REAL LIVE FRIENDS

There's nothing like meeting someone in your actual real life when it comes to friendship. Social media friends are great and I'm truly greatfull (not a mis-spelling) for those I've got to know through this cybernetic window. But a window is just a window and social media is not actual society.

Yesterday afternoon I had the real live pleasure of a visit from Pamela Robertson Pearce. We've only met via Facebook before but her multi-dimensional presence in my own 3-D home space was something really special. She even matched the colours in some of my paintings.

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART

My absence from this blog should not be construed as absence from this planet. No no! Still plenty of time left on my dance card.....I hope.

 I have simply been busy wih a terrific new portrait (to be revealed next week) and various stupid hassles with (absent) teeth.

BLAISE CENDRARS IN LETCHWORTH

Last  Thursdat night at David's Bookshop in Letchworth Garden City went really well. Wonderful bookshop, appreciative audience, generous help from everyone. In the first half of the evening John Gohorry read his Ile de Ré suite of poems, vignettes filled with seaside atmosphere, light and warmth.

In the second half, Dick Jones, Doug McGowan and I did our Blaise Cendrars thing: reading/video/music, all in harmony and synchronicity. The room was full and the applause sincerely enthusiastic. Later, people looked through a copy of the Old Stile Press livre d'artiste, our TransSiberian book, and understood the difference between a hand-produced limited edition and a mass-produced book. 

Got home after midnight after an odd train journey from Hitchin where I think I was the only passenger in the whole train. Tired but happy, sorry I forgot to take photos.

DEAR CHRISTINE IS IN SWANSEA

The other event I'm part of but, unfortunately will not be able to attend in person this time. is the 'Dear Christine' exhibition in Swansea at the Elysium Gallery opening on 4th October. I was at this exhibition's first showing in May this year at the Vane Gallery In Newcastle and posted photos of the private view.

Thanks to the unceasing efforts of Fionn Wilson, artist and creator-curator of this show, it is now on tour and will be in London early next year. Meanwhile, there will be poetry, music, film, talks, as well as Christine Keeler-related art works by twenty artists (including moi) at the Elysium Gallery - if you're in or near Swansea do not miss it.

EVENT COMING UP

Two events I'm participating in are coming up very close to each other. The first takes place on Thursday, 3rd October at David's Bookshop in Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City. This occasion was organised by John Gohorry, poet in residence at the bookshop, who reads his ÎIe de Ré poems, accompanied by Doug McGowan on guitar. Below is the flyer.

The second part of the evening, with Dick Jones, Doug McGowan and myself, is a repeat of the 'performance' we put on at the London Review Bookshop on 6thJuly 2015 to launch the Old Stile Press publication of Trans-Siberian Prosody and Little Jeanne de France. I've posted about this livre d'artiste before but you can see it all here. A few copies are still available.

I've also made a little trailer (see below). My full original video will be projected behind Dick's live reading and Doug's live guitar. Herewith links to the music composed and played by Doug for this presentation:


https://soundcloud.com/patteran/trans-sib-bells-motif
https://soundcloud.com/patteran/trans-sib-exotic
https://soundcloud.com/patteran/trans-sib-jeannes-theme
https://soundcloud.com/patteran/trans-sib-theme

 

 

REASONS TO REJOICE, TEMPORARILY

Yay!! Boris Johnson officially declared unlawfu!!
Yay!! Impeachment of Donald Trump may actually happen!
Yay!! Jeremy Corbyn could actually become Prime Minister!
Yay!! There's a light at the end of the tunnel!
Yay!! There may not even be a tunnel!

EYEWITNESSING

Whether you believe the universe was designed by Richard Dawkins, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, an accidental merger of incompatible ideas or none of the above, ultimately we just want to talk about ourselves and I must tell you that it's not fair.

Why, at the relatively young age of ninety, should I suddenly be attacked by some of the slings and arrows of so-called "Old Age" when, up to now, due to my exceptionally good genetic CV I was guaranteed immunity? Don't tell me I didn't read the small print because up to yesterday...YESTERDAY.. I could and did read the small print on everything, food, cosmetic labels, advertisements, terms and conditions etc. 

Yesterday, in an eye-testing room at a local hospital, a doctor looked into my eyes and said, enthusiastically: Yes indeed you have cataracts in both eyes as well as some age-related symptoms.

Patiently, I explained that I am an Artist and that my excellent eyesight has been my life-long pride, joy and necessity. The doctor speaks softly into a microphone attached to his computer and gives it information. He then tells me I'll get a letter in a couple of months with an appointment for cataract surgery in the left eye and then a couple of months later, for the right eye. On the form I take to the desk on my way out he has written "Artist" under "Occupation".

Self-Portrait 2018

DENTAL DIVERSION

Another tooth kicked the bucket today, the dentist's bucket. This leaves me seven wonky ones of my own and one more pretender to be added but not before next week because, you know, these things take time.

The current landscape of my inner mouth looks like Stonehenge with larger gaps, less symmetry and no ancient myths. I will embarass myself by taking a selfie but use your imagination (if it's not otherwise employed at the moment) to get the full inside picture.

Have just consumed half a tub of coffee ice cream in memory of the choppers I've lost over the years. Good riddance you badly designed bastards.

STREET PARTY TIME

Street party in my neighbourhood, always a joyous occasion organised by the people, for the people, with the people, weather cooperating brilliantly yesterday.

Great home-cooked food, wonderful music by Kentish Town band the Sandersons, magic show for the kiddies, dog show for the doggies, live spiders, snakes and bees for children and adults to learn from, Scottish dancing to prance to, film show and much more, all on the street where I live.

The party has taken place on this particulart street every September for the past twenty years. Yesterday was its anniversary, Long may it continue to live and enliven the community.

BRAVO BERCOW!

John Bercow, Speaker of the House. Someone who is not afraid to tell it like it is.