bLOGOS/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 off. Warding 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

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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)