The Cave of Apelles

David Molesky is a former student of Odd Nerdrum, based in North Carolina. He is concerned with the rough manner of late Rembrandt and Titian — a painting method first employed by the Ancient Greek painter Apelles. Molesky contrasts this technique with so-called photo-realism, which he asserts leaves no room for the viewer. But art historians typically interpret the rough technique as "modern", so whose interpretation is accurate? And can you be influenced by this manner of painting without compromising clarity of form and thus wind up as a modernist? Topics from the conversation: 01:12 Molesky's painting "Man in the Forrest" 03:52 The Apelles palette and pre-mixing of colors 06:47 Odd Nerdrum's interest in Pompeii murals, Pliny and Apelles 10:24 Apelles' technique 12:01 Pliny establishes an ideal for painters 14:20 Titian's Flaying of Marsyas 16:57 Reflecting how peripheral vision works 21:00 Apelles' unfinished Aphrodite 26:10 Painterly vs illustrative: David Ligare, Rembrandt and Sargent 31:54 Apelles and Protogenes: A "pre-modernist" technique? 36:19 Having details too! Titian, Rembrandt and Nerdrum 38: 46 Modern art: A poor imitation of classical works? 41:40 Recreating matter with paint 43:40 When Nerdrum painted a scarf in one stroke 49:14 Leaving space for the viewer 55:03 Hoogstraaten on what to keep as you go along 59:48 The "Default Mode Network" 1:06:08 Rembrandt's hermaphrodite self-portrait 1:09:27 The blind seer Tiresias (Metamorphosis and Odyssey) 1:14:50 Rembrandt's references to Tiresias and Apelles 1:18:35 Reading Pliny as a painter makes you aware This episode was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a "Man in the Forrest" (2007) by David Molesky. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Eivind Josten Børge Moe Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

In the modern age, many are confused by the dull and meaningless direction of Western culture. Can it truly be called "Western" or "culture" at all? A clear set of values are more important than ever before. That is why a painter and a composer decided to sit down to discuss two alternative solutions. The painter, Jan-Ove Tuv, argues Larry Shiner's point that Art was a deconstructive 18th century invention and that Kitsch is a game changer that can liberate classical culture from the neurosis of modernism. The composer, Martin Romberg, on the other hand, proposes the concept of "Universal Art" as the solution to our current problems, making a bridge back to Aristotle's Poetics, pointing out that Kitsch is problematic both in terms of connotation and terminology. The discussion could be boiled down to one dilemma: Would you rather be associated with Rothko or a garden gnome? 00:00 What is a classical work? 01:30 Original vs new meaning of Art 09:30 Universal, abstract and conservative art 12:59 The power of words 14:11 Kitsch aligns with classical values 16:57 Do people understand what kitsch means? 19:38 Fight for Art or abandon it? 23:55 Kitsch: a change of connotation, not of content 25:30 Emotional reactions are not valid arguments 27:14 The problem of communicating kitsch 29:48 Timelessness 32:13 Classical craft survives when it is not judged as "Art" 40:35 The craftsman is a fisherman 43:57 Immanuel Kant and the garden gnome This episode featured Jan-Ove Tuv & Martin Romberg and was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum The centerpiece was a 19th century reproduction of G. F. Watts' Hope. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Børge Moe Eivind Josten Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

David Molesky is a figurative painter who stopped using linseed oil to avoid the toxicity of solvents. He lays the case for walnut oil as a viable — and perhaps even better — alternative. 👉TUNE IN: 28th of July at 2pm Eastern Time, David will do a live demonstration of the walnut oil technique via School of Apelles on Telegram for all our members there. Learn how you can become a member of the group chat on Telegram: https://www.patreon.com/posts/52426345 Topics discussed in this episode: • The advantages of painting with Walnut oil • How to paint "fat over lean" without turpentine • Using chalk in the different layers of paint • Using a palette (range of colors) that is more lean in itself • Painting wet-in-wet without turpentine • The problems of different varnishes and how people varnish • How to varnish properly • Defatting your canvas if it has been standing for a while • How to size your canvas properly ▶ Full video (1 hour 4 minutes): https://www.patreon.com/caveofapelles 🎵 Full audio: https://caveofapelles.com/podcast This episode was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a "Man in the Forrest" (2007) by David Molesky. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Eivind Josten Børge Moe Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

Carl Korsnes sits down with the young Norwegian painter William Heimdal, who suggests that we are condemned to choose our stories about the world and that a symbolistic approach is more constructive than a materialistic one. Indeed, he even suggests that it will benefit all kitschmen, setting participation in culture radically up against entertainment. Heimdal presents Orthodox Christianity as the solution. This episode was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. The centerpiece was William Heimdal's self-portrait as David with the head of Goliath. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Børge Moe Eivind Josten Dean Anthony Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Fernando Ramirez Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Michael Irish Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

Should you paint landscapes from imagination or climb the highest mountains to observe nature from a birds eye perspective? Boris Koller and Jan-Ove Tuv sit down to talk about their experience, how and where the youngsters go wrong, and the quality of painters like Vermeer, Lars Hertervig, and John Constable. Chapters from this episode: 00:03 Symmetry in painting is death 02:25 Paint what you know 06:21 Why not to use mirrors when you paint 14:28 Echoing or repeating certain elements 16:13 Inventing landscapes 19:50 Structure before rhythm and imbalance 22:22 Horizons are the main problem 24:13 Structure before emotion 28:55 Vermeer: the best landscape composer 30:44 Hertervig's "Borg Island": Dramatize and bind together 38:12 Painting from memory, a photograph, or the motif itself? 43:10 Hertervig unifies sky and earth and "flattens" the image 50:26 No sketches beforehand, like Caravaggio 53:08 Place important elements in the dark! 53:48 Animating nature 55:55 How to paint sunsets This episode was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a 19th century reproduction of G. F. Watts' Hope. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Eivind Josten Børge Moe Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

Jan-Ove Tuv sat down for a special interview with Odd Nerdrum to talk about the Egocentric, Geocentric and Heliocentric level — three stages of painting developed by Nerdrum and initially inspired by thoughts proposed by Tuv. ▶ Full video: https://www.patreon.com/caveofapelles 🎵 Full audio: https://caveofapelles.com/podcast Filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Børge Moe Eivind Josten Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Fernando Ramirez Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Michael Irish Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

What are we if we do not pay heed to and respect our ancestors? Carl Korsnes, Alastair Blain & Jan-Ove Tuv sit down to talk about how to revitalize the circular view of life. Topics from the conversation: • Honoring ancestry • Linear vs circular time • Aristotle, Epictetus, Kierkegaard and Shostakovich • Regarding history as present: Franz Brentano and Ayn Rand • Revitalizing the circular view of life • The value of being humiliated • The Myers-Briggs test and not taking it personal • The importance of a logical argument • Art as the evil twin of the Enlightenment • Building a positive alternative vs Scrutonism • The genius craze ▶ Full video: https://www.patreon.com/caveofapelles 🎵 Full audio: https://caveofapelles.com/podcast This episode was filmed and edited by Bork Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a 19th century reproduction of G. F. Watts' Hope. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Eivind Josten Børge Moe Dean Anthony Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Herman Borge Fernando Ramirez Iver Ukkestad Jon Harald Aspheim Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Michael Irish Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

Jan-Ove Tuv sits down with Nic Thurman to talk about the difference between kitsch and art, focusing on the Kitsch Questionnaire developed by Öde and Bork Nerdrum (with contributions by Thurman). Take the quiz here: https://kitschified.info/quiz/ Topics from the conversation: • The Kitsch Questionnaire wakes people up • Improving upon nature vs. everyday concerns • Is a great work made with joy? • Clarify your values! • Embracing the richness of life • A great painting can make you a better person • Comedy or tragedy? • Sensual enjoyment is the kitsch experience • Drama - or like it actually happened • Is talent given by birth? • There are objective standards ▶ Full video: https://www.patreon.com/caveofapelles 🎵 Full audio: https://caveofapelles.com/podcast The conversation was filmed and edited by Bork S. Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a 19th century reproduction of G. F. Watts' Hope. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Viorel Trandafir Børge Moe Jon Harald Aspheim Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Eivind Josten Erik Lasky Fernando Ramirez Francisco Salvacao Hårek Jordal Andreassen Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Michael Irish Stacey Evangelista Tonelise Rugaas Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

Michael Diamant sheds light on what defines "classical" architecture, and positive news about building projects. He founded the Facebook group "New Traditional Architecture", which is bringing together classically minded architects and lovers of architecture: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Klassisknyproduktion 01:25 Not my original ideas — I learn from what the past did right 03:30 New classical buildings spark optimism and desire to do the same 07:35 Private donations equals classical architecture, state money equals modernism 09:13 How Michel Diamant got involved with architecture 16:31 New buildings are ugly because of modernist ideology 17:39 The modernists avoid open discussions about architecture 20:35 Against Modernism — not modern architecture 22:15 What is "classical" architecture? 25:00 Classical architecture is connected to nature and makes us calm 31:26 The relativistic modernists have hijacked all the institutions 41:33 Diamant's dream scenario: replace all modernists with classicists 44:21 Classical architecture is more environmentally friendly 53:16 The modernists are just stupid people who refuse to learn from the past 59:20 Classical architecture will win the popular opinion 1:10:37 Amateurs are more able than experts 1:12:40 Book recommendations and where to study classical architecture 1:14:30 City planning: Europe's Capitals and Leon Krier's Poundsbury 1:21:15 A wave of restoration of old buildings? 1:28:14 Preserving the material or the historical memory 1:38:14 "We are them, they are us" This episode was filmed and edited by Bork S. Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a photo of the Yale Residential Colleges, 2017 Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects: Melissa DelVecchio, Robert A.M. Stern, Jennifer L. Stone, Graham S. Wyatt (Image Courtesy of Robert AM Stern Architects) SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Eivind Josten Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Børge Moe Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Fernando Ramirez Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Jon Harald Aspheim Marion Bu-Pedersen Michael Irish Misty DeLaine Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com

What is it that captivates people about his paintings, what is his life project, and is philosophy the key to reach the highest achievements? Carl Korsnes and Einar Duenger Bøhn sit down to discuss the work of Odd Nerdrum in light of his recent retrospective exhibition "You see we are blind". Topics from the conversation: 00:00 Exhibition openings 01:12 Grotesque and depressing or hopeful and soothing? 03:20 Horrible actions beautifully depicted 09:58 Aristotle on technê: knowing why you do what you do 14:05 A painter with a vision of humanity 18:47 Contemporary painters avoid focusing on the face 21:00 Being shaken up is only possible through a classical form 30:11 Nerdrum's world: past, future or a different realm? 36:46 Day-to-day or timeless: newspaper articles vs. stories and myths 40:45 Nerdrum balances the concrete and the general 45:48 Not abstract and not "too realistic" / hyper realist 50:42 Being cultivated is to understand the commonality of things 57:00 Don't waste time on new books or newspapers 1:04:53 Philosophers of art should learn to draw first 1:08:20 Aristotle's approach 1:10:52 The humanist aspect of drawing 1:15:46 What are we looking at and judging accordingly 1:19:22 At its foundation, Nerdrum's work is philosophical 1:22:30 Is Nerdrum an anarchist painter? ▶ Full video: https://www.patreon.com/caveofapelles 🎵 Full audio: https://caveofapelles.com/podcast This episode was filmed and edited by Bork S. Nerdrum. The centerpiece was a 19th century reproduction of G. F. Watts' Hope. SHOUTOUT to our TOP SPONSORS! Fergus Ryan Shaun Roberts Matthias Proy Børge Moe Eivind Josten Dean Anthony Alastair Blain Anders Berge Christensen Erik Lasky Fernando Ramirez Hårek Jordal Andreassen Iver Ukkestad Jack Entz Warner Jared Fountain Marion Bu-Pedersen Maurice Robbins Misty DeLaine Michael Irish Richard Barrett Stacey Evangelista Trym Jordahl Yngve Hellan Would you like to get premium access? Become a patron: https://patreon.com/caveofapelles/ Subscribe to our newsletter. It is the only way to make sure that you receive content from us on a regular basis: https://bit.ly/2L8qCNn Check out our other channels: https://www.youtube.com/c/SchoolofApelles https://www.youtube.com/c/CultureWarsNow Podcast available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/caveofapelles https://spoti.fi/2AVDkcT https://apple.co/2QAcXD6 Visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caveofapelles Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/CaveOfApelles For inquiries — talk@caveofapelles.com