Talking to myself, so if it sounds like a lecture, that's probably what it is. The speaker in my head is often standing on a soap-box and has a pencil at the ready. For underlining. Just in case I miss the point.
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
ULTIMATE INTIMATE JOURNAL, EXTRACT 2
Talking to myself, so if it sounds like a lecture, that's probably what it is. The speaker in my head is often standing on a soap-box and has a pencil at the ready. For underlining. Just in case I miss the point.
MORE
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
THE ULTIMATE AND THE INTIMATE
Usually I blog about what's on my mind at the present time or, if in memory-mode, stretch back into the past, clearly dividing what was then from what is now.
But such division seems pointless when coming across one's writings or images which, although dated a specific number of years ago, are unmistakeably present: memos from me to me, forgotten, hidden behind furniture, literal or mind-furniture.
So I chanced upon a sketchbook/notebook of mine dated 1980-83 which speaks to me right now. I'll post sections of it for the next few weeks: 'thoughts for the day', sometimes with quotes from other sources.
Cover, sketchbook by NdA 'The Ultimate & the Intimate'. Etching pasted on bound blank book.
Title page, sketchbook by NdA 'The Ultimate and the Intimate'
Monday, April 27, 2009
Blaugustine's 6th Birthday
April 27, 2009 is the 6th birthday of my blog, Blaugustine.
Augustine is my cartoon alter ego and the blog was supposed to be her space. However, I seem to have taken it over.
Go to the blog if you want the full story:
www.nataliedarbeloff.com/blaugustine.html
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
Friday, April 10, 2009
WHOLLY HOLY REFLECTIONS
Where do I stand in the religion debate? It's easier to say where I don't stand.
Not in the Church of Atheism led by fundamentalist preacher Dawkins and fellow missionaries. Nor in the Church of Self-Idolatry frequented by insecure over and under achievers. Nor in the patchouli-scented New Age Temple of Anything Goes. Nor with the EveryWordWrittenHereIsTrue scripture-shouting Bible-thumpers. Nor with the spiritual-but-not-religious consumers and purveyors of magical recipes for getting everything you want. Nor with the guitar-strumming popsterising church huggy-muggers. Nor with the unbending Orthodoxydon't-ists. Nor with the mockers and takers of the Name in vain. Nor with the counters of angels on pinheads or eggheads. I could go on. But where do I stand?
If you've seen my God Interviews you've guessed that I'm a believer. But what does this mean, believer? Do I worship a balding cartoon character wearing a white t-shirt stamped "God"? Do I use humour to avoid the whole tricky issue? Maybe. I know that I believe in God and I know that this belief is not wishful thinking. I don't know why I know this. For me, 'Bible' and 'God' are not synonymous. Maybe 'religion' and 'God' are not synonymous either. I don't know whether the God I believe in features in the Bible or the Koran or the Torah or any other sacred book but none of them can either strengthen or weaken my belief. The faith I have seems not to depend on any of those traditions, including the fringe ones, which claim to have the last word on Divinity.
To celebrate this weekend, here is something I see as wholly holy inspiration. I had never heard of Donald Pass and luckily found him via a Google search for 'resurrection'.
I am very impressed by his work and have no doubt he did experience what he relates here and in this video. You can see Blake and El Greco as influences but I think it may be that they shared similar mystical experiences rather than artistic styles. More paintings by Pass are here.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
IMAGINE A DANCING ARMY
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
A while ago I threw an idea into cyberspace to see if it would take root. So far it hasn't but some seeds stay in the ground a long time before they germinate and some ideas which at present look naive, childish, impossible, impractical and even objectionable could in future, perhaps, become reality.
Below is the paragraph I've now followed up with a video. I borrowed the movie clips and am grateful to all these wonderful dancing people for inspiring me and, I hope, you too.
An army of dancers, amateurs and professionals, wave after wave of them, every style of dancing from anywhere in the world, accompanied by their musicians, moving in disciplined formation like a very long carnival parade. But not a carnival.
A massive non-violent dancing protest, confronting tanks and trucks and armed soldiers intent on their power mission, obeying their power orders. On both sides of the divide, the dancing army confronts the violence and advances inexorably, rhythmically. The fighters in their tanks and behind their rockets are flabbergasted, the music and dancing are so contagious......
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
TIGERS OF INFINITY
A friend asked if I could paint something inspired by those words. They didn't immediately suggest a still image so I tried instead to make a video collage. Oddly enough, I wasn't previously aware that the mathematical symbol for infinity is the Moebius strip.
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
RECYCLED FASHION
I was flattered and honoured to be one of the judges at the Recycled Fashion Show held in St. Christopher's School in Letchworth on February 28th. The show is organised annually by Emma Semple, who heads the art department. My fellow blogger Dick Jones, whose Patteran Pages many of you frequent, is Emma's husband and was the drama teacher at St. Chris for many years. The spontaneous, supportive, creative atmosphere of the school was palpable and I must admit I felt a bit envious in retrospect - my own schooldays were nothing like this!
I was stunned by the kids' inventiveness and skill and wanted to film the whole show but while the catwalk was in progress, we judges had to take notes and then adjourn to a quiet room to decide who should win the prizes. It was a real struggle because all the costumes had been interesting and quite a few were exceptional but in the end, we managed to agree. During the final parade and prize-giving I was able to bring out my camcorder and kept it running for about half an hour. Unfortunately, there's a ten minute limit on videos posted to YouTube so I've had to edit drastically and jumpily. But at least you can have a glimpse of the event and some of the amazing designs created by children and teenagers from throw-away materials: eat your heart out Armani, Gucci, Miyake, Prada, Versace and all - the fashion future belongs to creative kids and recycled junk.
The interviewer is Michael Wright, author, artist and lecturer, who was also one of the judges.
The video is on my YouTube page:
Monday, March 02, 2009
NEARLY THERE
Apart from some minor tweaking (tweaking takes time) it's done. Then I have to watch the paint dry. Then order a frame. Then deliver to the National Portrait Gallery on the last day of the deadline, 19 March. After that, it's in the lap of the gods - or rather, the jury.Behind the mirror on the right hand side, I have included a tiny version of part of my construction, The Lesson, which actually sits on that bookshelf. It's sort of a message to myself. Here's a close-up of the original piece, which you may already have seen in a video I made a while back.
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