Today’s Google Doodle pays tribute to Altina Schinasi, an American artist born on August 4, 1907. In addition to being an incredible artist, she was also a filmmaker, businesswoman, and inventor. This year she marks her 116th birthday.
Altina was born in Manhattan, New York, the daughter of Morris Schinasi and Laurette Schinasi, who were immigrants. Google Doodle mentions: Schinasi was born on this day in 1907 in Manhattan, New York, to immigrant parents. His mother was originally from Thessaloniki (then in the Ottoman Empire) and his father was a Turkish Sephardic Jew.”
His passion for art was ignited when he moved to Paris after graduating from high school. He studied painting briefly with her cousin Renē Bensussan and subsequently entered art school in New York.
Altina began her career as a window designer alongside Salvador Dalí for the Fifth Avenue stores. She also worked with George Grosz, a famous German artist.
Google Doodle mentions: “After graduating from high school, Schinasi studied painting in Paris, which sparked his appreciation for the arts. Once back in the United States, she studied art at The Art Students League in New York and accepted a position as a window dresser for several stores on Fifth Avenue. During this time, he found himself working with and learning from prominent artists that he admired, such as Salvador Dalí and George Grosz”.
Fountain; Google
His most famous creation: Harlequin eyeglass frames
While working as a window designer, Altina looked through an optician’s window and realized that there was only one frame design for women’s glasses: round frames that lacked charm.
It was then that he decided to create a new frame design and, after many brainstorming sessions, he chose the Harlequin masks as inspiration. He saw people wearing these masks in Venice, Italy, for the Carnevale festival.
google doodle says: “Schinasi’s time working as a window designer inspired the creation of her now-famous “cat-eye” frames. In the window of a nearby optician, she noticed that the only option for women’s glasses tended to be round frames with mundane designs.
“This observation inspired Schinasi to create a different option for women, imitating the shape of the Harlequin masks she saw worn in Venice, Italy, during the Carnevale festival. She found that the pointed edges of it flattered her face and began cutting out paper demonstrations of her innovative frame design.” Add.
After designing the glasses, Altina approached many manufacturers and they all rejected the design. But she didn’t give up and her hard work paid off when a local store recognized her efforts and spirit and helped her.
Shortly after the release of its design, it became an instant hit. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Harlequin glasses were an important accessory for women throughout the United States.
He received the Lord & Taylor American Design Award in 1939, followed by recognition from popular magazines such as Vogue and Life.
“Schinasi received the Lord & Taylor American Design Award in 1939 for her invention and was recognized by major magazines such as Vogue and Life.” mention Google Doodle.
Altina’s appreciation for George Grosz
Later in her career, Altina entered the world of cinema and dedicated a short film to George Grosz in 1960. It was titled ‘George Grosz’ Interregnum’ and the masterpiece won first prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award.
He later published a memoir entitled ‘The Road I’ve Traveled’ in 1995. He also worked as an art therapist.
Altina was quite quirky and later invented chairs and benches with unique portraits which she called ‘Chairacters’.
Google Doodle mentions: “In his later years, Schinasi did not slow down. She wrote and published her memoir The Road I Have Traveled (1995), she volunteered as an art therapist and even invented chairs and benches with unique portraits that she called Chairacters.
Altina Schinasi was a talented artist, filmmaker, and designer who had a significant impact on the world. The famous cat-eye glasses are still in fashion. Her work continues to inspire and influence people around the world. Google’s celebration of her birthday is a fitting tribute to her legacy.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn