Jean-Paul Riopelle, Pavane, 1954

From the National Gallery of Canada: Jean Paul Riopelle was one of the most ambitious artists of the group “Les Automatistes”. The artist applied paint directly to the surface of the canvas using a palette knife, blending each mark in a free, abstract and automatic gesture. Space is created by the relationships of colours as they intersect or lay in close proximity to each other. This creates an animated surface, with some colours receding and some dancing forward. This monumental triptych was first exhibited in Canada in 1963 as part of the artist’s retrospective at the National Gallery of Canada, and its title refers to a Spanish dance that originated in the 16th century. The dance incorporates a stately and processional rhythm, which is captured in the energy and movement of this painting.

Jean-Paul Riopelle, Untitled, 1953

From the National Gallery of Canada: Inspired by his admiration for Claude Monet’s waterlily paintings, Riopelle, by spray painting the colours, captures the water’s properties of transparency and infinite depth as well as its shimmering surface. India ink, applied in daubs and dripping lines, replicates the effect of the waterlilies which float on the surface and whose tendrils penetrate the liquid colour. This drawing is an important new direction in the artist’s work which will lead him to his masterworks such as “Pavane” 1954.

Animals in the Womb

They may grow to be very different beasts, but these breathtaking images reveal how surprisingly similar the beginning of life can be for the animal kingdom. Captured using revolutionary four-dimensional imaging technology and anatomically accurate models, scientists have managed to shed light on the world of mammals inside the womb. As diverse a bunch as they are - elephant, dog, dolphin and penguin are all shown united by their similar stages of development. Scientists captured the images for a National Geographic Documentary called ‘Animals in the Womb’. The images were also used on a Channel 4 documentary ‘Animals in the Womb’ which aired in 2009. They were created by using a combination of ultrasound scans, computer graphics and small cameras -as well as some carefully created models- to document the animals’ development from conception to birth, and give an unparalleled glimpse into a world that few of us would ever expect to see. [via dailymail.co.uk]

R.I.P Neil Armstrong

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