8th to the 14th of January 2024
Notes on Art, Autumn in the life of Ferdinand Gregorovius, Motor City Scene.
Things I’ve been thinking about
Art
I turned 60 last year and decided it was about time to learn more about art, specifically painting. Soon after making this decision, a number of questions arose, including:
What is art?
Is there a heuristic for 'good' art?
Why do I 'like' X but not Y?
Of course, I could just ignore all this and just go off and enjoy art, I’m not sure I can do that though, I feel the need to work on the questions as well.
So, I’ve been reading, or rather skimming, some books on aesthetics, the philosophy of art and the history of art. I’m not sure these have helped yet, it all becomes rather complex quite quickly…but that’s okay, I’ve plenty of time.
On Tuesday I’m going to the Wallace Collection in London to see Nicolas Poussin's Dance to the Music of Time.
I chose the Music of Time after reading Anthony Powell’s magnificent series of novels of the same name. The painting is referenced in the first paragraph of the first novel:
I’ll report back next week and perhaps have a go at answering the three questions. Feel free to give your own answers!
Against interesting
Autumn in the life of Ferdinand Gregorovius
The autumn of Ferdinand Gregorovius’ life was the year 1853, at age of 32, which feels quite young to be in the later stages of ones life, though perhaps this is correct for midway through the 19th century. I love the line about the pomegranates, there is something of the dream about this.
Triple Hep and Blue
Motor City Scene
Thad Jones' 1959 album Motor City Scene was released at a time when Detroit was asserting itself as a new jazz hub, comparable to the likes of New Orleans, Chicago, and Kansas City.
Cornet, Flugelhorn – Thad Jones
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Elvin Jones
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Tenor Saxophone – Billy Mitchell
Trombone – Al Grey
Jones delivers a range of styles with the LP, tracks like "Let's Play One" showcase a playful gospel influence, while "Minor on Top" has a more of a bop flavour, and "No Refill" has a more somber tone, highlighted by a duet between Jones and bassist Paul Chambers.
Looking back from 2024, "Motor City Scene" stands out for its approachability and ease in an era often dominated by more serious and complex jazz forms. This album, now a classic, reminds us of an important moment in jazz history, where talent and innovation converged in Detroit.
No Refill
Minor on Top
Stay hep, cats!
Art Gallery of NSW has a Van Gogh as part of its normal collection, I don’t think it’s a particularly important piece or anything but whatever it’s a Van Gogh and when I make my annual trip to the gallery to see the Archibald Prize and Wynne Prize exhibitions I always stop in the corner where it lives and have a look
Just something about standing close enough to a genuine Van Gogh that you could touch it and you can see all the brush strokes hits me in a way I can’t explain and I am anything but an art guy