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.
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In Venice the boats continue to arrive at the Paul Cox designed, redesignated Australia(n) Processing Centre~Offshore.
The banks of the canal are looking worn now and much of the Giardini foliage has been trampled as the boatpeople numbers increase.
Cultural emigres and other desperate persons, each hoping for a Temporary Exhibition Visa to the proposed Australia(n) Pavilion ~Offshore.
The new arrivals quickly assimilate into the watching crowd.
Many are umbratects, or umbrellatects, and all distinctive as such. Theirs is perhaps the keenest interest in the Venice Biennale~ Australia(n) Pavilion~Offshore project.
There are many entire families. Above, parents watch for boats as their children fish.
There are unaccompanied minors, too. And children who are lost or separated. Below, a boy panics.
detail
A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
someone looks at something ...
LOGOS/HA HA
