Frida Kahlo was a strong, progressive, and independent young woman, and, much to her mother's chagrin, abandoned her religious idealism for a more promiscuous and liberal independence. Her artistic career evolved as a result of an horrific trolley accident, leaving her broken and with spinal injuries that she would suffer for a lifetime. While confined to her bed for months in a body cast, she would express her feelings through paintings. She said, "I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." Apparently, this therapy brought her through to a victorious outcome where she could once again walk and lead a somewhat normal life.
Kahlo admitted that there were two accidents in her life: her injuries in the traffic accident, and then, Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist who stole Frida's heart. Her love for him was obsessive, but even her beauty and seductive nature could not keep him from his infidelities. The pain she suffered is graphically portrayed on the biographical paintings she chose to document her life events. She produced over 70 self-portraits depicting her love of animals, her contempt for loneliness, the assault of surgery, the loss of motherhood, the betrayal of infidelity, and the pain and exhilaration of life and death.
The artist was born as Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderon on July 6, 1907, in Covoacan, Mexico. Husband Rivera said, "Frida is the only example in the history of art of an artist who tore open her chest and heart to reveal the biological truth of her feelings. The only woman who has expressed in her work an art of the feelings, functions, and creative power of woman." Feminists hold Kahlo in high regard for her honest portrayal of the pain and passion of women. Andre' Breton of the Surrealist Movement wrote that, "The art of Frida Kahlo is a ribbon around a bomb."
Frida left not only her documented life in paintings, but also a ten-year diary and letters. As she faced death, she wrote, "I hope the exit is joyful, and I hope never to come back." She died on Tuesday, July 13, 1954, which Rivera commented was the worst day of his life.
Naxos, Inc. and ArtHaus Musik's presentation of Frida Kahlo gave me insight into the struggles and pain this internationally acclaimed artist endured. Mexican novelist and critic, Carlos Fuentes, said that she was able to reflect the pain of the world, and in so doing, represented the conquest of adversity and brought life to personal fulfillment. And, still throughout her struggles, Kahlo chanted that there were three things she wanted to do: paint, paint, and paint! Kahlo's passion and determination amid the greatest of tragedy is awesome and inspiring. My favorite painting is "Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940." Her family home, La Casa Azur (The Blue House), now is home to her ashes, and museum to her artworks and personal relics.
Frida Kahlo bonus features include a Picture Gallery including 40 stills of Kahlo paintings, plus personal photographs and one painting by Rivera with Frida as the principal character. The Trailer has mini-documentaries on Degas, Magritte and Picasso. Also included in the package is "Impressum," a text by Steffi Schultzeke, with English translation by Kennedy & Unglaub, which gives further documentary on Kahlo's paintings and artistic career. My only comment would be that English subtitles would be most helpful but are not utilized.
