Pure Like a Rose

Detail of My friends left me behind and went to the by Kazuki Takamatsu

Although my gallery visiting opportunities have dwindled, I was fortunate enough to pay a visit to see Kazuki Takamatsu's exhibit "Japanese Ideology of Puberty" at the Corey Helford Gallery. It was a very good show, full of complex imagery, haunting but humorous, erotic but ethereal. It is this tension between the serious and silly, the adult and the innocent, that gave this show such an engaging appeal.

The technique was distinctive, creating form and volume with simple depth mapping techniques and clear gradations between light and shadow. The resulted in a ghostly, yet iconic, set of visions.

As for the subject matter, the influence of manga stereotypes is obvious. However, the cartoon-like simplicity  hides a subtle psychological depth in the composition. Under the the surface of sword-wielding "magic girls" or dreamy school girls, there is a morbid and ominous darkness, hinting at an adult world of turmoil in which the fantastic archetypes of youth are powerless.

Detail of I expect the fog hides all which I don't want to by Kazuki Takamatsu

Yeah, the exhibit has wrapped up, but keep an eye open for Kazuki Takamatsu's work. I'm happy that I was able to check it out and am looking forward to seeing more at future shows.

The World Looks Mighty Good to Me

"Whatever it is I think I see becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!"

Inventions in foodstuffs are notoriously hard to properly date, but today is as good as any to celebrate the creation of the Tootsie Roll in 1896. These chewy chocolate-like rolls have sweetened the palates of children for many generations. Sticky and dark, they've kept many a dentist in secure occupation as well. ;-)

I was never a Tootsie enthusiast. Although chocolaty, they were not actually chocolate bars, and, in my youth, I wouldn't settle for anything less than the real deal. Moreover, the gooeyness never appealed to me, as it clung to my teeth in a viscous tar-like manner. Yuck!!!

Nevertheless, Tootsie Roll commercials filled the airwaves between cartoons throughout my childhood. The famous jingle from 1977 will probably be floating around in my brain long after important memories fade with age.

"Tootsie Roll, I think I'm in love with you!"

Bananas

Curious George, sitting in a tree.

No comment. ;-)

Yummy, bananas!!!

Enjoy!!!

Blessed Beasts of Olvera Street

Sign advertising the Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street


Just a quick visit to share a few photos from the Blessing of the Animals that I attended today on Olvera Street.

It was a hot day with lots of energetic animals, from house pets to farm animals. Hectic but fun. ;-)

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez administered the Blessing

If you have never been to the Olvera Street Blessing, it's quite the spectacle. It's always interesting to see how the various critters respond to being splash by holy water. Good stuff!!!

For Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bishop with her cat, Tobias, in 1954

Chemin de Fer
(By Elizabeth Bishop)

Alone on the railroad track
   I walked with pounding heart.
The ties were too close together
   or maybe too far apart.

The scenery was impoverished:
   scrub-pine and oak; beyond
its mingled gray-green foliage
   I saw the little pond

Where the dirty hermit lives,
   lie like an old tear
holding onto its injuries
   lucidly year after year.

The hermit shot off his shot-gun
   and the tree by his cabin shook.
Over the pond went a ripple.
   The pet hen went chook-chook.

"Love should be put into action!"
   screamed the old hermit.
Across the pond an echo
   tried and tried to confirm it.


Here, I'll demonstrate my equivocation on the matter of determining a favorite poet. ;-)

On the typical day of the year, if asked, I'd say that my most beloved of poets is Emily Dickinson, but today, on her birth date, born in 1911, my dearest admiration goes out to Elizabeth Bishop, who's verse can gently pull my heart through scenes of humor, horror, or heroism.

Elizabeth Bishop was born on February 8, 1911.

I can write about her poetic genius endlessly. I could start another blog dedicated to studying her words. But, I think the best way to honor Elizabeth Bishop is to let her poems speak for themselves.

Mirth on the Bough

Donald Duck deals with anger management issues in Self Control (1938)


It seems like there is a Bird celebration every few months. For instance, today is National Bird Day. Well, I see nothing wrong with considering the wonders of our feathered friends, appreciating their songs, colors, and grace in flight.

Last year, I didn't do much birdwatching. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity sometime this year. I live fairly close to the Madrona Marsh, which is an awesome place to spot some cool critters.

Detail from the cover art of Howard the Duck #7 (1980) by John Pound

Maybe next year I'll have photos of actual birds, rather than cartoon ducks. ;-)

Exploring the Madrona Marsh

The Madrona Marsh during the Dry Season of early Autumn on a dismal gray day.

The urban sprawl of Los Angeles hides many strange and hidden features. One of the most peculiar is the suburban wetlands of the South Bay, the Madrona Marsh. Yeah, just a couple miles from the stereotypical SoCal beaches is this primordial marshland, hidden between a shopping center and residential neighborhoods.

I'm a flower and plant enthusiast. So, I love heading over to take photos or botanical sketches. But I don't often head into the marsh proper. It isn't very big, but, when your inside of it, it feels as though you've entered a "transitional" space, a liminal area that doesn't quite synch up with the typical vibe of suburban LA life. But I'm not an "outdoors" type of person. I normally stay close to the Nature Center.

Nevertheless, it is a wonderful place to visit. The plant life is gorgeous in its wild state, certain to please the flora fanatics. Likewise, birdwatchers can spot many a fine avian subject throughout the year. Bug hunters can also find a myriad selection of diverse species. In short, if you have an interest in ecology, then you ought to visit the Madrona Marsh.

The Madrona Marsh on a sunny day.

If you're interested in experiencing the wetlands but have no knowledge of what to expect or appreciate, then check out the Nature Center adjacent to the marsh.

Wyland's Whaling Wall #31

Detail of Gray Whale Migration mural (1991) by Robert Wyland


Los Angeles is noted for being a city full of murals. I noticed that this blog is a bit light on showing such public art. So, here's a post to remedy the situation. ;-)

Wyland's work can be found all over the coast of California. Fortunately, we have a pretty cool mural over in Redondo Beach, the Gray Whale Migration. It was painted in 1991, the 31st of 100 murals that Wyland executed upon this theme. It was recently touched up to celebrate the twentieth anniversary.

I like how it captures the "Save the Whales" vibe of the era. It's an example of the developing "eco-consciousness" within the popular culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

South wall segment of Gray Whale Migration (1991) by Wyland.

And, most importantly, the Gray Whale Migration is an interesting image. Compositionally, it fits well along the building's western and southern walls.

Tiger, Boar, Monkey, and Frog

Netsuke: Tiger by Matsushita Otoman


Just a quick post today. I've been meaning to write about the excellent collection of netsuke at LACMA for the past few weeks, but time slips away. And I've been writing a whole lot about LACMA over the past month, what with the Tim Burton exhibit, the Ai Weiwei Zodiac Heads, and the Jeff Koons sculptures. I kind of feel bad spamming the museum photos.

But I'm pressed for time today and the netsuke deserves some blog love. ;-)

So, here are a few of my favorites on display from the Bushell Collection at LACMA's Japanese Pavillion.

Netsuke: Wild Boar Rooting



Summoned By The Jade Emperor

Ai Weiwei's Circle of Zodiac Heads on public display at LACMA (Rat and Ox)

As promised here are some photos of the current public exhibition of Ai Weiwei's Circle of Zodiac Heads at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It's a really cool display, recreating the famous bronze heads from the Zodiac Fountain of the Chinese Imperial Palace in Yuan Ming Yuan. The originals were looted by foreign troops during the 2nd Opium War in 1860.

The pieces are expressions of Chinese nationalist iconography, especially as testaments against western colonialism. However, they are also designed to be separate from any fixed location, being wanderers of the world's cultural venues. It's an interesting contrast of thematic emphasis.

In any case, they are wonderful sculptures of the Chinese Zodiac animals.



Ai Weiwei's Circle of Zodiac Heads (Tiger and Rabbit)


Unlike the western zodiac, the Chinese assign a sign for the entire year. We are currently in the Year of the Rabbit.