Aesthetics for Birds

Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Everyone

December 12, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
3 Comments

Whispers of Power #10

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.

December 11, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Whispers of Power #9 Winner

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.

December 5, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
2 Comments

Whispers of Power #9

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

December 4, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Whispers of Power #8 Winner

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.

November 27, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
3 Comments

Whispers of Power #8

House of Cards, Season 3, episode 3, 10:07 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? 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, … Continue reading

November 26, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
0 comments

Whispers of Power #7 Winner

Congratulations this week to Maxine for her original composition! (Maxine: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 2, 36:48 “To be a leader To be a liar To be honest One needs the courage to be In the limelight” Title: Conference Description: After fighting his way to the presidency, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) moves forward with his plans. Imagining a cooperative and supportive administration, he is surprised to find that they see him as a stepping stone, an intermediate solution until their next, real candidate can be elected and installed. How can he win them, and the American people, over? 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.

November 21, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
3 Comments

Whispers of Power #7

House of Cards, Season 3, episode 2, 36:48 Title: Conference Description: After fighting his way to the presidency, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) moves forward with his plans. Imagining a cooperative and supportive administration, he is surprised to find that they see him as a stepping stone, an intermediate solution until their next, real candidate can be elected and installed. How can he win them, and the American people, over? (Of course, this is not like any real life current events….) 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 … Continue reading

November 20, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Whispers of Power #6 Winner

Congratulations this week to Aron Goossens for his very fitting (and a bit scary in the context!) William Blake quote. (Aron: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 2, Episode 13 “If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite.” – William Blake Title: The Door Description: Newly sworn in President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) opens the door opens to the oval office, and for the first time, not knocking beforehand. His wife Claire (Robin Wright), who has pushed and supported him, steps back so that he can take this final step alone. New piece up tomorrow! Keep tabs on the project and contest at the dedicated project website, review the project over at the introductory post, or see previous posts in this series.

November 14, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
5 Comments

Whispers of Power #6

House of Cards, Season 2, episode 13 Title: The Door Description: Newly sworn in President Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) opens the door opens to the oval office, and for the first time, not knocking beforehand. His wife Claire (Robin Wright), who has pushed and supported him, steps back so that he can take this final step alone. 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.

November 13, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
0 comments

Whispers of Power #5 Winner

It’s been a rough week. But many submitted insightful and fitting quotes and original captions! Thanks to everyone who participated. Your thoughtful comments made it another tough choice this week. That said… Congratulations to Mathijs Demper! He gave us a great quote that sums up not only this piece, but the contemporary political landscape and all the fear and hate running rampant. This week, too, we’d like to acknowledge Noah Larsson and Daniël Klunder as runners-up. (Mathijs: Email aestheticsforbirds@gmail.com with contact details for your prize.) House of Cards, Season 2, episode 13, 18:44 “Nobody’s very big in the first place, and it looks to me like everybody spends their whole life tearing everybody else down.” – Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Title: Meeting Description: Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) meets his nemesis, Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney), in the basement of an opera house while Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is performed upstairs. After month of … Continue reading