This is a dated post, but I wanted to share it before we get too far away from the Awards Season. Obviously, there are so many prizes handed out in every genre from Nobel Prizes to roses on the Bachelor. We are an American society obsessed with gratification. And I don't mean in any way to acquiesce to that mentality. But I do mourn the loss of our local Ivey Awards. Yes they were awards in name; but so much more in spirit. It was equally about celebrating our community and theater history in the Twin Cities.
In a earlier times, the Academy Awards seemed to be in that same vein. Yes there were the backstage dramas and publicity stunts back then. But there was also an absence of political slant, endorsements and awards campaigns by the film companies. There used to be more elegance & reverence to the whole festivity. This is different than a garish costume and walking the red carpet for flimsy questions doled out by a pseudo celebrity from the E! network. This is not to say that there aren't still true "Stars" in the Hollywood ranks. Those writers, cinematographers and actors who have a sense of integrity and carry themselves with distinction. I caught a lovely photo montage in the official Vanity Fair portraits shot by Mark Seliger. They are regal, timeless and introspective. Works of art in themselves. Telling of each "model." See the entire album at: Bored Panda: Variety Fair Oscars
This post takes a shift from politics and/ or art and delves into the genre of classical music. Many people may not know I have an affinity for it and actually do quite well at my Music History 101. I can thank my time at college, #HarryJohnBrown and his infinite wisdom as a mentor for guiding me into this realm. I fondly remember his house with a library of old reel-to-reel recordings of his famous concerts with the Milwaukee Symphony as my introduction. I gravitate to both the grand drama of the Russians and even their impressionistic masters like Scriabin. Also the regal stylings of the Romantic Brits like Grainger and Bax. And certainly the flowery Chopin. Edward Elgar fell into this latter grouping. I've grown to appreciate both his symphonic and choral works. But it is his Enigma Variations that intrigue me more than anything else. The majesty of the Nimrod movement, but also all the other diversions along the way. While experimenting as a young choreographer in college, I once had this vision of them as a concert work - where each movement would be staged by a different dancer to make up a complete pastiche of an evening.
If you are not familiar with them, they are a suite of 14 variations written in 1899. It is known that each statement is in homage to a personal connection of Elgar's. One to his wife, one to his publisher etc.... He started with a melody at his piano and then improvising on that same melody. In its early life he intended it to be variations that would parody many of his contemporaries such as Arthur Sullivan. But what premiered in London a year later is the suite we all know now as the Variations. That is where the mystery begins. All through his life he insinuated at the core melody of the piece, but took the inspiration to his grave. So for the last 100+ years, musicologists have been trying to uncover the elusive source. There have been guesses as varied as "Auld Lang Syne," "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Rule Britannia." Some have tried to alter short passages into minor keys or even play phrases in reverse to unlock the cryptogram. Much like the Beatles Revolver album and it's mysteries played backward. This short podcast revives the puzzle and points to a possible solution in "A Mighty Fortress." My natural sense for solving puzzles is stirred by the discussions as scholars and musicians weigh in on the endless possibilities. Will it ever be solved?
The insane quest to construct a massive border wall on the Mexican national line has continued to divide both literally and figuratively over the last 12 months. Conversation continues to bubble and brew. Sides are deeply entrenched as well. I definitely know where I stand on the subject - liberal snowflake that I am. Inclusion has always seemed like a better option as compared to alienating. Giving each other voice and a place at the table at least offers up humanity & dignity, even if any two sides ultimately agree to disagree. I think so much of it is generational and younger minds don't carry the baggage of their elders. This week I was drawn to 2 unique commentaries on this Wall. Both of course, are shared by artists. But more importantly, both also involve and engage community which is key to any conversation.
The first is a French artist named simply JR and occurred back in Oct '17. He is a street artist whose work is usually pop-up in nature and meant to invoke. This project involved a bench-table built at the border in the small town of Tecate Mexico. It was called the Giant Picnic as the table was built on both side of the border with an "eye of the dreamer" on each of the two areas. Once built, what followed next was a community meal shared over one massive table with live music during the feast. And rather than being met with resistance, even Boarder Security agents joined in the festivities as part of a toast.
The second is the blurred line where art & inspiration meets corporate branding. It is a short film produced by Diesel and directed by David LaChappelle. It is called Make Love Not Walls and stars ballet sensation Sergei Polunin. It is not any defined place, the wall could be any alley separated by metal and barbed wire. It is sexy and slick, but features free spirits from every culture imaginable coming together to burst through the barriers and unite in one generous tribe of joy. Both signal of Hope and Unity. And both charges are led by the inspiration of a new and bold younger generation.
I had originally shelved this post as a foray into art commenting on cinema. But on reflection it seems that it could also be slightly reclassified as a comment on the #GunControl epidemic that has seized our country with the revitalized attention in Parkland Fla. The visual content itself is a humorous take on sci-fi and crime movies where the deadly weapons have been replaced with a selfie stick. This of course totally changes the context of the scene into something with satire. But as I was rethinking the situation, it raised some consciousness with me about a side conversation that sometimes bubbles into the equation. Violence and Disturbing Images in film. I have also heard some blame cast on video games that engage young and adult audiences. With the addition of virtual reality, games take a strong detour into real experience. And it is fact that almost ALL center on the dominance of guns, warfare and battle of personalities. Whether it is Game of Thrones, Westworld or even the drug violence of Breaking Bad. No one would question that each of these are given credit as television that breaks barriers. Not to mention the countless arena of Marvel and DC Comics canons that are perceived as heroic, when they are also very heavy on destruction and casualty. But the question emerges about the blurred line between so called fiction and a real experience that takes lives and has consequence. How do you license and balance creativity & vision with censorship? I'm not sure, but somehow, for years there have been similar platforms in place for sexual content. Maybe it is a time to look at film ratings and have some sort of violence statement present in so many of these genres where it has become mere acceptance. But for now, here are some of those incongruous images that have gone from mortal combat into a photo op.
I think I have a pretty discerning eye. It plays out in the arrangement of my garden with its rainbow of tints. I know I am good with paint samples and finding just the right shade for room. My taste in clothes may be a but gawkish, but even then, it is a choice made.
In films, Art Direction always amazes me when it works in stunning and surprising combinations. I found this web link that breaks down specific scenes from iconic and sometimes overlooked works of cinema - and then shows the color pallet that makes up the visual. In essence, it takes the creative and breaks it down into the logical choices that were made. I found it fascinating and will let some of the images speak for themselves. The link to the full article in Digital Synopsis is also attached where it goes much more into depth about emotional responses to color, period trends separates Sci-fi from Romantic Comedies in terms of spectrum. You'll see some wild choices by Tim Burton, emotional touches by Spielberg and cerebral touches by Christopher Nolan
One of my regular Twitter feeds is @historyepics - which constantly finds interesting and often mind-boggling pictures in history. Often it is monumental shots like the last noted photo of the Titanic setting sail. Recently it has been a bit morbid with shots of the back seat of the Kennedy limo or John Lennon's stained spectacles. But for the most part, it is curated albums that hold a place in time; whether slice-of-life shots or celebrity candids. This album highlights the poverty ridden children on the streets of London at the dawn of the 20th century. It is not quite the imagery of Charles Dicken's Oliver Twist and the Artful Dodger. But think more Newsies set in London's East End. During these holiday times when we think about the Cratchit children and Tiny Tim, I thought this would be a good share. Attached is an enlightening article that talks about the political climate of this specific world. When the poor were continuing to benefit the ruling British Empire, by favoring factories and trade which exploited both the children & families. It was not until the enactment of the Employment of Children Act of 1903 which started to turn the tide for these unfortunate urchins. Ironically, the photos show more charm than they do turmoil of infections, dead animals & excrement that littered their streets. The photos are mostly taken by historian Horace Warner in the Spitalfield neighborhood. Here is the link to complete feature with more photos and history of the time period. #GodBlessUsEveryone Daily Mail - London's East Side in History
My personal blog is often a place to share art, a musical memory or general joy in the world around me that I happen to stumble on. But every once in a while it becomes an outlet for me to share something on a bigger scale. It becomes a personal diary where I put my thoughts into word and circulate them with those around me. It gives me clarity; sort of a journal entry. With all the current wave of sexual allegations, #MeToo, political resignations, and careers destroyed I have been weighing the conversations. I am by no means choosing sides or battles. My method is usually to survey the larger picture for signs of reason among the raging chaos. Every story has worth. But I do think there is a larger epidemic under the surface that has been prevalent for my entire lifetime. The concept of a Consenting Adult has always been merely a theory to me. The real dialogue between two people is usually less clear. It starts with dating and exploring sexuality in our teens. Rarely are conversations clear or informed. They mostly whisper around the subject and any exploring happens quietly behind closed doors where actions speak louder than our words. So the idea that two people are navigating and "consenting" is a myth. My late life dabbling in on-line dating made this very obvious. I was always baffled that the internet made it feasible to say exactly who I was and what I was seeking, but yet it rarely played out that clearly. I can't tell you the number of times I was met with lies, dishonest married men, false profiles, stood-up dates, and awkward sexual encounters among SO many other things. These were not with teen children, but grown men who should have been much better at communicating who and what they were.
Later on while working in mental health & addiction, the whole consenting merry-go-round became even more skewed and was a dysfunctional apocalypse of humanity failing at the simplest of skills; speaking truth. Again, I am not pointing blame. But as a society, Americans are ridiculously inept at this primal rite. There is guilt, shame and a lack of honesty that shrouds all choices. So that brings us to the current state. There are witch hunts, accusations and pain that are brought into public forums. When the original conversations should have been much easier ones of a simple yes, no, or "I'm not remotely interested" without any sort of apology needed. These are the discussions we should be having as a society and as individuals. Let's behave like Adults first and then maybe we can broach the subject of Consenting as a sexual being.
In a earlier times, the Academy Awards seemed to be in that same vein. Yes there were the backstage dramas and publicity stunts back then. But there was also an absence of political slant, endorsements and awards campaigns by the film companies. There used to be more elegance & reverence to the whole festivity. This is different than a garish costume and walking the red carpet for flimsy questions doled out by a pseudo celebrity from the E! network.
