News

Summer advancing on all fronts. Weather not so good which….is not good! I hear my first owl when out walking and then see a spider in my house. (Very) early signs of autumn.

 

 

Some quite grey days and, then when it is hot, it is very hot.

 

 

Harvesting happening all around me. Very near me is where an English meadow is prepared for making hay and returning wild flower seeds to the ground.

 

 

We also have an eclipse of the Moon – this is where the earth gets in between the sun and the moon and so projects a shadow onto it. For once, it is a clear night and so very visible for a few hours. Up to 60% coverage.

 

   

 

 

 

Otherwise, it is often very thundery – like this spectacular lightening storm one night:

 

 

 

 

Per chance, I find myself in Castlerigg stone circle. I highly significant place for me, and I have not been there for a while:

 

 

 

 

Apparently, it is approximately 4000 years old – it is certainly in a very prominent position. Despite there being around 1300 such circles in Great Britain and Brittany, no one seems to know who built them and why!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlerigg_stone_circle

 

I also get to Studland in Dorset to examine the rock colours and formations – a fascinating place.

 

 

 

 

Also, once the home of one of the Powys Brothers who interest me so much; namely, T F Powys:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._F._Powys

But, that is a different story….

 

Art going takes in some remarkable work. Firstly, that of Frank Bowling – someone who has – until this retrospective – been overlooked in England for too long. Of course, it does not help that he has spent so much time in USA but, really, his large abstract painting are stunning:

 

              

 

 

                  

 

 

 

The Duveen Galleries at the Tate were taken up with ‘Asset Strippers’ by Mike Nelson – really a collection of once used and now obsolete industrial machinery. Some of it I recognized, and it was a meditation on ingenuity and its fading in the light of progress – and thus mixed up with time, death and the beauty they now hold – in themselves:

 

 

 

The magnificent Cindy Sherman at the National Portrait Gallery with her incredible set-ups. It is amazing all of which she can convey simply by dressing up in period or site specific costume and presenting herself as at one with it:

 

 

 

 

Academically, I do an excellent conference – Ekphrasis – Inspired by Art– with a student/ colleague of mine (Lisa Koning). We focus on two feminine, surrealist painters: Ithell Colquhoun and Dorothea Tanning:

 

   

 

 

 

My piece on IC is here:

https://www.academia.edu/36130049/Bourdieu_and_Art_Painting_-_De-authorising_Narratives_The_Case_of_Ithell_Colquhoun_Part_I

 

Whilst speaking about academic matters, here is an IntroductionI did on Bourdieu – with subtitles in Spanish:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvtrQvn3Xi0

 

I learn of the strange story of a possible ancestor:

 

 

Obviously, married life was not good for him and, when she left for another, he decided to take out an add stating he was was not liable for her actions/ debts.

 

Later in the month, I travel to Norway for a wedding on a farm. Surprisingly, the temperature is in the 30s – but a good time is had by all on the side of the Trondheim Fiord:

 

   

 

 

 

Of course, that far north is a very long day: it is hardly dark by midnight and is getting light again by 03.00 – so, about two hours of darkness. The actual sun sets at 22.30 and rises again around 04.00.

Of course, the opposite applies in the Winter! Still, a magical part of the world.

 

CD of the month – what else??!!

 

 

 

Interestingly, the actual CD has a rare use of the Duodecad, an integral part of Bennett’s Systematics:

  

 

 

 

 

https://www.systematics.org/systematics_Introduction

 

 

 

My Book of the Month is the summer read of Andrew Miller, Now we shall be Entirely Free:

 

 

 

 

Quite a story this, taking in a returning soldier from the war with Napoleon in Spain in the C19 and his recovery which involves a trip to the Scottish islands and the encounter there with a ‘new age’ community of the day. He is pursued by a couple of others who seek revenge but really are looking to cover their own misdemeanors as soldiers. There is also romance and excursions into the ways of life of the day, ashore and at sea as well, and the personalities that surround the times – including advances in modern medicine. As a say, quite a read with a suitable climatic ending!!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June was a not very nice month weather wise: grey skies and rain on most days. This is worrying given the fact that we also had the summer solstice. We are moving towards winter again now. Time to plan my next trip to the sun!!

 

A friend visited and it literally poured down every day. The ‘seaside’ at Chesil Beach in Dorset gives an idea. Look at those clouds! Nevertheless, time for an ephemeral sculpture:

 

 

   

 

 

 

Another trip to Chichester in Sussex had us running out of the rain to the glorious cathedral. An English country garden but, again, look at the sky!

 

 

       

 

While there, we visited the Pallant House Gallery which specializes in English art. This little miniature reproduction of some examples – rather nice:

 

 

     

 

 

The big event of the month was the King Crimson Anniversary Concert at the Albert Hall in London:

 

 

     

 

 

 

I went as a Four Quarter Maintainer, which was good work (http://www.gurdjiefflegacy.org/40articles/theredeemedbeelzebub.htm). A pre-show ‘Royal package’ had people present from across the world (see report below).

 

 

 

 

Spectacular scenes in the auditorium (including a famous face – well, famous for us!!):

 

 

 

 

 

Going from one extreme to another, I went to see the Puppini Sisters in a town near here.

 

 

 

 

Very much retro since the venue was an old type of cinema you get in England. Lovely ‘biz’ type stage and internal décor:

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

The Puppini Sisters camp it up with glamorous costumes and routine. Behind it all, however, is tight musical harmony based on the Andrew Sisters style of the 1940s +. A great show.

 

I also gave an Introductory lecture on Reflexivity for the H3 University. Quite something to have a Zoom link up with people from across the globe: New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Americas. Recording here:

 

 

 

https://vimeo.com/343310348

 

The password is: H3Unigrenfell

 

 

I had had a new book published of some of my conversations with Pierre Bourdieu:

 

 

 

It is published in Australia:

 

https://recentworkpress.com/product/encounters-1/?fbclid=IwAR383-arsKqdBQ6TiZqoa8pvvXAdrTjpiMi3lZdnzuhWAtbTno6g_XWxgGQ

 

An earlier version of the text can be found on this site:

 

http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/bourdieu/encounters-i-pierre-bourdieu-and-michael-grenfell/

 

Two books of the month since they are somehow linked, and both French. Firstly, Didier Eribon’s semi-sociological reflection on his life and times. Which is very much in the epistemological tradition set by Pierre Bourdieu.

 

 

 

 

 

Then, a more explicit fiction from Laurent Gaude (Le Soleil des Scorta). but again describing a family across the generations from the 1870s to today – what touched, moved and affected them:

 

 

 

 

 

My CD is by Emma Smith – The Huntress. Some cool jazz singing here with fine accompaniment. What impressed me was that these are new pieces written by Emma herself with collaborators, but certainly in the tradition of the finest jazz songs.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNEH7eymwNc

 

 

 

 

 

King Crimson: Four Quarter Maintainer Report

 

Wednesday 20^thJune 2019, Royal Albert Hall, London

 

Whilst travelling to the Albert Hall, I had two thoughts:

 

Firstly, when did FQM duties begin for me? We know that a beginning is invisible and certainly, in the past, I have been an FQM on my own. The present round, however, was when Captain Ferni suddenly wrote to me out of the blue prior to the Bournemouth shows in the UK last year.  Here, we were organised an ‘on’. Since then, the whole FQM movement has grown with a website, exercises, AAD-ers, and a large contributing team.

 

My second though was about FQM itself. I wondered if it is meant FOUR Quarter Maintainers, or Four QUARTER Maintainers FOUR-QUARTER Maintainers? I knew what I role was.

 

Well such ruminations were theoretical since when we arrived, we quickly grouped and were away – a team of six. We learnt that the Albert Hall did not allow us to stand and in fact had given us tickets – in a row – near the stage. Which seemed a bit strange…

 

We first attended the Royal Package meeting. This was well attended with several rows of royal packagers. It was clear that these were real aficionados: some coming from the USA and attending every night. The warmth and interest in all things KC was very evident. Robert spoke a little, there was then opportunities for mutual photography. David then brought everyone up to date before Gavin and Pat appeared for Q&A. Some good questions from where I was sitting – and good interesting answers.

 

We broke up and left the magnificent arena. There was then some intermingling and social interaction. Some people I knew, and some who I did not know but who seemed to know me.

 

We then encircled and formally began our FQM duties confirming our commitment to the exercise. . As I say, sitting in a row was a bit odd, so I gave myself the task of picturing myself standing in the far quarter looking at the stage; not that easy since the hall  was round.

 

Actually, I was sat in an ideal position in the line of the three drummers. Glance to my right and it was the band; to my left the hall, which was near full.

 

The show began in a way I recognized from before but soon, it was very clear that some pieces had been rearranged extensively. The sound was amazing: clear, balanced and not too loud. A standing ovation greeted the band and there were others during the show for pieces such as Epitaph.

 

The lights lit half of the arena and the audience were a good balance of the older and the younger. Some were obviously immediately into it, with nodding heads – really grooving.

 

For me, being so close to the band, the music appeared both very sure and fragile-like at the same time; sort of hanging there together.

 

The audience seemed well behaved photography wise. Only twice did I look into the audience and catch a tiny light of a mobile.

 

Mostly I managed to keep my attention on my FQM duties and the exercise. At one point point I lost it – in Discipline – and sort of gave myself to the music – nodding away with the rest. I caught the eye of Ferni in the row in front of me and he was grinning at me, nodding and grooving too. This kind of woke me up sol I was able to groove and stay alert.

 

Quite a show!!

 

 

 

 

 

Spring has sprung as they say, and good to see the seasonal flowers ‘springing up’ as it were.

 

Long, light days – I love them and then soft, mellow nights. Bird song everywhere where I live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I take a trip down to my ancestral home in Cornwall – also looking at its best.

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

Whilst there, I join in a history project looking at modern – mining…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– and prehistoric history; of the latter, some fine examples of a ‘chambered tomb’, Mullfra Quoit and Treseagal stone circle: all around 3 – 4000 years old:

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A useful reference point:

https://www.meynmamvro.co.uk

 

 

 

This month, I also saw quite a lot of art.

In London, the Spanish master of light: Jaoquin Sorollo (1863-1923):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some lovely colourful washes here, and indeed light. Moreover, he was no doubt successful – selling huge amounts on the USA making him famously. I liked his work. Finally, however, he was somewhat caught ‘out of time’ – not quite an impressionist or a post-impressionist and, by the time he died, rather overtaken by Picasso and what would come next!!

 

Also, at the National in London, was an exhibition my Sean Scully, one of the Young British Artists coming from the 1990s (YBAs).

I wrote some studies of them: http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/art/173-2/

 

This work was inspired from a Tuner painting of an Sea Star.Of course, his own extensions go way beyond the original piece.

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Tate St. Ives Cornwall, an exhibition of the work of the Lebanese artist Huguette Caland (1931). Interesting pieces: a kind of mixture of Heron and Georgia O’Keefe. Her topic was ‘body parts, but these disguised amongst large surrealist forms:

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some wonderful contemporary art in Cornwall from Chloe Holt from Harrogate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

My reading this has pursued my Latin-American explorations. So, two books of the month: firstly, a history of South America and then an allegorical novel of the same – The Stone Raftby Jose Saramago:

 

 

      

 

 

 

My listening has been centred on another continent: Africa and the music of the Camaroon singer-guitarist Francis Bebey. He was around a lot in London when I was there in the 1980s. A beautiful guitar player and singer, he also specialized in Pygmy flute music. His recordings range from the most traditional to the more electronic / way out.

 

 

 

Amazing. I spoke to him on various occasions – in park concerts on the lawn. He was very friendly and so well versed in literature and philosophy. A fascinating man. Sadly, he died in 2001: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bebey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much of April was spent on various activities in South America. Therefore, report and photos here seem to be a bit of a travelogue. However, the general thrust of things will be clear.

 

 

 

Before leaving I was guest at the press day that Robert Fripp gave in London:

 

 

 

 

 

A rich and full day of address and questions: really, to acknowledge the 50^thanniversary of the formation of King Crimson. Many special anecdotes, comments, observations – many of which will go into my ongoing writing on the same. I have already produced a lengthy piece on King Crimson I/ 1969 which appeared on the DGM page:

 

 

 

https://www.dgmlive.com/in-depth/DoctorMikeKC69

 

 

 

Also, a shorter essay to be found here:

 

 

http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/music-n/king-crimson-i-1969-50th-anniversary-essay-2019/

 

 

Then, quickly flights to south America. Time to catch up with my favourite cat – Hiro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a Musica en Moviemientocourse, with some 20+ participants including 17 players. Really good to see this initiative now taking off with its own momentum. Many more events planned for the forthcoming months including another performance project I shall be attending in November.

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

More socializing and catching up with friends and acquaintances. Fooling around with a Phone app with Lucho:

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

What will they think of doing next?

 

 

 

 

I take a trip down to Patagonia. Spectacular vistas of glaciers and mountain scenery in the vicinity of Calafate:

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

I then travel on to Santiago, Chile, where I give a lecture on King Crimson I / 1969 at the university there. A good crowd in the audience  and a great team to interpret for me

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing in-depth level of knowledge over KC history here – and great excitement for forthcoming shows. My Powerpoint lecture is here – minus the audio files:

 

 

 

http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/music-n/in-the-court-of-king-crimson-i-with-bourdieu-santiago-2019/

 

 

After the show I get to enjoy Peruvian food and their version of Pisco sour:

 

 

 

    

 

 

I am then treated to a few days on the Pacific Ocean. Great treat with spectacular sunsets. Also, incredible beaches and wild life:

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being in Argentina and Chile, my listening/ reading has been influenced by this. So, my book of the month is People in the Roomby Norah Lange. It first appeared in the 1950s and is by the Argentinian writer Lange who somewhat pre-dated nouveau romanwith its focus on the narrator and the stories she invents after spying on three women across the street; therefore, disclosing her own relationship to life, dying and relationships. As she concludes, ‘As long as they’re here. Nothing will happen’, before realizing that the ‘only thing to have happened was my fear’. So, partly a story of overcoming fear and how.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My CD of the month is Frecuencia Lex– Chilean electronic pop. Lovely driving beats around infectious sound tonalities and melodies!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring has crept in a little further in this part of the world: so, some lovely days and spring flowers. Trips to the countryside. However, as I write, it is pouring with rain, cold and with intermittent sleet. It must be the UK!

 

 

    

 

 

 

Whilst dwelling on pastoral matters, a FB friend posted this rather charming photo of Mousehole – my families home village – and I cannot resist sharing it here. This dear little house is now a gift shop and has been for a long while – just two doors down from the family home. I guess this would be in the 1930s.

 

 

 

 

 

Some focus on music this month.

 

 

Firstly, I went to see a Roy Harper gig in the splendid context of the London Palladium. It was a real London show with rock celebrities rubbing shoulder to shoulder with the general public. Roy was on form with a backing group – including strings. Apparently, a ‘farewell tour’ if not ‘farewell gig’ – well, advancing years define their own logic.

 

 

 

 

I saw Roy many times in Bristol in the early 70s. A troubadour character rather than a singer songwriter (although that as well). Often, he spoke as much as he played and could certainly tell a story. It was all very dangerous in those days. Now rather more of pathos of ‘what happened next!’. Of course, he ended with ‘When an Old Cricketeer leaves the Crease’  – that peon to Englishness, mortality, and the mystique of a game of life:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY0N8ApcUMc

 

 

Secondly, I have been writing about King Crimson and Robert Fripp – especially with respect to business and management matters. Quite interesting and shocking. In the 1950s, it was not uncommon for a manager to simply ‘employ’ a musician and pay them a wage. In the 1960s, and with the rise of The Beatles, this gave way to percentage deals with small-scale business men; often with quite a bit of both exploitation and mistakes committed. By the late 60s and into the 70s, the ‘rock star’ manager arrived: who shared in the Rock and Rock life style. In the opposite direction, some musicians became business men. The fact that they often made not a very good job of this resulted in the rise of the ‘accountant manager’. This happened with the original company that managed King Crimson and others. So, began the practice of setting up multiple accounts: and borrowing from one to finance another. This resulted in the non payment of royalties because the management company were in debt; but in debt because of monies lent to another company – that the manager also owned, and paid themselves handsome dividends from. As they say, the day the ‘bean counters’ took over in a way which was soon to affect the rest of the economy. Anyway, an iconic doorway in the Kings Road – home of EG:

 

 

 

 

 

Thirdly, John Beresford reminds me that it was Mothering Sunday fifty years ago that we both heard a Sunday broadcast by the then up and coming folk singer Ralph McTell. This was the first time we heard such songs asStreets of London, Daddy’s Here, and Mrs Adlam’s Angels. Obviously, we were both somewhat taken by these, and it led to a life-long attachment to this man and his music/ work.

John manages the Ralph McTell fan page on the web.

 

 

http://www.ralph-mctell.co.uk

 

 

I went on to write a book about Ralph:

 

 

 

 

http://www.pomera.co.uk/books/parallel_lives_second_edition/

 

 

John and I finally met when he came south to interview me about the book:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_p9OtekKUE&feature=youtu.be

 

 

Finally, I do not normally go in for obituraries, but could not not mention sadness at hearing of the passing of Scott Walker. Originally, ‘just’ another crooner, he went on to turn an essentially conservative art form into something more than avant-garde. However, I still love the originals as well: this one his version of a remarkable Neil Diamond song:

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWoHBUc4rQI

 

 

 

Up in London for the Anti-Brexit march.

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

This is England 2019. When I first came to London in the 80s it was possible to walk down Downing Street – home of the Prime Minister – and have one’s photo taken in front of No 10. Now it is barred off and with heavily armed policemen. Progress??!!

 

 

 

 

 

A remarkable exhibition in the Tate Modern of the surrealist painter Dorothea Tanning:

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Very lively and thought provoking. She certainly did not stand still and, later in life diversified into sculpture, novels and poetry and indeed broader painting. Quite interesting to set her next to my group of female surrealists: Agar, Carrington, Af Klimt, Houghton and, of course, Colquhoun.

 

 

 

 

My book/ CD of the month both seem to deal with Landscape. First, some Estonian music:

 

 

 

 

 

And then the classic by Barry Lopez: Arctic Dreams. By the technique of simply describing the lives of living creatures found there – polar bears, whales, oxen –  some of them of teutonic strength, he manages with great pathos to highlight their innocence and vulnerability, all whilst identifying the complexity and sophistication – as well as danger – their lives entail. It is a level of life that men are constantly eroding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though the context is very different, I share with Lopez the sense of the Arctic Landscape and its creatures taking you into it on its own terms. The poetry resides simple in the awareness and recognition of its ways of life. One can never really know a landscape – no matter how many times one crosses it – and it is one where living creatures kill and are killed to maintain life; but never, as with man, simply for the sport. Life in such landscape is always the same and always changing.

 

 

February, they often say, is a wicked month. Not quite so this year – generally, it was agreed that as these things go it was quite gentle. Of course, there is a sinister side to this with global warming and climate change. Certainly, in my part of the world, it iswarmer. I live in the country and have a coal fire for the coldest days; except that I have not had to use it either last year or this. Another feature of this recent phenomenon is that weather appears in various extremes: such is the case:

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

But, the days are lengthening now. My catching up from being away is now overlapping with my preparations for being away again. Still, have been involved in various projects. One has been reconnecting a little with the work of J G Bennett. I read all the books before, so it is always a good idea to re-read them with distance; certainly, sometimes there are new insights. Such was the case with the book ‘Making a Soul’which actually ends up with JGB describing what happens after death. The question of whether it is true or not is slightly eclipsed with his ambition for having a go. Then on to Hazard:

 

 

 

 

 

 

JGB wrote a lot and of varying levels – indeed quality. There are some aspects that I would stand by as helpful; others that seem rather confused, or just out of date. Occasionally, there is the sense that he had to lecture and needed a topic. There is a touch about this with the Hazardlectures.  Of course, Bennett has to systematize everything, tidying it up into one grand theory – which is debatable. And, Hazard is obviously related to accident, the arbitrary, chance, luck and the pre-ordained – not to mention time, will, creativity, choice, freedom – hyparxis. But, the first lecture in the books floats around somewhat without him pinning it: of course it is important but why? and how? He has a go at answering these questions.

This work is part of my re-engagement with Fourth Way work (see note in January 2019).

 

 

 

Some good art exhibitions in London at the moment. I missed a few after being away. But, the Bonnard is very good. Actually, the reviews have been a little critical – not of the exhibition but of the artist himself. They find him insular, petty, repetitive. But, surely that is the whole point: his commitment to seeing beyond the domestic, a bit like the Degas portraits. There is a repetition and yes sometimes he seems to lose interest. But, it would be hard to not be seduced by the intensity of his coloration:

 

 

 

    

 

 

Music and book wise, this month I have had a bit of an Irish renaissance. Firstly, my CD of the month is Brenda Malloy: Irish and Renaissance Harps.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the somewhat twee cover, the solo harp playing on this CD is first rate and offers pretty much what it says – pieces from Ireland along with England, Scotland, Italy and Spain. I love her playing as it seems to have both depth and texture. I certainly prefer it to the classical stylization of Derek Bell, or the contemporary vibe of Alain Stivell – not that these are no also very listenable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I first came across Brenda when she was playing on the pavement in front of Trinity College, Dublin when I worked there. Surprisingly, it is not always easy to find the best Irish music in the pubs of Dublin – Temple Bar can be a bit thrash and shout. However, sometimes it is better just to wander around the streets to find musicians of Brenda’s calibre playing flute, whistle, harp and concertina.

 

 

My Irish theme has also extended to the book I have been reading: Anne Griffin – When All is Said.The scenario is an elderly man in a pub just prior to going into a care home. He makes five toasts to five different characters and has a story about them to describe the importance of each individual in his life. The backdrop is the pub itself and this is wonderfully evoked: he also gives times and what he is drinking. In between, is the very best of Irish prose to picture Irish life – mammys, wives and families, weddings and funerals. So, lively! She also uses the ingenious device of an English florin lost/ found/ stolen and the impact it had on those around the man and his life to link the stories. Reflections on love, and where it was not expressed and should have been. As the main character states it, ‘There was a love, but of the Irish kind, reserved and embarrassed by its own humanity.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Griffin’s is a first novel. She used to work in Waterstones in Dublin and I remember her from there. Just shows that it is possible to ‘make it’ from humble positions. The exegesis of the novel, reading between the lines of the acknowledgements, is also an excellent case of the fermentation and bringing into being of creativity.

 

 

This month’s report overlapped with last months; so strictly speaking began with Christmas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

January is then the month of Epiphany – a new beginning – on the 6^th. Duly, sunny days and a strengthening of the light around this time. Later in the month, there were a succession of new years: Celtic and Chinese. Chinese New Year – the year of the Pig: https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/pig/

 

 

 

 

 

Also, Imbolc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

Also, known as St Brigid’s Day. In pagan belief, this is a time when the light begins to get stronger.

 

 

 

In celebration of all this light, and since I am a bit thin on the ground with actual events, a Gallery of skies spotted this month:

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

A couple from the London skyline:

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

A time of catching up for me after last year’s travels.

 

 

 

A new academic book out on Bourdieu, Language-based Ethnographies and Reflexivity:

 

 

 

 

Sample chapter here: http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/bourdieu/bourdieu-ethnography-and-reflexivity/bourdieu-language-based-ethnographies-and-reflexivity-routledge-2019-sample-chapter/

 

 

 

 

I somehow thought that this would be my last book on Bourdieu. But, since then, a couple of other ideas have been bubbling along: firstly, a book about Bourdieu and Creativity; and then another which goes by the title of ‘Bourdieusian Meditations’ – a series of reflections on the work I have done both on him and applications of the ideas to various areas. I also have a kind of ‘final thoughts’ piece up my sleeve. Otherwise, I have been writing biography.

 

 

 

I posted a short piece from my dialogues with Satyananda on Object Perception and Beauty: http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/esoteric/satsang/object-perception-oneness-diversity-and-beauty/

 

 

 

Also, came across a photo from 2000 – an early Guitar Craft course for me in Alfeld, Germany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, began a group (of two!) reading of In Search of the Miraculousby P. D. Ouspensky – one time student of Gurdjieff and teacher of J. G. Bennett. The idea is to read one page a day, that is 15 per half month, and consult on things remarked.

 

    

 

 

 

The first Notesreport is here: http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/esoteric/in-search-of-the-miraculous-p-d-ouspensky/

…and will carry on periodically with the actual reading.

 

 

 

Been getting back into film lately. Not wishing to have a ‘Film of the Month’ to go along with Book and CD, but this month I saw an excellent film from the Aboriginal film Director Warwick Thornton Sweet Country. Set in Australia in the early part of the C20, it shows the reality of the outback for farmers, and indeed their somewhat oppressed indigenous farm labourers. A real story with some fantastic photography and acting. However, the ending is sadly inevitable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas is a time of year for getting back into comfort reading and listening. So, I followed this trend. Therefore, my CD of the month has to be The Beatles White Album:

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can I say about this iconic record? Well, I remember hearing it for the first time in 1968. I was just about adolescent and realising there was more to life than collecting football programmes and autographs. I listened to it outside our local youth club using a small transistor radio. And, there, for the first time, the strains of Back in the USSR, Dear Prudence, Obla Di Obla Da, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps – and all the others – met my ears for the first time. I was mesmerized.

 

 

 

Of course, there has been no end of debate about this latest – ‘remixed’ – version. What can I say? Well, the critics have a point, since this new version is different from our old friend. That being said, it would be a grumpy man or woman who could go without these sparkling new mixes, which bring out all sorts of extra sounds in the recordings. Like the Sgt. Pepper, BOTH versions will be appreciated by Beatles enthusiasts: the 68 version as those sounds that have travelled with us over the years AND the new version for what would be the C21 White Album experience.

 

 

 

As, noted before, Christmas is also a time for ghost stories and who dun’its. This year I chose Richard Adams The Girl in a Swing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have read it a few times and I always get drawn into the mystery of the story. It works because on one level it is the story of an rather boring and conventional man who meets with and marries a beautiful German woman. Yet, something is wrong, and it slowly drops little pieces into the narrative, which create an unsettling effect, until the novel builds – like an approaching thunder storm – to its devastating conclusion. The synopsis of this story on Wikipedia is not correct. It is really about a series of philosophical and psychic phenomena: karma, the destructive nature of the sublime, the cost of beauty on the beholder, the power of chance, Lilith, enchantment, the communication between worlds, the dark underside of beauty, the consequences of flying too close to the sun, Kali and the consumption life. In the end, redemption as well. Interestingly, although I have read this book some times before, I never saw the ending as described in the synopsis on Wikipedia – or even Amazon reviews. I never took it as literal – but closer to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness..  “Es muss sein”. Haunting still.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All due apologies for late posting of my News Report this month. I have been in South America for five weeks and, as well as losing track of the time – month-wise – I have been busy with one thing and another. Given the amount of material available, I have decided to keep this posting as fairly descriptive – even travelogue – rather than go into detail. Also, given it is already nearing the end of the month, and not much other than Christmas is going to happening from now until the end of the year, I am treating it as a special ‘Double Month Issue’ of News Report.

 

My first stop in South America was Chile – where I spent a few days literally on the edge of the Pacific – Paradise like. Some great experiences here, and at every level – work and festivities, social and visual.

 

 

       

 

 

 

From here to Mendoza and to take stock for a few days.

 

 

Then, on to Buenos Aires:

 

 

    

 

 

 

An exciting city. My Musica en Moviemiento colleagues – Luciano and Marcella – and I here did a music workshop with the group based around Fernando Kabusaki’s music academy – very successful it was too.

 

 

 

 

 

This was followed up with a great BA visit thanks to my sponsor Raul Navas and his family. Time to get to know more about its history. Also, to dip into café society there.

 

 

    

 

 

 

Then, a lecture in the splendid surroundings of the Law University::

 

 

     

 

 

 

I also encountered ‘The Blue Circle’ – a BA based group of writers, painters, journalists and others involved in the media and arts in BA. At one point, we were visited by a Bandoneon player who treated us to some traditional melodies. I managed to grab snatches of him and his playing:

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a few days off and went to Iguazo Falls – an incredible experience. Some 240 waterfalls over several kilometers and opportunities to see them from many directions and angles:

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

From then, on to Salta and sampling some nightlife in this city I fell in love with last time I was here:

 

 

 

 

 

Again, a lecture at the university is splendid surroundings, and with my interpreter Minnie:

 

 

     

 

 

 

Followed by dinner and two treats. Firstly, some of the principal lecturers there turned out also to be poets and musicians.  Some fine Argentinian guitar playing and song in the Peruvian style:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were then visited by an indigenous singer – in fact, she had been singing for the G20 summit in BA the previous week. Extraordinary shamanistic singing accompanied only by a single drum:

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next was the MeM guitar project proper. And, very successful in all respects. A good few days in a centre outside of Salta; and then the performance itself at Samsi – a Yoga and T’ai Chi centre in Salta managed by one of our team, Vijaya:

 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

After the project, we took time to visit Cafayate and La Caldera – both stunning visually:

 

 

     

 

 

 

Time then to return to Mendoza for my own birth day surprise celebrations with Lucho and Lili on the 14^thand then flight out back to England – just in time to catch the Winter Solstice.

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

With all this going on, I did not really have time to have a ‘CD of the Month’. However, this song featured in our discussions at one point: firstly, as a lovely song by Jose Gonzalez; then, how it was used in a stunning advertisement for Sony; and then thirdly adopted by the Swedish group The Knife for their electronica:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPD8Ja64mRU

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxJhYpTIrl8

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spB4ezsQ6II

 

 

During the trip, I also read Christopher Hill’s The Upside Down World, which deals with the history of radical thought during the mid seventeenth century in England. From about 1660, this way of thinking went underground, but obviously re-emerged in the eighteenth century with the likes of William Blake and his mixture of the spiritual and the mundane. It is my tradition. A great read:

 

 

 

 

Into autumn proper and a busy time with one thing and another. I go down to Cornwall to do a Dowsing course and am greeted with a range of weather. Rough seas at Mousehole thanks to the tail end of an American hurricane. Things settle down then, though, for some nice skies and sunsets:

 

 

 

     

 

 

Whilst down there, I walk a bit and take in some of the ancient sites. Some of these are 3000+ years old and include stone circles with all sorts of astro-alignments:

 

 

Also, some rather lovely Holy Wells – each of these come with their own reputation for healing specific ailments. As again their tradition goes back hundreds of years, there must be something in this – people would not have time to mess around. Here, we have the lovely Madron Well and the well at Sancreed, where, literally, you have to go into the ground to reach it:

 

    

 

 

People now think it was the mineral content, or indeed the high levels of uranium, that gave/ give a boost to the immune system in  helping with illnesses.

 

Sancreed is also home to a branch of the Grenfells and has a lovely church.

 

 

 

Very old wayside stone crosses everywhere down there as well:

 

 

    

 

Later I visit the splendid Cataluyan city of Girona for interviewing – rather lovely it is too:

 

     

 

 

Trips to London – especially for the Anti-Brexit march. I am an anti-brexiter with a passion and see leaving the European Union as a catastrophe.

 

 

 

Quite a lot of art happening this month. In Cornwall, I visit the Borlase Smart exhibition at the Penlee Gallery. This turns out to be a real pleasure and eye-opener. I always saw him as a bit of a ‘rear-grade’ to modernist generation I am interested in: Nicholson, Hepworth, Heron, etc. But, it turns out he did sea scapes of almost Monet like devotion:

 

 

 

Then, on to contemporary art at the Newlyn Gallery. A good idea – art expressing the exuberance of youth, but almost nothing there!! Really, this gallery becomes more and more of a disappointment. I have to again remind readers that people like me – cultural critics – have as much fun criticizing art as they do enjoying it.

 

 

A quirky exhibition on Michael Jackson at the National Portrait Gallery in London as well. Rather confused, and does not seem to know if it wants to celebrate him or deconstruct him!

 

 

A brilliant exhibition on Anni Albers at the Tate Modern:

 

 

She was part of the Bauhaus in Germany in the 1920s and 30s and then moved to the US to escape Nazi persecution. This exhibition offers a marvellous range of her work in weaving, tapestry and sketching/ drawing. It is a rare example of a craftsperson who extends their work to the fine arts.

 

In London, I also see the latest David Hare play. It is based around the story of a NHS doctor who becomes a politician. Therefore, a familiar tract for Hare to examine aspects of contemporary Britain. It is good but, in present times, I really wonder if we are not beyond such liberal anguish exhibited at the National Theatre. Something altogether more visceral and corrosive might more hit the spot – something along the lines of the Théâtre de la Craulté :

 

 

Uncertain Times indeed, which happens to be the title of the latest tour by King Crimson. I catch up with them in Bournemouth:

 

 

 

 

 

For my CD of the month, I am selecting The Giant who Ate Himselfby Glenn Jones:

 

 

 

Glenn Jones played in the ‘American Primitive’ style of guitar, really founded by John Fahey. Indeed, Glenn even did a CD recording with Fahey called: The Epiphany of Glenn Jones  – which says a lot, in its music and disk notes, around what Fahey was about, especially in those later years.

 

‘American Primitive’ guitar is renowned for it emotional focus and tonal clarity – this is NOT the dreaminess of Windham Hill (George Winston, etc.).

 

When John Fahey died, I could swear I heard his characteristic gaffaw laughter in my house, such was my relationship with him and his music. So, perhaps, unsurprising that I could swear I heard the same gaffaw in the distant background to some of these tracks. Glenn Jones comes close to honouring this style and writing – a nice recording.

 

Incidentally, my own interview and recordings with Fahey are available here:

 

http://www.michaelgrenfell.co.uk/john-fahey/

 

 

My book of the month is Ghost Wallby Sarah Moss.

 

 

Really, it is a novella more than  a novel of just 149 pages. It tells the story of a group of archeologists getting back to an ancient way of life by camping out rough in the moors – eating and sleeping in nature. However, this quickly becomes a story of the power of pagan forces, their expression, and how easy it is to slip back into the brutality of the past. It is a kind of mix of the last part of Lord of the Flies, Afore Night Come, and 5 Go on Holiday!! However, it is also an allegory of our contemporary times and a warning to those who would sacrifice future generations on behalf of the past.

September is the month that sort of spans the last of the summer and the beginning of the winter – well, autumn at least.

 

A sure sign is the days getting shorter – the mornings colder, etc. Also, misty mornings where I am.

 

 

 

 

It is also the time of the Autumn Equinox where there is equal night and day – light and dark. Sunrise to mark the occasion:

 

 

 

In Wiccan terms, this is Mabob, which is the middle of the three harvest festivals; a time of celebration for the fruits and vegetables of the fields. Celebration and sharing are key principles in pleasing the pagan gods at this time.

 

 

Another sure sign, is the end of the Prom seasons. After my summer travels, I manage to get in three more concerts: Mahler 3^rdsymphony, a Tango evening, and the Berlin Philharmonic under their new conductor playing Beethoven 7^thSymphony. The last of these was magnificent.

 

 

 

Other music was Maya Youssef from Syria, playing the qanun – a seventy-eight string plucked zither. Despite the number of strings, it is only really two octaves as this musical tradition using quarter tones – so, four tones per note. Anyway, a fine concert including both traditional and self compositions taken from her new CD Syrian Dreams.  mayayoussef.com

 

 

A final ‘summer’ trip to Germany – near Limburg/ Frankfurt. A lovely week with temperatures in the 30s – and some nice wine tasting and food sampling. Also,  some visits to castles and abbeys/ churches. I found the area to be very civilized indeed.

 

 

 

Whilst there I also visited a rather fine exhibition of art taken from the early period of the Weimar Republic – so, a kind of magic realism in the light of European art of the period. Close associations with The Bridge, Blue Rider and indeed Bauhaus in terms of influence.

 

 

 

This show was somewhat complemented by another show later at the Tate Britain in London: Aftermath. The theme here was art from England, France and Germany in the aftermath of the First World War. It was a bit of a mish-mash, with an emphasis on depicting the tragedies of war itself. Nevertheless, some other indications of what was developing in the art world across Europe.

 

 

Then, a very fine production of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre, London. A long play – three and a half hours – but riveting. I remember doing it for my A-level English. The leads were top notch – Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo – and made a mesmerizing pair as they moved towards their final tragedies.

 

 

Lots of music going on. But, my favourite in later days is the new CD – after some 26 years – by Nile Rodgers and Chic. Classic Boogie to lift the spirits.

 

 

 

Reading wise, The Town, the first novel by Shaun Prescott, perplexed and intrigued me. Set, again for me, in Australia, it is about a town that is literally disappearing before your eyes. Part Beckett, part Kafka, and part Camus, it is both an elegiac read and somewhat of an allegory for contemporary socio-cultural (eco-political) experience.