I first heard about Polly Morgan at work the other day. My boss mentioned something about Courtney Love freaking out over a moving crew throwing out an expensive piece of art which happened to be a taxidermied chick in a match box. I was instantly enthralled. Not by another of Ms. Love's tirades, but rather by the macabre and alluring idea of fine art taxidermy. Call me creepy, but I like it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/polly_morgan/
(too bad her website doesn't seem to be working... http://www.pollymorgan.co.uk/ )
Another artist I came across was Guilherme Marconi, a Brazilian illustrator. You may recognize some of his art from various ad campaigns including Nike and Absolut Vodka. While I am not a fan of advertising in general, I still enjoy Marconi’s style and intricate images. I have always had a fondness for images in which I can see others. You know, things that look like other things? The abstract, perhaps. I also dig repetition and manipulations. Or maybe I just like weird art (and if we consider who I've dated... well, that's another story isn't it?).
http://www.marconi.nu/
And finally, I had a thrilling and fulfilling experience after Atomic Vaudeville last night. The show was a success and the usual merriment began, but just as I thought it would be the same old Saturday with AV a young lady starting teaching everyone how to Double Dutch. Now, I am not a very athletically inclined person (nor am I terribly coordinated) so the idea of jumping over two skipping ropes that are turning in opposite directions had me backing slowly away. Sure, I used to jump rope like it was nobody’s business, but that was 1989. I’d also never been successful at Double Dutch, even at that tender age, and I just took it as my lot. I mean, we can’t be masters of everything, right? Well, twenty years later the crowd is cheering and the ropes are turning. The pressure is building as everyone asks, “are you going to try it?” and I realize I’m the only one who hasn’t.
Call it peer pressure, exhibitionism or being a little bit drunk, but I suddenly had to do it. The hypnotic rhythm of the ropes clicking against the floor awoke the nine year old in me and I flung myself at their mercy. Our instructor was concise, the crowd was supportive and I was nervous as hell. My first attempt was a disaster with me running into the fray and getting tangled in the ropes, but by attempt number five I was flying!! I ran in and suddenly my feet lifted and there was no turning back. I was caught up in the magic spell, and it was easy. I was nine years old again with the spring breeze blowing my hair triumphantly behind me and the patter of school yard rhyme dancing on my lips, no one could stop me!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Dutch_(jump_rope)
