Paris von Gütersloh

One of Schiele's most stunning portraits is that of fellow painter Paris von Gütersloh.

To some, the symbolism can appear somewhat unsubtle. Von Gütersloh's portraint screams out his identity: in the hands which he holds up as the tools of his trade, and the vibrant colours which surround him.

But this is a Schiele painting. The hands bear Schiele's signature touches (pained, crooked, tormented, tortured, torturing) and the colours are not just any old paint, but burning yellow that surrounds him like a midday sun, rivaling Van Gogh's own yellow obsession.

Even Schiele can take these simple signifiers of paint and hands and transform them.

US film-maker Roy Allen has recently put together a short film on what might have happened on the day of the portrait. Watch below.

The Portrait from Roy Allen on Vimeo.

The Edifice Complex

Yesterday, I read about a 394-metre glass phallus that has just been cleared for construction in the middle of that Russian jewel St Petersburg. It's going to be Gazprom's new pad (here).

But what the oligarchs of today are building, the leaders of the past have already built.

Looking at this, I recalled a couple of fascinating examples of architectural megalomania.

First up Lenin



And then this aria-singer on an oil field.



And lest we forget the heinous dictator of sweetcorn. Truly heinous.

Colombia on your doorstep

Go to this. That's an order.

More Italy, More England

Affaritaliani and Lestaret have a few things to say.

And I agree with all of them.

Italian wisdom

A thoughtful blog posting and subsequent conversation on the PoV in Italy by some people clearly well-versed in art.

Click here to see Lankelot.eu

A Slice of Culture?

Fancy a Slice of Culture? A Slice of Life? Well, then you'd do as well to pop by here.

A new blog on all things cultural by colleague and cultural firebrand Anna Jenkinson. Have a look. Go on. I dare you.

Viennese musings

Sylvia Petter, an Australian writer based in Vienna and the author of Back Burning, has just published this review of the PoV. She certainly knows a thing or two about Vienna.

Have a look at her blog Merc's World here. And there is more on Back Burning here.

Pictures (in colour) & Words (in Italian)

In Italy I met a delightful anglophile called Marilia Piccone, who interviewed me for the WUZ.it. In a bit of role reversal, I reckon it was more stimulating and engaging for the interviewee (me) than the interviewer (her)!

Not only has she written a review (here), but she's also published the interview (here) complete with a great choice of Schiele's works.

The Best Day of My Life

A new anthology entitled "The Best Day of My Life" has just hit the shelves. It brings together a load of short stories by people like Phil "The Power" Taylor, Mike Gayle and Sophie Kinsella talking about - unsurprisingly - the best days of their lives were.

For a sneak preview, click here and you can read the moving story by James Corden (from Gavin and Stacey).

It's all for charity (The Sporting Chance Foundation), so put your hand in your pocket. Go on.

Also included are James Crossley (formerly 'Hunter' off Gladiators) and little me.

Caught in a spam filter

Once again I've been caught in an email spam-filter... I should perhaps avoid inflammatory titles in the future.

Google is an unforgiving mistress.

Have a look at the Stuck in a Book blog.