Video essays on the intersection of art, culture, and ideas written & produced by FEE's Creative Director, Sean W. Malone.

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By the mid 17th century, the art being produced in Catholic countries had become a powerful tool of propaganda, characterized by a heightened sense of drama, movement, and theatricality that had never been seen before. But in the Protestant Netherlands, a new wave of realism was sweeping across the country. Johannes Vermeer was producing simple domestic interiors of middle-class life. His paintings were quiet, private, and unassuming. Secular works that contained stories of real human relationships.

Get to know the story of Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the most accomplished artists of the 17th century. The biblical story of the heroine Judith slaying the brutal Holofernes is featured in countless works of art, including the Sistine Chapel. But the most iconic depiction was painted by an artist who tackled this ambitious scene when she was just 19 years old. Her name was Artemisia Gentileschi. So who was Artemisia, and what sets her depiction apart from the rest? Allison Leigh investigates.

Symphony in Acid is a stunning visual art and music project by Max Cooper from his new album Unspoken Words. It was created by the polish graphic designer, animator, and programmer Ksawery Komputery. You can watch it as a video on Vimeo or YouTube, but I recommend using it in the browser because the project reacts to inputs by mouse and keyboard.