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Good Morning
May. 31st, 2019 08:51 am
May. 31st, 2019
Book 49 - Milan Kundera "Slowness"
May. 31st, 2019 09:12 amMilan Kundera "Slowness" (Faber and Faber)
Not sure how to describe or review this book, except to say that I find it rather daunting that this is apparently considered one of Kundera's lightest works. It is very philosophical, theorizing about the modern world's obsession with speed (and this was written over a decade ago - if he only knew) and its relation to our desire to forget. I don't think he means forgetting in the micro-ish sense (where are my keys, what was my high school locker combination) so much as the macro sense - repressing the pain of past relationships or traumatic childhoods, or even more to the point the broader social forgetting of troubling cultural and socio-political attitudes and actions. There is a plot, but I found it really only relevant in the aspects of Kundera's (who essentially narrates the work as himself) philosophical musings that it illuminates.
If this book tries to convey a point or some life lesson, it's hedonism. Pleasure cannot be experienced to the full unless it slowly works the way up to climax. It aims (maybe a little too high) at the secret bond between slowness and memory, about how speed infringes slowness and happiness.
"Slowness" is not an easy book to read, but Milan Kundera has many intriguing ideas along with a unique way of getting his message across. If you are a fan of Kundera, you may what to give it a try.
Not sure how to describe or review this book, except to say that I find it rather daunting that this is apparently considered one of Kundera's lightest works. It is very philosophical, theorizing about the modern world's obsession with speed (and this was written over a decade ago - if he only knew) and its relation to our desire to forget. I don't think he means forgetting in the micro-ish sense (where are my keys, what was my high school locker combination) so much as the macro sense - repressing the pain of past relationships or traumatic childhoods, or even more to the point the broader social forgetting of troubling cultural and socio-political attitudes and actions. There is a plot, but I found it really only relevant in the aspects of Kundera's (who essentially narrates the work as himself) philosophical musings that it illuminates.
If this book tries to convey a point or some life lesson, it's hedonism. Pleasure cannot be experienced to the full unless it slowly works the way up to climax. It aims (maybe a little too high) at the secret bond between slowness and memory, about how speed infringes slowness and happiness.
"Slowness" is not an easy book to read, but Milan Kundera has many intriguing ideas along with a unique way of getting his message across. If you are a fan of Kundera, you may what to give it a try.
Francis Frascina "Art in Modern Culture (Open University Set Book)" (Phaidon)
Whilst studying arts at the O.U. Many years ago, this book was on our recommended reading list and indeed is an excellent collection of edited essays form many key theorists and writers on all things art and its relationship with modern and post-modern culture. Particularly illuminating (albeit abridged) essays include texts by noted writers :Chomsky, Adorno, Brecht, Benjamin and Hebdige amongst as part of 32 separate essays that cover all of the major important issues that confront where art stands in contemporary society.
Just one minor caveat however is that the text is small and can be pretty difficult to read but many influential
/ historical "classic" insights from the above key writers plus many new important contributions from writers on post-modernism,feminism,the role of the avant-garde and authority etc. etc. Indispensable for students, artists, cultural commentators as both serious text book and occasional collection for dipping into for inspiration and insight and hence is one of those books in my permanent library.
So, in a word though an excellent book for the art enthusiast.
Whilst studying arts at the O.U. Many years ago, this book was on our recommended reading list and indeed is an excellent collection of edited essays form many key theorists and writers on all things art and its relationship with modern and post-modern culture. Particularly illuminating (albeit abridged) essays include texts by noted writers :Chomsky, Adorno, Brecht, Benjamin and Hebdige amongst as part of 32 separate essays that cover all of the major important issues that confront where art stands in contemporary society.
Just one minor caveat however is that the text is small and can be pretty difficult to read but many influential
/ historical "classic" insights from the above key writers plus many new important contributions from writers on post-modernism,feminism,the role of the avant-garde and authority etc. etc. Indispensable for students, artists, cultural commentators as both serious text book and occasional collection for dipping into for inspiration and insight and hence is one of those books in my permanent library.
So, in a word though an excellent book for the art enthusiast.
Interesting Links
May. 31st, 2019 11:09 amThe London Economic spills the lies of the Brexit Leave campaign
Vote Leave director admits they won because they lied to the public
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/vote-leave-director-admits-won-lied-public/08/02/?fbclid=IwAR0yP38OA0DJ7qUXE4eUMwF7HooC_4SJ7qboJFIiIgDxgV25FYrsIYhTFgQ
Bucking the far right trend.
Sicily’s ‘doctor of migrants’ bucks far-right trend to win a seat in EU elections
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/sicily-doctor-of-migrants-pietro-bartolo-bucks-far-right-trend-to-win-seat-in-eu-elections?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR3RsL8vIsmqxi8W1zgLHH-d6rpyuf2qfrRBVXmxRxYnF4V0V18yDZNqlR8
Brexit still in upheaval.
The sooner Labour realises that no version of Brexit can bring the country together, the better.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-second-referendum-brexit-stance-final-say-peoples-vote-jeremy-corbyn-a8936966.html?fbclid=IwAR2ztRO1drEdStht9LD8kchTPTqrPXd76Sm3yajQGwYh_l8NaGZ1v2NpD-0
Vote Leave director admits they won because they lied to the public
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/vote-leave-director-admits-won-lied-public/08/02/?fbclid=IwAR0yP38OA0DJ7qUXE4eUMwF7HooC_4SJ7qboJFIiIgDxgV25FYrsIYhTFgQ
Bucking the far right trend.
Sicily’s ‘doctor of migrants’ bucks far-right trend to win a seat in EU elections
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/sicily-doctor-of-migrants-pietro-bartolo-bucks-far-right-trend-to-win-seat-in-eu-elections?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR3RsL8vIsmqxi8W1zgLHH-d6rpyuf2qfrRBVXmxRxYnF4V0V18yDZNqlR8
Brexit still in upheaval.
The sooner Labour realises that no version of Brexit can bring the country together, the better.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-second-referendum-brexit-stance-final-say-peoples-vote-jeremy-corbyn-a8936966.html?fbclid=IwAR2ztRO1drEdStht9LD8kchTPTqrPXd76Sm3yajQGwYh_l8NaGZ1v2NpD-0
Ashford Visit
May. 31st, 2019 09:11 pmWeather was stubborn.
stayed overcast most of the day.
and it was chilly at dawn.
After midday, I headed off to Ashford
To do a couple of covert visits there,
One was in the mall and a fashion store.
All now completed, reports put to bed
and now for some music before I go to bed.
stayed overcast most of the day.
and it was chilly at dawn.
After midday, I headed off to Ashford
To do a couple of covert visits there,
One was in the mall and a fashion store.
All now completed, reports put to bed
and now for some music before I go to bed.
Friday Night Mash Up
May. 31st, 2019 10:16 pmTime for some music methinks.
Coldcut - Sound Mirrors
Bill Evans feat. Stan Getz - The Peacocks
( More grooves under the cut )
Well.. that was a mix-up mash up. Enjoy the grooves.
Jazz cat Dave.
Coldcut - Sound Mirrors
Bill Evans feat. Stan Getz - The Peacocks
( More grooves under the cut )
Well.. that was a mix-up mash up. Enjoy the grooves.
Jazz cat Dave.
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