Only in Japan and Getting Kantian

A different league to the 'copy' at V&A

Had a particularly interesting letter and enclosure from Japanese friend yesterday, she'd had a short holiday in Southern Japan and sent me  information on the Otsuka Museum ( Naruto City in the Tokushima Prefecture), it is amazing.


I went to find out more and got a good clip on Youtube – it certainly saves a lot of flying and travel and great to see  –that  there's a work of Roy Lichtenstein included.

 I enjoyed seeing the copy of Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’ at the V and A in London but this something altogether beyond that.

Not the one recreated in Ceramic.

Books -Maximum Volume

Smooth

Reading is getting difficult for me (see below) Youtube often does a better job - having said that am enjoying so far Maximum Volume  biography of George Martin which arrived yesterday -George Martin it seems was far more than the 5th Beatle.

An example, perhaps a better one than the 'boys' of class mobility - humble beginnings some luck and great musical talent meant he was accepted by all - it seems (from the book so far) that  he had integrity and also great ability to mix a dry martini.

Kant

Apparently we'll be looking at what Kant thought on Ethics tomorrow at CityLit , oddly I see that he's one of the most mentioned philosophers (by me!)

 But I'm struggling with him (still)  having read the Onora O'Neill piece on him for 'homework' - he is famously difficult to read but I'm sure that I can use that as an excuse here.

Perhaps I'll revisit after tomorrow!

National Portrait Gallery - CityLit course

NPG not the poor relation of The National

Yesterday was the first session at London's National Portrait Gallery with city Lit Course VB151 - and what a good time I had with it.

It was a cold day but worth making the journey!

A Gull made it into London too

As I found with the last Gallery tour course (around the corner at the National Gallery) Leslie Primo, the course leader is not only a talented communicator on Art he is also very well organised when it come to running classes - this time he was there with handouts and registers and explained the structure which is a chronological run through of some of the important works at the NPG.


 A good mixture of people in attendance and as well as those who have paid and enrolled there were a number f visitors who latched on to the explanations.


The first session was very much about portraits of  English Kings, Queens and some nobility.

A selection of paintings of English Royalty

Early paintings (on wood rather than canvas) were not attributed to an 'Artist' and were often copies of other likenesses doing the rounds.

A more 'natural' approach

As painting developed European influences meant that standards were improved and new techniques became accepted, some artists worked on canvas and became known for their particular approach.

There was (it was agreed) even then a tension between imported talent (artists sometimes  fleeing religious persecution)  and bringing on 'homegrown' artists.

Many of the artists from Germany and the low countries were able to show great skill in their work, they often had a more natural approach to their subjects  and by virtue of their talents  became 'court' painters (like Holbein) often taking English nationality (to lower their taxes).

It was really interesting to see a number of paintings of Elizabeth I which reflected the audience they were aimed at (some personified her as England).

Not all paintings made reflected how she aged or her waist size!

A Portrait of Elizabeth 

Banks closing, Council Elections coming soon (plus Right and Wrong)

Well the Co-Op bank was at one time the bank with 'Ethics' - After the fiasco at the top it has become to my mind a struggling outfit, an  also ran and  it seems also  to be going to the bank with ever fewer branches, I used to use this branch in Holborn it's closing soon..

Co-Op Bank - Now a dwindling network 

The Brexit Fiasco continues

The UK Local Elections are not too far away and I have some sympathy for people going door to door and trying to explain their parties' positions on Brexit  (unless they are Lib-Dems where the picture is clear.. or UKIP, where the disaster of the party is also clear  and then they have my sympathies for other reasons).

Now agreeing amongst yourselves as the Tory Cabinet ministers did on their PR friendly  away-day is one thing  but selling this to the party MPs , the leaders of the 26 EU  countries or the electorate at large is a rather different (and perhaps more important) goal.

Sometimes quitting is the right thing to do - but whoever  would replace Mrs May this new  leader at present has to handle the same issues and the biggest of the issue is the maths  - and these maths are likely to become tougher as economic news gets gloomier .

At the start of my course on Ethics I struggled to understand why Plato (in The Republic) thought that Philosopher Kings should lead a nation state - I'm beginning to think that it might be a better solution than self serving over ambitious career politicians!

Homosexuality laws around the world.

Having put some focus on Ethics of late I'm finding myself more conscious of what can be considered right and wrong, while not necessarily making a judgement myself I'm puzzled by those in public life who do and then go on ignore their belief - I sometimes wonder why  politicians have so little  commitment to what they think is right?

In particular was surprised to find that homosexual acts are still illegal in many states including Far East countries like  Indonesia and some countries  that are part of the UK led Commonwealth - these include Malaysia and Singapore.

I find that in China laws were somewhat liberalised around 20 years or so ago but in Iran the homosexual act can still lead to a death penalty - should we deal and trade with countries that act in this way in the 21st Century?

CityLit new Prospectus and Do Ethics point towards a 'greater being'?

Come on in

It was week 6 of Ethics class on Thursday - slightly less people there than previously but Ariel was on fine form running about 15 minutes over!


As promised the topic is not an easy one but perhaps all the
more worthwhile because of that!


What is in my mind (and it changes week to week) is if there is such a thing as 'Good' then surely there's also evil and does it mean that there'a greater 'entity'?


Over the last 5 or so years I have had some great times at the college - it really is to be celebrated as well as the on-site courses there are some great opportunities to visit London galleries as part of a group.


Tomorrow I start with them a short course (off site) with the illustrious Leslie Primo looking at some of  the works in the National Portrait Gallery, previous experience on a course led by Leslie means I anticipate a great and well planned series of visits.

New Spring prospectus is just out - if you're able to make it to the college (London Area) I'd really recommend it amazing range from Swahili to Sign Language (and so much more) - very safe and supportive environment .

Charles I - the Collector at London's RA

And he was quite a collector

It's just over a week since I took a (too brief) look at the Royal Academy exhibition highlighting the collecting of Charles I 1600- 1649).

I was surprised at how busy the place was as well as the amazing scope of the work Charles had.

As well as finding out more about the Judeo-Christian faith an interest in Art can (as in this case) give something of an overview of a period of history (here the removal of the king and the  rise of Cromwell)


It is also worth noting (I think) that the English court at the time was internationalist with many connections to the continent (Charles had many works from Holland, Italy and Spain).

Highlights for me included seeing paintings of 'subjects' (biblical here) I'd seen other Artists tackle, like Titian's Supper at Emmaus (1530-35) - a great painting but so different from the representation by Caravaggio in 1601 (-Supper at Emmaus) and another version of Christ in the House of Martha and Mary - here by Hans Vredeman de Vries from about 1566.

There's  plenty of Van Dyck (famous horseback portraits of the King)I also liked Judith with the Head of Holofernes by Cristofano Allori. - I will definitely try and fit another visit in

The  guide is, I find  useful for making notes!

Liverpool 25 -ish years on (and back home)

And back..

The weather was kind to us.

So a good trip to see a City that has reinvented itself on several occasions, I'm not sure how much of the current  reincarnation is attributable (in part at least)  to Lord Heseltine.

Beatles

Among the drivers for Tourism in Liverpool the Beatles are undoubtedly among the top 5 - there's still a magic associated with the group and its roots in the city nearly 50 years since they ceased to be a group.

The Beatles were more than just John and Paul so I felt sad to hear of Quincy Jones bad mouthing  many but Ringo in particular and where's his house on this postcard!

There's something about a civic statue to a bunch of young men who (with George Martin & Brian Epstein)  helped culturally shape the world we now inhabit - it's not what statues and memorials commemorated  for hundreds of years - 

Their spirit permeates the city

Could be better (who is who?)

Eating out

I enjoyed the variety of eateries our last evening meal was a Spanish  restaurant where we enjoyed Tapas - and even there a Liverpool twist was on the menus with a 'Scouse' Tapas.

Lunya- Eating here caused some discomfit 

The meal though was influenced by the sight of people living in the Street opposite - The  Homeless I discovered are not only a problem in London and I recognise the issue is not just about money - many of the rough sleepers are battling demons of earlier issues they've confronted. 

Upside

But Liverpool is lively  there's the Graffiti of 

Dotmaster in Parr Street, exciting street art in new housing developments and shopping malls.

Parr St - One of the works by Dotmaster

In one of areas with expensive shops 

Colourful Sculpture - Part of a new development at the back of our hotel

Liverpool 25 -ish years on (Day 3) and OXFAM

Liverpool has an important Chinese community - one of the oldest it's twinned with Shanghai and has a monster gate (or Paifang ) built in 2000 it has the longest span for a gate outside China.

Liverpool's Chibnese gate - quite a span

It was great to be in the city for the celebrations for the Chinese New Year (this year it's the Year of the Dog).

As well as the usual drumming and crowds there was a fun fair!

Families and Fun celebrate the New Year -Gong Hei Fat Choy!

After lunch we took a trip to the new Liverpool Museum - great guided tour (for free) and learnt plenty of the history of the docks and how people survived in tougher times.


Particularly impressed by the Liverpool Cityscape of Ben Johnson (2008) as well as our friendly guide.

A Museum that reflects the city

'Contrite' Oxfam

Once Proud

Let's face it the biggest (individuals and companies)  and the best can muck up fail - who would have thought that Woolworths could disappear from UK high streets leaving barely an impression or that a throwaway remark from Ratner's CEO would destroy another brand (this used to be the text book example on many MBA classes)?

It's sometime since I was actively supporting OXFAM (I worked as a volunteer assistant in their local Record shop for a few hours a week) , I thought it was a legitimate thing to do the charity had good goals, I suppose I was even proud to be associated with them.

Well now we learn they have had bad employees and hushed up what happened, rather than behave like adults - they've made their troubles worse (as a child might) by

1) Hiding the facts
2) Saying others do the same
3) Saying it's not that serious (impropriety to staff and those they seek to help)
 and
4) Offering a full apology when the game's up

The service that they've done (unwittingly) is exposed the charity sector is not properly monitored (and they have voluntary contributions, tax breaks and UK government money).

I'm not sure that the outfit will fully recover but reform is needed.

Liverpool 25 -ish years on (Day 2)

One of those iconic things about Liverpool is that Ferry - you can take it across the Mersey.

Sir Peter Blake was commissioned 

He Dazzled and We took it

The round trip is not a long one (about an hour all in)  but there's plenty to see and learn about the Ferry (a version has been crossing the river for hundreds of years).

You can also see a different view of the 'Three Graces'.

Liver building on the left (once the tallest building in Europe)

Another Dazzler

We also took a city bus tour which told of the 'Good Old Days' (not so good low life expectancy, Typhoid and slums ) but also the pioneering work of  Borough Medical Officer William Henry Duncan .

Liverpool 25 -ish years on (Day 1)

I've become quite a fan of visits to UK cities.

It's something like 25 years since I was in Liverpool (for work) - mainly spent the time doing computer-y things (I was working with a TV Newsroom Computer company -BASYS) at Granada's (then) Liverpool studios in the Albert Dock where This Morning used to be 'made'.

This Morning used to be from Albert Dock  and Weather Map was there too 

Part of the pleasure of a w/e away is the train trip and on Friday morning we left London Euston for Liverpool Lime Street - operator Virgin Trains.

Comfortable journey with good service and although we were 20 or so minutes late in, no big problem .

Novotel Hotel about 15 minutes from the Station and very much does the job, all mod cons, Wi-Fi, Gym (if you like that sort of thing) nice telly (Philips) and a fine breakfast selection.

So  our first vsit was Tate Liverpool (I'd spent there time on my last visit) - nice lunch there - we looked at Tate Artist Room for Roy Lichtenstein - very good.

WHAAM ! perhaps Roy's most famed picture

But there are plates too.

Well although we had a nice lunch we were later ready for dinner and had an absolute cracker round the corner, old school Italian - place was Villa Romana.

 

Villa Romana -A very nice  restaurant 

There's free soup here, Photo Manipulation and 'A real Stoic'

If the Economist can do it - why not others for those who need it

The news that a homeless man had died near the UK centre of government is surely a wake-up call for us all (politicians especially).

Austerity is a busted flush (I think is now the accepted wisdom) - last years we've seen homeless numbers shooting up, it doesn't help anyone that those with Drink, Drugs and medical health issues are left to struggle alone without accommodation.


Big questions at present about institutionalised charities - and the increasingly self serving third sector - but come on help those who are in plain sight on our streets.

Photoshop 

It's a neat application but I'm still only on the nursery slopes - most of yesterday afternoon, trying bu  bumping into things (as an analogy).

We should give these (Photo-shopped) Stoics a chance to become Epicureans 

Philosophy

I do like to think about stuff- it can be academic but reminded that Philosophy does tell us something (just the action of creating some time and space for it).

Having thought about the Epicureans versus Stoics , perhaps as a purely academic matter it was humbling to spend some time with someone who was able to show me a real embodiment  of Stoicism made 'real' - wishing him well today.

Finding Epicurus and the Tetrapharmakos (thanks Youtube)

A word from the Author

It's almost it seems to me  'de rigueur' to belittle those like Alain de Botton who seek to share their knowledge from engagement with Philosophy and the Greats of Ancient Greece

Botton is not the only one who (it seems to me) is bringing us (those who aspire to be Lovers of Wisdom ) some messages from the coal front, Jules Evans is going out there and bringing in his case particularly Stoicism (leader Zeno)  into modern life ( one the major competing philosophies to that of Epicurean-ism  in Ancient Greece).

The Two Schools both have some good things going for them - here's comparison.




Consideration of the Tetrapharmakos of Epicurus is something I have only just become aware of (as a realisation by Epicurus) and I can see the value of it - it feels like something that it is hard to argue against.

Pleasure is around us

Don't fear God. (God is something to measure ourselves against)
Don't worry about death (When you're dead you're dead)
What is good is easy to get (Good things like food and friends are there for the taking - other stuff can be hard to achieve and ultimately disappointing) 
and
What is terrible is easy to endure (If it's really bad it'll pass).

Here are two clips that might be worth looking at if you're feeling miserable because you don't have a Tesla car or a new iPhone.

School of Life/De Botton





And another take on it





The point is (I think) that we can spend our time getting things that we don't need/won't relish when clearly the things that are worthwhile are often close at hand.

Look at this view

A 'Turner for Free - framed in the attic window

More Philosophy (Moral Egoism or Altruism)

Homeless - Is it our responsibility to act?

I mentioned recently that Moral dilemmas are all around us (when we recognise this) and this can make us think (and perhaps even act) -CityLit course is currently reminding me of this.


Well Ayn Rand  (and her Objectivism) was always going to be a challenge to relate to - partly I think because of her persona but also as a result of those who choose to be associated with her (not hip and groovy).

Part of my interest in the Moral Philosophy topic stems from a little knowledge of George W Price an American scientist who arrived at mathematical formula for human Altruism - Price took his own wife in London having moved to the UK as well as from Atheism to Christianity
Price  having given his worldly good to the poor was still not content.

Price was unsure where his 'Charity' stemmed from but left  moving note which was found near his body - here's more of his story.

For the next session we're looking at Peter Singer - I've read an article by him 'Famine Affluence and Morality' -The argument he makes  is it  seems pretty difficult to argue against on Moral grounds  (he says we should help those starving around the world up to a point where we too get close to their own deprivation).

If you listen and watch  Singer he may seem almost saintly but there's logic there too.

The question we need to ask ourselves then is why we don't do this - is human nature in fact in the vast majority of us to consider ourselves and those immediately around us more important than strangers half way around the world?

I think there is a 'natural' inclination to be more concerned with those around us than people we don't know - this is perhaps possible to accept but we're not that kind/fair to those who are around us (and sometimes members of our own family).

How can we resolve this - I don't think that too many are as saintly as Peter Singer (watch him here) - I guess part of the issue is how modern life has alienated us from our community.

How much do we care for others?

The Joys of Photoshop in Richmond School of Art

As it was

I suppose the fact that I'm actually able to show some examples of outputs from Photoshop is a credit to teacher Melina, we're a group of about 8 students very mixed abilities (I'd say) and it can't be easy.




For me I'm at a place now where I have ideas and I can begin to try and achieve them - of course this can be challenging but there is help both in the class and online.

As it came

And after a 'fiddle'

Here's one I'm even happier with where I've turned some of the image into black and white - I'm going to try somew more like this!

Draws focus

Jewish Museum/Time in Camden

Second cultural visit of the week was to the Jewish Museum in Camden and it was a good one.

Over last couple of years I've had a number of enjoyable excursions with JL and the only real challenge is to take in something of what we're visiting as conversation does not let up!


I was surprised at how different Camden is on a weekday morning in Winter to the Tourist-fest I last saw it as during a summer w/e and saddened to see so many people around the area  who appeared to be without homes.

Walking by?

so many on the streets

A comedian remembered 

Camden Station 

Museum is a fairly short walk from the Camden Town underground station (where comedian  Willie Rushton is remembered in the form of a Blue Plaque) and there is some (I would say unsurprisingly) security on show.

Outside

There's a café with good coffee and in what's not too much  of a shock a selection of Bagels.








We started at the Temporary exhibition and having had an independent look latched onto a 'curated' tour which revealed so much more about Jewish influx during WW2 (and before) - Tom Karen (who is still alive) had some input to the exhibition and a bike, a child's toy and classic radio hinted at the breadth of his scope in design.

The Chopper Bike (courtesy of Tom Karen) and memories of my own Cycle -Design Museum Tours

As well as the Design items each designer had an illuminated box - and some nice 'film' clips, including a nostalgic 1951 Festival of Britain  revisit.

That Chopper 'iconic'

Publishing and Posters too

Other items in the Museum showed religious and cultural artefact and told of the persecution of Jewry over the centuries with (of course) a focus on the Nazi horrors.

We had a great chat with one of the volunteers at the Museum who recalled his work in tailoring - starting at age 14 and spanning over half a century - big message I got from the visit was what immigrants have brought to the UK in recent times.

And on Subject of Immigration..

Good TV show on Channel 4 (UK), My Millionaire Migrant Boss last night subvert the 'meme' around English people not willing to work - take a look if you can, I'd be tempted to say it was heart warming..