Kamna Kirti
Bio
Art enthusiast. I engage with art at a deep level. I also share insights about entrepreneurship, founders & nascent technologies.
https://linktr.ee/kamnakirti
Stories (91/0)
Of Gargoyles, Chimeras and Grotesques
Who knew decorative water drains could be so fascinating? Originally crafted to prevent eroding and corrosion of cathedrals and religious buildings, Gargoyles are surrounded by myth and legacy. The idea is to gather the rainwater and throw it out, clear of the structure's wall through the snarling, gaping mouth onto the street - often on the pedestrians below.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
How Michelangelo's Slaves Were Destined to Travel France
The Rebellious Slave and Dying Slave are architectural marvels created by the maverick artist Michelangelo. These sculptures were commissioned by Pope Julis II for his architectural ensemble Tomb of Pope Julius II. But after the death of Pope Julius, the colossal tomb could never be scaled to the level the Pope wished. And the Slaves were destined to go to the King of France referred to as Louvre Slaves.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
Arnold Böcklin's 'Isle of the Dead'
Death is inevitable. A reality that unites all humans. In medieval times, the practice of reflecting the transient nature of earthy life was known as memento mori - a Latin phrase meaning 'remember that you must die.' Since time immemorial, artists have developed a universal language to explore the concepts of memento mori. Common elements include skulls, flowers, or candles to imply the persistence of time.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in Geeks
- Top Story - January 2022
The Mysterious Genital Sculptures That Adorn Britain's ChurchesTop Story - January 2022
Sheela Na Gigs are seemingly erotic stone carvings of female figures predominately found in Romanesque churches. What's special about them? Well these sculptures consist of an old disproportionate woman squatting and pulling apart her vulva, a fairly strange thing to find in a church.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in Viva
Smashing Patriarchy — One Painting at a Time
Two women are pressing a man down on a bed. One puts her fist against his right temple while the other grips his torso. Although the man tries to push the woman in the blue gown, away from his right hand, he can not defeat the combined strength of both the women. The woman in the yellow gown cuts his throat through a golden sword with no repentance on her face. The blood spurts through the bedsheet and the victim's eyes are wide open.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in Viva
Does Christianity Have a Psychedelic History?
Psilocybin mushrooms commonly referred to as magic mushrooms are naturally occurring psychoactive substances. Although psilocybin was first isolated in 1958 by Dr. Albert Hofmann, the consumption of this hallucinogenic compound is historically traced back to different cultures.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
The Breastfeeding Bearded Woman of Abruzzi
In the 21st century, the world has started embracing gender fluidity and being more sensitive in not putting a person into strict categories of female or male. The question is - if we move back in time to almost 400 years, how did the societal norms evolve in both identity and expression?
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
The Indian Royal Queens Who Promoted the World's First Vaccine
India witnessed a catastrophic outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the second wave. While the government received a lot of flak for dealing with the whole crisis, a 19th-century portrait of three women went viral as "one of the most important paintings in the history of medicine in India."
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
How Balthazar, One of the Three Kings, Who Visited Baby Jesus Became Black?
"We Three Kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, Moor and mountain, Following yonder Star." (Chorus) "O Star of Wonder, Star of Night, Star with Royal Beauty bright, Westward leading, Still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect Light."
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI
- Top Story - December 2021
Andy Warhol's Superhuman Portrayal of Fragile WomenTop Story - December 2021
A Promethean (rebelliously creative) inventor and a receptive artist. A painter who was never considered a serious artist but rather a commercial one. And an artist who radicalized the art market by erasing a concept so important to western Art: "Uniqueness" and "Originality".
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in Geeks
This 450-Year Old Painting Contains Over 100 Hidden Proverbs We Still Use Today
While scrolling through some interesting paintings, I stumbled upon a fascinating 450-year old painting that encapsulates over 100 hidden proverbs and idioms identified in the English language. Some of them are still in popular use.
By Kamna Kirti2 years ago in FYI