Congratulations this week to Maxine for her George Orwell quote! House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 10, 20:19 “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm Title: Opponent Description: Every hero needs a villain. Viktor Petrov (Lars Mikkelsen) is the gray, cold, Russian counterpart to Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). The confrontation shown here, with Viktor’s face on the big screen, triggers an instinctive fear and impulse to overcome. In this moment we identify with Frank. The moral line that usually separates us from him evaporates, and we only want to see Viktor fail. Next piece up later today! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, or review the project over at the previous post here.

Congratulations this week to Anonymous for their Shakespeare quote! A conversation between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. House of Cards, Season 4, Episode 2, 11:38 MACBETH: Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted ere they may be scann’d. LADY MACBETH: You lack the season of all natures, sleep. – Shakespeare, Macbeth Title: Opposite Description: Is there ever more distance between two intimates than when they are sitting on opposite sides of a bargaining table? The discomfort between Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) has reached its climax. Their once close relationship has become a mere formality, driven by pure protocol and personal power play. The vertical line down the center of the image divides and separates each into their own space. Is this the end for them? Next piece up tomorrow! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, or review the project over at … Continue reading →

Announcement: There will be four more entries (including this one) in the Whispers of Power series. Thanks to all of you who have gotten involved so far! You’ve made it a great series. But to allow for more involvement from those of you who have wanted to contribute, but haven’t yet, we will be leaving the remaining contests open for two weeks rather than one. Remember: if your caption wins, it will be drawn into the partially finished artwork you see below, and your caption + the below image will become the final artwork, on which you will be listed as an official collaborator! You will also receive, by mail, a print of the final version. Good luck! House of Cards, Season 4, Episode 2, 11:38 Title: Opposite Description: Is there ever more distance between two intimates than when they are sitting on opposite sides of a bargaining table? The discomfort between Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife … Continue reading →

We had a lot of great submissions for this one. It makes it tougher for us, but also more exciting! Congratulations this week to Aron Goossens for his Jim Morrison quote! And honorable mention goes out to JR for a Claude McKay quote. (Aron: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 7, 46:46 “You can only lose something that you have. You cannot lose something that you are.” – Jim Morrison This Jim Morrison quotes has a couple of great nuances: Can he lose his wife? Should we think of her as “something that [he has]” – or something that has become a part of him? And how much more tragic for him not to be able to lose something that he is, if who he is turns out to be pretty awful. Title: Loneliness Description: The quietest moment in the story is a poetic … Continue reading →

Congratulations this week to Maxine for her original composition! Maxine also won #7, so extra kudos to her! House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 6, 48:34 Together we can build entire empires If we only have the courage to be vulnerable, gentle and honest Title: Separation Description: In this scene, we see the vast space between Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright). Their marriage-cum-political alliance is at its breaking point. Is there, for either of them, any difference between self-preservation, strategic power play, and true courage? Next piece up tomorrow! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, or review the project over at the previous post here.

House of Cards, Season 3, episode 6, 48:34 Title: Separation Description: In this scene, we see the vast space between Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright). Their marriage-cum-political alliance is at its breaking point. Is there, for either of them, any difference between self-preservation, strategic power play, and true courage? Readers, please help us by supplying a caption for this image! As a reminder, the winning caption will be hand-drawn into the blank space below the image. The reader who supplies the winning caption will receive a signed print and be named an official collaborator for this piece. Submit captions below in the comments! Contest closes Saturday at noon (US, EST). Winner announced Sunday. Next piece up in one week! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, review the details of it at the previous post here, or see previous posts in this series here.

Congratulations this week to John for his Shakespeare quote! (John: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 3 “I will be satisfied. Deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know.” – Shakespeare, Macbeth Title: Halo Description: The US Presidency, depicted here in its symbolism and drama. After a frustrating negotiation with the Russian president, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) takes a stand. In this image, we are invited to see Frank as a kind of savior. Or is it just the American people who are invited to do so, while we viewers see through the smoke and mirrors to his true character? Next piece up tomorrow! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, or review the project over at the previous post here.

House of Cards, Season 3, episode 3 Title: Halo Description: The US Presidency, depicted here in its symbolism and drama. After a frustrating negotiation with the Russian president, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) takes a stand. In this image, we are invited to see Frank as a kind of savior. Or is it just the American people who are invited to do so, while we viewers see through the smoke and mirrors to his true character? Readers, please help us by supplying a caption for this image! As a reminder, the winning caption will be hand-drawn into the blank space below the image. The reader who supplies the winning caption will receive a signed print and be named an official collaborator for this piece. Submit captions below in the comments! Contest closes Saturday at noon (US, EST). Winner announced Sunday. Next piece up in one week! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, … Continue reading →

Congratulations this week to Sharon for her Beach Boys quote! A humorous line that takes on a somewhat ominous tone in this context, thanks! (Sharon: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 3, episode 3, 10:07 “Everybody’s gone surfin’… Surfin’ U.S.A.” – Beach Boys, Surfin USA Title: Surfboard Description: Newly minted president Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) faces international matters. This image depicts his literal standoff with the Russian president, Viktor Petrov. A surfboard stands erect between them, while a funny moment takes a dark turn. Does this symbol suggest – or poke fun at – the idea that politics is a man’s world? Next piece up tomorrow! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the project website here, or review the project over at the previous post here.