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=The Rembrandt Review = //We are committed to providing you with the ultimate guide to the three-year artistic season. Here you'll find information about useful art supplies, Council of Artistic Interpretation profiles and news, season reviews, and Evaluation Event results.//

** 2101-2103 Council Commendation Winners ** At the end of each three-year Artistic Season, the Council of Artistic Interpretation holds Evaluation Events across the globe, evaluating artists on method and technique as well as theme. Because our society is committed to free personal expression through the arts, the Council evaluates each piece without artist input - this way, the true meaning of each work is allowed to shine through, without the suggestion of what the artist intended it to express. This feedback can then aid the artist in developing effective artistic communication skills.

The Council also provides remedial art lessons for those whose medium of choice or techniques are not on the approved list and deemed distracting as well as those whose art expresses themes that are unsuitably offensive and ugly. These artists are sent to the Van Gogh School for Troubled Artists, where they receive Council-funded education and therapy. Those who have been sent three times and fail to respond to the program have one ear removed and join the Work Force in order to keep our society running smoothly.

At the end of the season, one artist in each area is awarded the Council's Global Commendation for Exemplary Artistic Achievement in their area. Each winner receives financial backing for the next season, as well as the global fame and respect these artists deserve. This season's 2101-2103 recipients are listed in order of highest to lowest Hierarchy of Artists rank.

GLOBAL COMMENDATION FOR EXEMPLARY ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SCULPTURE This year's Commendation recipient in Sculpture, Sofia Silva, attributes her success to the Van Gogh School for Troubled Artists. She was recently released from a year-long theme therapy session, which was advised by the Council after their evaluation of Silva's offensive marble depiction of socks. The Council found last year's exhibit to convey thinly veiled feelings of angst. There was not, however, any trace of angst in this year's Evaluation. Her winning piece, "Today I Drank Pineapple Juice And Ironed My Turtleneck," is full of hope for the future, and celebrates the inspiring and joyful qualities of Spring. Silva is as surprised as she is grateful for her Commendation, after Pierre Arnaud, who expected to make this his fourth season win, was found to have expressed conceit in his "Bronze Bunny." His violation has sent him to Van Gogh, and Silva hopes that it will do him as much good as it has done her. She plans on returning to Buenos Aires to concentrate on her upcoming exhibit.

GLOBAL COMMENDATION FOR EXEMPLARY ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PAINTING Reykjavik's Finnur Stefansson exhibited for the first time this season. His oil painting, entitled "Frolicking And Playing Tag With Close Friends" exhibits exemplary brush technique, which adds to the piece's overall theme, which the Council identified as the warm feelings commonly associated with platonic love. One Council member also noted that the piece has an underlying appreciation for the stark architecture that our society advocates in order to discourage distraction. The color palette was highly praised for its unassuming simplicity. The layering technique emphasizes the color choice, and drives the overall message home. Iceland is very proud of Finnur - he is Iceland's first Commendation recipient, and has announced that once he returns to his home country, he will become the Painter Laureate of the nation, receiving full government funding for the next two seasons. While a lecture tour has been requested, he has yet to announce his intentions.

GLOBAL COMMENDATION FOR EXEMPLARY ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN POETRY

Penelope White, of New York City, presented an anthology entitled //Speckled Pink Wallpaper.// The work chronicles the journey of White's inner child as she discovers personal liberation through Council-approved art after a multi-year struggle with artistic skepticism. The inspiring tale brought the Council members of the Poetic Analysis Subgroup to tears as her astounding imagery and structure illuminated her underlying theme of maternal protection. Her use of slant rhyme is unparalleled, and her acclaimed voice is perhaps best demonstrated in the opening lines of her piece "Wednesday." They are: "I like to eat my pickled ham - Especially when my Aunt Jan/ decides to drive us in the van." White intends to use the Council funds to purchase a collection of gel pens to use in her next piece.

GLOBAL COMMENDATIONS FOR EXEMPLARY ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN COMPOSITION AND MUSICIANSHIP

Amelia Cook and Linda Schroeder were this season's Commendation recipients for musical collaboration - both originally from the Chicago area. Cook penned "I'm Very Hot - I'd Like Lemonade" in early 2102. The piece is a classic example of theme and variation - each variation conveying encouragement and hope. The relatively simple theme expresses Amelia's personal appreciation for gallery exhibits, and admiration for Council policies. Schroeder has worked closely with Cook in past seasons, and chose once again to partner with her in debuting the piece. The moving french horn interpretation was full of life and wonder. Her articulation and dynamic contrast also added a personal undertone of excitement. This is the first time that a Commendation for musical collaboration has been awarded to a composer and a solo musician, rather than a conductor and large ensemble. Both plan on continuing the partnership in seasons to come, but before they begin working toward next season, they will serve as guest instructors at the Van Gogh School for Troubled Artists.