Special Effects LegendWhile I’ve written up Ray Harryhausen in the past, with his recent passing, the special effects pioneer and genius is worth revisiting.
He leaves behind a legacy of imaginative and highly influential work (just take a look at any of his greats – I recommend Jason and the Argonauts).
I vividly remember watching his magic with my dad. He will be missed but his influence lives on in pretty much any film with special effects.
RIPFolk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.
It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)
PhotographerThe portraits by Jeanloup Sieff are iconic – in stunning black and white they are both intimate and sublime.
His editorial work is evocative and sensual. Yet, his name is not as well known as it deserves to be even as he images are instantly recognizable.
A recent publication (Sieff Fashion) and Colette gallery tie in will hopefully change that.
Sieff passed away in 2000, but his legacy is inspiring, timeless and beautiful.
RIPShocking and sad news about Tony Scott. His films entertained millions. Personally, True Romance and The Hunger are huge favorites. Huge. What a loss.
RIPIf you’ve listened to This American Life, you’re likely familiar with David Rakoff. Gentle but biting, funny yet poignant, his poems, essays, and stories we’re some of the program’s most memorable.
He passed away earlier this week after a tough battle with cancer which he spoke of frankly. It’s such a terrible loss.
I’ve been relistening to his TAL contributions all week and highly recommend them to those unfamiliar with his work.
RIPNo film student can truly claim a love for the medium if they haven’t at one point been in awe of and inspired by Chris Marker.
Of course, one wishes more film makers took away the proof that less can be more.
Marker made his two most influential films, La Jetee and San Soleil with limited budgets and technology, creating something unique and exciting through inventiveness and vision.
But vision can’t be taught and Marker was a rare gift to film.
RIPI didn’t grow up with The Jeffersons, I discovered it later in life during Nick at Night marathons (and wrote about it here). I was sad to hear of Sherman Hemsley‘s passing. He was a cultural icon and quite funny, though extremely private in his personal life. He was 74.
Graphic DesignerWhile classic graphic design just isn’t my bag (tweaning and font obsession? No thank you) I appreciate the talent of those that do it. Few artistic jobs have as much command over the world, as everyone is familiar and influenced (whether acutely aware of it or not) by graphic design.
One of the heavies in the industry is Paul Rand, who is as brilliant at logo design for major corporations (Enron and IBM are just a couple) as he is at riveting, lovely children’s books. Might as well add a recommendation for the colorful book Sparkle and Spin that Van and I have been enjoying that he made with his wife.
While Rand himself, who not only created lasting designs, but wrote several books on the subject is a huge inspiration to subsequent designers, he himself drew from Modernist artists and art philosophy.
