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| Rest After Work, Vincent Van Gogh |
For some reason, as the Phantom ages, his ability to be thrilled by the truly exceptional has become sharper.
Part of this must derive from the simple effect of having seen things over and over until, when something is truly exceptional appears, it is easy to say, "Oh, that is different."
What worries the Phantom is remembering a friend of his who, as he was slipping into the early stages of dementia, remarked, "Everything is so easy now." He could answer all sorts of questions without pause, thinking he had got the right answers because he could no longer see the complexities. He slipped into a sort of simpleton's bliss.
The Phantom has looked at thousands of works of art and the more he sees, the more thrilled he is by Van Gogh. Hopper and Sargent handle light beautifully, but so does Van Gogh, and Van Gogh does it while boldly laying down layers of rich color which is what one usually has to sacrifice when doing light and shadow.
Beethoven is another. Plunking out Ode to Joy, the Phantom is amazed by how simple the call and response is, but Beethoven can change things up at just the right moment to keep it moving, keep it alive. When you hear the little piano piece the Phantom is plunking out and then hear it done by a huge chorus, you feel the power and the beauty sweeping you along.
Before he tried painting regularly, before he started his humbling piano lessons, the bell did not ring for the Phantom. In "The Polar Express," the bell stops ringing for those who no longer believe in special magic. For the Phantom, the bell had not rung until lately, as the Phantom can see the approaching night, as the countdown begins its descent.
The slide down the mountain toward the shattered plain of bones does not end well; but the ride may have its moments and its pleasures.
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| The Little Stream, Vincent Van Gogh |
And, in this computer age, we can all see it with the click of a keyboard key. What a marvelous time to be alive.
Phantom,
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty wonderful that painting and the piano are providing you with so much joy. That you can hear the tinkling of the bells at this stage in our lives is lucky. There are so many faces out there-old and young-that you can just see no longer hear the bells. It's hard to excited by life when so much of it becomes routine, or illness or setbacks arise, but you've created your own magic by discovering and experiencing art and music firsthand and in your own way.You're rather inspirational Phantom.
I was both moved and troubled by your words "The slide down the mountain......". I agree we're facing a lot of challenges as we age, but there can also be inspiration, beauty and excitement if we are lucky and if we look for them. I just hope everything is OK with you and your talking about heading down the mountain is in general terms...
These two paintings by Van Gogh are beautiful-another of his that really demonstrates his ability to infuse light into a painting is "Landscape at Twilight". Do you like that one? I love it-it's dramatic, lush and, most unfortunately, one of his last works. The color blue he produces in it is incredible and the golds make it look almost lit from within. I agree with you that had he been "discovered" his work would have changed. Painting was the love of his life and had he shared that relationship with legions of fans things wouldn't have been the same.
Have you seen the Coen brothers film "Inside Llewyn Davis" ? It deals with a musician who, like van Gogh, is so committed to his music that everything else is secondary. I think you'd like it, one because of the time period and great music but also it's classic Coen brothers with odd and entertaining characters like in "The Big Lebowski" and "Fargo". If you see it, watch for the scene where the dinner hostess gets quite upset over something missing on the cat. Very funny...
Maud
Maud,
ReplyDeleteI'm on it. I'm going to look at "Landscape at Twilight" and the Coen bros "Inside Lewyn Davis."
I guess I've been going to too many Tumor Board meetings, where they present case after case of cancer patients and you get the feeling, "My turn is coming."
Haven't heard that particular bell ("Ask not for whom the bell tolls...") quite yet, just the Polar express type bell.
Haven't got to your book recommendations but they are not forgotten.
Phantom
Phantom,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're not seeing the Grim Reaper in the rear view mirror. I was fairly certain you were speaking in general terms, but not totally sure-I'm relieved.
I'm a third of the way through "West with the Night"-what can I say, of course you know how wonderful it is-who has a life like that and the ability to describe it so beautifully. I keep thinking, as I read it, that you drew the short straw on this one since I fear none of my recommendations are nearly as good as "West with the Night". Sorry. I'll write more about it when I'm done....
Maud
Maud,
DeleteThe recorded book is also wonderful. I can't recall the actress who reads it. A Brit. I read it to my kids, but could not do the accents that well. My kids' favorite part was the partially eaten by the lion bit. You'll know it when you see it.
You are far better on follow up on these recommendations. I always write yours down and then lose them and have to scroll back through to find them.
Phantom