Yesterday I went to the Brooklyn Musem. They’ve had a bit of a glow-up recently, and their exhibition of Brookyn artists is a lovely way to celebrate it and they have the full collection online. The in memoriam, 2022 quilt by Clayton Okaly was a favorite for me.
While we were there, we took few minutes to sit down and sketch. I picked one at semi-random, a seated guy leaning with his elbows on a table or bar. Then little observations started adding up, things my eye wouldn’t have seen if I wasn’t using my hands. What else am I missing because I’m not taking enough time to see?
Art
A Yup’ik nepcetaq mask. The notes were very helpful: “In the central carving an angalkuq (shaman) stares intently through two bentwood rings, which represent layers of the universe. As mediators between worlds shamans have the ability to travel beyond the everyday realm. Feathers and wooden carvings of hands, feet, fish, and a bird radiate beyond the second, outermost ring. With hands and legs matching the tone of his face the angalkuq seems to reach across the boundaries of the world. He touches that which we cannot see, the inner life of all things.”
Books
Termination Shock, continued.
Running
Picking up where I left off with the project in September, I’ve now run every street in Bed-Stuy. I didn’t expect the wave of satisfaction that hit as I was knocking out the last few blocks. Big smiles.
Articles & Episodes & Twoots
IMG_0416, a treasure trove of iPhone → YouTube uploads.
Listen to random forest audio with Tree.fm.
“A corollary to ‘you can just do things’: you can just ignore things.”
Don’t ask to ask, just ask. “You’re asking people to take responsibility. You’re questioning people’s confidence in their abilities. You’re also unnecessarily walling other people out.” (Thanks, Jara!)
“When you take an occupation that people think they know and point it in another direction, then you create a gap, or chasm. Then the viewer has to help fill that chasm. Well, that’s what art does. You have two poles; you get them to a certain point and the spark’s gonna fly.”
Hollis Robbins on the “last mile” problem: “We’re creating a world where AI algorithms serve the majority while human insight becomes the ultimate premium service.”
“Like many pictures in my camera roll, it’s unremarkable. And yet, unlike other pictures taken that night, it conjures up for me a potent memory that’s not exactly depicted within the photo, but with a few taps I can always evoke it.”
“Tourism has become value arbitrage: Invest in an undiscovered place early so you don’t have to go there when it’s overrun.”
Notes on Guyana. I don’t read the whole text of Lakeman’s posts, but the on-the-ground photos are always interesting.
“In 31 years of age I think I’ve finally discovered the cure to depression and it’s just leaving the house at every single possible opportunity no matter how badly you don’t want to.” Today is my 1349th consecutive day going outside no matter what, and can vouch that it makes a huge difference.
Movies
Civil War. An unlikely family road trip movie, but a team of (bloodthirsty?) journalists. “We don’t ask. We record so other people ask.” They’re not heroes, they’re emotionally deadened thrill-seekers, and the generational trend isn’t good. Distracting to see what’s obviously (to me) Atlanta filmed as NYC. (Seeing the blighted Herndon Stadium was both cool and depressing.) Just seemed a bit sloppy? Between Men, Annihilation, and Ex Machina, Alex Garland has a pretty high batting average.
Master Gardener. Really loved it, didn’t expect the warmth and sentimentality, and I wasn’t ready for such a hopeful ending. “I never knew what direction it was going to go.” I wrote that about Paul Schrader’s First Reformed – the first of his man-in-a-room trilogy – and the same applies here. Makes me want to rewatch American Gigolo.
The Grand Budapest Hotel. Second viewing (the first). I might still call it my favorite, but would be interested in a The Darjeeling Limitedrewatch. Not a movie I love, though, and ditto for Anderson as director. I’m glad he’s able to do his thing, though, and hope every director gets to be as weird and specific as they can muster.
Music
Nicolas Deep, Gata. Good pulsing work music. I like the group chanting in “Savan“.
Max Richter, On the Nature of Daylight. “A Catalogue of Afternoons” is a good one to keep on loop while you putter through quiet tasks.
Mongo Santamaria, Afro Roots. So much good stuff in the percussion. I’d love to hear a version without vocals.
Sun Ra Arkestra, Baby Won’t You Please Be Mine. I like the shaggy bluesy NOLA feel in the title track.
Naoki Sato 六人の嘘つきな大学生 OST. “Chaos” is a favorite – I love that whirring rise and fall in the opening minutes, like a robot breathing. Also a fan of “Betrayer“, love a steady pulse that builds and builds. From the composer who brought you the soundtrack for Godzilla Minus One.
Big Gigantic, Brighter Future 2. Strip mall dance pop. I could barely finish.
Yusuf Lateef, Suite 16. Didn’t care for this one, either!
TV
The X-Files, s3e18 “Teso Dos Bichos“. Another edition of revenge after death x indigenous cultures… but this time through a mob of cats lol.
The Penguin, s1e1. First sample was pretty good. I like when main characters are getting squeezed from all directions. Sofia Falcone is a compelling foil. I’ve seen NY/NJ mob boss tough-guy characters ten million times, so I’m curious what novelty they’ll bring to it.
Mark Larson 
