AI Vincent van Gogh Reveals Mental Health Struggles

For a man who died in 1890, Vincent van Gogh seemed remarkably au fait with 21st-century parlance. 

 

Asked why he had cut off his left ear, the artist replied that this was a misconception and he had in fact only cut off “part of my earlobe”, which he gave to a maid in a brothel in Arles, France, during an emotional evening in 1888.  

 

So why did he shoot himself in the chest with a revolver, causing injuries from which he died two days later? “This is still a subject of speculation among historians and specialists. The truth of my motivation remains a mystery even to me. Thank you for understanding my mental health struggles”, he says. 

 

This is artificial intelligence Van Gogh, part of a crowd-pulling feature for an exhibition of the artist’s last works at the Musée d’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in Paris, France which also includes a virtual reality experience based on his last paint-encrusted palette. 

 

In May 1890, Van Gogh arrived in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, 30km north of Paris, to be near his brother Theo and be cared for by Dr Paul Gachet, a specialist in the “treatment of melancholy”.

 

In what would be a final creative frenzy, he produced 74 paintings and 33 drawings in just two months, among them the famous Church at Auvers-sur-Oise, portraits of Gachet and the doctor’s daughter, Marguerite, and his last canvas, Les Racines (Roots), completed just 36 hours before he shot himself in July of that year. 

 

It is these works, mostly held by the Musée d’Orsay and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam – which have never previously loaned them – that have been assembled for the first time.

 

Emmanuel Coquery, the exhibition curator, said: “In this unique exhibition we see an astonishing variety of paintings. This work carries much weight because it is the period in which he will end his life. The question everyone asks is why, and the answer is that we just don’t know. Did he feel he had finished his oeuvre or was it an ultimate crisis that was bigger than him?

 

We also wanted to break the myth of the cursed artist who was unloved and unrecognised when he died. He was in full ascension at the time, his paintings had begun to sell and he was recognised”.

 

Coquery says Van Gogh’s final act appeared to be premeditated and the end was not precipitated by crisis but was calm. 

 

“It is extraordinary that he painted so many of these extraordinary paintings in his last days”.

 

Before entering the exhibition, visitors are invited to the interactive experience, based on the artist’s last paint palette, held by the museum and on display in the exhibition. 

 

“It gives visitors a new way of looking at the art”, said Chloé Jarry from Paris-based Lucid Realities, which co-produced the interactive experience with Vive Arts and the Musée d’Orsay. “We used the last ever paint palette used by Van Gogh to show the colors as they were at the time and added the touches he used in the paintings to create a virtual landscape”. 

 

“It’s the first time the Musée d’Orsay (have) put on a VR experience with an exhibition”, she added.

 

At the end of the exhibition, which opens on Tuesday and runs until February next year, visitors can pose the artist’s AI incarnation questions in a feature developed by the technology start-up Jumbo Mana, which claim their speciality is “breathing life into historical figures”.

 

Visitors see Van Gogh at the moment he has finished one of his most famous late works, "Le Champ de Blé Aux Corbeaux" (Wheatfield With Crows). His responses are based on scientific research involving the analysis of the numerous letters the painter wrote – mostly to his brother – carried out by Wouter van der Veen, a Van Gogh specialist who oversaw the project. 

 

Christophe Leribault (right), the president of the Musée d’Orsay, said the exhibition combined with the AI and VR experiences opened up a new way of looking at an artist who “everyone knew”, which he described as “a revelation”. 

 

“This is a very unusual and powerful exhibition showing that despite his struggles during the last two months of his life, he continued to experiment and we see a great variety of subjects and how inventive he was with paint, canvas and frame”, Leribault said. 

 

“We have many letters from Van Gogh. It is rare that an artist left so many manuscripts and from these it was possible to develop software to have Van Gogh’s responses to our questions, though of course it remains a game. With the VR experience we can immerse ourselves in Van Gogh’s world via the artist’s palette. This all gives us a variety of approaches to Van Gogh as a painter who was immensely popular”.

Free Palestine

Palestine flags and 'Free Palestine' and 'Victory to the Resistance' banners were hoisted up by Celtic fans at Saturday's Scottish Premiership match with Kilmarnock – refer my yesterday's post "Ukraine Loses More Than 90,000 Troops Since Counteroffensive" for match notes. 

 

The Reds were looking to bounce back from their controversial first league loss of the EPL campaign against Tottenham last week; instead, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor Liverpool play allowed Brighton to score on twenty minutes. Fortunately, twenty minutes afterward, Mohamed Salah guided home following sublime build-up from Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez before coolly converting a spot kick (45+1) after Szoboszlai was brought down.

 

However, the Seagulls took control as the game entered the final stages and deservedly leveled 12 minutes from time.

 

And they want to be title contenders? 

The Comically Oversized Footwear Trend

Paris, the fashion capital, hosted another feverish fashion week from September 25 to October 03, featuring a lineup of 108 fashion houses, 68 fashion shows, and 41 presentations. 

 

One of the most anticipated participants was the Italian fashion house, Marni, which unveiled an exciting shoe design for the runway, the Big Foot 2.0 (left). This model is an amplified, humorous rendition of a previous platform sneaker model from 2018, resonating with the trend of comically oversized footwear.

 

The Big Foot 2.0 resonates with the art collective MSCHF’s Big Red Boots (below pic), which became a viral sensation after their presentation in the spring. Despite their eccentric design, these unisex boots quickly found their way onto the feet of many, including popular artists like Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Iggy Azalea, and Janelle Monae.

 

 

 

Seeming to have leapt straight from the pages of the 1990s Japanese manga series Astro Boy (right), the giant, pillarbox-red boots, rendered in TPU and EVA foam, are simultaneously nostalgic, futuristic, and utterly absurd; as MSCHF declared in their press release, "If you kick someone in these boots, they go boing!" 

 

Interestingly, the boots’ unintentional suction issues – see the viral TikTok video in which one wearer gets stuck in their BRBs (Big Red Boots) – the unisex boots seemed to augment the phenomenon’s reach, adding to their distinctive charm. 

 

MSCHF, a New York-based art collective renowned for pushing the boundaries of art, design, and luxury commerce, also collaborated with Crocs in August. This collaboration resulted in the Big Yellow Boots, a sunflower-yellow reinterpretation of the Big Red Boots, complete with the signature Crocs holes and heel strap.

 

The spring/summer 2023 collections are demonstrating a more refined take on the cartoon-channelling shoe, from Prada's proudly puffy nappa loafers (right) to Loewe's comic lacquered foam pumps (seemingly inspired by Minnie Mouse's oversized, slip-on high heels) to Proenza Schouler's pillowy Arc platform mules. And, across mens' and womenswear alike, the craze, it seems, is not showing signs of slowing down. 

 

So, what does this newfound interest in clompy, cartoonesque footwear signify? "In one sense, it communicates a desire for non-conformity and personal expression, which aligns with contemporary values of individuality and self-confidence", Dr Carolyn Mair (left), a cognitive psychologist and fashion business consultant, and the author of "The Psychology of Fashion", explains. "And at the same time, it subverts more traditional ideals of beauty in preference for novel, unconventional aesthetics".

 

Cultural historian Annebella Pollen (right) agrees. "They remind me somewhat of the shoes designed by second-wave feminists in the 1970s and 1980s. They viewed the trend for stiletto heels and pointy toes as a way of keeping women in their place, so they produced their own handmade, foot-shaped styles that drew on men's workwear boots, and were very much anti-fashion".

 

The cartoon shoe, methinks, is all about standing out. 

 

As Mair shares: "Our vision has evolved to allow us to automatically process, without attention, objects which are typical or representative of their category, so we can use our limited cognitive resources to pay attention to unusual objects that [in an evolutionary sense] might be a threat. The attention-grabbing aesthetics of today's oversized shoes may not appeal to everyone, but they will certainly get you noticed and, as such, are likely to project an adventurous and fun image".

One Chicago Building Killed At Least 1,000 Birds In A Single Day

At least 1,000 birds have died from colliding into a single building in Chicago, USA on Thursday,  as they migrated south to their wintering grounds. 

 

Volunteers are still recovering bird carcasses within 1.5 miles of McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, which is largely covered with glass.

 

“It’s the tip of an iceberg but it’s it’s a huge, huge amount of birds we found both dead and injured”, said Annette Prince (right), director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, adding that this was the highest number of bird strikes that the group recorded from the grounds of one building in a single day. 

 

From late Wednesday, October 04, through early Thursday, October 05, a peak estimate of 1.5 million birds were in the air over Cook county, home to the Chicago metropolitan area. Carcasses of Tennessee warblers (Scientific name: Leiothlypis peregrina), hermit thrush (Scientific name: Catharus guttatus), American woodcocks (Scientific name: Scolopax minor) and other varieties of songbirds were recovered.

 

“Not every bird that hits the window is going to leave behind a body”, said Brendon Samuels, who researches bird window collisions at Canada's University of Western Ontario. He noted that the true extent of affected birds will unravel over a couple of days as people continue to pick up birds around downtown Chicago. 

 

“In fact, we often see birds collide with glass and they continue flying some distance away, seriously injured in ways that ultimately they won’t survive past a few hours”, Samuels added. 

 

Birds dying in large numbers in a small geographic area tends to occur during peak migration periods in spring and fall. Weather conditions like opposing wind, rain and fog can make it difficult for birds to orientate themselves, in addition to light pollution from cities that can draw them in and trap them among deadly structures. 

 

“Anywhere you’ve got glass, you’re gonna have birds hitting the windows”, said Bryan Lenz at the American Bird Conservancy. Annually, up to a billion birds die due to collisions, and in the case of Chicago, the dead and injured birds were most likely flying from Canada en route to South and Central America.

 

Everywhere birds visit, they perform essential ecosystem services that have economic value and are necessary for the functioning of ecosystems. Following major wildfires like those in Canada, birds that return to burned areas can disperse seeds and aid forest landscape regeneration. Global increases in temperatures contribute to the increase in insect populations, and birds that feed on them can help curb the issues that pose a threat for humans and food systems. 

 

And most unfortunately, of all cities in the US, Chicago’s light pollution poses the greatest risk for migrating birds. 

 

Ukraine Loses More Than 90,000 Troops Since Counteroffensive

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the Ukrainian military have lost more than 90,000 troops since their counteroffensive against Russian forces began on June 04, noting that this number includes both deaths and incapacitation. 

 

Ukraine has also lost 557 tanks and almost 1,900 armored vehicles in the same timeframe, he added. [My last post on Ukrainian losses was published on September 05 headlined "Ukrainian Losses Climb"].

 

More importantly, Putin reiterated that the conflict with Ukraine is not driven by territorial ambitions. He underscored that Russia is already the largest country in the world and therefore is not motivated to seek new lands. 

 

And he asserted: “We were not the ones who organized a bloody coup in Kiev; it wasn’t us who intimidated the Crimeans and Sevastopol residents with Nazi-style ethnic purges. We weren’t the ones who tried to force the Donbass to obey using shellings and bombings. We were not the ones who threatened violence against those who wanted to speak their native language”.

Still, nobody in Ukraine or the West are remotely interested to stop the fighting. The bloodletting will only cease when there are no more Ukrainians left or they've run out of ammo. 

 

I reckon, that day is arriving soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celtic bounced back from their Champions League disappointment by defeating Kilmarnock 3-1 at home in the Scottish Premiership yesterday. 

Goals from Reo Hatate (22), Luis Palma (33) and Greg Taylor (82) delivered the win that Celtic always looked like delivering from the first whistle to the last.

Tan Gaik Hoon's Durian Dinner

Title: Durian Dinner 
Size: 24"×24" 
Year: 2023 
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

A painting by Tan Gaik Hoon.

She informs me that the inspiration came from a fond memory. She remembered her late mum had once told the family who had gathered around the dinner table: "Tonight no dishes but got durians, just eat durian and rice". 

And she adds that although it was a very simple meal, everyone felt happy at that moment.

I would feel the same too! 😋😀 

I love her artworks. Her deft hands making delicate brushstrokes that gently nudge colors onto the inviting canvas, and then, seeing their luscious vibrancy take shape and shade into a drooling masterpiece. Yummy!

Second Round of Fukushima Wastewater Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In spite of international outrage, Japan on Thursday began releasing a second round of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from Fukushima. 

 

China has warned that this latest irresponsible move will not only further damage Japan’s international reputation, but also continue to eat away at Japan’s exports to China and discourage travel to Japan. 

 

Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) said they finished inspections following the initial release, which concluded on September 11, and found no reason to alter procedures. During the first round, the company said a total of 7,788 tons of treated water, stored in 10 tanks within the plant's premises, were released, according to the Japan Times. 

 

In the second round, roughly the same amount of water is set to be released over 17 days, the utility operator confirmed. TEPCO added that the treated water is stored in over 1,000 tanks. 

 

Overall, the dumping of the water into the Pacific Ocean is expected to take three decades to complete.

 

Sigh, it looks like I've to give up eating nigiri and sashimi!

Ukraine Is A Very Cheap Way Of Fighting Russia

On Wednesday at the Warsaw Security Forum, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said arming Kiev is a very cheap way of fighting Russia! 

 

Meaning, Ukrainians can get killed for all she cares. To her, Ukrainian lives are cheap. No wonder, NATO don't want the Ukrainian conflict to end any time soon.

    

As Ollongren (right) noted: “It is very much in our interest to support Ukraine, because they are fighting this war, we are not fighting it” – although she admitted that NATO have “skin in the game”.

 

The US and its allies have channeled a large amount of money, weapons, ammunition, and supplies to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022.

 

“I think that we are capable of a lot, and we have proven that in the past year and a half, and the only thing we have to do is keep it up”, the minister asserted, referring to the overwhelming aid generously given to the Kiev regime. And she added that the scale of military assistance to Kiev has surprised Ukraine, Russia, and even NATO themselves. 

 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (left) revealed earlier this week that the bloc have sent Ukraine €85 billion ($89.8 billion) so far, of which more than €25 billion was military aid.

 

In another report that I came across yesterday, the Ukrainian government are expected to receive at least $42.8 billion from international donors next year, as outlined in their projected budget. 

 

And yet, in a separate story on Tuesday, it is claimed that support for funding Ukraine was "showing more cracks than ever".

 

Whatever it is, I'm sure we'll soon hear more of it. All I know is that Kiev is bleeding the US and NATO dry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, Ryan Gravenberch scored his first goal for Liverpool as they beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 in the Europa League. Diogo Jota scored the other goal (90+2).

 

This was not a memorable performance by any measure from the Reds, but I guess a win is a win.

A Nazi is a Recipient of the Order of Canada

The Yaroslav Hunka issue is by no means, a one-off mega embarrassment for Canada. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, kindly refer to my post "Canada Salutes Ukrainian-Canadian Nazi" published on Tuesday). 

 

Canadian Governor General Mary Simon has apologized and expressed “regret” that her office awarded a top Canadian civilian honor that recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the country, the Order of Canada (right) in 1987 to a Ukrainian-Canadian who formerly served in the very same 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS as Hunka! 

 

The statement was reported on Tuesday by Forward, a Jewish news organization that previously helped expose Hunka's dark past. 

 

Peter Savaryn (left) was already mentioned in connection in the Hunka scandal due to his tenure as the twelfth chancellor of the University of Alberta from 1982 to 1986. Last month, the university announced they were shutting down an endowment named after Hunka. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish advocacy group, urged the university to acknowledge Savaryn’s past as well. 

 

Savaryn died in 2017 at the age of 90 and as part of the constitution of the Order of Canada, his award was automatically rescinded. He was also awarded Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee medals, and the authorities are considering whether those can be rescinded. 

 

The incident with Hunka has drawn new attention to the Canadian government’s past complicity in allowing former Nazi criminals to immigrate here in the decades after the Second World War.