-

Davor Spills the Beans

Remember those writing assignments we had in school? This one, after 20 years of not doing it, is entitled My Worldview. I should hope for a C at least.


I am a kid born under socialism and have still not read the Bible, though I have three different versions, being a book collector. I took a Buddhism course at a US college. I think Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox issue is funny and deplorable. When it comes to Copts, it's downright bizzare. I would decree that church in Croatia be encouraged and confined to charity and saving souls; I have merely been baptised but I have a liking for Jesus. I find ritual degrading. I have a strong dislike for organised anything. There's a Croatian writer who quoted a German philosopher and they say one is warm among humans but it stinks. I like the aesthetics of this statement. I am against just about any government in the world and think they should do more. I like Assange. I think Hundertwasser is nutters for rag-designing his own shoes but I would hug him. When I meet priests, like this summer an English pastor, the conversation is lively and they give me books. I was given Jesus I Never Knew and myself recommended Body and Society in turn. I think my chief "deadly sins" are pride and lust. I am familiar with every fifth line of every prayer there is. I like the nun-Batman jokes. I have had this inscription above my door for some 10 years now: He blindeth their eyes lest they should see. When I was young, I used to let Jehovah's Witnesses in, offer coffee and debate. Now I'm getting older and think more in terms of profound little experiences in art. I would never declare myself an artist but I think I'm one. You can beat me with a stick but if I think your painting is ugly, that's what it is. I don't know that much about painting. I don't like many people to do art. I don't like people with no interest in art. I find epigrams that say it's great to hear the melody of children's voices when you don't understand them hilarious. I like to talk seriously to children and I can eat more ice-cream than they themselves. They should be discouraged to smoke but I don't like someone telling me I shouldn't smoke. I think the greatest art is creation of optimism. I don't particularly feel I should do anything. I dislike when people are late and am punctual myself. I tease my friends and laugh at my own jokes. I adore dogs and cats. I don't like zoos. I think Jains are beyond but admire them. I find meaning the greatest gift but I reach for the bottle. I think pretty people are sacred. I also like intelligent people. I'm not that much a car fan and find TV car shows perplexing. I like when I'm surprised though not scared, as in amusement parks. I find dancers an entirely different aetherial breed. I find newspapers boring. I like water. I am perfectly fine with my partner being an expert in cows or airplanes. I condone pornography though I cannot rationally win. I think the most horrible thing to do is hurt someone. I think it's obvious when they're not enjoying themselves. I admire writers who don't accept prizes. I think the episode with Andrić being terminally ill and exclaiming 'This is horrible!' looking at stars is scary and thrilling. I'm beginning to dislike mobile phones. I like to overspend on things like dinners and ballet. I like little sculptures and jewellery. I'm a language snob. I like to cross-examine somebody who's very good at something and has done it for 20 years now. I like writing assignments like this one, but not when I'm told. I mean I can do them when I'm told, but they're better when I play. I don't believe in anonymity. I think one letter a day is wonderful. I think most would find this strange and basically disagree with Foucault on the issue of "problematization." I think tourists are lazy and loud. I think debate clubs are frontal lobotomy. I think journalists are undereducated. I could shop all day. I like when someone already knows me.

Advice for an aspiring architect, in 1931

Advice for an aspiring architect, in 1931

Finally an interesting site. And yes, this is because it is textual. It is also oh very real; I'm tired of repeating myself - this is what our education is for.

For those who want to browse www.lettersofnote.com - the link to the particular letter is above; I am also pasting the content for I want it in all its visual glory:

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Advice for an aspiring architect, in 1931

In December of 1931, as the Great Depression took hold, a young man by the name of Richard Crews wrote to a number of prominent architecture firms in the city of Chicago. Soon to enter the profession himself, Crews was curious to learn about an established architect's typical working day, and so sent letters to local masters of the trade to find out from the best possible source. Four incredibly gracious responses arrived, including the one below; a letter filled with honest, sage and extremely quotable advice from Charles Morgan, a highly regarded architectural artist who in the '20s and '30s providedrenderings for a number of large firms such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Had he written it today, I'm sure much of the advice would remain.


Many thanks to F.A. Bernett Books for allowing me to show the letter (which, incidentally, can be bought at their website along with the other three).


Transcript follows.

Source

Transcript

CHAS MORGAN A.I.A
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
thirty third floor 333 north Michigan Ave
CHICAGO


telephone Randolph 6014


MODERN DESIGN
Architectural
Perspectives
Mural
Mosaics


Richard Crews
4524 Malden Avenue
Chicago, Illinois


Dear Richard Crews:


I am sorry to be delayed these few days in answering your letter of Dec. 21st but I shall hasten and do it before the new year.


Of course, you would be more interested in what an architect does in a day's work in normal times, than now. So if you will excuse the liberty I shall make the discussion, or at least the answer, on what an architect should do in a day's work.


An architect should, unless it is impossible, answer his mail the first thing in the morning. Then his mind is free to plan and design upon the problems of his clients. He goes to work planning from within outward just as truly as from the ground upward. There are very few real architects who get big jobs because it is only the politician who gets big jobs, and the politician never has time to be an architect. So by all means the architect should learn to do small jobs well, because of the very fact that if he is sincere he shall probably never get big ones.


The architect should always remember that Jesus was an architect and that to be entitled to the same name he should love truth and beauty above all else.


An architect is too busy to bother much about luncheon. A sandwich at noon is enough. He draws or builds models most of the day because that is an aid to his imagination. Imagination is the only quality that is creative.


Above all else the artist must not copy. Imitate nothing except principle. That is best understood by reading such as Henry Thoreau's "Walden" and of the lives of great people.


A real architect like a good man in any business does not waste any time whatever doing things of which he might be ashamed. He must above all be a sincere artist.


I congratulate you upon your choice and sincerely wish you much strength and happiness. Make no compromise from that which you know is right.


Sincerely yours,


(Signed, 'Charles Morgan, Chicago Associate of Frank Lloyd Wright.')


December 30, 1931
CLM-M

Cavafy:'nough said

HALF AN HOUR

I never had you, nor I suppose
will I ever have you. A few words, an approach,
as in the bar the other day—nothing more.
It’s sad, I admit. But we who serve Art,
sometimes with the mind’s intensity,
can create—but of course only for a short time—
pleasure that seems almost physical.
That’s how in the bar the other day—
mercifully helped by alcohol—
I had half an hour that was totally erotic.
And I think you understood this
and stayed slightly longer on purpose.
That was very necessary. Because
with all the imagination, with all the magic alcohol,
I needed to see your lips as well,
needed your body near me. 




http://www.cavafy.com/poems/list.asp?cat=4

Teacher and Pupil: New Year's

Another Idol

The wise have always said the same things, and fools, who are the majority have always done just the opposite.
Arthur Schopenhauer

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/arthur_schopenhauer_4.html#ixzz1hyLim62R

Yeah, I know. But consider that Swift is nowadays merely watched, merely by kids.

Catcher in the Lie

A good day for anniversary as any..

"I have a feeling that you're riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible fall.  But I don't honestly know what kind.... It may be the kind where, at the age of thirty, you sit in some bar hating everybody who comes in looking as if he might have played football in college.  Then again, you may pick up just enough education to hate people who say, 'It's a secret between he and I.'  Or you may end up in some business office, throwing paper clips at the nearest stenographer.  I just don't know..
Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior.  You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know.  Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now.  Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles.  You'll learn from them - if you want to.  Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you.  It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement.  And it isn't education.  It's history.  It's poetry."  ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 24, spoken by the character Mr. Antolini

Hu Shih (1891-1962)

It's all ordinary experience, 
All ordinary images. 
By chance they emerge in a dream, 
Turning out infinite new patterns. 

It's all ordinary feelings, 
All ordinary words. 
By chance they encounter a poet, 
Turning out infinite new verses. 

Once intoxicated, one learns the strength of wine, 
Once smitten, one learns the power of love: 
You cannot write my poems 
Just as I cannot dream your dreams. 

Gustafi: "We Shall Dream in Yellow," 2009

I have always associated party music as escapist. Must be all those lousy teen parties, ha. The one here, by Gustafi, is a prime example.
I don't feel like translating it; suffice it to say that they are all going to heaven, where they shall dream in colours and dance with naked angels and ten hookers. "Nothing is sacred, the world is without mud" - and they shall also dream of - "freedom."
It does seem so true. It must be that every freedom fighter, be this freedom national or personal, will agree. But I have also always been repelled by those cynical that use this as an excuse - the conclusion should not be premeditated, so to speak.

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty.

Shaw

Let's sing lewd songs and dance into the New Year!

An Exercise in Grotesque

Dječaci: Lovrinac, YouTube audio clip just a few posts down.

I do realise it is Christmas, but the song actually has great, if morbid, lyrics, definitely worth translating. I love when kids surprise me! Even though their almost utmost say with language is rhyme and joke, this is a true mirror to contemporary Croatian tendencies. And so catchy. Would love to dance to it.
So:

Mali Ante iz Spinuta 
živija je preko puta 
jednu noć u kasni sat 
dućan iša opljačkat 
pa je vlasnik izvadija 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Ante sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Ante kid from a nearby hood

all thought he lived just as he should

in wee, dark hours of one night

a gone wrong heist was his plight

so the owner, he pulled one out

BAM BAM BAM BAM

Ante now is merry at 

cemetery 

Mali Stipe iz Varoša 
srednju školu nije proša 
jednu noć u kasni sat 
ženu iša silovat 
al je žena izvadila 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Stipe sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Stipe kid, another one cool

dropped out early from his high school

in wee, dark hours of one night

his rape wish came to bare light

so the woman, she pulled one out

BAM BAM BAM BAM

Stipe now is merry at

cemetery

Mali Gogi s Mertojaka 
pričalo se da je maka 
nekoj babi iša vrat 
sa nožinom prerezat 
al je baba izvadila 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Gogi sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Gogi kid was a bit lazy

and a lot more just plain crazy

a hag he pulled by her warm coat

wanting to slit her old throat

but the granny, she pulled one out

BAM BAM BAM BAM

Gogi now is merry at

cemetery

Mali Duje sa Kmana 
svi su znali da je đana 
dilera je iša zvat 
da mu dug neće dat 
diler doša izvadia 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Duje sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU


Duje kid, a darling monkey
all knew him as just a junkie
his dealer he called one day
said he didn't want to pay
so the dealer, he pulled one out
BAM BAM BAM BAM
Duje now is merry at
cemetery


REF. 
na Lovrincu, na Lovrincu 
cili Split je na Lovrincu 
kriminalci, mafijaši, lupeži i 
drogeraši na Lovrincu. 
Tu je disko, svi smo mrtvi 
umrli smo, psihopati, pedofili 
na Lovrincu Split je cili 

cemetery, cemetery
all of Split at cemetery

all of criminals, the mafia, all of theives and all of addicts

at cemetery

one great disco - we are all dead - we croaked, we died

the psychopaths, paedophiles

all of Split at cemetery

Mali Joke s Kocunara 
prokocka je masu para 
iša je provalit stan 
liku šta je domobran 
onda se iz stana čulo 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Joke sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Joke kid, he would get his dash
gambling every dime of his cash
went to burglar a wrong flat
of a veteran jumpy as cat
so the neighbours heard from the flat
BAM BAM BAM BAM
Joke now is merry at
cemetery

Mali Zlaja sa Bača 
doma se u zoru vraća 
radia je noćnu smjenu 
kumu svome jeba ženu 
pa je kum izvadia 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Zlaja sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Zlaja kid that sails with tourists
he certainly hated purists
fucked his own best man's young wife
every night to spice up life
so the best man, he pulled one out
BAM BAM BAM BAM
Zlaja now is merry at
cemetery

Mali Zvone iz solina 
našmrka se kokaina 
reka ćaći da je glup 
ćaća ti si glup ka stup 
pa je ćaća izvadia 
PA PA PA PA 
mali Zvone sad živi 
NA LOVRINCU 

Zvone kid from the near Solin
snorted quite a lot of cocaine
told his father he was thick
Dad, you're as silly as my dick
so his own dad, he pulled one out
BAM BAM BAM BAM
Zvone now is merry at
cemetery

REF. 

Dear Mr Obama

I was much exhilarated indeed by your inauguration but, as much as I hate stating it, it does seem you, "who had been all things to all people" – did not reach the promise. 
Even though I devote but a slim and intermittent portion of my time to politics, especially US, a Hollywood actor spoke against you today too. I know you will allow me a joke: yes, I realise postmodern Washington recruits among those as well.
If I were in your shoes, I'd actually help what Wiki proved to be an especially dangerous part of dealing: behind-the-scenes not-plain dealing.
I say opt out and write a book. You may be wiser. In my country, elderly people fear a 'worse' evil.
Best regards.

Abstruse Killing Joke

I come to your server, seeking equality.

Davor Juricic

ps
Not to worry, we're not mad about you either.

In Case You Missed It

Diocletian's Palace, Split, Croatia.

As I was taught in an art history course, the arch is avant-garde. The classical Greek architecture knows but of a square triangle on top of columns.

Photo taken from http://www.croatiatravelblog.com/diocletians-palace/

The Peace of Cabbage

"At Carnuntum people begged Diocletian to return to the throne, to resolve the conflicts that had arisen through Constantine's rise to power and Maxentius' usurpation.^[183] Diocletian's reply: "If you could show the cabbage that I planted with my own hands to your emperor, he definitely wouldn't dare suggest that I replace the peace and happiness of this place with the storms of a never-satisfied greed."^[184]

He lived on for three more years, spending his days in his palace gardens. He saw his Tetrarchic system implode, torn by the selfish ambitions of his successors."

Slime

Small wonder most are quite limited and opposite of altruistic.
But the bottom of the pit is inhabited by those journalists that expose misery for holiday season. Or prominent ones visiting massacre scenes once a year, as in case of Vukovar or Srebrenica.
Croatian press these days is full of such stories, and I guess the rest of the world exhibits much the same.
However, what is really surprising is that there are so few office holders who decide to simply drop out, away from this depravity. Publicly, I mean.
I do have to finally read that biography of Diocletian's.

Quote of the Month

There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Das Unbehagen in der Kultur

Tkbdwkbc kdjsbck kdbcjhkb dcbdwcv scfeesfefccxsfsc merc vrkiroovo rvcfdbnvcjikdv nmdsnxcdncbd zduczcudrc mdfc mdf cf dfmc hfdchhcbdhbshxbhdx dcndjkcnrridic cdhcjebwjxc nbedmc e cjheh eh bejcb ec cjjecnmmmmmmmmcdbhbchd vdcvzbchcbezhcb djcbhcbdhcbdhcb snnwnwmqajdcbcjcn, ehcezhcbz dcbjhc uefheiei 1 jdbcjdbnc djcnnmmm ekfjikjvci dmcndjncdj ms. Ajbjrb irufhur jncjne ejkncencn (kkjcbke ejvkvbke, cbherhcbzier ejhcvbev) - uwjkecbjeb ecbvhebvc ieucheuichvce hdbxsbh nbxbu zeg!

Ugly Jelena

More Kids from Croatia

Comic Relief; Best for Holiday Season

Isn't this great? I guess you really have to be blase and cynical not to simply adore it..

Happy New Year!

Midnight Ramblings

As an aside, what with the current politics and statements by prominent officials and would-be officials ranging from war in Europe to Middle East, there's room for NG and History channel paranoia more than ever.
Are we indeed to reveal the final Apocalypse chapter?
***
I was at a party yesterday; this guy insisted world could be much, much worse off.
"Some people get by with a little understanding,
Some people get by with a whole lot more.
Oh, I don't know why you gotta be so undemanding -
I want more!"

What Would You Say to World at Large, aged 38?

All your fault; nobody else's.

What Would You Say to 16-y.o. You?

The secret is you must not know the secret.

Miroslav Artić

WORD

I travel

from word to word,

looking for a word

more wordy and different

than all other words.

NEITHER WEAKNESS NOR FEAR

This weakness of mine

fear has not engendered,

nor is fear

child of my weakness.

The case is they both feed on my being.

And every day

foster my being.

Fear and weakness,

day in and out.

Marijan Alaniz

It is a rare moment indeed when I discover some astounding contemporary Croatian poetry.

(I am mostly used to words like 'cunt' rhyming with 'whiskey' - as in case of this poetry competition I participated in some ten years back; this was the winner.)

So, without any further ado, Marijan Alaniz in English, translated by myself:

MY SUMMER

The scent of rancid figs announced the death of yet another summer. And they say, only what is dead is truly ours. It is but memory that can boast eternity and always visit what it remembers. This is why I shall bid good-bye to summer with a smile, summer soon to become just mine. I am already looking forward to our meetings when we are alone, without any disturbance. My summer and me, me and my summer, and when all have left, there will be the two of us.

¢ 2000

I LOVE YOU NOW AND THEN

I love you now and then

and don't be sad to hear this confession.

I don't think there is love

that lasts for more than a moment.
This after all wouldn't be love,
perhaps habit at best..
Feeling is born and lives in the moment
of its existence.

And the moment is forever.

I love you now and then
and whoever says that because of this
I don't love you – is lying!
This awareness of momentariness
affords this splendid opportunity
to fall in love with you again,
each time differently
and every time as if for the first time.
Whoever says they love differently,
blending moments into one,
loves insipidly and
takes love lightly..
As if it were here to last for good,
as if we were meant to have it.

And so, please allow me
to love you now and then,
leaving the time in between these moments
just to me,
so I can imagine this moment
when I will fall for you again.

¢ 15 Nov 2000

Objects of Desire

We've craved others as things forever I think, submission, violence and all too, but contemporary capitalism has introduced wanting things - almost sexually.

Today, I eavesdropped on adolescent conversation: it was all about mobile phones. No idea in sight. Phone dictionary thus got to replace command of English. Whee, it knows every word.

Glad as I am that I climbed trees, I now also have a daily changing, and exhaustive, list of things I want. It is important to note the realms of dreams and reality overlap here: thus I do not yearn for a Porsche but a VW. It's also time I upgraded to a tablet; and I do like that shirt-like jacket and need a new motorcycle.

Of course, there's a book on this. Marc Auge would have it "quickly changing life itself is attracting the attention of anthropologists."
Still, with a personal goal of wanting to experience for the sake of it, I say I'm really glad I left paper notes on desk and also that I got to experience instant communication.

One of the wisest things I have ever heard came from an English girl I met whan I was 16: "You can't undo it."

20 Years Later

I never know which is more unsettling: when foreigners basically have no idea where they are at all, and avoid local matters, or when the few bizarre, inquisitive ones broach the subject of the recent war.

6 December 1991 was the peak of the Serb and Montenegrin assault on the Dubrovnik region, with literally thousands of shells hitting the Old Town.

I am usually all in favour of problematizing the issue of the collapse of a complex state - but it's just the warring, drunk mob stole, burned and killed everything in sight, even the airport equipment which they then just installed across the border.

The following photo was taken that day. I was 18 at the time and lived. This 23 aged young man did not.

The Win

Well, this HDZ party that more or less ruled Croatia since the end of socialism lost the elections heavily.

Their main blunder, apart from robbing the country of its vast share of wealth, is never learning the difference between party and state, just one of the ancient habits that was superimposed on what was proclaimed as new, all adorned with newspeak lingo.

The Social-Democrats had one 4 year mandate back in early 2000s but failed to implement any changes. To do this, I am afraid, you do need to render a few officials jobless. These people anyway live imitations of real lives and it is high time they went to the market, I say.

This would enable the left to recruit those shamelessly opportunistic. It was eerie to watch those mentally unstable go mad ten years ago using official HDZ propaganda as their starting point - yes, the followers must be won over.

Or else. We're gonna have more of what this comic clip is parodying:

It begins with "Let the crooks in!," goes through "Now let's agree that half the members of HDZ will join the ranks of SDP," and finally ends with "Then you give it all back in four year's time."

Btw, I love these WWII stunts. My favourite moment is one of Hitler: the Downfall moments when two scared young women listen to raging Adolf behind a closed door, one of them subtitled as: "Don't worry; I arranged visa for Bosnia." Hilarious.

Commentary

Croatia is having parliamentary elections on Sunday.

This won't go well with non-Croatian-speaking audience but I guess Google translate will do for these few words.

FT was the only paper worth reading during the past 20 years or so, but it had to go.

On How It Is

credits: a net person

"Prayer"

There's an old quotation about opera: "If it ain't worth saying - you sing it."

Well, these days I'm using photos. The idea for this one came from S. (featured); the venue is the Dubrovnik Art Gallery terrace; shot in BW:

Then, there's another one: "Art is science made clear."

Back to Roots

Good ol' rock'n'roll, straight out of Croatia, on the eve of 2012; naturally, with a touch of nihilistic postmodernism (rating 4 out of 5):