The Massurrealism Of James Seehafer

Quintus Curtius Uncategorized , ,

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I had the good fortune recently to speak with James Seehafer, the founder of the artistic school known as massurrealism.  A fellow New Englander, Seehafer studied at Parsons School Of Design.  He then began exhibiting his paintings in the northeast, including Boston and New York City (specifically in the Lower East Side).  His work was received favorably in New York, and his paintings were displayed alongside the works of Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.  In 2005 he relocated to Berlin, Germany to continue working in photography and paint.  As James began to use more mass media elements in his work–including photography, video, and advertising–he coined the term massurrealism in the early 1990s.  The term was a necessary and accurate one, since no existing coinage adequately described the type of art he was producing.   Continue reading →

No Rest For The Wicked

Quintus Curtius Biography, Thought , ,

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Boccaccio’s On Famous Women is one of those good books that no one has ever heard of.  It is a collection of short essays on some notable women of history, and the author includes characters both good and bad.  Queens, schemers, seducers, prostitutes, patriots, and rebels all have a place here.

I find these old, forgotten Renaissance works highly enjoyable and instructive, precisely for the reasons that some people do not.  Some people do not like the moralistic, judgmental tone of these old works.  But it is refreshing.  It is good sometimes to judge, and to be judged.

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“I Feel Like I’m Missing A Purpose In My Life” (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast , ,

 

A reader emails me and says that although he has found success in his life and career, something is lacking.

Something is missing. He says that he is lacking a real sense of higher purpose.

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Talking And Fighting: Being Alert To “Stacking The Deck” In Negotiations

Quintus Curtius History , , ,

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I find great profit in the study of the art of negotiation.  Where two opposing wills collide, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the interaction, so that one may have some chance of achieving the desired outcome.

When one has conducted numerous negotiations in his career, one begins to see patterns emerge.  These same patterns are also evident on the international stage, when the antagonisms of nation-states find uneasy resolution in dialogue.

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How Do I Know When It’s Time To Change My Life? (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast , ,

 

A reader is troubled by where he is at in his life right now.

He wants to make major life changes involving career and residence, but doesn’t know if the time is right.

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In Praise Of Painting

Quintus Curtius Thought , ,

 

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Certain diversions we do because we more or less have to do, such as vigorous exercising, studying languages, sex, travel, and reading.  And these all have their proper place.  But there are times when the collective strain of responsibility, and the stress of duties, demand that entirely new parts of our brain be activated and exercised.  When I say “new” parts of the brain, I mean literally that:  a man can rub raw a particular part of his brain by continually using it, and exhaust himself by repetitive tasks.

[To read the rest of the article, click here.]

The Foundations Of Motivation

Quintus Curtius Thought , ,

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What is motivation?

From what sources does it originate?  And how can it be cultivated and sharpened?

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How Can I Develop Motivation? (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast, Thought , ,

 

This important podcast focuses on motivation.  It’s a critical subject for everyone.

How can a person develop or sustain motivation?  We examine the following:

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“I’m Troubled By Fears Of Death” (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast , , ,

 

A reader of FOTM emails me to say that lately he’s been oppressed by fears of death and dying.

It’s worrying him, and he wants to know what the Stoics would have said about it.

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Duress Reveals Latent Talent, And Why Women Need Role Models As Much As Men

Quintus Curtius History, Literature , ,

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Some positive features in our characters can lie dormant for long periods of time, awaiting the right opportunity to make themselves known.  Even bad men can have positive qualities that manifest themselves only under extreme duress.

I have always thought that pressure reveals the man.  This has been my experience.  And you never really could tell who would rise to the challenge, and who would not.  Appearances in this regard can be very deceiving.

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