Google’s Tribute to Paul Jackson Pollock

On the floor I am more at ease, I feel nearer, more a part of the painting, since this way I can walk around in it, work from the four sides and be literally `in’ the painting.
– Jackson Pollock, 1947

Famous influential American painter, Paul Jackson Pollock whose birthday would have been today, January 28th made it into Google’s homepage as Google pays tribute to his major contribution to the abstract expressionist movement .

What sets him apart from other painters was in later years he decided not to name his paintings anymore. Instead gave them all numbers. This makes sense because oftentimes people would view a painting based on its title and would draw emotions from there. With numbers, it is free to interpretations from anyone who views it. Pollack said of this: “…look passively and try to receive what the painting has to offer and not bring a subject matter or preconceived idea of what they are to be looking for.”  Her painter wife, Lee Krasner: also mentioned “Numbers are neutral. They make people look at a picture for what it is – pure painting.”

Born in 1912, he died at a young age of 44yo in an alcohol-related, single car crash in his Oldsmobile convertible, less than a mile from his home in Springs, New York  on August 11, 1956.

07-29-08: Happy 50th Birthday NASA!

Caught one of those tributes from Google’s homepage again. July 29, 2008 marks the 50th Anniversary of the The National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA).

“It may well be argued that NASA has become the world’s premier agent for exploration, carrying on in “the new ocean” of outer space a long tradition of expanding the physical and mental boundaries of humanity. Fifty years ago, however the agency that pushed the frontiers of aeronautics, took us to the moon, flew the space shuttle, built the International Space Station and revealed the secrets of the cosmos, was in its birth throes, and fundamental decisions were being made that profoundly shaped all that was to come.”

- Quote from 29th in a series of essays on exploration by NASA’s Chief Historian, Steven J. Dick

Here’s to 50 years of exploration and discoveries into the unknown. Here’s to 50 times 50 times 50 more!!