Mind-blowing show, on top of an amazing afternoon family performance. It’s an honour to see the band that got me through my teenage years live.
Video from Yuppyslayer.
TMBG, Royal Festival Hall, London, 26/6/2010
Columbia II & III
These two images continue on from my end-of-university project, Do You Dream, at the end of which I unearthed a series of dream-journal entries about space. They were filled with a kind of cosmic depression, as I was placed into experimental space missions with friends and loved ones. It was both beautiful and cruel, at once.
There’s one story (as posted previously) which made reference to Space Shuttle Columbia, and in particular its destruction in 2003. It seemed strange that I would remember such a detail.
It was only a few weeks ago that I discovered why. As a child in the late 90s, I had visited Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, and like any excited child I had bought a souvenir. I found it last month, at the back of my closet, and it gave me quite a surprise: it was a flag of Space Shuttle Columbia, from a time when its fateful disaster lay years ahead.
It’s a haunting connection, and one which explains the strange resonance the space-dreams have with me.
Related: Apollo 11 & Modern Aesthetics of ‘Cosmic Pessimism’
Under Stars: Apollo 11 & Modern Aesthetics of “Cosmic Pessimism”
I’ve heard Brian Eno’s name a few times lately, most notably for the simple yet mesmerising iPhone apps he has collaborated on. But it wasn’t until this month I had a chance to listen to his album Apollo
The highs and lows of the US space program are particularly resonant for me: In 2005 I was treated to a series of dark, sublime dreams where I partook in space projects with dear friends, and was faced first-hand with the prospect of never coming home.
While some of these feelings were explored as part of my end-of-year project, it was Eno’s suspenseful soundtrack that sent my imagination soaring. There is a wonderful modern aesthetic to be explored on the theme of ‘cosmic pessimism’, a term often associated with the epic work of H. P. Lovecraft.
Some of the best examples I have seen (so far) of this are the post-space-race documentaries of the Apollo 11 mission. The aforementioned 1989 production For All Mankind
Another stellar example is MoonFire
This modern aesthetic of space exploration seems to be an interesting theme to explore, and I’m sure there are many artists that feel the same way. Read past the break for an entry from my 2005 journal, which I think pinpoints some of my own thoughts and ideas.
Continue reading Under Stars: Apollo 11 & Modern Aesthetics of “Cosmic Pessimism” »
‘acamar’, by Frances-Marie Uitti, Yota Morimoto
acamar on Vimeo (via Cinema5D)
Stunning cinematography by Kanamé Onoyama. Beautiful use of lighting in this fantastic video. Totally captures the feeling of the music.
At first I thought the way Uitti’s cello is lit up was a neat lighting trick on polished wood – but no, her cello is really made out of aluminium.
Music: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, "The Sun Ain't Shining No More"
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are officially my new favourite band.
This song, The Sun Ain’t Shining No More, is from an EP of the same name. Their other (equally excellent) EP “Sonic Arts” is available at the Amazon MP3 store
It’s not just the punchy funk style, the hypnotic vocal delivery, or catchy guitar riff that gets me about this song – it’s the way they nailed the 70’s style in the music video. It’s scary. Enjoy.
Music: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Clarinet & Accordion Trio, Millennium Bridge, London
I was in London this past weekend, during which time I came across one of the more awesome street performers on offer in the city. In this case, it was a trio: a clarinetist, an accordionist, and, well, someone playing an upturned basket with empty drink bottles. Totally digging the improvisation. It makes me want to listen to Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw...
Video after the jump.
Continue reading Clarinet & Accordion Trio, Millennium Bridge, London »