Culmi/Rumi_Nation
Maybe I have been in earshot of much talk radio of late? Conservative or liberal, the partisan lines are always pretty clear. The din sort of shuts my brain down. To awaken it I made several trips to the studio this week. While there, among other things, I played Chris Watson’s new 7″ vinyl Pacificus Oceanus, recorded in the Galapagos. Watson, a notable sound recordist has been at it since the 70’s and was a founding member of two of my absolute top sound projects including Cabaret Voltaire and The Hafler Trio. The ending lockgroove can just play on infinitely, and it brings my practice into a very centered space after a week of politico talking heads. The studio time also brought about finishing touches to the works I am donating to two fundraiser events (I’ve been asked to donate for six events), Night of 1000 Drawings and PDX Panels. A bi-coastal debut of this work in December, and for a good cause. Of course, both efforts were specially made for these events, so the one piece for the Portland Art Center’s event (12/6, 6-10PM) is on a provided plywood square panel, and the Artist’s Space (12/13, 5-10PM) piece(s) are each small works on paper measuring approximately 11″ x 14″ - smaller than nearly all I’ve been making since early Summer. Both worthy causes, and great affordable opportunities to purchase something for collectors.
ACTION!: Earlier in the week I went to the cinema to see Michael Clayton. The film stars a down-on-his-luck George Clooney as a well-oiled criminal lawyer playing a ‘janitor’ who basically bails out people with power/money. He tries to find logic and justice in a very oddball case, involving a superior legal mind played by the brilliant Tom Wilkinson who’s gone slightly off the deep end. Separately their mission is to uncover truths well hidden and make up for lost time before a behemoth pharmaceutical company signs a bajillion dollar deal, sealing the fate of many of its former customers (and I mean former, like, ahem, dead). Tilda Swinton, always a favorite of the screen doesn’t disappoint as the icy CEO bi-atch of uNorth, the said drug dealer. There are more twists and turns than you would imagine while eating Twizzlers, sipping an appletini from a swirlie straw and driving downhill on SF’s Lombard Street with a cellphone in one hand during heavy fog. A must for crossword puzzlers and fans of all things Agatha Christie, just a tad darker.
During lunch just yesterday at the Side Door I was inspired to see three young artists all converging in the same space on a rainy Friday afternoon, Tim Dalbow, Kimber Shiroma and Troy Briggs. I love unspoken gathering spots and the place has a certain neighborly magic (save for the amped-up Retriever Towing in their backlot - don’t ever park there - this is their hotspot and the building owner must be in cahoots with them - it’s a racket as has been said). Speaking of magic, along with Paul and some friends, the PDX Movie of the Week group re-convened for the first time in three months to see the first G-rated movie in eons, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. This is a perfect holiday flick. It’s got the spirit of Willy Wonka, and the sparkle of classic Disney. I really enjoyed it. It’s probably the best thing I’ve seen septegenerian Dustin Hoffman in since Rain Man (he wasn’t bad in Perfume, it was the NY accent that was terribly out of place). He is perfect for the lead role as the wild haired Tuscan leather shoe-wearing owner of a super magical toy store. It deals literary nostalgia quite well, bringing back memories of my first time stepping foot into F.A.O. Schwarz, many moons ago.
Yes, I may be travelling to Miami for the art fairs in early December, but how badly do you think I would like to make a left hand turn in St. Louis to head towards the largest contemporary arts center in America situated in Western Massachusetts? With Jenny Holzer’s Projections and the always amazing Kiefer - Very!