When "ART" Makes an UGLY POLITICAL STATEMENT ~ CREATIVE ARTS THURSDAY/FRIDAY
At yesterday's, violent, destructive, illegal storming of the U.S. Capitol Building, this at the behest of Donald Trump, among other things, were examples of "functional art" that made political, ideological statements. Note the "Camp Auschwitz" t-shirt worn by the white-resentment, "patriot" in the photo.
For those not familiar with Auschwitz reference, indeed, IT WAS A CAMP.
ONE OF HITLER's CONCENTRATION CAMPS which, in total, were responsible for the extermination of 6 MILLION JEWISH MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN!
Here's another Trump/Proud Boys fashion statement, namely, on a Proud Boys T-Shirt, "6MWNE" -- meaning, "6 MILLION (JEWS MURDERED BY HITLER) WASN'T NEARLY ENOUGH".
"ART" isn't always about beauty or piety or other themes deemed worthy of portraying. Still, at times it must be seen, if for no other reason than to make us aware of the danger and ugliness of which some of us are capable, and, to galvanize against ugly ideologies.
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This is NOT a political article nor a political discussion. What's posted above is my commentary about a "dark side" of "ART," be it through representations via imagery, statuary, literature, music, or, any other artistic medium.
Post whatever creativity you care to share, the subject matter is not limited by what I post atop any article.
Well since Naziism in Germany was mentioned ( Auschwitz) here are some photos of Nazism in the U.S:
An enormous portrait of George Washington hangs alongside swastika banners and American flags at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1939 during the German American Bund's Pro American Rally. Field of Vision
Just found the video:
German American Bund Camp youth salute Hindenburg in Griggstown, New Jersey. # Bettmann Archive / Getty
"Common Purpose": Hitler Meets Grand Mufti of Jerusalem
Henry Ford receiving the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Nazi officials, 1938
If I recall correctly, that is the Bund that Trumps' Father joined and was a spy for Germany during WWII. After the war ended his Father became involved with the local Mafia, and learned all their tactics in dealing with people to enable them to get their way. Fred in turn taught his Son, Donald all of these tactics.
These tactics we see in how Donald deals with people and how he manipulates, and/or threatens them, in order to achieve his agenda. And death of others has no meaning to him. To him they are merely disposable goods to gaining what he wants. We saw that in the attack on the Capitol bldg. where his loyal supporters put their lives on the line in order to do his bidding.
So Trump is not totally insane, as he is also very clever in the way he manipulates people to do his dirty work for him, and also able to appear innocent.
Maybe he's not TOTALLY insane, but he is insane enough to deny the result of the election, try to change the Georgia vote result, incite insurrection and think that he is entitled. I think he's insane enough to be a danger as POTUS not only to the USA but to the world, and should be impeached even if the process goes beyond the inauguration because I believe it will mean that he will be barred from being POTUS again, since he's been setting himself up to run again in 2024. If he isn't insane, he's the most nefarious POTUS America has ever had and probably ever will have.
I totally agree. And he ain't done yet. His pretense of being willing to help Biden in his transition is nothing but a lie, as is his all submissive and all humble like statement that he accepts Biden as the next lawful President.
His ego and vindictiveness will not let him simply walk away. He has something planned for the 20th that will be much more than the attack on the Capitol bldg. And I feel uneasy for the lives of both Biden and Harris.
As we see. His nice guy act only lasted a day and he is now back to his vindictive and vengeful self.
And I feel the reason he will not be going to Biden's inauguration is that he has plans already made for more violence that day that he wants to be sure he is out of harms way when it goes down, and he can try again to let his rabid supporters take the blame again do the jail/prison time while he is again in hiding.
BTW, very happy to see you here; please consider being here regularly.
I fully understand where you are coming from, Mac. I am sure that America will never forget what happened on January 6, 2021, a day that will live forever in our history.
However, though I am deeply hurt by the actions against our Democracy, incited and continued encouragement of a person, I can't call him a man, who has no respect for the fact that he holds the highest office in our country, much less, for America itself, I will not dwell on that event, as the laws of our country and the Constitution will take care of those responsible when I, as an individual can't.
Thus, I will instead do all I can to help heal our country and our people by supporting those who are in a position to do what needs, and is required, to be done.
I will pick myself up and move on to do what I can to raise the morale of our people, and my own.
An image I took at a rally in 2018...
As soon as I read that sign my mind told me the feeling is mutual.
The Civil Rights Movement - street protests. This video does a better job than any other I've seen of capturing exactly what it was like during protests during The Civil Rights Movement in the South in the 60's.
(Note; Before going out on a march,participants had training in non-violence-- how to restrain from fighting back. Also if you were down on the ground, to roll up in a fetal position to protect your eyes and vital organs from kicks, blows from baseball bats, etc.
You can easily watch the video by clicking on "Watch On Youtube".
BLM protest in D.C. Compare that to what the response was by the Capitol Police yesterday.
Reminds me a little of Jack Nicholson in the Shining.
”HONEY ... I’M HOME!”
I don’t even know what to say about this freak.
One word ...CINO. It is easy to spot them. We have a couple right here on NT.
COVID pandemic on the Navajo Nation. Elders, alone, afraid, and with little or no help from the federal government.
My heart weeps.
My heart is breaking. All they are trying to do is live. They are not trying to take over America. They just want to live. Just like so many other Americans. And they ARE Americans. And it is time they were accepted as such.
Have courage my friends. Human decency and kindness which you both reflect in bucket loads will see you all through. You live in one of the greatest countries there is and every country has its trials. It is like life with its many ups and downs.
Currently I am in St Vincent's having my cancer treatment. There are people younger and older than me from all walks of life. Each facing their own private battles with this dreaded disease .
When I saw the rioting ferals my first thought was you stupid bloody idiots. Yep make a mess get your ten minutes of fame and then crawl back under your rocks from where you came. Even your wonderful leader has now hung you all out to dry...even he realises he has gone to far but to late now.
I have a calm feeling about the USA... knowing the quiet strength of its people courage when needed and above all a compassion for your country.
You have faced worse in the past and you will face worse in the future as no doubt we will to.
But for the moment slow and steady as you go... remember...life is full of shadows but it is the sunshine that makes them all.
Peace....
There will be no hole that they can hide in. The FBI and every Law Enforcement in the country are looking for them.
To quote the great Joe Louis (heavyweight boxing champion) You can run but you can't hide.
Thank you for your very kind and encouraging words, shona. It is true that America and its people have faced much greater devastating and dangerous circumstances that has taken the loves of many of our people over the many years. And we will overcome this evil attempt to overthrow our government to satisfy the egotistical and evil person who is not satisfied that he has had to honor to serve our country as its President for 4 years, but, thinks he should be dictator with unending tenure like his idol Putin.
For his to realize that he can not do so, is more than his ego and arrogant self can tolerate or accept. To incite the aggressive and dangerous mob to do what they did on January 6, 2021 is beyond any kind of acceptance or forgiveness, and he should have to pay full price for what he has done, as well as his obedient instigators.
However, we will have to have time to come to terms with what has happened in our country, and let out hearts and minds do some healing before we can take some deep breaths. And that will come as we move on to the important job of getting the COVID-19 under control. And to get our country back on its feet again. And we will, as of January 20th, have the opportunity to do just that.
The Creator has heard our pleas and has Blessed us with a new leader who will help us put our lives back together again.
Thank you very much for your heartfelt support.
For me, that image evokes feelings of isolation and loneliness.
May the Creator grant peace to those who have now moved on to the next steps of their own eternal journey. Their only desire here on their land, was to live a happy life......
A very effective image - you can virtually feel his emotion.
Thanks Buzz. I'm glad that you can feel what his heart is saying.
A picture is worth a thousands words … and sometimes changes one's destiny …
May the Bird of Paradise visit his head and leave a long lasting calling card courtesy of Trump as an expression of his 'love.'
I would like to see a lot more than that happen to him.
I could be a lot more graphiac than that, G, but, that is not who I am, and I will not fall into their level if slime and feces. So I took the higher road.
What they have coming, and those like them, will be decided ultimately by one much higher who does not have to worry about the road they take. And it will be the just one.
What a disgusting POS.
Agree. His shirt says all there is to be known about him.
I saw that picture earlier today and it made me wonder if he isn't an organizer/co-ordinator of the insurrection. I would bet that he is. By the way, the back of his hoodie says: Staff
Here are some real creeps. This photo was from Twitter: "I asked these guys if Civil War was what they wanted. 'Yes', they replied."
They'll want civil war until a governor sends out the National Guard with flamethrowers, giving one "DISPERSE" order, which, if ignored, BRINGS THE HEAT!
I'm sure they're real tough guys.
I think their smug smiles would quickly change if a members of the SWAT Team were to put their gun to necks of these these 'brave' Civil Warriors.
These are real patriots and warriors. Members of the 101st Airborne just before their jump into Normany on D Day. Many would not survive. The ''wannabe tough guys'' should hang their heads in shame. They are nothing but punks.
If they were real American patriots or they would not be doing what they are doing. They are nothing but traitors who are trying to overthrow America. That is not what real Patriots do, it is what idiots, morons and traitors do. So what they are trying to make people think of what great Americans they are, they are only proving beyond a doubt they are traitors. And should be made to pay the price as such.
Anon g..Until you get one on their own and they turn into the little sniveling cowards they are.. you mob over there will be right . On that I have no doubt..
Trump just threw these guys and the rest of the mob he sent to breach the Capitol, under the proverbial bus! They are the latest "suckers and losers"!
Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and, Stephen Miller, Trump's architect of separating families and caging children at the southern border, ARE JEWISH! Given the opportunity, among the insurrectionists (like the one shown above), are those who would kill them without hesitation.
He needs either to be effectively re-educated or given a lobotomy.
They tied Hose to a sapling and laid kindling at his feet. As the flames began to lick, first they cut off his left ear, then his right. Next they cut the skin off his face, hacked off his fingers, slashed his legs and opened up his stomach to pull out his entrails. They did so slowly, meticulously, so as to ensure that he remained conscious throughout.
Then they poured oil on the fire and watched him burn. The crowd, which included many women and children, looked as though it was having great fun. The only disappointment, as Wells’s investigation noted, was that the black man declined to give the participants the pleasure of hearing him beg for mercy. He never once cried out. His only utterance was a quiet groan: “Oh, Lord Jesus,” he said.
When it was all over, children and adults scrabbled among his remains for relics to be later cherished or sold, including his charred liver and bones.
I will be posting uplifting images later tonight. But this was necessary IMO.
This was absolutely necessary.
In the field of Metaphysics, there is a truism:
That which you resist.persists.
Perhaps a better known way of saying that (was prevalent in popular culture a while back-- I don't know if it still is) is:
The only way out is through...
I agree. We cannot free our Spirit until we have freed our heart. I have now come to that point
One to move into Friday...
A Spirit Pony, to guide and protect its Warrior.
These days Americans could use the help of Spirit Guides. The only movie that I can recall a Spirit Guide was in was "17 Again" but it was in the form of a janitor. Interestingly enough, God took the form of a janitor in the movie "Bruce Almighty", but I digress.....
Spirit Guides are a very important part of Native American beliefs and Traditions. There are Spirit Guides and Spirit Totems, which are given to us when we are born. Unlike Spirit Guides that change as we age, Spirit Totems are part of us for life, and play a large part in our daily lives.
We have Spirit Guides when we are young, then we have new ones when we enter our teens, and again when we have reached adulthood, which is when we turn 25. And then we get new Spirit Guides as we enter new stages throughout our lives.
Our Spirit Guides also play an important part in our health, as they work to keep our hearts well, and lift our Spirits when we are feeling sad, which adds to our good health.
Also, Spirit Guides come in many forms, depending on how we live our lives.
God takes many forms-- but many are too blind to see . . .
Well in THAT movie, God took the form of Morgan Freeman.
'Tolda so!
She has a mischievious side to her nature, God does!
I posted these photos a little while ago. This seems like a good time to revisit them.
Thanks G.
Those photos help to see what America stands for.
Thanks for posting them.
I was on a tour of the White House many years ago (and the guide DID say it had been set on fire by the Brits), and very many years before that I stood in awe and read the words above Lincoln's statue. I always thought the Jefferson Memorial was very picturesque. I have spent time in Washington 3 times in my lifetime. I don't imagine many NT members have ever been to Ottawa.
What is an Ottawa?
Ask Kavike. I believe it's an Ojibwe word.
It is an Ojibwe word and it's correct spelling is Odawa and translates to trader.
I believe Toronto is also an Ojibwe word, meaning "meeting place". Am I right?
You are correct Buzz.
I have only one photo that I feel fits the mood today felt by so many, myself included.
This evening, (tomorrow morning for most of you), I will try to set aside grief and horror and post photos that are more appropriate for the wins in Georgia and the finalization of confirming Biden's victory.
I can agree with all you say, Buzz. I have railed, ranted, huffed and puffed and bled my heart out over what has been done to our country, our people, and our Democracy by what happened yesterday.
And I am truly very spent now, and it is time for me to put it all aside for now, and instead be happy about the positives that have taken place the past two days, the wins of both GA Senate run-offs, and Biden officially being declared our new President.
What ever comes next will be dealt with the same courage and determination by our people as was shown in the time of danger yesterday.
Trump so aggressively told those he deemed to be his enemies that "I WILL NEVER FORGET!"
And the American people told Trump in no uncertain terms yesterday, "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!"
As promised earlier, something more uplifting (although I can't promise more of that which I began); for now …
His Eminence, the Cardinal
© A. Mac/A.G
What a beautiful Cardinal, and an awesome shot, Mac. That looks like a nicely cut and polished diamond in its beak. Hope he don't swallow it.
It's a sunflower seed, but, it does have a gem-like quality.
Ehhh.....a sunflower seed. Humm....If I ever found a sunflower seed that looked like a shiny diamond I would never eat it, as I might be able to convince a jeweler that the shiny sunflower seed was indeed a diamond.
Very religious.
I'm going to add one more for tonight....
That colourful image, emblazoned even more by the frame, helps to rescue us from the remorse generated by the horrid events of the day. Thank you.
Thank you Buzz, I am very glad you like it. The frame was something I created for another artwork, but, decided use something else that worked better.
I had forgotten about it, and when I was going through my wood burl backgrounds I ran across it and though I would give it a try for this artwork. The various colors and patterns of the background seemed to enhance the image.
It is funny how artwork is created out of what we see in our minds eye, and the mood we are in at the time. At least that is how it works for me. (smile)
I really like that one! :^)
Something a bit strange happened. The first time I saw I I didn't see the intensity of the colours. But the nest time I looked at it I did!
After a while I realized why. The first time I was using my very, very old (backup) desktop computer, with an even older (and very poor quality) screen. The next time I logged on I was using my cellphone.
Previously I had realized the resolution of the cellphone is amazing, but I had never realized how accurate the rendition of colours are on the cellphone (especially compared to my old desktop screen).
Anyway-- a truly wonderful graphic!
Thank you very much Krishna.
I'm very glad that the colors and patterns of the background were more defined using your cellphone. I really understand how using older equipment can impact the visual quality.
I had been using a 1992 Monitor and was not aware of the poor quality it now had until it finally gave up the ghost and I had to get a new monitor.
The first time I lit of the new monitor and the desktop loaded I was really surprised how great the color was. I had always blamed the poor quality of the old monitor on my fading eyesight, so I was totally awed by how clear and bright the screen on the new one was.
Let's try to cheer things up a bit...
Creating a glass menagerie
Strike up the band
Buy a balloon
Take a ride on a bike
Check out some fun graffiti
And how about some 3 dimensional graffiti?
Here's lookin' at YOU kid
A new and better life will emerge - so CHEER UP.
A great picture story essay, Buzz. The last one is very reassuring.
A new day. Sunrise at Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
A beautiful photo of the sunset, and the reflection on the water is amazing.
We are now into Friday. Hoping everyone has a good weekend.....
My artwork for this Friday is of the 'Three Sisters'
Here is the meaning of the 'Three Sisters'....
The Three Sisters are Corn, Beans, and Squash. They are seen as the three beautiful sisters, as they grow in the same mound in the garden.
The Corn provides a ladder for the Bean Vine. Together they give shade to the Squash. The Cherokee till the mound only three times.
The Native American story of the 'Three Sisters' can vary from Tribe to Tribe.
This is a vivid symbol of the 'Three Sisters'.....
Corn Beans Squash
In Canada I had a carving of what the three sisters are, corn, beans and squash, carved out of an antler. It was delicate and beautiful, and I left it with my ex-wife along with all of our artworks (much of which was First Nations artworks) when I came to China. I'm sad that I left it behind, but very happy to see the beautiful image you created as a reminder.
Thank you very much, Buzz, I glad that it reminds you of your own artwork you remember. As I mentioned, different Tribes may have different names for the 'Three Sisters' artwork, and use various types of medium for them, but, they all represent the same thing, Corn, Beans and Squash, which are a staple food source for them.
So, the next time you go grocery shopping, stop in the produce section and say "Hi" to the 'Three Sisters'.
Hello Friday. Say hello to my pissed-off Mockingbird.
© A.Mac/A.G.
He really does look pissed off.
Is the bird feeder empty?
You called it; note the empty tray. And he's been dive-bombing the squirrels responsible.
Nope, haven't seen any birdseed. Did you check with the dog?
Don't kill it.
I wonder who got on the wrong side of this guy. Ehh....I hope it wasn't you.......
Did the Mockingbird frighten everyone away?
It is pretty scary.
A fountain at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
I admire your skill for taking extremely well composed and interesting photos from your travels. Most of my world travels took place before digital and I did not bring many of my pre-digital photos with me - they are stored back in Toronto and I might never see them again.
Thank you very much. I come from a family of artists, so that may have something to do with it. Of course, sometimes I have to take a few shots in order to get the exact composition I want.
A very lovely photo, G. It halts the water in action so that every drop is clearly visible all the way up the line. Very well done.
Thanks!
A new painting heading towards Saturday.
No Title
© A. Mac/A.G.
Really love it, Mac. Your paintings are getting more beautiful and uplifting. Very well done!
I love the setting - do you call it minimalist? Such a perfect bacground for colourful modern art. Why do I think that painting is of a peson's leg and foot stepping into the picture?
A polyreferential characteristic of abstract expressionism; viewers "see" what the shapes and negative spaces evoke to them.
Do you employ gestural abstraction techniques in your recent paintings?
I almost see a dragon's head, so that could possibly be the title: "Dragon's Head".
I see it as well, Buzz. I also see a person wearing a decorative mask looking to the right blowing on a party tweeter.
That is the beautiful part of artwork, especially, abstract artwork. The viewer can let their own imagination and minds eye decide what they see in it.
That is something I try to do in my own artwork, and why I most often don't offer information of what it is about when I first post it, as I want the viewers to have the opportunity to let their own interpretation of the artwork determine what they see in it first. Then if they need further information about it, or need clarification, I will explain what it represents.
That is most important for the kind of artwork I do, as many people are not familiar with Native American way of life, traditions, beliefs, legends, Warriors or leaders. So what I try to do is give them a glimpse into those areas. In the case of the 'Three Sisters' I posted above, I explained up front what they represented as it is a part of Native American way of life that most Non-Native Americans would likely understand.
Your paintings are a great source of stimulation of one's Imagination and of great pleasure, and I feel very honored to be able to enjoy them by your sharing them with us here in this group.
They are also an expression of yourself that you are sharing with us. (smile)
Not entirely, but minimal gestural techniques, especially when a painting is not going in what I consider, a viable direction.
I have an "outcome" in mind, but, I have yet to achieve it. To be honest, those I have posted to date, are the serendipitous "failures" that have happened on the way to where I hope tp go.
Please do continue to share your "failures" with us, as for me, they are a great source of enjoyment, and helps me open my mind to other methods and ideas.
LOL. Now that you mentioned it.....
I have a good many "failures" of my own, usually in two areas, framing and background. However, the "failures" help broaden my thinking and lets me challenge where I want to take the artwork. Sometimes it is just a matter of changing out one or the other of the two, and other times I have changed my mind completely and created an entirely different idea.
But, that is one of the fun parts of creating the artwork.
Okay, A.Mac, if you're going to keep posting your modern art, I'm going to start posting mine:
Now that is really abstract, Buzz. For me, I see a bird with a high cockscomb sittin on a small tree branch in the middle on the left.
I see a snack making its way through the grass with its head raised in the middle at the bottom.
Very nice, and thank you for sharing it with us.
....that should read "snake", not snack......( I sooo dislike my speil cehckr)
Very good. I considered this image to be a poor imitation of a Jackson Pollock. Next T/F artilcle i might post a series of such "creations" from my photos.
LOL. Since I've become a dyslexic typist lately I knew what you meant. I don't get red-lined by spell-check when I should often enough and especially when I shouldn't, i.e. when I spell words with original English, not Webster's simpler version for Americans.
I'm looking forward to them, Buzz.
I know there are some people who like to eat snake, and I have eaten some myself, so I guess some could say it is a snack. I just dislike when the spell check likes to think it knows more what I am thinking than I do.
I like that piece a lot.
Here is one for Saturday....
Two thoughts came to mind when I looked at that image.
Stand your ground
This land is mine
Thanks Buzz. You are very close to what I was going for. The image can be seen in two ways, as you say;
1. "I am a Warrior prepared to defend my country and protect my people".....
2. "I am a Warrior who has defeated the enemy, and defended my country and protected my people"....
His Spirit Guide, the Eagle, has stood beside him to protect him throughout the battle.
A very "neoclassical" approach, RW. Unlike the "romanticist" painters, classicisits represented strength and power and stability with strong horizontal and vertical compositional, rather than diagonal elements. Your image is strong, as it should be in a portrait personifying the power of an obvious warrior, even leader.
Nice work.
Thank you Mac. A Leader must set the example for their troops. He must not show weakness, fear or confusion. He must stand tall. He must stand strong. And he must do all in his power to make the right decisions to show compassion and respect for the lives of his troops. That is what I tried to represent.
I truly appreciate your view and interpretation of the artwork. It helps keep me on my toes and be more critical of my work, and how to have it mean more than just a nice picture. Thank you.
That is a remarkable comparison.
That is a fantastic work of art Raven Wing. Very impressive.
Thank you G. I'm very glad that you like it. I truly appreciate your kind words.
Posting one for Sunday and leading us into Monday.....
Well chosen and placed overlapping planes!
Thank you Mac. I am very glad you like it. This one was a challenge. The image itself is very domineering, so I had to be very careful when choosing and creating the framing so as not to over power the image and make it all much too harsh, and yet, be bold enough to enhance to image, but, also tame it down a bit.
I wanted the intensity of the primary Eagle on top to be the dominant focus at first glance, and his Mate and Chick who he is protecting to be the secondary focus in the image itself. The feather at the bottom of the image is meant to represent their nest, much of which is made up of various material including assorted and sizes of feathers.
Then the extended framing to be the balancing factor.
An excellent image - it appears ot have some far northern tribe influence, and nobody could have framed it better than you did.
Thanks Buzz. Indeed, the image is related to the artwork of the Inuit, who are aboriginal / indigenous people who live mostly in Alaska.
Notwithstanding recent events, it's necessary to....
REALX? How can I realx when the contractor can't spell?
I have seen some misspelled words on street instructions, such as "Stop Ahaed"or "Right Lane Must Trun Right". The even funnier part is that they never come back and correct the spelling, and when they come back later to repaint the fading words, they still misspell the same words, or even misspell other words but correct the first ones. And this seemed to happen no matter what I city I was in at the time.
While I found it funny, I also found it inexcusable as it could confuse children who were learning to spell.
Alllll Righty Now!!!! One more for Monday....
If only such love were a world phenomenon.
Thank you Buzz. I think most Mothers in the world show the same kind of love and devotion to their children, and see them as precious gifts from the Creator. While there are indeed some who do not show such feelings to their children, they are far fewer than those who do.
For Tuesday...
That is really beautiful, Buzz. A very wide assortment of colors, and a great story that it is telling. Very nice framing. And I like the weathered, antique look of the painting.
Very nicely done, Buzz.
Thanks, but all I did was take a photo of an ancient painting that hung in an important building. In fact I have taken many of such photos. But I have no idea what story it is telling - do you know?
Tuesday is on its way.......and it's looking for a better day;
I got the feeling when I first looked at that great image, that it was in a bubble floating towards me. For me it depicts the close relationship between a man and his horse.
Thank you, Buzz. Your first thoughts about the artwork are most interesting. I had not thought of it that way, but, I'm very glad that your imagination saw it. The female rider obviously does love her horse.
A little beauty for Wednesday
That is really a beautiful flower. So bright and full of life. And the wood framing really does enhance the picture, and lets the primary subject really stand out.
Very nicely done, Buzz.