"Princess Tarakanova"

 

This beautiful painting (oil of canvas) created in 1864 by the Russian neo-classical artist, Konstantin Flavitsky; (1830-1866) truly and emotively depicts the princesses’ utter anguish as her room fills slowly with water.

This is a relatively unknown painting by many, however, more importantly, the tale behind the image is vague at best and only when the Soviet Union in 1980 created a postage stamp of the painting, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Flativsky's birth, that interest in the work’s history began in earnest.

What is known, however, is that the princess was imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg during the time of the city’s great flood – this story is only a legend: the painting, showing her standing on top of her bed to avoid death, her anguish is plainly evident.

The legend tells that she was the daughter of Aleksey Grigorievich Razumovsky and Elizabeth of Russia. Why this beautiful young woman is in a prison cellar during the great flood is a mystery.

Personally I find this painting spellbinding, putting my spirit wholly into the scene, and wanting to save this poor and beautiful damsel in distress.

Perhaps it is my all too Romantic sensibilities coming to the fore.

I believe the painting currently resides in the Russian museum of Saint Petersburg.

Absolutely captivating…

Books.

 When I am attacked by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

Michel de Montaigne
French essayist (1533 - 1592)

As a German philosopher once said, paraphrased, "If there was no music in the world, life would not be worth living." I would add books to that statement without reservation.

Though attributed to a profound imagination, I can't imagine a life without books.

Books can transport you to places never envisaged; introduce you to people you would most certainly like to meet but never will; take you into the minds of the great or the evilest; just the act of reading a good book, as de Montaigne states above, "...can banish the clouds from my mind."

After teaching English in middle and secondary school for some years, students would instead stick molten nails into their ignorant eyes than read a book. Well, it should go without saying, there's too much to see and do: TV, movies, video games, friends, sports, cars, and interest in the opposite sex to have a spare 15 minutes to read a book - books are for "geeks."

Have books become an acquired taste?

To answer that question, I would have to say no.

The appreciation for books starts at home, not at school.

My mother and, less so, my father's books were almost sacred, relics of knowledge and experience objects to be revered and respected. Read as a child every night. I remember I couldn't wait to have the ability to read myself. My mother was always reading, and my father mainly read at night before bed. Books were always in the house.

When I hear a student say, "I hate reading; too hard...boring." Even after years of teaching, my stomach ties in knots, and I have to remind myself that an appreciation for books had never been cultivated in the home.

Is it my job to get some of these children interested at such a late stage in their lives? Yes, that's my job...and there are a few wins.

But once they get it, it never leaves them.

The written word is a gift from the gods, and a good story often does more good than harm.

Without books in the world, life would not be worth living.

Books to the ceiling, Books to the sky, my book pile is a mile high. How I love them! How I need them! I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.

Arnold Lobel

Journal 2010.

Memories of Year 10 History

 

My power-point presentation, "Expressionism, Art, and Nazi Propaganda," to my year 10 history classes over the last two school days has had a varied and mixed reception. The 28-slide lesson, including definitions for words like Fascism, Propaganda, Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, Degenerate Art, and Pre-Raphaelite, including beautiful examples of Expressionist artists such as Chagall and early modernist paintings such as the famous "Scream," was hopefully entertaining even though no one in the room had the slightest clue as to what I was really talking about…this is not true, really, because I spent most of my time explaining these terms in their proper historical context, repeating myself often, and observing every little expression on their little faces, I believe the vast majority achieved the teaching and learning outcome: a comprehension of Fascism in Action and the power of propaganda through Art.

Because we are studying the rise of the Nazi Party and the many reasons for Adolf Hitler's early success with the German people through his unrelenting propaganda and violence, I had hoped this lesson would provide a slightly different perspective on the social engineering techniques of the Nazi Party. But, instead, they're all out (brutal) rejection of 'modern Art.

Although strictly a 'history' class, this lesson was also the opportunity to cross disciplines, revealing a significant shift in the art world's sensibilities during and after WW1. This point in time was indeed a drastic change in the artist's outlook, including essential shifts in music, literature, and philosophy.

As a teacher, my job is to make the topic under study as enjoyable as possible, and sometimes, with teenagers, "everything is boring," this one is doomed from the start. But, because it is our duty, we continue plugging away. We occasionally come upon an activity or new perspective on an old, well-worn subject. The light bulbs around the room above their developing frontal lobes begin to flash, blinking with genuine interest.

This particular lesson (a risk considering the sophistication of the subject matter) turned out to be about 60/40. That is, 60% seemed to understand, while the other 40% were more concerned about what they would do on Friday night. Considering the lesson was done on a Friday before lunch with the sounds of grumbling stomachs and wayward glances out the classroom window, I thoroughly believe this outcome to be acceptable; however, a focused follow-up with each student will be necessary next week as we move along the timeline towards the Holocaust: a topic that has never failed to leave an impression.

As I reflect on the lesson, it was indeed a risk, however, my instincts proved correct, that is to say, knowing the minds of these specific students, I believed they could handle an intellectual stretch, preparing them for the near future proverbial academic hoops they will have to jump through in this current system we call the VCE.

Overall, a productive day, and a successful outcome for my students.

Preston & Child – Verses for the Dead – Review

 

This is a later novel of the Special Agent Pendergast series. After all the melodrama with his evil twin across international lines, Pendergast is assigned back to the FBI, though with a slight caveat. He is given a partner even though the special agent always works alone. Special Agent Coldmoon, a native Indian, who unknown to Pendergast, is a plant reporting any unusual activity back to the FBI director. After reading this, my instant thought was because of Pendergast's uncanny observational skills, this ruse wouldn't last too long. Of course, as these stories go, there is a twist to their partnership.

There is a string of unusual ritualistic murders in the city of Miami, Florida. Women are randomly killed by a single slice across the throat and their heart removed with apparent precision. On the other side of the city, the victims heart is discovered on the head stone of an old suicide victim. Attached to the heart is a note with verses from literature. The murderer also states that these brutal acts are an effort for atonement. Atonement for what or whom remains a mystery.

Digging into the case, there is no apparent connection with the killing of these women and the buried suicides. In fact, the murders and the suicides are decades apart. What is the connection?

Pendergast is not one to follow protocol. As a genius of crime detection, thinking outside of the box is common practice. This has upset the bureaucracy at the FBI. In spite of Pendergast's case-close rate on major crimes, the top brass are after him and want him gone. He is a lone wolf. Similar to reality, those who break the rules to attain results are frowned upon by mediocrity.

Pendergast is a wealthy man. And he is not afraid to spend his money at first class hotels and any resource required to solve the case. I believe because of his wealth, aristocratic bearing and perfect close rate, this opens the door to envy on a massive scale. When one is smarter and richer than everyone else, hate is bound to flow in his direction.

The plot of the novel at first reads a bit convoluted. The detectives are chasing records for decades-old suicides and running down the killer: Mr. Brokenhearts. I was just as confused as the investigators in their attempt to make connections and discover a motive.

The final twist I found to be disappointing and not up to the level of the author's previous books. It felt that the other villain behind the scenes was a second thought and a hurried effort to finish the tale.

Over all, Verses for the Dead did not reach the standards of the previous Pendergast novels. If you have the time, however, on a lazy, cloudy afternoon, not a bad thriller.

Leonardo da Vinci Continues to Reveal His Secrets

 

The above da Vinci drawing is titled "The Virgin and Child with St. Anne and St. John the Baptist." (16th century)

The drawing is now placed in the National Gallery of London. It has always been a point of contention between art scholars and historians. 

Why?

To understand the argument, we must first place the drawing in its historical (literary) context. St. Anne is the mother of the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Elizabeth was Mary's cousin thus the connection between the Son of God and the great prophet.

In the scene depicted, we see St. Anne and the Virgin Mary looking as if one person, seemingly one body. Mary is on the left and St. Anne on the right with the baby, John the Baptist. St. Anne is pointing her finger upward towards the heavens, the first of many similar images in da Vinci's work. The baby St. John is seeing something as he looks in the Lord's direction.

It is a curious gaze, as John appears to be adoring the Son, yet is there more he's seeing?

According to the Mirror of Sacred Scriptures website: guidelines for the placement of mirrors which reveal hidden faces, symbols, and subjects in drawings and paintings during the Renaissance period, as some paintings are rife with symbolism. When placing a mirror towards the sight-line of John the Baptist, reveals an image of extraordinary power and somewhat terrifying.

Some critics and historians believe the 'man' is wearing a Papal Tiara, which Popes and Cardinals have worn in the late past and continue to wear today. Other's simply brush this phenomenon off as pure lunacy. However, the image is real and quite distinctive.

Eventually this drawing, a practice session for the genius, became "The Virgin Child with St. Anne." where the Lord reaches for a lamb, and His cousin (John the Baptist) removed from the scene.

This original image was rejected thus the Master re- painted the subject matter to suit the will of his patron.One is astounded at the amount of symbolism in Renaissance art. One can sit for hours viewing a print of this time period and spot little gnomes, angels etc, hidden in the bushes or on top of the buildings.

The question we must ask is why "The Virgin and Child and John the Baptist" was rejected for a little less interesting "The Virgin Child with St. Anne" ?

I would venture to say, theological politics had much to do with it.

A wonderful image rife with symbolism.

Beauty, Treachery & Eternal Punishment

"The Danaides" by J.W. Waterhouse, circa 1903.

Since the first viewing of this painting, "something" disturbed me. The painting depicts a beautiful young woman pouring water into a caldren with the face of a demon.

These young maidens are certainly committed to their task, but they know not what they are really performing...innocence in the midst of evil?

The Danaides is an ancient Greek myth.

Danus, the king of territory in Egypt does not want his twin brother to take away his kingdom. Thus he makes a deal: because you are so infatuated with my lovely daughters'. fifty in all, you and your princes may marry them, but you must leave my kingdom and never come back. Enamored with these beautiful young women, Danus' brother agrees to the deal. First, however, Danus orders his fifty daughter's to kill their husbands on their wedding night. Loyal to their father, the weddings' are done with fanfare and joy. However, when returning to their respective chambers to consummate the marriage, all the men, including Danus' twin brother, are murdered in their sleep.

Suddenly consumed with guilt, fear and remorse, Danus gathers his fifty daughters and sets sail for other lands. 

The punishments in their physical lives and the Hereafter are said to be the most terrible any mere human could imagine.

To read the entire story, Google, The Danaides, and the details you might find interesting.
 It is the intense colours and attention to detail including clues as to the scene depicted is pure Waterhouse and striking in every sense.

A beautiful painting.

Murakami – Kafka on the Shore – Review

 

This novel surpasses the literary category of "Magical Realism". Of course, the story is magical and authentic in its presentation and content. For me, though, as the reader, the story's magic is real because the outlandish characters and subject matter are written as almost commonplace; these surrealistic actions and encounters are as concrete as a brick building or an old car.

Murakami is an adept storyteller. The prose is simplistic, descriptive, and the characters believable. When a writer can make a cat a character of depth, you know you're in the hands of an author at the peak of their craft.

Kafka Tamura is a 15-year-old boy with the emotional maturity of a man of 30. The boy speaks with his higher self he calls Crow. When Kafka is confused or needs advice, he consults the boy named Crow. The dialogue between the two can be pretty severe and generally humorous. Kafka runs away from home (on the advice of Crow) and thus begins this odyssey of self-realization and the harshness of the real world.

The most bewildering and fascinating character is the older man Nakata. Because of a mysterious illness, the old man has lost all his memory. He has lost his ability to read and has gained the ability to talk with neighborhood cats. Because of this gift, Nakata takes on the task of tracking lost cats, which he charges a small fee to the respective owners. When Nakata speaks, he always refers to himself in the third person. What Nakata has lost in natural human abilities has gained in supernatural powers; he also travels along his own odyssey towards a destiny that intertwines with all the other characters that may have cosmic effects on the world.

Wherever Nakata goes, a strange phenomenon occurs. While walking along the city street, he suddenly opens his umbrella, and leeches begin to fall from the sky in droves. During a thunderstorm, fishes fall from the heavens. We discover these strange events are connected to a shift in time and memory and our central character, Kafka.

Because I've read a few of Murakami's texts, mainly his non-fiction, I know his love for music and books. The author's love of food is also evident in Kafka.

Kafka is about self-realization and the Platonic notion of knowing thy self. One of the characters, the ex-military man who now drives a truck for a living, is introduced to Beethoven, where the music slowly changes his life. Most of the book takes place in a little library, where Kafka connects to and begins work.

Murakami can write about simple food or making a basic cup of tea, and I immediately cook myself some noodles and brew some coffee. He has a knack for making simple everyday things attractive and desirable.

Like all of Murakami's work, the reading experience is deceptively simple, easy-going, and highly addictive.

Even if you don't like "magical realism" type novels (intuitive writing), I recommend this one because it has an uncanny way of touching you unconsciously in indescribable ways.