In the fourth season premiere episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a group of vampires steal a poster from a freshman dorm room. They then take bets on whether it will be a Monet or a Klimt; it turns out to be the latter, and is added to a collection of Waterlilies and Kisses. The lead vampire’s response? "Freshmen. They’re so predictable." 

I’ve always been both amused and annoyed by this scene. On one hand, it is a pretty accurate description of dorm art. On the other, it pokes fun at two of my favorite artists. I too have a large print of Monet’s waterlilies, which I purchased more than 10 years ago at a fantastic Monet exhibit at the New Orleans Musem of Art. I also have a framed Klimt print, but it isn’t The Kiss. It’s Expectation, which seems to be a far less popular work. My husband doesn’t like it, so my copy is in storage in the attic, but I think it’s a beautiful, fascinating piece. Ever wanted to know more about Gustav Klimt? Here’s a short bio, courtesy of Grove Art Online:

Klimt, Gustav

(b Baumgarten, nr Vienna, 14 July 1862; d Vienna, 6 Feb 1918).
Austrian painter and draughtsman. A leading exponent of Art Nouveau, Klimt is considered one of the greatest decorative painters of the 20th century. His depictions of the femme fatale and his drawings treating the theme of female sexuality have assured him a place in the history of erotic art. He is remembered for his role in the formation of the Vienna Secession, the radical group of Austrian artists of which he became the first president in 1897, and also for the frequent scandals and protests that marked his later career. These contrast strikingly with the public and official approval that marked him out as a young artist of promise, even before he graduated from the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule in 1883.

Sarah McLachlan, Do What You Have to Do

What ravages of spirit
Conjured this temptuous rage
Created you a monster
Broken by the rules of love
And fate has lead you through it
You do what you have to do
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do …And I have the sense to recognize that
I don’t know how to let you go
Every moment marked
With apparitions of your soul
I’m ever swiftly moving
Trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
But I have the sense to recognize

That I don’t know how
To let you go
I don’t know how
To let you go

A glowing ember
Burning hot
Burning slow
Deep within I’m shaken by the violence
Of existing for only you

I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
And I have sense to recognize but
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go

Fiona Apple, The First Taste

I lie in an early bed, thinking late thoughts
Waiting for the black to replace my blue
I do not struggle in your web, because it was my aim to get caught
But daddy longlegs, I feel
That I am finally growing weary
Of waiting to be consumed by youGive me the first taste, let it begin
Heaven cannot wait forever
Darling, just start the chase
I’ll let you win
But you must make the endeavor

Oh, your love give me a heart contusion
Adagio breezes fill my skin with sudden red
Your hungry flirt borders intrusion
I’m building memories on things we have not said
Full is not heavy as empty, not nearly my love, not nearly my love, not nearly

Give me the first taste
Let it begin
Heaven cannot wait forever
Darling, just start the chase
I’ll let you win
But you must make the endeavor

Today I’m debuting a new category on themodernista: artbeat. This category will be for discussing art, reviewing art,  looking at artist’s bios, and occasionally debuting my own work, when I feel I’ve done something worthwhile. Today’s feature is Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse. I’ve loved this work ever since I was a child and stumbled upon it in a Greek mythology encyclopedia. Years later, while I was at college, there was a little vendor at the student union selling prints, and I managed to pick up a copy. It’s small, but beautifully matted and framed, and currently on display in my living room. All of Waterhouse’s works have this beautiful, dreamy quality; to me his work is visual poetry. If you’re not familiar with his work, I highly suggest you check it out and then come back and let me know what you think.

This is my favorite time of year. Tra-la-la-la-la. Pretty leaves, crisp weather, and lots of parties: birthdays, anniversary, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas…it’s so much fun. This week I’m going to a concert AND the symphony.