Clear Nights, and Some Cloudy Ones

I have had two outings already in the April session, Thursday and Friday.  And it's clear tonight, but the sky is pale and smoky, so I am staying home.  Spring skies offer unprecedented views of other galaxies, and I have had an eyeful lately.  With daylight savings time I can't begin observing until 9 pm, so my nights get later and later now through summer solstice.  I am currently undertaking observations in Sextans and Coma Berencies, both areas loaded with galaxies faint and bright, small and large, and everything in between.

 

I took a short break from practicing piano earlier in the week, and it helped my sanity.  Our province has just imposed further restrictions once again due to rising Covid cases.  There will be in place for at least another month.  Vaccinations continue to slowly move ahead.  Deb and I are scheduled for Wed. April 7th.  We shall see.

 

In movie news, here are my two picks for last week.  My main pick was Red Desert, from 1964.  There are several movies by Antonioni that I can never get enough of, and this is one of the them.  His first colour picture, this one belongs to Monica Vitti all the way.  She plays the part of a woman having a perpetual mental breakdown.  Married and with a young son, she has been in a car accident, hospitalized, and is on a downhill path in her life.  She reminds me of a bird that has struck a window, and is dazed and confused afterwards, and possibly permanently damaged.  Her furtive movements, looks, and her deep insight into such a woman's troubled mind makes for a film that is hard to watch sometimes, but is astounding most of the time.  It came with several short extras, including interviews with the director and with Monica.

Now showing on Criterion.  

 

From the leaving April 30th file I chose an odd duckie of a film starring Dick Powell and Adolph Menjou called The Tall Target, from 1951.  It purports to tell the tell of a New York policeman's  efforts to stop the assassination of Lincoln before his presidential inauguration.  It all takes place on an overnight train journey from New York to Washington in March 1861.  It ends up being a typical Hollywood thriller, with Powell as cardboard an actor as could be.  It is interesting historically, since modern American politics looks pretty much the same today.

 

Showing on Criterion until April 30th. 

 

And now, at long last, I return to the world of fine art!  It's Spring, so how about a Spring photo from the DIA's collection.  It could also be called "I Miss Detroit."  I love this man's work!

 

Marjorie East, From The Zone.  2009, printed.  Scott Hocking, American, born 1975.  14.4" x 22".  Collection Detroit Institute of Arts.  

 

And I can't resist another one by Scott.  This is one of the most sublime images I have ever seen.

 

Roof Marsh, Roosevelt Warehouse, Detroit, 2008.  Scott Hocking again.  22" x 33". 

 

It's images like these that make we almost wish Detroit wasn't improving so quickly.  This whole area is under full redevelopment currently.  Alas, no more marsh....

 

Mapman Mike

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday At The Homestead

Usually Sundays begin with either baked molasses French toast, courtesy of the master of the house, or whole grain nutty and fruity pancakes, courtesy of the mistress.  Three loads of laundry follow, and there is often some morning music (none today). It is too windy and bone-chillingly cold for a walk, so I went right to the piano after breakfast (pancakes), and Deb returned to her animation project.

Nearly every week, and sometimes twice, Deb wins a major animation award.  Her 2nd award of the week came in today, as her web series "22 Bones" won best web series at a major Australian festival.  My piano playing seldom wins awards, though it has happened in the past.  However, in order to win, one must enter competitions, and I haven't done that since my student days.  Anyway, my program is marching along.  I have increased my weekly practice time, and have begun narrowing my focus on the more difficult passages I need to master.  I am hoping for a January recital date, barring illness or injury.

I finished an excellent book by Hal Clement today (Still River), and we played a game of Middle Earth: The Wizards, which I lost by one point.  We also watched a movie.  Deb's film choice this weekend was called Gold Diggers of 1933, a Busby Berkley extravaganza starring Dick Powell, Joan Blondell (in one of her best roles), and gawky and awkward Ruby Keeler.  Comparable to 42nd Street, this one feels more like a play than that other great film, though many of the numbers are as spectacular.  The closing number is dedicated to the returning soldiers of WW1, who were scorned and forgotten by government, and often left on their own.  Definitely a film highlight, and worth watching.

Despite the cold weather coming in, and frequent minor snow squalls, it appears that we will have another white Solstice next weekend.  The longer that snow can be postponed, the better.  Our long delayed trip to Detroit is currently scheduled for Tuesday, after Deb's morning infusion.  A visit to two superb beer destinations is planned,and likely some other highlights as well.

The next painting to be featured from the DIA is, like the last one, by Oskar Kokoschka.  This one is an amazing masterpiece cityscape, and has long been a favourite of mine.  This is a large canvas, and very striking.  One is drawn directly to it when entering the gallery.  Last year we saw the magnificent painting of the same subject by Frederic Church, which normally resides in the art museum in Kansas City.  It would be amazing to see these paintings side by side.

 View of Jerusalem, Oskar Kokoschka, 1929-30.  Oil on Canvas.

31.5" x 50.5".  Detroit Institute of Arts.

 Detail of above.  The energy radiating from this painting is immense. 

Sunday evening, like all recent evenings, will conclude with some listening to recorded music.  Last night we heard the 2nd piano concerto of Brahms, a powerful work that grabs and holds the listener for a full 50 minutes.  Tonight we will be hearing Monteverdi's Magnificat For 6 Voices.  Can't wait!!

Hope your weekend was a great one, too!

Mapman Mike