Yesterday before collecting Y from Burton Joyce I drove down the few hundred yards to The Trent and the photo shows how high it still is. On Wednesday it had been higher and over the road which was, therefore, closed.
To return to Paul Alexander's lecture in the evening suffice it to say "excellent". He took us through a well illustrated tour, from his early photographic beginnings to his current interests.From an Art Historical view point the influences he has soaked up (sometimes perhaps subconsciously) range from John Everett Millais's 'Ophelia' through Andy Warhol's silk-screen portraits, to Robert Mapplethorpe and yet Paul's work remains refreshingly fresh and individual. And of course, Man Ray, Bill Brandt, and Edward Weston. I'm not providing links to them all but if last night's younger audience research themselves they will see what I mean.
I offer as a for-instance this Edward Weston nude.
Which, as Paul said, about his own version, more like a 'landscape' than a person.Occasionally falling on the wrong side of the 'exploitation of women' fence, the sheer quality of Paul's work pulls him through.
It was a great evening and we all learned a lot. Such a high turn-out was rewarding. Although not the last to arrive, by the time AnonymousRob and AnonymousElaine arrived the room was chock-full and I thought he was going to have to sit on my knee! Both brought in chairs from the corridor though, and all was well.
Picture 2 bytheway is just a close-up of an aconite. It looks as if it is about to be hit by a meteorite; due to limited depth of field only, nothing so exciting. Apparently WoW at Buxton was fine and they enjoyed the Exhibition but externally the light wasn't terrific. I have yet to hear about the chip-cob quality.
A sad dispatch now. Ralph, Bungus's Staffordshire Bull Terrier, died this morning. He was a great character of a dog and we shall all miss him.
Comments.....Thanks all for your 'pain sympathy' messages. I had a much better night last night and was quite surprised when 7.30am arrived rather than 3am or thereabouts. Oh dear Jill ! Cheapest (not good either) carvery £8. Well you will live in these classy places. I'd love to do a sortie round your charity shops. Prolly find a leather bound first edition of Blake, with original illustrations, for 99p. Don't worry though, I wouldn't collect the 1p change.
Madeline.....You are quite right to slap my wrist over not going deeply enough into the SiteAdvisor reports on the suspect website. I suppose that, in my mind, I was trying to encourage people to use it, even if only as a guide for further delving. Strange thing though, as we now know from AnonymousRob's comment, that site is nothing to do with 'our Paul'.
Mannanan...... As you say "each to his own" on the question of favourite films, or favourite anything for that matter.
The Wilde quote seemed popular, so here's another...........
"Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong"
As you will see, if you open the link, a change from his Wikipedia page !
....As AnonymousRob enjoyed the Stan Bungus and Ollie Hardy smiley I thought the great mover himself was due for an airing. Tomorrow TJ is coming for a meal and Y is going to Hannah's pantomine. They have done it Wednesday, Thursday, this evening, and two performances tomorrow. A matinée and then evening as well. Bit heavy when you are only 10+. But we used to send them down the mines and up chimneys I suppose. Sleep tight folks. Catch you tomorrow...
.
Sorry to say that I was not at all stirred by the nude. I am not complaining because it was unerotic; simply that it does nothing for me. Chacun, etc…
ReplyDeleteBut pleased this time to be able to see the
aconite.
As RG says, there is a sad Ralph shaped hole in our house.
Although no longer able to stand, he fought hard on Thursday night but finally went peacefully at about 11.30 Friday morning.
He was 14 yrs8momths; a good age for a Staffy.
I was reminded of the Dylan Thomas poem:
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Rail, rail, against the dying of the light …”
(If I remember correctly)
Friday also saw an uneventful visit to City Hospital. I was pleased that the driver was late collecting me as it allowed me to be with Ralph when he died. Although I was 20 min late for the appointment I was processed very quickly and the hour’s wait for return transport passed quickly enough with the Observer crossword, Jimmy Carr and Lucy Greaves’ ‘The Naked Jape‘ *, a banana and half-a-dozen orange & cranberry Jaffa cakes.
I’ve decided to take up meditation. It’s got to be better than sitting here doing nothing. (a paraphrase of Max Kauffman, taken from * ‘The Naked Jape’.
Aa is:
“Mohammed is one of the most common Christian names in the world”
(David Jensen).
I too sympathise with Jill’s lack of cheap sub-standard meals.
Really sorry to hear of the loss of Ralph. You're bound to miss him but remember the good times and I bet he had a great life with you. Staffy's are lovely dogs with a bad press.
ReplyDeleteIs the 'great mover' John Travolta or Michael Jackson? Doesn't look like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly though.
Rob
I forgot to say that my chimney needs sweeping. Has anyone got an 8 year old who isn't busy?
ReplyDeleteRob
Sorry its a bit late --The exibition by David Butcher at Buxton was fine techincally great but as we/I had seen many of the images before it was quite quickly looked at. More intresting was a set of six large colour 4ft sq. images called 'Shifting Sands' by a MAnsfield photographer (Paul Taggs) I think, of Warsop Vale colliery village going derelict. He really has an eye for a picture The trip was worth it just to see thoose images.
ReplyDeleteThe chip buttie was average, but Derbyshire tourist priced at £2.60
As the room at EPS was so packed last week for Paul, next week we are using the snooker room down stair on a trial basis (no playing during the lectures Rob)Similar space for seating but more volume and extraction fans.
Reg
So sorry about Ralph, very pleased he died in his own home, we had the vet come to us when it was time for Harry's aided departure (18 yr. old Jack Russell). After he had died, both of us heard/saw him (well his tail disappearing round a door and his nails clattering on wooden floor) several times over the next few weeks, before going altogether. Neither of us liked to tell the other one till all traces had gone. I am not at all a believer in ghosts (though R nore likely ) it was very odd, disconcerting but strangely comforting. Just telling you, never had this with other equally loved dogs.
ReplyDeleteLoved Rakesh's photo - I think you could call that art?