Khan Academy: My New Obsession

It has been far too long since I've posted, but my 2012 resolution is to get back to blogging. So here goes. . .

We all know that the internet can be a great timesucker. Khan Academy might be the best way to spend your time on the internet. There are hundreds of mini-lectures to be watched on a wide variety of subjects. I've only watched the art history lessons, but these are real lectures and focus on a small part of a piece of art. It's smart people talking about art.

I adore German Expressionism with all its angst and raw, savage, emotional impact. Ernst Kirchner has always been a favorite artist of mine; his work draws me in and I find it extremely powerful. Here's an interesting little debate about one of his masterpieces, Street, Dresden. I love this piece and find it subtly voyeuristic. I also see this as an example of the artist focusing on the human condition at the turn of the century. Loneliness and despair emanate from this canvas.

Feminist criticism has never been my personal focus, although I do find the issue of the male gaze fascinating. While I don't feel like it's an issue in this specific work, I do find the debate interesting. Watch it!