Livestream - Unveiling of President and Mrs. Obama's Portraits (10:00 am)

[demmiblue]

Last edited Mon Feb 12, 2018, 11:09 AM - Edit history (1)

Watch the unveiling of President and Mrs. Obama’s portraits, February 12 at 10am. The two portraits were commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Artist Kehinde Wiley—best known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings of African Americans—was selected to create President Obama’s portrait. Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, first-prize winner of the Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, was selected to paint Mrs. Obama.

http://npg.si.edu/obama-livestream

Edit for working link:

[Hortensis]

1. Today! Thanks for this must-watch, Demmiblue.

I look forward to seeing them. Kehinde Wiley's style is special, but I only know about him because the Obamas chose him. I just searched hopefully again to see his portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg but didn't find it.

(And a nice little fillip to it is knowing how much Trump'll hate it.)

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Thanks for heads-up

I donated towards that!!!

[demmiblue]

3. BRIGHT. Amy Sherald, Painter (video)

* Some visual elements are missing.

[demmiblue]

4. Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic (video)

[demmiblue]

5. Another link that has already started:

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Thank you because the SI link is not streaming correctly

[demmiblue]

8. You're welcome.

I was getting nervous when it kept refreshing, so I searched for another one.

[blaze]

9. Thanks!! nt

[kydo]

6. K&R

[malaise]

10. On CNN as well n/t

[demmiblue]

11. Thank you.

[malaise]

12. Lovely

and you're welcome.

[demmiblue]

13. I like it!

I feel like it is Christmas morning, but better because it is breaking barriers.

Gah, talking about her mom.

[Nay]

14. Uh-oh. Is it just me? Mrs. Obama's portrait doesn't look like her at all.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. It looks like her

without makeup.

[demmiblue]

16. I hope you are watching/listening to the artist discussing the piece. n/t

[Nay]

19. No, I haven't been. But I did expect a portrait of Mrs. Obama for the National Gallery

to actually look at least a little bit like her, no matter the style of the painter, especially since the artist has produced a supposedly realistic painting. I could understand why a, say, Picasso-like style of painting would not produce a likeness. I'll have to listen to the whole thing in a while.

[Hortensis]

38. I'm sure it does. Interestingly, he cast them literally in

different lights. Hers is cool and his warm, relating what he saw in them in ways that a camera does not.

[writerJT]

17. Not just you. It does not look like her.

That seems to be the overwhelming take on social media as well, at least so far. Lots of people saying it looks like the actress Kerry Washington.

[Nay]

22. Thanks. I don't feel quite so crazy now. The audience seemed taken aback, too, in

their response to the unveiling.

[writerJT]

29. These are only for the Smithsonian. The official

and more formal portraits will be in the WH.

I’ll be interested to see those.

[Nay]

34. That's good to know. They are both such beautiful people that I'd really like to see

portraits that reveal that. I like Wiley's portrait of Pres. Obama much better -- I do enjoy his style. The likeness is so much better. I got a laugh out of Obama when he said he's "got enough political problems without Wiley making him look like a Napoleon."

[woodsprite]

37. I dont think it looks like her either.

Dissapointed a bit.

[mainer]

52. Gorgeous portrait, but I agree it doesn't look like her

I do love the dress though.

[demmiblue]

18. About to reveal President Obama's portrait....

[malaise]

20. Obama can throw punches with a smile

Nice dig about the conduct of his peeps.

[demmiblue]

21. Always a cool as a cucumber. Lol!

[malaise]

25. Napoleon - Oh My!

Nice parade dig

[demmiblue]

23. Good lawd, he is cracking me up.

... not in the sister-girl way.

[malaise]

24. I love his big hands in reality and in the portrait

The short-fingered vulgarian must be pissed

I love Obama

[malaise]

27. Give thanks for your link

I am able to watch the entire ceremony and not what M$Greedia thinks I should see

[demmiblue]

31. You're welcome.

As much as I like the Obama's, I really appreciate hearing from the artists and the symbolic nature of their work.

Lol... Michelle just reminded him to give props to his mom. And he certainly is doing so!

[demmiblue]

26. Large picture of Michelle Obama's portrait:

[BumRushDaShow]

28. Thank you!

[demmiblue]

32. And President Obama's:

[BumRushDaShow]

41. And another thanks to you!

[procon]

54. Too cartoonish.

This would be a fun print to have at home where that style of tacky humor would be appreciated. It's just not what I'd expect from an official portrait in the National Portrait Gallery.

[skypilot]

36. It looks half finished.

*

[Dave Starsky]

30. Sorry, but this looks like Motel 6 art.

I've seen Wiley's art, and it's usually amazing. What the hell? Michelle's looks NOTHING like her.

Sorry to be "that guy", but Jesus. These are the two of the most photogenic people who ever occupied the White House, and this is the best he could do?

[BeyondGeography]

33. Afraid I agree

Just compare the portrait with that classic photo of Michelle in the OP.

[SharonClark]

49. It was two different artists. Michelle's portrait is especially bad.

It is so unrealistic and ugly - one might think it was commissioned by FOX.

[lunasun]

35. Thank you I was able to catch most of it enjoyed the artists as much as their works and of course

Seeing the Obamas

[Hortensis]

39. I like them! :) That something more wasn't done with Michelle's

background is a minor surprise given his style, but I feel sure they look fabulous in person.

That so much was done with Obama's background is also a surprise. I thought he'd quiet his style a bit for a president, but it does showcase him very nicely anyway.

I love the way they complement each other. They're going to own their room--and all those opening into it.

[demmiblue]

40. Michelle Obama's portrait was done by Amy Sherald.

[Hortensis]

44. Oh, well that certainly explains it. I'd read about him when

Obama chose him. I was having to deal with business during a lot of the unveiling and so you're the first to clue me in.

[demmiblue]

46. Lol!

Just an FYI, I posted a video about her up thread (if you are interested).

[Hortensis]

47. Yes, thank you. I'll go check her out.

Skinner posted a few portraits from both artists, and they both clearly delivered on what the Obamas like in their work.

[Calista241]

42. Baracks is okay, not a huge fan of either of their portraits.

Michelle’s is awful in my opinion. The portrait doesn’t capture her intelligence and grace, and the dress is distracting and more of a focal point in this painting than the actual subject.

[Angry Dragon]

50. I agree with your heading

[lillypaddle]

43. I posted this in Skinner's thread

Obama's face is too long, and I think it looks more like Dubya than Pres. Obama. Can't stand the background.

As Michelle said, I like the turkey dressing I like, I don't want all that other stuff in it!

[tavernier]

45. I would not have recognized the portrait to be M.O.

without being told. Never ever.

His was just weird for an official portrait.
Good thing there is a lot of film footage of them both so that people in coming generations will see how vibrant they look in real life.

[Yupster]

48. I agree with you

BO's is interesting which art should be.

MO's I would never have guessed it was her.

[LovingA2andMI]

51. Don't Like EITHER Portrait

What is up with President Obama in a background of green leaves in a wooden brown chair? Makes no sense.

And in Michelle's picture, the "gray" color of the skin is distracting. First Lady Obama has BEAUTIFUL Brown Skin and that is what should be shown, period.

These photos need to go the way of a disappearing act, get two new artists and try again.

[Yupster]

55. I like BO's

It is symbolic. It's some thing you can ponder and talk about with friends.

To me it's BO as part of nature, part of the environment. I think it's a good way to remember him.

No love for MO's though. What it says to me is I had no idea she was suffering from female pattern baldness. Doesn't show anything about her. Her dress is the focal point which is not MO.

[mainer]

53. Barack's portrait -- wow, what VERY big hands

I hope Trump is gnashing his teeth with envy.