Fashionable Frost

Nancy Kerrigan won the 1992 US Silver Medal in a Vera Wang outfit. (Photo: Mike Powell)


Much has been written about Nancy Kerrigan.

The history of figure skating provides high drama and extreme personalities in every generation. Arrogance, anger, despair, and kindness, the Passions rule the Ice. And the skater's blade has no sharpness when compared to their competitive spirits. Don't let the fancy outfits fool you.

But Nancy Kerrigan and her tumultuous times took it to the limit. In 1991, if a writer were to plot out the events that were to occur in the figure skating world over the next three years, their story would have been rejected as an absurd parody. The outrageous characters, the overblown antagonism, the breathless sensationalism, these would have been considered pure hack work of a puerile imagination.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

Kerrigan won the '94 Olympic Silver in another Vera Wang outfit (Photo: Clive Brunskill)

So let's celebrate Nancy's birthday today and remember those days of drama. ;-)

Weekly Wrap: Wednesday Night #13

Michael Jackson's Thriller: A "Danse Macabre" for the 1980s


Fourteen posts. If I were a capable poet, I'd write a sonnet. ;-)

I'm satisfied with the production and quality of this week's posts. There was a good mix of topics, although there was a bit too much Classical Music in the mix for a "general audience" blog. I hit my scheduled targets, three art gallery posts, Friday Flowers, and even Spooky Sunday.

I'd like to work in some more cinema and television posts, but not at the expense of my primary interests of art, music, and literature. I'm also thinking of doing a post dedicated to a single poem once a week, perhaps something like Sonnet Sunday. I know that there is a weekly poem in the Friday Flowers, but the focus is definitely on the flowers in those posts.

Anyways, I'm happy with the way things are going. We'll see what develops over the next few months. It'll be fun. ;-)

Day Dream (2011) by Audrey Kawasaki

So, we had five music posts. We celebrated the birth dates of the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, the early American choral composer William Billings, the French organist and composer Louis Vierne, and the jazz legend Thelonious Monk. Additionally, we celebrated the birth date of Camille Saint-Saens by studying his Danse Macabre as part of Spooky Sunday. Fun stuff!!!

We visited three art gallery shows. The Kopeikin Gallery was exhibiting Moby's photographs in "Destroyed." The Richard Heller Gallery was showcasing David Jien's "The Plight of the Who." Finally, Thinkspace Gallery opened a group show in "In the Wake of Dreams." Additionally, we checked out Otis College's exhibition on Feminist art in Los Angeles during the 1970s in "Doin' It in Public." Great shows!!!

We had two advertising posts this week. First, we mocked the Jagermeister candle bowls and enjoyed some European ads. Then, we ranted about ketchup and looked at the history of Heinz marketing campaigns.

After months of promising to show more flowers from the many botanical shows that I attended over the Summer, Friday Flowers finally paid off the debt. Here's your flowers!!! Here's your stinkin' flowers!!! ;-)

And we checked out two very different buildings. First, we admired the Punch Card building, Ahmanson Hall, at Otis College. Then, we attended the opening of Mysterious Galaxy, an independent bookstore specializing in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery fiction.

And a good time was had by all. Now, here's our weekly weird image.

Mean Beanz hates Heinz bottles too!!! (Photo by Howard McAlpine)


Enjoy!!!

Mysterious Galaxy

Mysterious Galaxy, an independent bookstore specializing in Mystery and Speculative Fiction.


Today was the Grand Opening of Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in Redondo Beach.

Of course, I had to head over to support a local indie bookstore. It's been years since Los Angeles has had a quality Science Fiction/Fantasy retailer, ever since Dangerous Visions in Sherman Oaks closed down in 2002. Likewise, westside Mystery fans have been left without a good indie option since the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood shut its doors in January of this year. So, this opening is a fantastic event!

Mysterious Galaxy is an expansion from San Diego, where the store has been a vital part of the SF/Fantasy and Mystery community for years. Author signings, book groups, and miscellaneous book events are frequently sponsored by them. It's a huge boon to the fan communities to have an organized and professional independent store in the region.

And they had cake! How can you beat that? ;-)

Yum!!! Cinnamon cake!!!

Considering that the event occurred at 10 am on a weekday, there was a decent crowd that turned out. Hopefully, this is indicative of a strong community that will support the store. As you all may recall, I am not a fan of physical books. Nevertheless, I made sure to make a purchase. It is imperative that those who love reading sustain those special places wherein such habits are developed and cultivated.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting

As regards this store in particular, I like it's location. It's only a few blocks west of the 405. So it should be fairly accessible to anyone on the westside of LA. There is a good selection of SF/Fantasy, Mystery, and Horror. And the facilities are generous for hosting book signings or other social events.

Windows of the Future

"Punch card" windows along the northern face of Ahmanson Hall at Otis College


How will buildings of the future look? How can an architect in the present discern the shape of an aesthetic yet to come? Is futurism accomplished by an emphatic rejection of the Past? Or is it the extrapolation of modern cutting edge imagery projected into structural design?

We discussed the concept of futurist architecture when visiting the Space Park campus in Redondo Beach. Today, we are visiting the old IBM Aerospace Building in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is now part of Otis College of Art and Design, but was originally built for IBM by Eliot Noyes in 1963. Renamed Ahmanson Hall, this structure is a fine example of futurist architecture.

It is a seven story cube with each face segmented into "punch card" patterns. Clearly, Noyes took the look of the computer technology of his day and projected it conceptually as a design scheme for a "futuristic" building. Nearly fifty years later, it doesn't look anything like how the future of architecture actually turned out, but it does eloquently express a "futuristic" forward-looking aesthetic.

Otis' Ahmanson Hall, the "Punch Card" Building, was built in 1963.


In this regard, futurist architecture shares certain qualities with science fiction. The goal of a good SF story isn't to "predict" the future, but to consider a contemporary issue in the light of future potentialities. In the Punch Card Building, Noyes foresees the importance of computation in the future. So, the symbolism of his era's computer technology is utilized as a design principle to enclose the workspace. The residents of the Punch Card are literally surrounded by the presence of computation.

To Those Who Wait

Vintage ad for Heinz Ketchup


The cooling fries mocked me, lying bare upon the plate, as I shook the Heinz ketchup bottle to no effect. Like a ignorant ape, I had been waving and jerking this bottle about for a length of time that seemed to stretch on to eternity. The crimson sludge moved at a glacial pace. But this gave my youthful mind a moment to consider.

I hate ketchup!!!

Well, that's not quite true. I hate working and waiting for a mere condiment. They are extravagances, unnecessary additions to a meal. With no positive nutritional value, they offer only empty calories. It would be best if condiments were not eaten at all. So why engage in a foolish struggle for it?!!

But even more loathsome than the Heinz ketchup bottle were the detestable packets! Oh, how I despised tearing their corners and kneading the plastic to force out a pittance of flavor. Such a mess. Such a waste!

And so I stopped using ketchup as a regular addition to my meals. Mustard, mayo, salsa, Tabasco, plentiful choices were available to bring my meals added flavor. It wasn't until Heinz came out with a squeeze bottle that I started using ketchup again. ;-)

The Heinz company was founded in 1869 by H. J. Heinz

That's enough ranting. Let's look at some ads.

Where the Wild Thyme Blows

Sleep to Dream (2011) by Stella Im Hultberg


When rousing from a vivid dream, the awakened mind echoes with the whispers and unravelling figments of unconscious desires and dreads. The disjointed narratives of our slumbering spirit fade and grow still, but leave a lingering resonance, a haunting sense of another place that can only be entered through the gateways of sleep. This is the feeling that Thinkspace Gallery's exhibit "In the Wake of Dreams" seems to be evoking.

The show features the art of Amy Sol, Audrey Kawasaki, Mari Inukai, and Stella Im Hultberg. Each artist deals primarily with figural depictions, signifying the beings of the "dreamspace" be it the dreamer or the subject of the dream. With distinct approaches to aesthetic oneiromancy, these artists explore the complexity of identity within the illogical realms of the night.

Stella Im Hultberg is the most traditionally western in her studies of a single raven-tressed woman. Her style has vague symbolist hints, but steers clear of the ornamentation and opulence that characterizes such art. Her images have a placid but deep simplicity in which the dreamer becomes a disembodied visage. Meanwhile, the awakened self is wrapped in lush fabrics that weigh upon the her like the memories of profound imaginings.

Sea Mallow (2011) by Amy Sol

The Self as traveler in an idyllic dreamscape is the premise of Amy Sol's work. Whether it's reading tea leaves in the bough of a great tree alongside a giant bird or watching sea monsters frolic upon a moonlit loch, the dreamer experiences a fantasy realm of peace and amity. Technically, her utilization of the wood grain within the composition gives the work an organic feel. The natural patterns of the material give the paintings depth and a sense of vitality to the featureless setting.

Well, You Needn't

Thelonious Monk, 1961 (Photo by William Claxton)

It's time to pay homage to another Master of Jazz. On this day in 1917, Thelonious Monk was born. In the history of jazz, there are many peculiar individuals and a few brilliant individuals. Well, Monk was both peculiar and brilliant. In terms of composition, only Duke Ellington has had a greater influence upon the genre.

I've expressed my youthful difficulties in appreciating bebop and its derivatives. I just couldn't get into Charlie Parker or Dizzy Gillespie. Their music didn't click with my conception as to how music was "supposed" to sound. So, what knocked down these mental barriers? The music of Thelonious Monk. It was both intellectually engaging and emotionally accessible.

My newfound enthusiasm for Monk was further developed by the 1988 documentary "Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser", shortly after I "discovered" his music. By learning about the man behind the music, it added a new depth to my appreciation. This is where my interest in music and art history began.

Thelonious Monk was born on October 10, 1917.

Well, that's enough about me. Let's get back to celebrating the great music of Thelonious Monk!

Danse Macabre

Dance of Death (1493) by Michael Wolgemut


October 9, 1835 is the birth date of Camille Saint-Saens.

This isn't a "Classical Music" blog, but I was thinking of sneaking in a little Spooky Sunday fun for an early October evening. One of Saint-Saens' most famous pieces is the Danse Macabre. This tone poem is based on a story in which Death appears at midnight every Halloween and summons up the dead from their graves. To the sound of Death's violin, they dance until sunrise. Then they return into the earth and wait for another year to pass so that they can enjoy another night of liberating dance.

In late medieval lore, the danse macabre was symbolic of the universality of death. Regardless of your age, wealth, social status, or personal talents, the Reaper was always at your side. Death was waiting for all mortals. And so Life was nothing but a dance on the way to the grave.

Morbid stuff!!!

Dance of the Dolls (2011) by Anthony Clarkson

But I find the imagery fascinating. Dancing is such vigorous and life-affirming activity that the combination with Death creates a transgressive thrill. Lifeless things should not be dancing. And dancers should not be dead.

Appreciating Herstory

Otis College is exhibiting "Doin' It in Public" as part of the Pacific Standard Time art event.

There is currently a vast artistic curation and exhibition project underway in the Los Angeles area called Pacific Standard Time. It's premise is to celebrate and display the Los Angeles art scene from 1945 to 1980, the foundational era upon which contemporary LA art builds. Obviously, in an enormous population center like Los Angeles, there will be many narrative and historical strands that will be considered.

So I began my exploration of Pacific Standard Time with a visit to Otis College's exhibit "Doin' It in Public: Feminism and Art at the Woman's Building." It's a fascinating look at the woman's art movement and how the establishment of a feminist institution gave birth to a wide array of creative endeavors, from the aesthetic to the sexual to the political.

In terms of exhibiting original art, there wasn't much. It was more of an anthropological and historical show, which is cool with me. There were plenty of informative media displays. One could spend hours at the exhibit just looking at the videos or listening to recordings. I especially enjoyed the reconstruction of a few performance art installations.

American Dining: A Working Woman's Moment (1987/2011) by the Waitresses

For me, the documentation of the artistic-political collectives was the most compelling part of the exhibit. It seems as if this was where the creative energy of the Woman's Building in forming a community identity and fostering progressive artistic and political activities came together strongest.

From the Pipes of Hydraulus

Louis Vierne at the Wanamaker Auditorium Organ (1927)

The French organist and composer, Louis Vierne, was born on this date in 1870.

That gives us a prime opportunity to listen and appreciate the "King of Instruments" this afternoon. So, head over to your favorite source for experiencing music and give a listen to the rich sounds of the organ. If it's sacred music that you enjoy, there's plenty of great pieces. Looking for a more secular vibe? Then try out a bit of theatre organ works or diversions upon the calliope. Or check out the Hammond in some jazz or soul music.

No matter the type of music to which you listen, adding an organ into the mix will make it something grand! ;-)

Organ of Notre-Dame de Paris, 2007 (Photo by Eric Chan)

Let's check out some vids.

Epic Adventures in Imaginal Realms of the Self

Bad News Bat (2011) by David Jien

The Richard Heller Gallery is currently exhibiting "The Plight of the Who" works by David Jien. These drawings depict a fantastic world in which humanity and their free-spirited anthropomorphic allies, the Who, are in an epic struggle against the immoral and homogenized forces of the lizardmen and their blue egg-headed allies. Set within a weird realm that seems drawn from a role-playing game, the warring sides contend to determine the fate of an important child.

As a life-long gamer, these works caught my enthusiasm at first sight. They portray scenes from the fantastic narrative of the Who's epic adventure, although this show is focused only on "Chapter One" of the story. There are moments of discovery, as when the Who Riders come across the Statue. There are moments of decadence, as depicted at the unsettling interspecies orgy between the lizard men and the human women. And then there are moments of heroism, as when the Who Riders faces overwhelming odds against the hordes of their reptilian foes. Even the pictures of the Collector viewing his collection has an implied narrative significance.

The Who Riders (2010) by David Jien

But it isn't just the narrative or fantastic imagery that makes this show so compelling. Jien's attention to detail is superb! Minute elements of texture or pattern are delivered with precision and with cohesion to the overall composition. Each subject of each picture is designed with meticulous consideration. Even the uniform figures of the lizardmen and the blue egg-heads are given focused articulation. It's an awesome display of craftsmanship.

Nothing Says "Classy" Like. . .

Jagermeister promotional candle bowl


So I strolled over to a local bar to have a drink. Seeing promotional materials in use at a South Bay bar is commonplace. But I've never took notice of a promotional candle bowl until now. Seriously, who's going to be swayed into buying a drink by a candle bowl?!!

I can understand cheap and disposable promotional objects like coasters or holiday treats. I can't see the marketing idea behind the Jagermeister candle bowl. It doesn't even jibe with the product traits, such as being "ice cold" or "herbal" flavored. In fact, it literally highlights the creepy "occult" symbolism associated with the product logo.

Yeah, I know it's meant to symbolize the patron saints of hunters, St. Hubertus and St. Eustace. To the modern American audience, Catholic hagiography is nearly unknown. Is it fair that Americans are so culturally ignorant that they don't understand the symbolism of an established German logo? No, but marketing is about effective promotion, not about fairness.

Jagermeister's stag head logo is a reference to the patron saints of hunters.

Well, it didn't inspire me to knock back a jagerbomb.