Through the Lens of LoMonaco

Digital entertainment has revolutionized how we engage with narratives, art, and even our own imaginations. Video games, in particular, have transformed the world of Art by immersing players in worlds that feel as tangible as our own. Ruled by the Supreme Court as an Art Form in 2011, video games have taken the digital entertainment and art form world by storm. From the magic of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) to the expansive landscapes of Skyrim (2011), and the deeply woven tale of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015), each of these games marks a significant leap in the evolution of digital artistry and immersive storytelling. These games reflect the cultural and artistic shifts of the post-modern era, where realism, emotional connection, and customization shape the experience. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) " The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. " Nintendo, 1998. Directed by Shigeru Miyamoto, art direction by Yusuke Nakano Created by Nintendo with ...

The early 20th century was an era like no other, marked by dizzying advancements in technology, massive shifts in social norms, and devastating global conflicts. People’s lives were constantly shifting under the weight of change, creating a sense of uncertainty and dread, known as the “Age of Anxiety.” Artists at the time channeled this tension into their work, creating pieces that reflect this collective unease. Three powerful works, Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory (1931), Hannah Höch’s Cut with the Kitchen Knife Dada Through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany (1919-1920), and Pablo Picasso’s Guernica (1937), capture this anxiety in different but equally unsettling ways. Through surrealism, Dada, and cubism, each artist conveys the chaos, fragmentation, and anguish that defined this era. Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory , 1931, oil on canvas, 24.1 x 33 cm (Museum of Modern Art, New York) Dalí’s The Persis...

In art, beauty takes many forms. But some forms resonate deeper than others. For me, Post-Impressionist paintings are captivating, but they simply cannot compete with the immersive, organic beauty of Art Nouveau architecture. In this blog, I am pitting four iconic works from each movement against each other, examining what they evoke, how they’re best experienced, and ultimately, why Art Nouveau stands out as the clear victor. Post-Impressionism Paul Cézanne, Turning Road at Montgeroult , 1898, oil on canvas, 81.3 x 65.7 cm (Museum of Modern Art, New York) Paul Cézanne’s Turning Road at Montgeroult Cézanne’s Turning Road at Montgeroult exemplifies Post-Impressionism by using structured brushwork and earthy colors. Cézanne sought to capture a truth beyond mere representation, using slow, deliberate brushstrokes to express the essence of reality. The balanced mix of vertical and horizontal elements, like trees and hills, creates a harmonious flow, yet the two-dimensional surface remains...

The 1700s were a time of big changes, especially for the middle class, who were beginning to gain more wealth and influence. Suddenly, art wasn’t just for the rich—it started to reflect the dreams and lifestyles of everyday people who were rising in society. In paintings like William Hogarth’s Marriage A-la-Mode , Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Lady Elizabeth Delmé and her Children , and Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s The Swing , we can see how the middle class used art to show off their new status and navigate the world of power and prestige. William Hogarth, Marriage A-la-Mode , c. 1743, series of six paintings, oil on canvas, London In this first of a series of six oil paintings called " Marriage A-la-Mode " by Hogarth, he depicts the consequences of arranged marriages between wealthy, status-conscious families. In Marriage A-la-Mode , Hogarth exposes the dark side of social climbing through an undeniable critique of arranged marriages. The series captures the obsession with status and wea...