While looking for the title of a specific book (Eros and Magic in the Renaissance by Culiano and Cook) that I knew to be in one of my research notebooks, I came across a little scrap of paper on which I had written a description of a masked ceremonial dance — probably something from the […]
"Beauty now for ashes wear, Perfumes for the garb of woe. Chaplets for dishevelled hair, Dances for sad footsteps slow; Open wide your hearts that they Let in joy this Easter Day." —"Easter," by Gerald Manley Hopkins "Maiden in Contemplation," painted by Gaston La Touche, 1854–1913
Happy Easter and A Beautiful Spring to You All Read More »
One of the most successful ad campaigns (which ran for over 20 years!) was created by Maidenform Bras — which involved surreal dreams of doing all manner of activity half undressed in one’s highly constructed brassiere. You can find examples of them all over the internet of course — and they really are “fantastic.” But
And Other Fantasies — Dreaming in Lingerie Read More »
I love this beautiful poem by Seamus Heaney, “St Kevin and the Blackbird,” and think it appropriate for a weekend that will specialize in Irish saints — though perhaps with more “spirit” than reverence. Still …enjoy this recording of the poem. The art above, “St. Kevin and the Blackbird” is by one of my favorite
Seamus Heaney: St. Kevin and the Blackbird. Read More »
Illustration Art has a gorgeous post on the life of Russian artist, Zinaida Serebriakova, whose life spanned a revolution, and two world wars. Under incredibly difficult circumstances, she continued to paint, work as an illustrator, care for her children, and paint at regular intervals self portraits. Her work is lovely — and her self portraits
A Woman’s History in Self Portraits. Read More »
I have just finished a conference where we read and discussed in great depth Emile Zola's novel, Au Bonheur Des Dames (The Ladies Delight.) The novel, set in the late 1860's, centers on the invention of the department store (based on the historical store Bon Marché in Paris). The owner Mouret — a scoundrel and
The Splendor Of Shopping: Emile Zola and Au Bonheur Des Dames (The Ladies’ Delight) Read More »
Here are some of the cartoons from 1950’s artist Virgil Partch‘s book Wild Wild Women. These hilarious, whimsical and wonderfully naughty cartoons remind me of an edgier James Thurber. The ASIFA- Hollwood says this about Virgil’s work: “Throughout the 50s, he published small collections of his cartoons, grouped by themes. “Bottle Fatigue” dealt with
Virgil Partch’s Wild, Wild Women Read More »
Oaxacan artist, Fernando Olivera, is perhaps better known in this country for his magnificent work in color — vibrant paintings that depict a magic realist Mexico — but I also love his smaller black and white etchings which are equally magical. I am determined this year to purchase one or two for the new house
Por Unos Ojos Negros Read More »
Actor John Turturro has acquired the rights to create a filmed version of Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales (perhaps my all time favorite fairy tale collection). Last year, Turturro tested the waters so to speak with a new play "Fiable Italiano" adapted from Calvino's collection. It was performed before sold out audiences in Turin, Naples and
John Turturro And Italo Calvino: Italian Folktales On The Stage And On Film Read More »
“The strangest of all the phantasms described is, perhaps, the Youaltepoztli, literally, “the night hatchet or axe.” It manifested itself by causing loud intermittent sounds resembling those produced by the blows of an axe in splitting wood. These ominous sounds were audible at dead of night in the mountains, and inspired terror, for they were
Youaltepoztli: The Night Hatchet Read More »
