Albert Camus, The Rebel
Another opportunity to show Andre Masson’s great image on the Penguin Modern Classics edition. Reading this, I found it difficult to believe that this was Camus – in his novels, the prose is so clear and precise, Here, he seems to be forcing his thoughts to fit some dialectical process, characterised by arbitrary assertions, false oppositions and repetition. It raises great questions though – is justice compatible with freedom? (I think he concludes not) can a rebel free himself without freeing, or trying to free others? (again, I think he concludes not). However, I was constantly saying to myself “No it doesn’t – No it isn’t” as he makes dodgy statements. Comes to the right conclusion somehow. though: moderation is the thing, killing others for the revolution is wrong – although maybe not SO bad if the target is bad enough and the killer is willing to die, like some of the Russian bomb chuckers in 19th century.
Of course, he was writing in the 1950s. He’d maybe have a different perspective now,..
The Forgotten West Memphis Three, Sky Documentaries
This two-part documentary on the Sky Documentary channel is horrifying in several ways. First, the murders: three children, out on their bikes in the afternoon, disappear. They turn up in a shallow river, bound hands to feet, dead and severely mutilated (one had his penis removed). Damien Echols, a self-described satanist (the long haired one in the photo) is immediately arrested on the say-so of a couple of probation officers who have had dealings with him in the past. There is no evidence against him, he denies involvement, Two others are arrested – because he knows them. Again, no evidence. Then one, the one with the low IQ, confesses after a long interrogation – that’s enough. Death sentence for Echols, life for the other two.
Echols was not executed; they did 18 years before the vigorous campaign to free them got anywhere. Eventually, they were released – but they had to enter a formal guilty plea beforehand!
The documentary made a plausible case that the injuries and mutilations were the result of predation by turtles post mortem, and not some horrible satanic ritual; it had no answers as to the real culprit(s) – but gestured vaguely in the direction of the step-dad of one of the boys. So – don’t fall foul of the law when you next visit Arkansas…
Tate Britain
So we went to Tate Britain again, to do the two bits of the permanent exhibition, 1930 – present day and 15 something to 1930. We had no trouble booking the visit this morning, and few visitors, so no problem with social distancing. Some new pictures and sculptures below:
Winifred Nicholson
Bomberg, Vanessa Bell – and Bell again
There’s a roomful of Spencers, a small room of Gwen Johns and a room of Vorticists.
Stanley Spencer. The Bridge – suspicion of early Beatles here? Never seen this one before.
Spencer again – and again, new to me. A touch of Beryl Cook about these ladies…
Gwen John, Woman with Black Cat –Wysiwyg
Peter Lely
There ARE strings on the 10 string guitar – but they are very faint.
Michael Dahl – She has that standard Lely period face, the bulgy eyes, big sulky lips, pasty complexion…
John Bettes the Elder, Man in a Black Cap (1545) – earliest portrait in Tate B
Monster Chetwynd – Jesus and Barrabas – that’s a repro of the Richard Dadd head in the background
Monster Chetwynd – Crazy Bat Woman. Again, my lack of observation shows itself – I never noticed the bat on her forehead until I uploaded the photo.
Eva Rothschild – you can’t see it here so well but that red, green and mauve “mesh” really stands out in a trompe l’oeil effect, in the flesh (so to speak).
Kim Lim, Shogun
Kim Lin
Richard Deacon
Richard Deacon
Ben Nicholson, White and Brown Chocolate (I think)
And a few of mine to end with:
Running Figure 1
Running Figure 2
Seated Woman on Red
Seated Figure (Leather Jacket)
Blackpaint 18/10/20
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