What's New Pussycat?

Yuki Nagato as a nekomimi

The traditional media does a terrible job of covering stories about science and technology. Fortunately, the internet picks up the slack. Sites like PopSci, Discovery News, or the New Scientist provide better coverage than the trad med ever did. Likewise, hardcore tech and gadgeteer stories can be found at Wired or Gizmodo. So, being a bit of a "sci-geek", I regularly make the rounds of this Internet "neighborhood".

For the last week or so, I've been seeing a story about mind-controlled "cat-ear" head accessories popping up at a variety of these sites. They're produced by Neurowear, a Japanese company, and are called "necomimi". At first, I paid no attention. I'm not really big on manga or anime, and I'm definitely not into "furry" cosplay. But, as more and more articles came to my attention, I started to think about it.

Alright, I get the whole cosplay angle. Everyone has things that give them thrills. I'm not one to determine what constitutes "having bad fun". If "cat ears" do it for you, then enjoy.

Apparently Catwoman's ears "do it" for Batman

However, under the whole cosplay angle, there was something that caught my attention. The cat-ears reveal mental activity. They are a form of nonverbal expression. That's kind of cool. In the current tech, it's a crude binary tell; ears up indicates mental stimulation, while ears down signifies mental rest. But this is a stepping-stone tech. Future forms of "expression accessories" may have greater nuances. I can get behind that.

But you won't find me wearing cat ears. ;-)

Here's an article from MTV Style that discusses the product in a humorous manner.

Here's an article from PopSci.

Here's Neurowear's website. There isn't much to see there, but it seemed rude to not include a link in an article that was discussing their product.

And here's a Wikipedia article on Moe Anthropomorphism, a subset of which is the aforementioned "cat girls" or nekomimi.

Enjoy!!!

Make It Interesting

Anne Sofie von Otter

Today marks the 56th birthday of Anne Sofie von Otter, a Swedish mezzo-soprano, who is among my favorite singers. Not only does she have a rich, warm voice, but her technique is engaging. Moreover, her performance selections are creative and diverse. Many classical performers fall into a rut in terms of stylistics or performance genre, but ASvO is always exploring new ground and sharing atypical material. Even when she works in the "standard rep" her interpretation and performance brings out new qualities and nuances.

I first took notice of her when I heard a recording of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, wherein she sang the role of Dido. It wasn't my favorite version, but it definitely caught my attention. It had excellent vocal clarity and precision. The final lament in particular was intense!

A few years later, I noticed that she had recorded some Grieg lieder. I had no interest in Grieg's music, but I remembered her engaging sound and style. So, I gave it a listen. I'm still not sold on Grieg, but her performance brought out the rich melodic texture, the intimate romanticism, of the music. Lovely.

And then there is Schubert. That's when ASvO stole my heart. ;-)

Anyway, here are a few more vids to showcase ASvO's style:

Here's Anne Sofie von Otter's Wikipedia page.

And here's her official website.

Enjoy!!!

Porque Cantando Se Alegran

Mexican tourism poster "Senorita and Parrot"

Well, it's that time of year again, but this time I've got a blog. ;-)

Happy Cinco, mi amigos. Don't go too hard on the tequila or cerveza. And here's a classic Mexican song:

Enjoy!!!

What You See Is What You See

Red-1966 by Thomas Downing (1966)

The Norton Simon Museum is currently featuring an exhibit entitled "Surface Truths: Abstract Painting in the Sixties." It's an interesting study of the post-painterly abstraction, specifically in the minimalistic or color field modes. I've never been a fan of this movement. Certainly, there are a few works that capture my interest and I certainly have respect for works within this movements, but it just doesn't "speak to me."

Well, it still isn't my thing, but I feel that my ability to appreciate it has been improved by this show. The various works on display come from the Norton's vault. When the current museum took over the old Pasadena Art Museum, they inherited as part of the deal a bunch of contemporary art. Given Simon's dislike of contemporary art, that's a bit ironic.

The Pasadena Art Museum was ambitious in its acquisitions. This eventually led to the financial woes which would turn it into the Norton Simon, but it also brought in some of the finest post-painterly art of the era.



Damascus Gate I by Frank Stella, 1969


Viewing these works in context definitely enhanced appreciation. On one wall, you have this colossal Stella masterpiece of minimalism. One a nearby wall, you have this richly textured Color Field piece by Frankenthaler. You can compare the hard edge compositions with the stain work compositions. You can compare geometric structuring with organic compositions. Yet, as different as these works are in appearance, they are all very open in compositional technique. There is no obscurity or deceit here. The clarity of expression is very engaging.




Adriatic by Helen Frankenthaler (1968)


Adriatic by Helen Frankenthaler is my favorite of the show. It sealed the deal for my in my appreciation for this exhibit. When critics discuss the energy and vitality of Abstract Expressionism, the term "Dionysian" occasionally pops up. It generally means sensuous, passionate, and chaotic. For these post-painterly works, it is appropriate to use the term "Apollonian" for they are creations of reason, clarity, and order.

Frankenthaler's work is created using the soak stain technique, where the paint is applied to raw canvas. This creates a watercolor-like effect in which the paint soaks and spreads into the texture. This creates engaging halo effects and color gradations. Yet, Frankenthaler utilizes this "chaotic" effect with clarity and structure. Looking at the Downing or Stella pieces above, it's easy to see how they are "Apollonian" works. But when you see Adriatic in person and observe the deliberate "stain" placements, you can see how it too is "Apollonian."

I unexpectedly really enjoyed this show. I highly recommend checking it out.

Here's a link to the Norton Simon Museum's website.

Here's a link to Thomas Downing's Wikipedia page.

Here's a link to Frank Stella's Wikipedia page

And here's a link to Helen Frankenthaler's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

I Don't Want Anybody Else

Christina Amphlett

Twenty years ago, Amy Grant's "Baby Baby" topped the Billboard chart. My first reaction was "Wow! That was really a terrible time for popular music." Honestly, Amy Grant has a pleasant voice and a inoffensive style, but this song is anodyne and forgettable.

Don't believe me? Here the vid for "Baby Baby":

But then I remembered that some of the more interesting music of the era never had mainstream success. Various subgenres of popular music had great creativity going on. Alternative, metal, and dance were undergoing definitive changes at this time.

Here's a charming pop gem from early 1991:

And here's a unique dance hit of the year:

I guess my point in this post is that we need to avoid superficial appraisals. If you just look at the mainstream hits, you're not going to appreciate the fullness of available options. Beneath the popular pablum, there's a lot of interesting music.

Here are some links:

Amy Grant's website and Wikipedia page.

Divinyls Wikipedia page.

Enigma's Wikipedia page.

And here's a list of the Billboard Hot 100 for 1991.

Enjoy!!!

Isn't That a New Fur Coat?

Promotional Image for the 1996 movie

Born on May 3rd, 1896, Dodie Smith is best known for her novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, written in 1956. This novel has been adapted into a movie twice, an animated feature in 1961 and a live-action movie in 1996. In both cases, the movies were box office successes and spawned sequels. And a Broadway musical!!!

It's a children's story, so the plot isn't complex or overly coherent. However, the somewhat remedial story is saved by a truly memorable antagonist, Cruella de Vil. Asides from the fact that she wants to skin the puppies to make a fur coat, she's just a loathsome and aggressive character. She's so extreme in her villainy that she becomes iconic. Cruella defines the archetypal vain rich lady who needs to get whatever catches her fancy, ethical or not.

Another element to the Hundred and One Dalmatians is that it presages the whole anti-fur trend that came into prominence in the early '90s, most notably in the social campaigns of PETA and the Humane Society. In the history of animal welfare, this novel is published right at the beginning of the modern trend toward animal rights. It is therefore an interesting expression of this zeitgeist.

Here's a vid:

Here's a link to Dodie Smith's Wikipedia page.

Here's a link to The Hundred and One Dalmatian page.

And here's a link to the Humane Society's website.

And here's PETA.

Now, get those puppies!!!

Bunka Sai

Hina-Ningyō

The South Bay of Los Angeles is home to a fairly diverse ethnic community. The city of Torrance in particular is home to a notable Japanese-American community. And this is really excellent because every year they hold a Japanese Festival at the city cultural center. It's called a Bunkasai festival, which means that it focuses primarily on demonstrating the accomplishments of students or amateur performers. There is a wide arrangement of activities on display.

Among the crafts on display were various Japanese dolls (ningyo), miniature trees (bonsai), and floral arrangements (ikebana). Here are a couple photos:



Bonsai Bougainvillea



Ikebana on display

 There was also a performance stage at which various things were being demonstrated, including music and martial arts. Here are a few that I was able to view:



Koto performance

 The koto is a traditional Japanese instruments with 13 strings. It has a gentle, zither-like song. I was very happy to catch this brief performance. Lovely.

Of course, one of my favorite traditional weapon martial art forms is the naginata. It's essentially a curved blade on a pole. Of course, the demonstrations use practice weapons. ;-)



Naginata demonstration

 I love the sweeps and thrusts of the weapon. There is a dance-like grace to the motions. Moreover, it is traditionally associated with women, although not exclusively so. Fun stuff!!!

Finally, there was some fine Japanese food to enjoy. Yum!!!

This was the 39th annual Bunka Sai festival in Torrance. Good times.

We can't let an opportunity to play some koto music pass. Here's a vid:

Here's a link to Ikenbana Society of America.

And here's a link to Southern Californa Naginata Federation.

Enjoy!!!

Sweet Music Soft and Mellow

Denise Donatelli performing at LACMA

Every summer, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosts a series of Friday jazz concerts, in partnership with our local jazz station , KKJZ 88.1 FM. To celebrate the birth date of Duke Ellington, I figured that I'd catch a live performance. Being a member of LACMA and interested in a few shows currently on exhibit, I made the trip out to the Miracle Mile.

The concert was held at the Grand Entrance. Seating was iffy, but I got a good location. Sound was passable, although the audience was full of chatterboxes. Y'know, just because it's free doesn't mean it has no value!!! The band performed two sets with a brief intermission between.

This was the first time that I have seen Denise Donatelli perform live. I don't know if this was the right venue for her. She has a warm and gentle voice and her movements are sensuous and smooth. I think she must be fantastic in a club venue, but, in the LACMA entryway, the nuances of her performance are lost in the hubbub. Nevertheless, a diamond in the ruff is still a diamond. It was a good show.

Her performance of "Don't Explain" was especially good, bringing out the pain and futility of the words with a gentle subtly. Most performances try to out-soul or out-anguish Billie Holiday, but that's a losing strategy. Donatelli instead delivers the words with a sense of comfort, smooth as honey, but there is an "aftertaste" of pain in her words. Fantastic artistry.

Since I was at LACMA, I decided to look at a few of their current exhibits. So, before and after the concert, I went scrambling around the campus looking at art. The first show that I got to see was Elizabeth Taylor in Iran.

This was a series of thirty-two photos taken in 1976 by Firooz Zahedi in pre-revolution Iran. Apparently, the original negatives were lost and these few photos were produced off a contact sheet. An interesting little show, it disproved my belief that no woman can look sexy in a chador. Of course, few women are a hot hot hot as Liz Taylor. ;-)

Here's a vid:

The second show that I visited was David Smith: Cubes and Anarchy.

Star Cage by David Smith (1950)

I'm not a big fan of Smith's work. However, this is a very interesting exhibit which has me reassessing these works. First, it shows the geometric continuity underlying Smith's aesthetic development. Second, the exhibit layout provides an easy reference between works, which enhances the viewers capacity to recognize and appreciate design nuances. Finally, with over 100 works to view, the sheer scale of the exhibit allows the viewer to get a lasting feel for Smith's artistic vision. It's a very worthwhile show, even if you're not into the subject matter.

Finally, this one took me by surprise. The Magna Carta is in Los Angeles?!!

Yeah, on loan from the Bodleian, it's in town for only a short visit (April 26 to May 5) in celebration of BritWeek. Hmm. . . Anyways, I was happy that I caught a viewing of it. This one was from 1217. I think that I've seen the 1225 version on one of my trips to the UK. Pretty cool.

Of course, I can't visit LACMA with paying a visit to Michael and Bubbles. ;-)

Michael Jackson and Bubbles by Jeff Koons (1988)

Here's a link to LACMA.

Here's Denise Donatelli's website.

Here's the Wikipedia page to David Smith.

And the Magna Carta's Wikipedia page is here.

Enjoy!!!

Beyond Category

Continuing our celebration of Duke Ellington. The song that defines the "Jazz Age" for me is "Take the A-Train" composed by Billy Strayhorn for Duke Ellington in 1938. The "A" Train is a reference to the subway line that runs from Brooklyn to Harlem upon the express tracks through Manhattan, in New York City. The inspiration for the song comes from Ellington giving Strayhorn directions to get to his house.

I confess to being one of those obnoxious tourists who took a ride on the "A" Train merely because of this composition. But that's just payback for all those tourists that make driving along Hollywood Blvd or Sunset such a trial. ;-)

Anyways, within the Jazz tradition reinterpretation of the standards is a vital form of aesthetic progression. Successive generations of performers apply their new styles in a reassessment of the classics. This is sharp contrast to the Classical music tradition. For instance, one doesn't reinterpret a Bach piece in the style of Stravinsky or restructure Mozart as a minimalist piece from Glass. I think this is one of the principle charms of jazz music.

While Classical composers like Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin are preserve and revered in a manner similar to museum pieces, the Jazz masters like Ellington, Armstrong, and Gillespie are still providing grist to the mill of Jazz creativity. Yes, that's a generalization with definite exceptions, but as a broad analysis I believe it holds true.

Anyways, let's look at this tradition. Here's Duke:

Here's a post-Swing interpretation featuring Anita O'Day:

Now, we go West Coast "cool" with Dave Brubeck:

Finally, Charles Mingus give it the late Hard Bop treatment:

In each interpretation, what were the primary emotive techniques? Positing the Ellington performance as the model for comparison, what are the new qualities that the subsequent interpretations bring? These are the types of questions that make the Jazz tradition so intellectually stimulating. And it was Ellington's special talents that established the standards by which we may judge other performances.

Anyways, here the Wikipedia page for Take the "A" Train.

Here are the Wikipedia pages for Anita O'Day, Dave Brubeck, and Charles Mingus.

Enjoy!!!

Got Lots of Class

Duke Ellington was born an April 29, 1899. His influence on 20th century American music is profound, even well beyond the confines of jazz. I could write endlessly about his fantastic compositions. I could link to countless vids. But I think we'll content ourselves in this post with one of his signature pieces:

Here's a link the Duke Ellington Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

Precarious Transition from Girl to Woman

Cover art by Rudy Nappi (1962)

Recently, I've been interested in the use of tableaux in artistic expressions, as demonstrated in my posts on Luigi Ontani's AmenHammerAmeno and the Getty's exhibit on Photography from the New China. A bit of serendipity arrived in my inbox in the form of a message from dnj gallery about the availability of some photographs by Holly Andres. These photos are from her series "Sparrow Lane" which happens to be a work of narrative tableaux. Hurray!!!

The premise is the exploration of emergent experiences of adulthood as a woman from the starting point of childhood as a girl. Andres utilizes the imagery of Nancy Drew to draw connotative values to work. Just as Nancy bravely confronts the mysteries before her, so too do these young women investigate the secrets of adult femininity. Just as Nancy's surrounding carry a sense of menace, likewise the girls of Sparrow Lane transgress into a "forbidden" realm. There is definitely a foreboding mood to these images.

Here are a couple images:

Outside the Forbidden Bedroom by Holly Andres

The Ruby Ring by Holly Andres

These are images that could be drawn straight off of a Nancy Drew cover, but the sexual subtext is unmistakable. I appreciate the nuances of the images. For instance in the "Forbidden Bedroom", I like how the older girl has her hand upon the younger girl's shoulder, as if she's having second thoughts about seeing what's inside yet her facial expression displays a clear focus in the mystery before her. Likewise, the placement of the older girl kneeling at the base of the stairs holding a symbol of passion, while the younger girl looks down upon her with an expression of surprise, implies the attainment of adult knowledge but without full comprehension.

Yeah, I could go on and on about the Sparrow Lane series, discussing color, costume, symbolism and placement. But I recommend checking it out for yourself.

Here's a vid in which Holly Andres discusses the series:

Here's a link to Holly Andres' website.

And here's a link to the Nancy Drew Wikipedia page and her official website.

Enjoy!!!

Signaling in the Library

Event organizer, Dana Vinke, prepares to introduce Traci Kato-Kiriyama

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Torrance library scheduled a poetry reading by Traci Kato-Kiriyama. She read from her recent poetry collection, Signaling. They were really good, precisely the type of poetry that I enjoy most. They all had a premise to explore, be it on coming to terms with the death of her father, commenting on an emotionless partner, or contemplating a future undead meeting with the children of the children that she doesn't have.

Stylistic concerns took a backseat to the points of narrative or commentary. But these were definitely poems, with engaging structure and incisive word choice. Her reading had a engaging cadence and rhythm. Most importantly, these poems have the feel of authenticity to them. They come from the deep emotions of real life experiences. There is an honest vulnerability and intimacy in these poems.

Additionally, Traci is an entertaining speaker and clearly has a love for poetry and artistic performance. She was very supportive of the audience's poetic potentials. She's involved with the Tuesday Night Cafe in Little Tokyo, which features open mic nights to help foster LA's poetry and performance scene.

Traci's such a friendly person that she even took a photo with me. ;-)

Traci Kato-Kiriyama and LJ pose for a photo

Anyways, I'm very happy that I was able to attend this event. I look forward to catching another of Traci's recitals sometime soon. Here are a few vids featuring a couple of the poems that she read at the Torrance recital:

Los Angeles

War

Here's a link to Traci Kato-Kiriyama's website.

And here's a link to her blog with a nice collection of some of her works.

Finally, here's a link to the Tuesday Night Project.

Enjoy!!!

Für Elise

On this date in 1810, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote one of the most beautiful and captivating musical compositions of Western Civilization, "Für Elise". Although the piece is titled with a dedication, we don't know for certain who "Elise" was. The primary argument is that the title is is error and should actually be entitled "Für Therese". This would indicate that it was written for Therese Malfatti, a lady to whom Beethoven proposed in that same year.

Therese turned down the offer and eventually married an Austrian noble in 1816. One is tempted to make a commentary on how wealth and power are more appealing than artistry and genius, but Beethoven was certainly a difficult man. You can't really blame a young lady for rejecting the offer of a person of erratic disposition, even if he was a musical genius. Nevertheless, the music is one incredible love letter.

In any case, this seems to be an appropriate place to give my favorite Beethoven quote:

"What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven."

LOL!!! The man had a bit of an ego.

Here's a vid of Valentina Lisitsa paying "Für Elise":

Here's a link to the Wikipedia page for "Für Elise".

And here's a link to Valentina Lisitsa's website.

Enjoy!!!

I Always Tell the Truth

We're also celebrating the birthday of Giorgio Moroder, born in 1940. His music is not my "cup of tea" but it certainly has a distinct sound. I remember being in a club in the early '90s when his song "The Chase" from the movie, Midnight Express, came on. Although that song was like 15 years old, there was still a bunch of enthusiasm for it. It's got a memorable vibe that is hard to resist.

My favorite Moroder compositions are from the movie, Scarface. The individual pieces don't stand out as showstoppers, but together they set up a strong mood. They capture the film's spirit. In the game, Grand Theft Auto III, this music is used both for a laugh and as a reference motif. It's a cool form of appropriation. "Flashback FM, where every night's a dance party.

Here's my favorite piece from the soundtrack, Debbie Harry singing "Rush Rush":

Finally, I wouldn't be a child of the '80s if I didn't link to Flashdance:

Here's a link to Giorgio Moroder's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

First Lady of Song

Ella Fitzgerald performing in Chick Webb's Orchestra

I'm a Jazz enthusiast. So I could let the day pass without celebrating the birthday of the great Ella Fitzgerald, born on this date in 1917. For pure vocal artistry and skill, she was probably the best of the classic Jazz songbirds. With beautiful phrasing and an incredible range, she is the Voice of the Jazz era.

Personally, I prefer Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, and Sarah Vaughan. These singers have certain intangibles of performance that I find more appealing. Sometimes Ella feels too pretty and clean, a little light on the "Soul" content. But this is a relative criticism. Saying that you've got less "soul" than Billie or less "cool" than Anita or less "verve" than Sarah, doesn't mean that you're deficient in any of those qualities. And so it is with Ella Fitzgerald.

Anyways, nobody beats Ella when it comes to "sweet":

Here's a link to Ella Fitzgerald's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

A Brook Without a Source

New Women by Wang Qingsong (2000)

The Getty Museum had a Photography exhibit, "Photography from the New China," that caught my interest. The primary theme that I took away from the show was that of cultural and historic reassessment.  It brought to mind the Chinese proverb "I dreamed a thousand new paths. . . I woke and walked my old one." Some of the photos spoke directly to this quote.

For instance, the tableaux works by Wang Qingsong are reinterpretations of classical paintings, but with symbols of modern consumerism and materialism, in which the Golden Arches of McDonald's is the equivalent of an Imperial banner and tawdry modern attire replaces the elegant fashions of the courtly ladies. Yet, although these images have significant difference in value, is the underlying action any different? The mighty lord over and forced their will upon the weak, whether it is a Ming Emperor or an American corporation. A courtesan performs the same function regardless of her clothing and hairstyle. So, do these images speak of a new path or continuing down the old one?

I Am Chairman Mao's Red Guard by Hai Bo (2000)

In contrast, the works of Hai Bo do indicate a rejection of the old path. In his series "They", he presents a set of diptychs in which a photograph from the era of the Cultural Revolution is contrasted with a contemporary photo, using the same sitters. In group photos, when a subject has died, there is an empty space where that subject would have been. This contrast between the rigid and colorless Maoist world and soft, timeworn modern world do indicate significant, even painful, change. For Hai Bo's subjects, it may be true that the underlying realities of power and function are essentially unchanged, as indicated in Wang Qingsong's work, but, for the individual, life forces us down new paths.

Standard Pose by Qiu Zhijie (1997)

Finally, the works of Qiu Zhijie brings us to a synthesis of these styles. Creating tableaux of modern Chinese works posed in the style of Maoist propaganda posters with similar coloration to Cultural Revolution photos, we are presented with an ambiguous statement regarding the new vs. old paths. Obviously, these are parody pieces. But what is being parodied? It it a spoof on the old ways by displaying the modern Chinese as so totally incongruous with the Maoist style? Or is it a spoof on the modern Chinese identity that for all of its superficial change is still following along the old path?

In any case, there was much to consider at this show. Other artists on display include Rong Rong, Liu Zheng, Song Yongping, and Zhang Huan. Sadly, the show closes today. Again, I'm more of a closer than an opener. Sorry, amigos. Maybe some fantastic Pipa music will compensate?

By the way, I selected a performance by Wu Man because she is dealing with a similar quandary as that presented in this webpost. She even curated a musical festival entitled "Ancient Paths, Modern Voices." Good stuff!!!

Here's a link to the Getty website.

Here's Qui Zhijie's Wikipedia page.

And here's Wu Man's Wikipedia page and official website.

Enjoy!!!

Dark Angel

Bettie Page

Bettie Page was born on April 22, 1923. In the 1950s, her iconic photos earned her the title of "Queen of Pinups." Many gorgeous women have since graced the centerfolds and pages of erotic magazines, but Bettie is still the Queen for me.

She wasn't the prettiest lady of her era. However, the combination of beauty and personality made for an enthralling and compelling effect. There is a sexy playfulness to her pose. Her facial expressions are inviting and vivacious. Most of all, she's bold, but without being brash. It all seems to come naturally to her. This spirit is expressed by the quote:

"I was not trying to be shocking, or to be a pioneer. I wasn't trying to change society, or to be ahead of my time. I didn't think of myself as liberated, and I don`t believe that I did anything important. I was just myself. I didn't know any other way to be, or any other way to live."

That's why Bettie was special. In erotic depictions, there were countless women who preceded her and there have been and will be countless women following, but Bettie Page remains as an unforgettable icon of female sexuality.

Here's a cute vid of her dancing. (Don't worry. There's no nudity.)

Here's a link to Bettie Page's Wikipedia page.

Here's a link to the Official Site of Bettie Page.

Enjoy!!!

Demons of the Wind

A marble sculpture of Pazuzu, fused with his double, by Roberto Cuoghi

While I was visiting the Hammer Museum, I had to opportunity to see their exhibit Hammer Projects: Roberto Cuoghi. It's a small but interesting show. The exhibition space is in a U-shaped room. Along the arms of the "U" are alternate-ego portraits of the artist, images of what might have been or what might be. Here's an example:

Untitled (2010) by Roberto Cuoghi

At the focal point of the curve of the "U", there is a large black marble statue of the Assyrian demon, Pazuzu, King of the demons of the Wind. It is actually a sculpture of two Pazuzus, merged together as though stepping through each other. It's a very disturbing sight.

Moreover, the exhibit space has the feel of a chapel. The portraits on the wall are like devotional paintings, while the double Pazuzu is the alter or idol to whom this space is dedicated. All in all, I felt a bit disturbed.
Nevertheless it is an interesting show.

Since we're on the topic of Pazuzu, here's some music:

Here's a link to the Hammer's Roberto Cuoghi page.

And here's a link to Pazuzu's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

Mascherari

Entry Procession

I had the good luck to be able to attend the performance of a new work by Luigi Ontani, AmenHammerAmeno, at the Hammer Museum. It's a site-specific tableau vivant featuring a procession of performers in Balinese masks accompanied by gamelan music. The performance is part of an exhibition entitled "When in Rome."

The performance was held primarily in the courtyard of the Hammer. When the event began, the performers marched alongside the courtyard and left the building. It was an amusing twist on our expectation. However, they soon returned to the courtyard and situated themselves upon a floor space delineated by rose petals, seemingly arranged in the shape of a painter's palette.

Standing Upon the Palette

The performers were initially carrying their masks, but, with a change in the music, they put on the masks. Again, the music changed and the masks were removed. Eventually, the performers marched of the "palette" and left the courtyard.

The masks were definitely interesting viewing. Here are a few:

Bugiardocchio

Animazione Anni

Mascherarya

The music was engaging. I'm a long-time enthusiast of gamelan music. Here's a cool vid:

Although the performance was enjoyable, I must confess. I didn't really understand it. Certainly, any allusions to Balinese culture went right over my head. I'll have to give it some thought, let my mind process the imagery and presentation.

Luigi Ontani

Anyways, here's a link to the Hammer Museum.

Here's a link to Luigi Ontani's Wikipedia page.

Enjoy!!!

Scent of Magnolias, Sweet and Fresh

On this date in 1939, Billie Holiday recorded the song "Strange Fruit." It is a song about the lynching of African-Americans in the American South. The lyrics are from a poem by Abel Meeropol, expressing his horror at the vile practice that was a common feature of the "Jim Crow" era.

It's hard to believe such barbarism was until relatively recently a part of US history. But it is also hard to believe that a lady as troubled as Billie Holiday would have the courage to speak out, publicly and loudly, against it in an era where racism was a pervasive part of society, even outside the South.

I'm grateful that she did. Sometimes, I get annoyed at entertainers who get political or drive an agenda. Sometimes, I want to say "Shut up and Sing!" But when this pops into my mind, I think back to Billie and wonder what I would think about somebody who would say that to her.

Then I swallow my irritation and listen to the message with an open mind.

Here's a link to Billie Holiday's Wikipedia page.

Thank you, Lady Day.