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.


31 January 2020

A Scene At The See | dark seescape with figure inTitled


Marcus Bunyan at Art Blart has just posted an extensive account of the William Blake exhibition at Tate Britain :

european research tour exhibition: ‘william blake’ at tate britain, london part 1

Today, the temperature for Melbourne is predicted to be 43 degrees (110 F). One of the Blake images Marcus shows is Titled : Small Book of Designs: Plate 8, ‘dark seascape with figure in water’ (1794)


photo British Museum  
On New Years's Eve in the east of Victoria extreme bushfires drove people onto the beaches and into boats. The sky was darkened.


photo of her son by Allison Marion  

photo The Australian  


click image to enlarge  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA

  
   

30 January 2020

A Scene At The See | matrix surfer



 ANO NATSU, ICHIBAN SHIZUKANA UMI 
 A SCENE AT THE SEA
 G
 TAKESHI KITANO
 1991 
 7.45PM WED 5 FEB 2020 (1HR 41MINS)
 GOMA | CINEMA A | FREE


Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA

  
   

29 January 2020

Nikki Danjo and the rat of TAR



above : The rat of TAR grabs the plotters' Label scroll and disappears off-stage in a cloud, but not before Otoko-no-suke strikes it on the forehead. 

Dressed in rat gray, Nikki Danjo now appears on stage with the Label scroll as ecTARplasm. By a magic hand gesture, he becomes invisible.
  
- re. The Precious Incense and Autumn Flowers of Sendai / Meiboku Sendai Hagi (1777-)

Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


  

27 January 2020

ecTARplasm

ecTARplasm : (from the Greek ektos, meaning "outside", TAR meaning "Theatre of the Actors of Regard", and plasma, meaning "something formed or molded") is a term used to denote a substance or spiritual/conceptual energy "exteriorised" by artistic mediums. 
see also LOGOS/HA HA : Speaking ] form ( into Being
We are intrigued by Nick Kyrgios's ecTARplasmic expressions, observed again this week at the Australian Open.


Getty Images : Kyrgious with on-court ecTARplasm
This brings to mind other images of ecTARplasmy, 
so to speak...


St Anne and the Angel, together in ecTARplasmic ejaculation. 
The Annunciation to Saint Anne (detail), Bernhard Strigel, c.1510


The actor Sawamura Gennosuke IV as Nikki Danjo in 
'The precious incense and autumn flowers of Sendai'.
Natori Shunsen (1928)  collection: National Gallery of Australia


Mixed meta : 'Danjūro Ichimura VIII as Nikki Danjō' 
in Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki , by Toyokuni Utagawa III (1849)
  

Danish medium Einer Nielsen producing ectoplasm at Oslo, 1921
Kyrgios survives incredible fightback from Karen Khachanov
AAP - 26 Jan 2020 00:23 
Nick Kyrgios has set up the most anticipated match of the 2020 Australian Open - a clash with bitter rival Rafael Nadal - after a stunning five-set triumph against Karen Khachanov. 
The temperamental Australian produced some of his best tennis to beat the Russian 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (8-6) 6-7 (9-7) 7-6 (10-8) in a thrilling third-round match on Saturday night 
The four hour 26 minute classic was the longest of his career and sets up the eighth tour showdown with the world No.1 on Monday. 
But this one will go down for the ages, Kyrgios blowing two match points across the third and fourth set and also battling a bloody hand and a mini-meltdown to eventually get the job done. 
"Man, it was crazy," Kyrgios said. 
"I don't even know what to say right now. That was insane. I've got no words to how I'm feeling right now.
 After the win, Nick painfully slowly approached Jim Courier, waiting on court to interview him. With hands on hips and a white ecTARplasm towelling emission, he readied to speak.

 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA



   

26 January 2020

Australia Day/Invasion Day


 Daisy by Pond click to play


 Like, what about the empire? What about the cross?

[Intro]
It's spring and the cherry blossoms sprout
The legs are out and the bronzed chests
And fires bejeweling the southwest
Thank you, darling, for these silver gelatin echoes of me, 
    with you
Smiling like he has to for the cause
For the tribe, for the boys, for the lie

[Verse 1]
Nobody heard me crying in my sleep
Me and the men of the frontier stack the bodies in a heap
Jimmy grabs a beer and we wash our hands in the creek
Ooh, talk is cheap
Frangipanis growing back home
And they're shading the bottle-o line
Once we were dreaming of pearls
Now me and my sons all dream of iron

[Chorus]
Well, Daisy, baby, are you drivin' home?
'Cause this baby doesn't wanna walk alone
She said "Ooh" as she grabbed my tongue
Sometimes you gotta rock the cradle, baby, on your own

[Verse 2]
Ooh, is that boogoo with the big chain?
Is that Annie with the white dress?
Is that granny with the white man
With the no name and the no stress?
Like, what about the empire? What about the cross?
What about the halos? Are the angels inside with the Xbox?
Ooh, that's a dollar for any can
And on Thursdays, I'll be headin' back to see my man

[Chorus]
Well, Daisy, baby, are you drivin' home?
'Cause this baby doesn't wanna walk alone
She said "Ooh" as she grabbed my tongue
Sometimes you gotta rock the cradle, baby, on your own

[Bridge]
Damn, it's cool on the bathroom floor
Well, Daisy doesn't have a babe no more
Damn, it's cool on the bathroom floor
Daisy doesn't have a babe no more

[Outro]
Did seeing real blood remind you that I had a heart?
That was the last kiss, that was a real one
When I see you next year I'll be perfect, yeah
I'll be perfect for you, babe


 What about the halos? Are the angels inside with the Xbox?
  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA



   

24 January 2020

Street Art : Vincent Street, Daylesford, today

   

 above, one of two Lamborghini; above rear, David Bromley art
 below, David Bromley art; reflection, one of two Lamborghini

Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


  

23 January 2020

Vale Terry Jones (1942-2020)


MENU
- Egg and bacon
- Egg, sausage and bacon
- Egg and Spam
- Egg, bacon and Spam
- Egg, bacon, sausage and Spam
- Spam, bacon, sausage and Spam
- Spam, egg, Spam, Spam, bacon and Spam
- Spam, Spam, Spam, egg and Spam
- Spam, Sausage, Spam, Spam, Spam, Bacon, Spam, Tomato and Spam
- Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, baked beans, Spam, Spam, Spam and Spam
- Lobster Thermidor aux Crevettes with a Mornay sauce, Served in a Provençale Manner with Shallots and Aubergines, garnished with Truffle Paté, Brandy and a Fried egg on top and Spam.

Wife: (shrieks) I don't like spam!
Man: Sshh, dear, don't cause a fuss. I'll have your spam. I love it. I'm having spam spam spam spam spam spam spam baked beans spam spam spam and spam!
Vikings: (singing) Spam spam spam spam. Lovely spam! Wonderful spam!
Waitress: Shut up!! Baked beans are off.
Man: Well could I have her spam instead of the baked beans then?
Waitress: You mean spam spam spam spam spam spam... (but it is too late and the Vikings drown her words)
Vikings: (singing elaborately) Spam, spam, spam, spam. Lovely spam! Wonderful spaaam! Lovely spam! Wonderful spam. Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am! Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am! Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am! Spa-a-a-a-a-a-a-am! Lovely spam! (Lovely spam!) Lovely spam! (Lovely spam!) Lovely spaaam! Spam, spam, spam, spaaaaam!


Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail and Spam
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art and Spam/
 someone looks at something and Spam... 
  
 LOGOS/HA HA and Spam



22 January 2020

Hazard Reduction? Yes, ScoMo Must Go!

  

 Scott Morrison in Australian Parliament - photo by Mike Bowers

Experts slam Morrison’s false equivalence between emissions targets and hazard reduction
Michael Mazengarb / RenewEconomy
 
  
Climate and fire experts have slammed prime minister Scott Morrison’s claims that hazard reduction burns carry equal importance to that of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saying it shows Morrison still does not understand the link between bushfires and climate change.

In an interview with former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, Peta Credlin, Morrison told Sky News that he was keen to avoid a focus on his government’s climate change targets, and instead sought to focus on the ongoing debate about hazard reduction burns.

“Hazard reduction is as important as emissions reduction and many would argue, I think, even more so because it has even more direct practical impact on the safety of a person going into a bushfire season,” Morrison said in an interview with Peta Credlin on Sky News.

“There’s been plenty of chat about emissions reduction, and that’s fine. Hazard reduction, though, is the thing that is going to take a more practical effect on how safe people are in future fire seasons.”

Following a summer that has been dominated by an unprecedented bushfire season in Australia, the Morrison government has refused to commit to doing more to reduce Australia’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

(read full article HERE)


Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA



   

21 January 2020

Re. control over appearances


Melbourne is again hosting the Australian Open.
 
On Monday night, there were many fans to support the young Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first-round match. Tsitsipas later suggested the fans had 'crossed the line' in their chants and conduct, that they should show more respect to his opponent, that such behaviour is not appropriate for tennis.

We noted a group of young men who posed in celebration of the Tsitsipas's win by all raising the horned hand.
  

It's a gesture common to many cultures, often symbolising a warding offWarding off the evil eye, warding off evil, warding off the unwanted. 
In recent decades, it has even been used to represent the opposite, a welcoming of the forces of opposition, from satan to heavy metal ...


... to grindcore and parodic transmutation. 
 free-style grindcore/power-violence band Self Deconstruction

We don't know Jimmy Connors' intention when he used it (directed at himself) at the Australian Open in 1974.


 Jimmy Connors wins the Australian Open 1974 : The Age

Our own preferred signification derives from its use as an esoteric Tibetan Buddhist mudra : 
having control over appearances.
  
Perhaps, Connors used it in this way? A note-to-self not to be misled by the momentary appearance of victory.

This application is also often used by TARists.

Theatre of the Actors of Regard  
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


   

20 January 2020

Vale James Mollison (1931-2020)


James Mollison

Wikipedia

National Gallery of Australia's founding director James Mollison dies

The Age 

Art world loses true visionary James Mollison

The Australian 



bLOGOS/HA HA (the editor)

In December 1975, I entered two small finely drawn ideogram works in the prestigious Mornington Peninsula Drawing Prize. Alan McCulloch, art critic for 'The Herald', was the director of the Mornington Peninsula Regional Art Gallery and it was he who initiated this competition to promote drawing. This was an open-entry opportunity from which a selection of works would be hung and from these a select few acquired by the gallery. Alan and a panel of artist judges would make the final assessment.

I attended the opening and was pleased to see both my works on display. Before the final selection was announced, Alan spoke about the practice and qualities of drawing that were important to him. I agreed. My drawings, however, didn't make the final cut and I was very disappointed as these were a breakthrough for me.

Some weeks later, the Mornington gallery phoned to say that James Mollison had visited the exhibition and bought both my works (and no others) for the National Gallery collection. It was a great confirmation of my altered path - the first such support. More purchases were to follow.

National Gallery of Australia : facebook 

It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of one of Australia’s greatest museum directors, National Gallery founding director James Mollison AO.

During twenty years at the helm, he showed us how bold risk taking could build an unrivalled world class art collection. In bringing together so many influential and extraordinary works, he wanted visitors to experience art history and leave knowing much more about art than when they first arrived.

By inspiring and provoking Australians with everything from Sidney Nolan’s ‘Ned Kelly’ series to Jackson Pollock’s ‘Blue poles’, he invited us to think and talk about art. This pioneering spirit together with his courage is what we carry into the future. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Below : James Mollison AO and Robert Hughes AO regard Jackson Pollock’s ‘Blue Poles’ 1952 
© Pollock-Krasner Foundation. ARS/Copyright Agency  (click image to enlarge)


Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


  

18 January 2020

State of Interdependence



Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


    

17 January 2020

Art Cult on Parade

after Yosa Buson...  


Yosa Buson (1716-1784)  
Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA

    

16 January 2020

Laughing Songs of TAR ( Olivier Messiaen )


DANCE OF BÉBÉ PILULE (FOR MY LITTLE PASCAL)
words and music by Olivier Messiaen

Pilule, come let’s dance.
Malonlanlaine, ma.
Strands of sunshine.
Malonlanlaine, ma.
It’s the alphabet of laughter
at your mother’s fingertips.
Her perpetual yes
was a tranquil lake.
Malonlanlaine, ma, ma.
Gentleness of staircases,
surprise at the turnings of doors.
All the light birds
take flight from your hands.
Light birds, pebbles,
refrains, light cream.
Into blue fish,
into blue moons,
halos of earth and water,
a single lung in a single reed.
Io, malonlaine, ma.
The disarmed eye,
an angel on the head, 
your little nose raised
towards the blue which swallows itself,
hemming the glass horizons
with gilded cries, you offered
your heart so pure.
To sing, to sing, ah! to sing,
gleaner of stars, braids of life,
could you sing
more delightfully?
The wind on your ears,
Malonlanlaine, ma.
Plays leap-frog,
Malonlanlaine, ma.
and your mother’s
watchful eye and presence
Shedding one hour
around my smile.
Malonlanlaine, ma.
lo! ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, io, io!


Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA


   
-->

15 January 2020

crows shit, people laugh


Look, up in the sky! 
It's a bird, 
it's a plane, 
(splat!)...it's a bird!?!


Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
At the age of 34, his friend bought a new record player and they listened to Western Laughing Songs. In no time Shiki composed a humorous poem.

crows come flying
scatter their droppings
on Gonbe, on his head
a-ha-ha! a-ha-ha! a-ha-ha! . . . . . . . (in 1901)

from
正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902)


Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA

    

14 January 2020

The Watershed


The watershed: Two Decades of American Painting at the National Gallery of Victoria 
by Charles Green and Heather Barker
ART JOURNAL 50 

click title to read article
Theatre of the Actors of Regard   

Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA
 

   

13 January 2020

TAR People



 Edvard Munch
 Two People. The Lonely Ones (To mennesker. De ensomme)
 1899
click image to enlarge  
Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA
 

   

12 January 2020

conception ] moment of (


Theatre of the Actors of Regard         
Dame Barbara Hepworth, Parent I, conceived in 1970,
number 2 of the 4 individual casts that were made of each
of the nine figures (est. £2,000,000-3,000,000).
Photo Sotheby's

Theatre of the Actors of Regard   
 detail
 A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
 someone looks at something...
  
 LOGOS/HA HA