The Lonely Palette - podcast cover

The Lonely Palette

Tamar Avishaiwww.thelonelypalette.com
Welcome to The Lonely Palette, the podcast that returns art history to the masses, one painting at a time. Each episode, host Tamar Avishai picks a painting du jour, interviews unsuspecting museum visitors in front of it, and then dives deeply into the object, the movement, the social context, and anything and everything else that will make it as neat to you as it is to her. For more information, visit thelonelypalette.com | Twitter @lonelypalette | Instagram @thelonelypalette.
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Episodes

Bonus - Artists of Camberville interviews Tamar Avishai

On July 29, 2019 (the day after the birth of my son!), host and producer Danielle Monroe posted this interview we had recorded the week before for her podcast "Artists of Camberville." This was one of best conversations I've ever had about the origins of "The Lonely Palette" and the trials and tribulations of art-viewing, meaning-making, script-writing, audio podcasting about the visual, and, like, a little bit about The Bachelorette. Enjoy! 00:10: Introduction. 00:41: Laying the groundwork for ...

Aug 09, 201933 min

Ep. 40 - Frida Kahlo's "Dos Mujeres (Salvadora y Herminia)" (1928)

See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…-dos-mujeres Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, “Jat Poure,” “Li Fonte,” “Clouds at the Gap,” “Master,” “When the Guests Have Left,” “Curiously and Curiously,” “Thread Ceylon,” “Gondola Blue” Tinpan Orange, “Song for Frida Kahlo” Support the show: www.patreon.com/lonelypalette Episode sponsors: www.thegreatcourses.com/lonely www.visualartspassage.com/palette Host...

Jul 19, 201938 minEp. 46

Ep. 39 - Rembrandt van Rijn's "Portrait of Aeltje Uylenburgh" (1632)

It isn't 17th century Dutch art if we're not going so deeply into Rembrandt's soul and so close to the meticulous details of his virtuosic portraiture that we make the guards nervous. See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…enburgh-1632 Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, “Lovers Hollow” “Tailrunner,” “Entwined Oddity,” “Lupi,” “Thannoid,” “Camp Fermin” Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show!...

Jun 07, 201932 minEp. 45

TLP Interview with Dan Byers, Director of Harvard's Carpenter Center

Tamar met Dan when she was a worshipful high school freshman and he was (to her) an übercool junior who was not only the arts editor of Thoughtprints, the school's art/lit mag, but also spent his free time in the fine art studio, bending the charcoal like Beckmann. Now he's the Director of the Carpenter Center of Visual Arts at Harvard University, she's an art history podcaster, and they reconnected in the Busch-Reisinger galleries in front of Max Beckmann's "Self-Portrait in a Tuxedo" from 1927...

Apr 05, 201923 minEp. 44

Ep. 38 - Wassily Kandinsky's "Untitled" (1922)

The later work of Russian ex-pat turned German Expressionist turned indispensable Bauhaus faculty member Wassily Kandinsky is a lot like the Bauhaus itself: a disparate collection of pieces parts that ends up assembling itself into a transparent, efficient, powerfully cohesive, form-follows-function whole. This episode was a collaboration with WBUR's Radio Open Source: check them out at radioopensource.org, and listen to their show on the Bauhaus Centennial on April 11, 2019 at 9:00pm EDT on 90....

Mar 29, 201931 minEp. 43

Ep. 37 - Ansel Adams' "The Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming" (1942)

Let's explore America the Beautiful, the Complicated, and the Contradictory, where a purple mountain has no sense of its own majesty, through the lens of the quintessential dorm room poster photographer Ansel Adams. See the images: http://www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/2019/3/8/episode-37-ansel-adams-the-tetons-and-snake-river-grand-teton-national-park-wyoming-1942 Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, “Vibrant Cano...

Mar 15, 201931 minEp. 42

Ep. 36 - Behold the Monkey

The fruits of the Second Annual Year-End Patreon Listener Challenge has us staring directly into the cold dead eyes of the beast! How could this restoration of a forgotten 19th century Spanish fresco have gotten so grotesquely botched, and what does it tell us about the challenges of art restoration, religious iconography, and iconoclasm? And more importantly, Jesus, why do you look like a shark? See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…-restoration Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Dj...

Jan 31, 201940 minEp. 41

TLP Interview with Cecilia Vicuña, Poet & Artist

On October 10, 2018, both the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Cecilia Vicuña herself were generous enough to give me the opportunity to take a few moments away from the installation of "Disappeared Quipu" and interview Vicuña. We talked about bridging the masculinity of Land Art and the femininity of Fiber Art, the origins of Vicuña's life as an artist, and how her own awareness has evolved throughout her career. Support the show! http://www.thelonelypalette.com/2018listenerchallenge Hosted by ...

Dec 16, 201819 minEp. 40

Ep. 35 - Cecilia Vicuña's "Disappeared Quipu" (2018)

Thick woolen knots, suspended from the ceiling, alive with projections and immersed in sound. You might not realize that Chilean artist Cecilia Vicuña has woven together your awareness of your own awareness, but maybe you just needed some help translating it. See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…d-quipu-2018 Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, “The Face of the Thrush”, “We Build With Rubber Bands”, “...

Dec 16, 201832 minEp. 39

Ep. 34 - Dance Dance Revolution

We're trying a little something different today: what happens when Disney scares the pants off you as a kid, and then, in mining the roots of your existential dread, you realize that Henri Matisse and Igor Stravinsky both had their pants scared off too, and that explains a whole heck of a lot about early 20th century modernism? Let's find out together. See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…e-revolution Music used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir B...

Nov 15, 201842 minEp. 38

Ep. 33 - Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Desired Moment" (c. 1770)

Powder those wigs and ungird those loins: today we're diving deep into the curves, pastels, and licentious yearnings of a ridiculously saucy little style known as Rococo. See the Images: http://www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/2018/9/8/episode-33-jean-honor-fragonard-the-desired-moment-c-1770 Music Used: Django Reinhardt, “Django’s Tiger” The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, “Mknt”, “The Big Ten”, “Vernouillet”, “Swapping Tubes”, “Line Etching”, “Fern and Andy” J...

Sep 14, 201830 minEp. 37

Ep. 32 - René Magritte's "The Son of Man" (1964)

Ever have a day when you just feel a little... blocked? Well, sure as God made little green apples, Surrealist René Magritte feels you. See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…-of-man-1964 Music used: Django Reinhardt, "Django's Tiger" The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Roundpine", "Borough", "Building The Sled", "Rate Sheet", "Lick Stick", "Pull Beyond Pull" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Sponsors: www.danasaylor.com/retreat www.thegreatcourses...

Aug 29, 201829 minEp. 36

Ep. 31 - Hiroshi Sugimoto's "Byrd Theater, Richmond, 1993" (1993)

Trying to capture time in art is like trying to pin a wave upon the sand or hold a moonbeam in your hand. So leave it to Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto to do it so effectively by taking us to the Golden Age of Cinema. "Seeking Stillness" is on view at the MFA, Boston until September 3, 2018. See the images: www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes/201…nd-1993-1993 Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Cash Cow", "Aourourou", "A Little Powder", "Delici...

Jul 13, 201832 minEp. 35

Ep. 30 - Donatello's "Madonna of the Clouds" (c. 1425-1435)

Join the OG Ninja Turtle as he guides you into the Renaissance by way of an exquisite tour of heaven. See the images. Music Used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" Lobo Loco, "Piano Cora Theme" The Blue Dot Sessions, "UpUpUp and Over", "Slow Line Stomp", "Lakeside Path", "Perspiration", "Threads and Veils", "Moon Bicycle Theme" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

May 31, 201826 minEp. 34

Ep. 29 - Egon Schiele's "Nude Self-Portrait" (1910)

Welcome to the cult of the punk: where the skin is flayed, the contortions are twisty, and the struggle is real. So why can't we get enough? See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen"The Blue Dot Sessions, "Taoudella", "Fifteen Street", "Smooth Stone", "Scraper", "Then A Gambling Problem", "Warm Fingers", "Chrome and Wax" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Apr 27, 201830 minEp. 33

Ep. 28 - Yoko Ono's "Cut Piece" (1964)

Yoko Ono. You may have heard of her. She hooked up with that musician that time. Just under the wire, we end Women's History Month with a peek beneath Ono's art and reputation - and why we need to reconsider both. See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Plaster Combo", "Valantis", "Strange Dog Walk", "Hundred Mile", "Down at the Bank"" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hos...

Mar 30, 201828 minEp. 32

Ep. 27 - Roy Lichtenstein's "Ohhh... Alright..." (1964)

Can a comic strip be elevated to fine art? Or is Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein just plain dotty? See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Le Marais", "The Molerat", "Lemon and Melon", "Via Verre", "Lord Weasel", "Entrap" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data...

Mar 07, 201825 minEp. 31

Bonus - Keepers of the Culture (Live Event at the PRX Podcast Garage)

In this special episode, we listen to the audio from the live event at the PRX Podcast Garage, "Keepers of the Culture: A Celebration of Meduna and Holmes," which I had the privilege of participating in at the end of January. In it I chat with collage artist Ekua Holmes, play her some audio I produced on her work, and then we listen to art historian Barry Gathier give the curator talk to end all curator talks on art, artists, viewers, and why we do what we do. Special thanks to PRX, the PRX Podc...

Feb 15, 201837 minEp. 30

Ep. 26 - C.M. Coolidge's "Dogs Playing Poker" (1903)

Your Listener Patreon Challenge has been accepted! And now, let's dive together into kitsch: the frequency low enough for us all to hear. See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Rose Ornamental," "Flattered," "Arizona Moon," "Laser Focus," "Alchemical," "Two in the Back," "Maisie Dreamer," "Gullwing Sailor," "Maldoc" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, ...

Feb 15, 201837 minEp. 29

Ep. 25 - Mission: Mona Lisa

Our lady of the hour, muse of Dan Brown, satisfier of bucket lists, those eyes, that smile, La Gioconda, El Hefe. Just in time for the holidays, we bring you a super-sized episode on a super-sized love affair with a dinky little portrait. See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Tar and Spackle", "Welcome Home Sonny", "Caprese", "Tiny Putty", "Festering", "Inamorata", "Sunset at Sandy Isle", "Spins and Never Falls" Nat King Cole, "Mona Lis...

Dec 22, 201748 minEp. 28

Ep. 24 - Meditations on Mark Rothko

Whether you think Mark Rothko is the portal to spiritual transcendence or emotional-ambulance-chasing bunk, let's take the necessary time to explore his work without feeling like our souls are at stake. See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "A Simple Blur", "Thematic", "Cases to Rest", "Plate Grayscale", "Drone Thistle," "Sage the Hunter" Dar Williams, "Mark Rothko Song" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a pat...

Nov 21, 201730 minEp. 27

Ep. 23 - Umberto Boccioni's "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" (1913)

At the intersection of past and future sits a pack of hormonal dudes punching each other and making beautiful art. See the images. Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" Podington Bear, "Kaleidoscope" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Chase and We Follow", "The Telling", "Trelaga", "Thirteens" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

Oct 31, 201724 minEp. 26

Bonus - Introducing Hub & Spoke (by way of Soonish)

The Lonely Palette is thrilled to announce that we're a founding member of Hub & Spoke, a brand spanking new collective of Boston-centric, idea-driven podcasts. To kick things off, we're proud to present an episode of Soonish, the podcast about the future, hosted by veteran technology journalist Wade Roush. This episode, "Can Technology Save Museums?" not only asks some important questions about the future of art museums, but features me telling The Lonely Palette's origin story (spoiler: I ...

Oct 25, 201738 minEp. 25

Ep. 22 - Jasper Johns' "Target" (1961)

Ceci n'est pas un target, and other bewildering and profound pronouncements by conceptual neo-Dadaist (with abstract Pop Art sensibilities) Jasper Johns. See the images Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Soothe", "Helado", "Chapel Donder", "The Summit" Jason Leonard, "Ritual Six" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...

Sep 27, 201723 minEp. 24

Ep. 21 - Mary Cassatt's "In the Loge" (1878)

So. It appears that art history has a woman problem. See the images Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Waterborne", "Pat Dog", "Partly Sage", "Illway", "Turning to You", "Horizon Liner", "Soothe" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees” Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Sep 05, 201727 minEp. 23

Ep. 20 - Henryk Ross's Photographs of the Lodz Ghetto (1940-44)

In this special episode, we look at the exhibition Memory Unearthed: Henryk Ross’s Photographs of the Lodz Ghetto , and explore the Lodz ghetto specifically, Holocaust photography more generally, and the role our need for a good story has played in shaping our understanding of both. Memory Unearthed was on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston until July 30, 2017. See the images. Music Used: The Blue Dot Sessions, "Doghouse", "Drone Pine", "Drone Birch", "3rd Chair", "Our Fingers Cold" Support...

Jul 04, 201725 minEp. 22

Ep. 19 - Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Compassion (Song Dynasty, 12th c. CE)

Take a load off as you relax into this Song Dynasty masterpiece. You're going to be here for a while. See the images Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Masonry", "Exceter Lask", "Hickory Interlude", "Copper Halls", "Feathering", "Inside the Paper Crane", "Doghouse" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees” Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Jun 13, 201723 minEp. 21

Ep. 18 - JMW Turner's "The Slave Ship" (1840)

Because it's hard to look directly into the sun. Or yourself. See the images Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Sunday Lights", "Town Market", "Rapids", "Liptis", "Ballast", "Masonry" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees” Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

May 23, 201723 minEp. 20

Ep. 17 - Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917)

On the occasion of its hundredth birthday, we dive into the art world's greatest joke (splash!). See the images Music Used: Podington Bear, "A1 Rogue", "In My Head" The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "In The Back Room", "Rafter", "FasterFasterBrighter", "Nesting", "Lamplist" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees” Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our c...

Apr 18, 201727 minEp. 18

Ep. 16 - Vincent Van Gogh's "Postman Joseph Roulin" (1888)

You've just had a manic break, cut off a piece of your ear, and gifted it to a prostitute. Who ya gonna call? Your get-a-grip postman friend, of course! See the image Music used: The Andrews Sisters, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" The Blue Dot Sessions, "Step In Step Out", "Scratcher", "Over the Fence", "Scalloped", "On Belay" Lee Rosevere, "Curiosity" Joe Dassin, “Les Champs-Elysees” Podington Bear, "A1 Rogue" Support the show by becoming a patron or by just sending us a tip . Hosted by Simplecast, a...

Mar 29, 201722 minEp. 17
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