Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I can feel it ...
Where's my spanking? Damnit! There's gonna be some hell to pay around here.
Clear Ayes,
Since you enjoyed the other Live tune, I thought I would plug this one. It is very poignant. In a moment of synchronicity, I just happened to be listening to this song very late one night when, unbeknownst to me, my niece was delivering her first child.
Here are the words to Lightning Crashes
Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door
Lightning crashes, an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now, to the baby down the hall
Oh now feel it comin' back again
Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris,
Presents the circle
And puts the glory out to hide, hide
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
PMT baby...see Quandry post #2...the start of your spanking. I really had to change out of the Shepherd's get-up.
Hope you aquired the French Maid outfit...those rightwingers don't even know what to do with a birthday suit!
Otta here for at least an hour.
WH...you're missin' all the fun...
That's what I get for spending a day shopping. So many interesting posts...here...there...everywhere. I had to spend the last half hour or so jumping back and forth to see what I had missed.
PMT and WM, a worthy discussion of truth in art. I agree with WM, no wait, I agree with PMT. I'm so confused. Seriously, I think you both put forth some interesting points.
For a subject to be called art, it has to affect the viewer emotionally. It doesn't have to slam us over the head. A simple, "Yes, I like it.", or "Yes, I understand", is enough. Everyone is affected differently, but as long as there IS a response, I think that is enough for it to be called art. I don't care for anime, but I can't claim it isn't art.
I don't think separating art into "high art" and "other art" serves much of a purpose. We are all creatures of our own experiences and can only know what we are individually attracted to and moved by. To make a definitive "This Is Art and This Ain't" statement can sound condescending, even if that isn't the aim.
I can appreciate "uncomfortable" art. Robert Maplethorpe "bullwhip" photo is startling and, I think, makes a statement about the sometimes controlling nature of homosexuality. (I suppose a photo of a bullwhip in a woman's vagina would have made a similar statement about heterosexuality.) I wouldn't hang either photo in my living room. I certainly don't think I could use the word "like" to describe it, but "thought provoking", yes. Art, yes.
On the other hand, although I suspect a vacuum cleaner in a box is meant to remind the viewer of the "trap of the menial housekeeper" (woman), I wouldn't consider it art. It doesn't shock, surprise, move or amuse.
I saw both Night Watch and The Sampling Officials at the Rijksmuseum. I found them to be quite moving. His arrangement of his subjects and his use of light and shade are beautiful to behold. Although he was a successful commissioned artist, he had an empathy for his subjects that elevated his portraits to more than just painting for the money. Art? You betcha...but that's just me.
PMT, I'm not so sure about the latest song. I'll have to listen to it again.
Jeannie, I did listen and watch a couple of Buckethead's video's. I liked the music very much. I'm just having a tough time reconciling his mask and bucket. They are very distracting to me. It reminds me of Prince, who has gone through so many angst-ridden periods. I always wanted to just say, "Why can't you just sing and play, without all the histrionics?" I feel the same way (so far) about Buckethead. Why the silly stage presence? Is he trying to ridicule the audience? I'll have to listen some more and try to get past the appearance he presents.
Good day to all of you. In my one contribution today I'm going to touch a few bases, lightly.
First, let me suggest gently that, whatever the topic we are initiating or responding to, we post on the most recent ( or at least the top two) thread. Jeannie mentioned the inherent confusion in trying to post in exactly the right place, and ClearAyes spoke of navigating among the threads.
My comprehension of art as you three apprehend it is so immature and undeveloped that it may be irrelevant. On the other hand, I know what I like when I see it, and I find my tastes to be so inconsistent that they aren't trustworthy.
Like all four (visible members, that is) of you, I am moved by music. My tastes there are certifiably lowbrow. I like some old country music (hate the country radio wimpy crap), rocknroll that really rocks, some jazz, some classical (very uneducated there, but Copeland, Dvorak, Vivaldi resonate). Too quick a judgement, Jeannie, but I could be tortured Gitmo-style with Buckethead music. On the other hand, I once went to sleep (not in any way under the influence) listening to the Metallica Black album cranked up just below the distortion level of a very high quality system my ex now owns. But like playing doctor, I'll listen to yours if you listen to mine. I like things that get into my head and stay. I have a top 40 ( which is probably in reality about a top 110) that spans 50 years, and I know who did it and who wrote it and what other bands they were in, ad nauseum. I can bore the Hell out of a girl pretty damn quick, but I love the shit, you know?
On the issue of whoredom, I have a story. (Hell, I have a story for everything. If you're 63, curious, and a decent memory, such as 564-3416, my high school girlfriend's #, I haven't seen her since 1973, you're going to have stories).
Anyway, my former brother-in-law was and may still be the best guitarist I ever saw. Clapton, Hendrix, Atkins, you name it, he was better. He played in country band with his older brother bassist. They played in bars around the Cincinnati area for years. He was in the Midwestern Hayride house band for a couple of years, hated it. He was on at least two occasions asked to join the Grand Ole Opry band, which included very lucrative session work in Nashville. Turned it down twice. He worked in a paper plant in Hamilton, Ohio. He just wanted to play music, no bullshit, no corporate crap. So he did, until the brother died. He hasn't picked up that '56 Fender Strat since. But he not a whore, cause you couldn't buy his music, except with a Bourbon and water or a dollar in the tip jar.
Buried another neighbor this AM. According to the preacher she's in a better place now. She was a good person, but I doubt it. Why do they hate this world?
Windhover, all artsy-fartsy, but still a skeptic.
Here is a perfect example of getting lost on your blog; as I cannot believe no one has posted since 4pm this afternoon. I am missing the boat, so to speak as I have checked in every last crook and cranny. Jeannie, confused.
Okay, gonna post now as I have no clue that anyone will read this...Couple of things, I don't have an MO on the other blog. I like to cook and I believe the first recipe I ever shared was over there for a brussel sprout recipe because everyone hated them. Clearayes, I can't say for sure, but you said you would try it.
Next, I am a flirt...it's part of my defense mechanism. Take it or leave it.
Next, here is all I can say about art...I buy what I like when I see it. I have many Atkinson Fox prints in really old frames scattered around my house. If you are not familiar...look at some. There is one common factor, lets see if you can come up with it. I think I own about 11 prints. They give me pleasure and serenity in my life. My friend that convinced me to move to MN after a brief stint in FL and after growing up together in MI was/is a fabulous artist. I am sorry to say, the one painting she did for me was destroyed by my ex-husband. THE BASTARD. She then went through some mental problems and I can't find her. I have tried EVERY search option out there. I miss her and am pretty sure we would pick right up where we left off. Her art was amazing. WM, I thought you might have gotten a kick out of my "draw your own bird" drawing...'V' as that is about as talented as I am in that arena.
Okay, what I am good at...besides flirting...here was my dinner tonight. A friend gave me some fresh laid eggs. Some were really tiny. I roasted some asparagus in olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper. Poached some of those small eggs, and fried just two pieces of bacon. Crumbled the bacon over the asparagus, put the poached eggs on top, and shredded parmesan cheese over the whole thing. Broke the eggs and you'd of thought you were eating hollandaise sauce. Low carb, low fat, and healthy. Oh...yogurt and banana on the side.
Jeannie...WOW...see, this is what I was teasing you about on the other corner...you are a very special person and your opinion counts. I think you like to play the flirt on the other corner becuase it is fun and gets a "rise" out of the guys...but really you seem to be creative, have definite opinions and care very much for friends...a stellar personality and I, for one, am glad you are willing to reveal a bit of the real Jeannie here.
Like Windhover and really all of us...never put yourself down about what you like...art, music, food, wine...and BTW..I DID think the "V" was especially clever...this is what I am saying...to Windhover also. Our whole discussion about art is about what moves you and affects you and makes you happy or sad or upset. Many artists go for sad and upset or shocked...personally, while I can look at work like that and understand it, I probably won't like it in my house because I want things that make me feel serene. It is something I try to accomplish with the landscapes, but I also want to charm and create a sense of the ridiculous at what I am showing you. I am going to google your artist...and I am so sorry you lost track of your friend. I just got back my favorite cousin after 30 some odd years of having no idea where she was...it turned out that one of my brothers(a sports witer and photographer) had been in touch with her all along...so maybe there is still a chance you will find her.
One thing about this blog is that things are very random here...as you have probably noticed, PMT has not responded to the art discussion. So...we don't know if he is pouting or marshalling his next argument...could be hours or days before he surfaces...I would say that the best advice is to go to the most recent blog and just say what you want to...I probably have the most free time to answer...so, sorry, you may get stuck with me.
PMT...WH...CA...ball's(whichever kind you want) are in your court!
Quiche is waiting...oh yeah...Jeannie you could cook for me anytime! that sounds absolutely scrumptious and very very French!
TTFN...WM
Very good WM, but I don't use the heavy cream the French use. I found a similar recipe from an Italian cookbook, just about roasting aspargus (I already had the roasted aspargus down) with the poached eggs put my own "twist" on it. I do that a lot as we discussed the other night. Had I had procuitto and was high in clover I would have used that.
I'm with WH on the "post on the latest entry", no matter which entry you are responding to. That way, we should have to go back to more than one other entry. We all seem to cover a lot of ground and jumping back and forth is really a little disconcerting. This "I can feel it" entry is the current one, so here is where I'll post.
I think the art discussion has pretty much been covered. When it comes right down to it, art, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I may not agree. I can't look out of your eyeballs, so I can't interpret what you see. If what you see soothes, amuses, provokes thought, makes you cry or makes you angry, then it IS art.
Jeannie, this doesn't seem to be a quick back-and-forth blog, so there may not be a lot of posts. Usually our posts are pretty long and more in depth, so there are a lot fewer of them than around the corner.
BTW, I did try your Screaming Heads brussel sprouts recipe. Sorry I forgot to let you know. It was delicious, loaded with calories (all that cream), but what the hell, it was a special occasion.
I looked up Atkinson Fox. I see he was a very well respected illustrator during the first decades of the last century. He was well known for his pastoral paintings. There were 24 prints on R. Atkinson Fox site, but I couldn't see a particular common factor. You'll have to clue us in to what it is.
WH, interesting story about your ex-BIL. But, what is your opinion? Did he refuse to commercialize his music because of some misbegotten pride? Did he ever say why he hated his gig with the Midwestern Hayride? Did he make a huge mistake by not taking the opportunities he had? Being the pragmatist that I am, what I am really asking is, "Was he nuts?"
How true, "why do they hate this world?"
PMT, Happy teabagging day. Why was I not surprised by the "teabag hanging from the sunglasses" comment?
Time to wash the two dishes and salad bowls and settle in for the second glass of wine. "Night all.
Clearayes, I am waiting on other pairs of eye(s) to see if they catch it. I didn't notice it for a few years until I actually had a place to "hang" them on walls and studied them. Jeannie didn't have quite the digs she does now....not that they're great, but they are mine :) Look closely, get drawn in and you will find it.
Once more before bed...I going to toss in my 2 cents on the Atkinson paintings...the subject matter is very varied, but as an illustrator that wouldn't be uncommon. His work has a lot of similarities with one of my more favorite illustrators who was working in the same time period, Maxfield Parrish. I think Parrish's paintings are a bit more hard-edged, but the Atkinson paintings have a lovely quality of light that makes them very serene...there were a few that were more violent in subject, but still, the lighting is consistent pretty much throughout...the landscapes particularly have a glow about them that leans towards the ethereal...
It will be interesting to see what else the others see it in them...I can see, depending on the subject matter that you would want them around...very atmospheric.
Well...that's it for me. Except for getting a couple of paintings shipped off tomorrow to their new owner, I think that I have cleared some days to get back to the mural plans and get back to the painting I started a week ago...if I can remember what exactly I was going to do with it...:oP
Bon nuit....WM
morning all,
I got up at three to put wood in the stove, decided to feed my addiction to see what Jeannie and left coasters had to say. I started what was to be a one line response but morphed into an essay. Just as I hit "publish", the damn Iphone kicked me off the site and my masterpiece was lost. Or so I thought. I see now that the evil tree hugging, tea bagging Wolfmom posted at exactly 3:03 AM, this preempting my post. As ClearAyes said the other evening when something similar happened, it is impossible to dip into the well of genius again (that "same river twice" thing) so I guess I better suck it up and move on.
Is it conceivable that wearing a tea bag prominently displayed (as on one's glasses) could become a form of advertising one's availability or proclivity? And just what Edenic tree did that fruit not fall far from? Does this have anything to do with the "Quiverfull" ( please Google) movement? We'll have to wait until this picture comes into focus.
Note to Jeannie:
Darlin' we like you exactly "warts and all" or "as is" to use a recent clue. You will not need a defense mechanism here. I may tease you unmercifully, and expect to get as good or better than I give, but I will never attack you. Unless of course you fall in with the world-haters. Even then I will gentle be. You can't possibly be any more plebian than I am. I make my living after the curse of Eden, in the dirt and by the sweat of my brow. I wouldn't have it any other way. Can I repeat, you do not need to defend any thing here. Whatever you choose to be is sufficient.
ClearAyes,
I thought I made my feelings about my bil clear. I love and respect the guy. He used to get that Billy Joel Piano Man question all the time: "Man, what you doing here?". Every one who heard him knew how good he was. I think he did, too. But I think he recognized the price of fame and/or success. One of the venues he used to play would every so often bring in a big name but headed down country star, and his band would back them. I specifically remember driving away from the Venice Pavilion in Ross, Ohio one Saturday night/ Sunday morning, seeing a guy named Ernie Ashworth (big hit: Talk Back Tremblin' Lips) sitting on the front steps waiting for a cab to his hotel, very drunk and alone. My brother-in- law and his band went home to a warm bed. It may have been fear of change, it may have been a big frog in a little pond mentality, but I've always believed that. Usic just moved and liberated him, and that he felt that pursuing success would change his life in a way he would regret. I admire him still for it, although back then I was one of those saying 'You need to get out of here." I didn't understand why he didn't, or why when he got his "big chance", he walked away. I do now.
Hello, PMT.
Talk to us, man.
Lost, confused and lonely and don't know what to do. WTFAI?
Tell me what's on your mind.
Post a Comment