Darkness
I stayed up too late and didn’t sleep well last night. However, one interesting thing around here is that all the town’s lights go out at 1. I had forgotten this and left the school around 2. I don’t have far to travel, but without light I wasn’t able to see anything. It was fascinating. I could hear the river and feel the cold, but otherwise, there was nothing to respond to. Since I didn’t have a flashlight, I used my cellphone to see if anything would reflect and give me a sense of distance. It worked, but the small amount of light produced created an effect of looking through a very dark lens.
An interesting response to this phenomenon has come out of discussions with some of the other students, one of which is a circus performer/fire dancer. We have discussed creating a circus of light for the town. The head of the department seems to also be interested in this idea, so I will share more as it develops.
Otherwise, here it is raining and I’ve just woken up from a nap. I’ve been working on an image/illustration in Photoshop. It is just a sketch, but it just dawned on me that this could be easily adapted into a book format. This is something I can continue to develop and may not go anywhere, but any type of productivity now is good to help create other directions.
I was looking forward to the French thrift store, but was told that is not happening this Saturday, but next weekend. At least I will have some history and art to digest in the mean-time.
Location, community and a lack of heat
I’m slowly reseting my internal clock. Today I was able to wake at a decent hour without my body deciding it necessary to be awake from 3 to 5am. I’m enjoying the town, but am beginning to miss regular indoor heating and insulation. I find that I am frequently cold, though I’m wearing many layers. I guess it must be the lack of heat breaks I’m used to in the States.
Today we took a trip to the art store in Quimper. I purchased some an overpriced sketchbook and pencils. I may do some figure drawing to see if I can get some creativity flowing. I’ve begun some rough digital outlines and writing, but nothing that seems too interesting at the moment. So far I’m just enjoying the friends I’m making here. We’ll see how the art-making goes. I’m looking forward to the Quimper trip this Saturday. The Breton museum will be interesting as well as the Musée des beaux arts, but I am mostly excited about going to the thrift store. I want to see what clothes, materials, and bric-a-brac that lives there. Maybe some good fodder for my upcoming projects? I’m hoping so.
Dîner et conversation
Tonight I had pleasant conversations with a professor and fellow students over dinner, with topics ranging from Baudrillard, Post-modernism and buddhism, to communism and current U.S. political races.
Studio
I just got set up with my studio and I have made good friends with the coffee vending machine. It looks like the program will be interesting. There are students here from many different countries (though the majority are Americans) working in a variety of media. The bandwidth here seems to be the only difficult spot at the moment. The wireless internet isn’t quite as reliable as I had hoped, but maybe it has jetlag as well. I think I will begin working this evening on some ideas for the mythology of Barchael.
En France
I’m in Pont-Aven for my first full day. Later, when I have a bit of time, I’ll try and upload images to my flickr acount.
Soldier Bear
I just read this news story about a bear who was a soldier in WWII. This is an interesting approach to anthropomorphism.
Alien Life
I really enjoy when people start hallucinating mythological creatures into photos. Whether on toast or any shadow on the martian surface, people love imaginary monsters.
Here is a news story about Bigfoot on Mars
and another about Grilled Cheese.
Conversation, Food, and the Internet
Last night I was able to spend the evening with the Semrads, some of my favorite human beings (along with their associated canine and feline friends). Great food, wine, and discussion ranging from arts organizations to bass guitar necks. While we passed around laptops last night, I was reminded of this fine bit of animation that Chris Lavery recently introduced me to. I thought I should share:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYqKucJTn2c&rel=1">
I’m looking forward to plans with Sarah Jane this Friday at the DMA. I’m really curious about any exhibition based around karaoke and the Smiths.
