N.Y. Times article today on an exhibition about ugly and beautiful. Not really worth the read, but. . .
Formally, she looks like she stepped out of Dürer’s tome; narratively, she is the Roman goddess of beauty (and love, desire, fertility, prosperity). Radiant, a literal ideal, she is nonetheless modest — an important quality, in a Renaissance context, for the truly beautiful to possess.
O.K. The article says our understanding of what is beautiful has changed relatively little over the centuries. I think I might disagree to some extent. Still. . . .
Images like these are disdained by a new portion of the evolving culture. Ugliness and beauty seem to have intertwined. Body positivity, etc.
I am surely only the byproduct of my inculcated cultural values. I like sailboats and nature, too. My aged body. . . not so much.
I watched "Hamnet" last night. Hmm. That was a good lesson on the meaning of the ghost in "Hamlet." My mother watched it with me
"What did you think?"
"It was weird."
My mother has never read "Hamlet." It is weird, too.
This morning, I downloaded Shakespeare's works from the Folger library (link). I've studied Shakespeare's work in several courses, but I want to read now only for the creative language, the phrasing. I should have done that long ago, I reckon. Should have done the same with the Bible, too. Read H.S. Thompson and you will hear the Bible's influence on his writing. I need to research that. Wait a moment.
Yes, the Bible—particularly the King James Bible and the Book of Revelation—significantly influenced Hunter S. Thompson's prose, providing a rhythmic, apocalyptic, and "wrathful" style. He often drew on biblical imagery, such as plague and Babylon, to describe American culture and politicians in his "gonzo"
There you go. I knew it without looking it up. It was obvious. I'm telling you, kids--stick with the classics!
I have a very busy day. Yesterday, I loaded up some black and white film in the 8x10 film holders and took some test shots with the big-assed studio 8x10 camera. I will try the new 8x10 developing tank today, mix up some chemicals and give it all a whirl. Then ther will be the scanning. I had forgotten that scanning 8x10 film is problematic. I'll see if I can solve that problem today. I read some advice online that seemed reasonable. I'm still questioning why I want to shoot 8x10 film, but I know there lies a reason somewhere. Results soon.
We shouldn't forget Faulkner. He's not as much Biblical, though, as he is old timey preaching. There is a Southern Baptist preacher whispering in his ear in all his work.
His oeuvre.
O.K. Old tyme is a'flying, and this old flower ain't got none to waste. As Aretha said, "I ain't lying." Maybe we can end with her today. She was pretty good.
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