Spirit of the Beehive

In reference to Victor Erice's Spirit of the Beehive someone said that this film is essentially about a girl 'that has no idea yet whether the world is ordinary or extraordinary.'  There is maybe no better way to describe the film.  The sense of being caught halfway between the ordinary and extraordinary, and facing the fearful offerings of each extreme.

I think I like that statement's implication as much as how it expresses the terrain of the film.  Is the world 'ordinary or extraordinary?'  Spirit of the Beehive is the perfect text to address that question and formulate some kind of contemplation on it, even if it is an unanswerable question.  But an answer to that question is beside the point, it is something that is valuable to think about, to try and view everything through alternating lenses.

Alan Lomax

In 1978 Alan Lomax toured the southern states making 'field recordings' of mostly amateur blues and gospel musicians.  These are a few of the performances that I particularly enjoyed.

I'm not sure what inspired the fife and drum parties like the one in the bottom clip but it is pretty freaky/I don't know what.  I also love that the gospel band is called 'The Sensational Friendly Brothers,' probably the greatest band name I've ever heard.



Lost Time (Making Up)

2 inches off the ground on a Thursday morning

*Please mute audio on this clip

A walk, to look at signs

More and more I find myself trying to really look at things; to think about objects and moments as if they were always significant.  I think a lot about signs, particularly painted ones or old/deteriorated ones.  Someone wanted to put up some words that generally address the public, and that is fascinating (keeping the practical side of a sign in mind but firmly in check).  A sign says so much about intention and the individual or individuals that decided to put it up.  I try to imagine the person that put up whatever sign I'm looking at, maybe even what was going through their mind as they fastened it or painted it.  Why this font and not another?  Why in that spot and not somewhere else?  Was the slogan a source of pride, or embarrassment?  Did they make ten more just like it, or maybe 5?

Monuments

The Marvelous Land of Oz

I`m in the middle of a public internet only phase right now so my posting has stalled more than what might feel like a good break.  Apologies all around.

In the meantime I`ve been reading The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the sequel to the original novel.  It`s an enjoyable and clever childrens novel.  Here is one passage that I felt was a profound bit of imagery:

Afterward, when they had stopped for a moment to allow Tip to rest, they saw forty roads branching off from their feet in forty different directions; and soon these forty roads began whirling around like a mighty wheel, first in one direction and then in the other, completely bewildering their vision.

It has something biblical and all encompasing about it that I like very much.