A rec'ing sort of post - no catchy title available

[baleanoptera]

I'd just like to give a little shout about a few things that have caught my attention this last month. I might be a little late in recommending some of these things, but I can always use the excuse that I have been away. ;)

A community:

told_tales It discusses fairytales, as well as adaptations and art centered in and from fairytales. The first fairytale discussed has been little Red Riding Hood, and the contributions have ranged from art, to Christmas decorations to the infamous Monty Python retelling.

Some icons:

Lovely alexandral made some very nice icons from the movie Equilibrium, and if you like that movie (and you should) then definitely take a peak.

And sunnyskywalker made some rather nifty icons based on Star Wars cartoons and concept art. The Original trilogy here and some Padme ones here.


Then there are a few books:


"People are sexually aroused by pictures and sculptures; they break pictures and sculptures; they mutilate them, cry before them, and go on journeys to them; they are calmed by them, stirred by them, and incited to revolt. They give thanks by means of them, and are moved to the highest levels of empathy. They have always responded in these ways; they still do."

This is from David Freedberg’s "The Power of Images", which is one of the best books about visual culture and the effect of images I have read in a long time. You know when you read a book that sometimes subtly and sometimes distinctly changes your perceptions? This book did that for me. I’ve filled my notebook with quotes and I’ve spent hours just pondering. I love it when books enable that.

And because I feel that images should never be discussed with out pictorial examples, I will take the liberty to insert a painting that has fascinated me these last few weeks.




"It is not for the most part, that the painter is a magician, or even acts like a real magician; it is just that when images are set among us, the dead are kept among the living the living and inert matter becomes lively – to such an extent that we may even become afraid of it." – David Freedberg

This is the icon of "The merciful Virgin", located in Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome. It’s from the 6th Century and Mary is dressed like a Byzantine Empress. Now the icon has been damaged during the centuries, and she looks a little worse for wear – and yet there is something still powerful and captivating about it. (Apparently a German painter has made modern version. It slightly amuses me, and it slightly frightens me at the same time. Oh well..)



"All that I saw that day, from afar, and that I heard of, I want you to hear, now, if you wish to understand the death I wanted to die."
- Patroclus from Alessandro Baricco’s An Iliad

The Italian author Alessandro Baricco has begot an Iliad. Notice the use of an for this is very clearly and with intent an adaptation. But it is a very good an interesting adaptation.
The story has been rewritten in prose, using alternating first person POV – and the POV are limited to the humans only. This creates an interesting effect with the Gods both present and not. They are constantly referred to, but unlike the Iliad proper they are never shown – except if you know where to look.

Every now and then, but never often, Baricco inserts his own interpretations into the story. These are marked by italics and this singles them out, sets them apart and makes them feel like a sideline commentary. I rather liked this touch, but I suspect it’s a like it or loath it kind of deal.

And some moving images:

And lastly a series called Perfect Strangers, written by the rather talented Stephen Poliakof. It stars Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Gambon, Lindsey Duncan and Toby Stephens. (and a whole host of others listed here.)

The setting is a family reunion. Right at the beginning one character says that all families contain at least three great stories, and with the help of flashbacks, photographs and truly haunting music the series wishes to tell a few of those stories.

This isn’t a great, flashy drama – but something rather understated. I loved it, and especially how it managed to convey that families can be both frightfully ordinary as well as fantastically original. It’s just a lovely series to watch, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Comments

[jorun.livejournal.com]

Ooo, an interesting community! And a strange and unusual Mary. I think I do prefer this hat/hood/crown to the high gothic one usually sees her wearing.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Yes! It's great - go join, and go vote for the next fairytale to be discussed. I'm voting for Sleeping beauty - nudge, nudge.

[jorun.livejournal.com]

I already joined, of course. And Briar Rose is a good tale, but I must say I would very much like to go for Blue Beard as well, though.

[sunnyskywalker]

That community looks neat! I've joined up.

The Iliad adaptation, the images book, and the series sound fascinating. I will have to put them on my list of things to look up.

(Thanks for the icon rec, btw!)

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

yay! And you are most welcome in regards to the icon rec. :D