Scene from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho © Universal Studios
Ursula Von Rydingsvard, Five-Fingered Comb, 1994. Collection: High Museum of Art. Courtesy of the Artist. The Chrome Laden 1958 Buick Limited
Dear Reader,
This issue contains many surprises both for me and for the reader. First, I am delighted to introduce TAS readers to two writers that have not written for us before. Arnold Simon writes to us about the trouble with remakes in movies, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho in particular. I wonder why remakes are made at all: can’t we appreciate the classics without updating them and using more contemporary actors and sets? And Bill Stewart, who deals in beauty everyday as an interior designer, writes about his love of classic cars. I find the contrasts and considerations of these two articles fascinating; each examines the idea of “the classic” in two very different mediums.
My own article is about the sculptor Ursula von Rydingsvaard whose work I have greatly admired for many years. I had not seen her work here in Atlanta, although the High Museum currently owns two of her drawings and a medium-sized relief sculpture from 1994, titled Five-Fingered Comb, a wonderful work whose form has seven finger shaped teeth that would hold back a giant's hair.
So whether it be your classic car, original movie, or tool, it is important to see beauty where you find it.
All my best,
Deanna
Deanna Sirlin is an artist and writer based outside of Atlanta,Georgia. She is Editor-in-Chief of TAS.