new ways by karin sanborn

Northeast Films [NEF] is many things. Sometimes it is a contemporary playground where Warren Miller hangs with the ghost Robert Altman, promising to keep the story going for many posts to come. However perhaps my favorite characteristic is the phenomenology present in the consistent voice and gaze of the camera. It is a hopeful one. Let me explain.  

The eye that takes in each scene is able to shapeshift from one benevolent view to another: first as an ant up at the long-boarder's transport system, then as a common bird hovering low taking in the action of characters living the day purely for the joy of it. Other favorite shooting angles include plants given priority of focus while activities blur by in the background. Am I an insect? Maybe, yes, I can believe it... because while observing cropped views of bike wheels through the forest, the event is clearly more important than any single identity pedaling. Being present seems to be the only important criteria.

Creative efforts like NEF's are an elegant reminder that artistic expression comes from everywhere in the universe. Not just sometimes, but especially, outside galleries and museums. The places depicted in these films are from the realm of the living. Both the viewer and the viewed momentarily inhabit the same time, same place, in connected by disconnection between their respective shells.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_a--0KTktM&feature=em-subs_digest

Tea Time Part 2 by Andrea Zimon

I dug this particular clay project out the box well before Karin wrote her blog with her tea items. Since no one is going to believe that story, I figured I might as well steal her title as well. 

My remaining clay projects were finished, graded, unceremoniously thrown in a box with dirty saddle pads ( which I forgot in the car. Aren't you glad I am not an Uber driver?), into my car, and then into the garage. I was tired and didn't really want to look at them anymore. I had put a maximum amount of effort into creating these treasures but was irritated with technical difficulties beyond my control. So why learn acceptance when you can embrace denial instead, and bury crap you don't want to deal with?

But now I will reflect and share. Aren't you lucky?

Welcome to non-functional pottery project number #3. The  tea set inspired by Mondrian’s Composition No. 10 Pier and Ocean.

The project is blue, like the painting.

It has Mondrian's patterns. 

The tea pot is heavier than all get out.  The double walled aspects is an interesting aesthetic but detrimental in functional use. Ditto goes for the handle. It is a handle in the loosest sense of the term.  Use this as a teapot and you will get the tri-fecta potential for going to urgent care; 2nd degree burns,a broken foot, and deep cuts requiring stitches.  Well, it is kind of pretty to look at. 

Square mugs. Yeah, square mugs. Weird but yet continuing to work that Mondrian vibe. Do people drink out square mugs? Of course, who would want to after hearing about the cohabitation with dirty saddle pads?

So right now, I am taking a drawing class. I am doing a 18x24" grid pattern self portrait. I appreciate the exercise but not so crazy about the subject matter.  I won't complain any more about technical difficulties and contemplate the serenity prayer. It is useful advice if I could only follow it. 

P.S. I was given a challenge to do my blog in one hour. This is how my blog usually is without my painstaking editing. My apologies.