now . 

Preparation has already began and starting May 15 to June 15 , two giant living room dividers on wheels surrounded by luscious floating livingART succulent chairs will grace the window for the LA Pride crowd to enjoy . Fashion mannequins will wear livingART bow ties and the installation will attract curious shoppers and ART fans alike . 

Living window decoration at the  Los Angeles Sporting Club where ART mingles with FASHION. 

One will quickly realize that the panels are actually wardrobe shelves on one side and livingART on the other . In real life they make great room dividers in big open spaces, or are used for privacy in more commercial settings like hair salon or by hotel pools. A new creative way to introduce plants, wood and glass to your home or office. RATON would love for you to check them out . See you on the Boulevard , see you at LASC .......

CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFO AND INVITE:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1400755800192985/

RATON (C) 

ART begins at school (says RATON)

1. It seems logic to RATON that teaching ART at school is as important as learning how to read and write.  But don't take his word , there are actually studies and facts that underline and proof the importance of nursing creativity early . 
2. Here are some interesting facts: 
3. Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance.
4. Arts and music education programs are mandatory in countries that rank consistently among the highest for math and science test scores, like Japan, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
5. One study group showed that third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students who were taught a foreign language every day in school outperformed the students who were not exposed to a foreign language on their Basic Skills Test.
6. While nearly all schools in America are required to offer coursework in languages, the amount of instruction provided for those subjects does not come close to that of math, science, and english courses.
7. Federal funding for the arts and humanities rolls in around $250 million a year, while the National Science Foundation is funded around the $5 billion mark.
8. Researchers find that sustained learning in music and theatre correlates strongly with higher achievement in both math and reading.
9. In a study of a high-poverty schools in Chicago, the schools that were participating in the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) made huge strides in closing the gap between high- and low-income students’ academic achievement.  
10. Multiple studies have concluded that curricular and extracurricular art studies and activities help keep high-risk dropout students stay in school.
11. New brain research shows that not only does music improve skills in math and reading, but it promotes creativity, social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth.
12. Research suggests that studying a second language is essential to the learning process, creative inquiry, and critical thinking. Foreign language studies have proven to increase problem-solving skills and overall cognitive development.

Spread your love for the ARTS .... it will make everything around you better . 

..... and RATON is not good in math at all , but he likes pretty things .......

by RATON