Essential | Tom Haney

Tinguely's Dream | Tom Haney  

Click to view how the piece above works

Art or Toy?

The answer to the above question is perhaps best answered by taking a closer look at Tom Haney's work.  While the name might not ring any bells, his work will.  

Former creator of props, models and miniatures for television commercials, still photographers, and big screen movies has taken his formative interests in toy making and skills as a kinetic/mechanical artist and fused this with his current works. According to Haney, "Some of my earliest memories are of creating things (toys, games etc,) and I've also always been fascinated with anything mechanical, often taking household items apart..." (Haney).  

There is a great amount of fun in his work and this can be seen in all of his pieces.  Joining together a childhood interest of toy building and his later involvement in creating of props, models and miniatures comes through in his works.  There is a perfect balance of childlike whimsy and seriousness to his work that seems to captivate all ages. So to re-address whether this is a toy of art is completely in the eyes of beholder.  

So to all you looking for that certain piece of art or toy, this is it. Haney's work is absolutely stunning and will blow your mind. Each piece is completely hand made. From the figurine to the mechanism that brings each piece to life, everything is done by Haney.  Amazing! 

Found Art | Irving Alexander Block

Within the art industry today, the name Irving Alexander Block goes unrecognized as a painter and muralist. He was most notably known for his creations of sci-fi films (i.e. Forbidden Planet, Alice in Wonderland, Uknown World) that date back to 1949.

Born in New York City, Block was a graduate of New York University, the National Academy of Design, and Grande Chaumiere in Paris. Block took inspiration from his humble beginings and painted what he drew most of his inspiration from, daily life. Subject matters included nude women, mother and children, New York Subway Stations, cafe scenes, and much more. He was also commissioned to paint a mural for the American Medical Building for the 1937 World's Fair and also for the United States Treasury Department (I wonder if it still exists?).

Irving Block was truly a great American artist whose painting's created a window into an era long forgotten. The sad thing is a lot of his work that we find either goes uncredited or uknown. Above are some pieces that were recovered from a sketchbook of his that are currently selling on Ebay.

Irving Block Sketches Ebay

Art | René Magritte

Golconda (1953)

The Wrath of the Gods (1960)

The Treason of Images (1929)

The Son of Man (1964)

 

Not to be Reproduced (1937)