bLOGOS/HA HA: Picture Arrival Ritual

David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.

06 April 2011

Picture Arrival Ritual

The Archibald Prize for Portraiture is to Art in Australia what the Melbourne Cup is to Horse Racing. Something serious for a few,
a bit of fun for the folk.

Every year both events enter their season and we are lead through the stages.

First, the nation is informed that this year's entries are arriving: horses with prospects from Ireland, New Zealand, The Arab Emirates... and Portrait Paintings from "all over Australia".

It's that time of year again. The Archibald Cometh!

"The annual exhibition of Archibald Prize finalists will visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley, its only Victorian appearance and its first pitstop in the state for two years.

Hundreds of entries from around the country are arriving this week at the Art Gallery of New South Wales before the finalists' nomination on April 8 and announcement of the $50,000 winner on April 15. The 40 or so works that make the final cut will be shown at the gallery from April 16 until June 26, before touring TarraWarra in July..."

Yarra Valley gallery to host Archibald Prize finalists
The Age, Gina McColl, 30 March 2011

TEN News beams into our homes The Arriving of the Paintings at The Art Gallery of New South Wales.