Louis Wain painting.
Hah. The clock ticks away and suddenly we declare it's 2022. It is kind of a shared delusion. We all basically go along with the idea, but, really, like that old song from the band Chicago asks: "Does anyone really know what time it is?" Nah. Not really.
What did we do New Year's Eve? Pizza party!
And we streamed movies. We watched "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" (2021) - very good acting, well-made, totally gob-smacking, super-disturbing. I have always been greatly repelled by the soul-killing, money-hustling, American Southern Tele-Evangelist phenomenon. This movie pushed all my buttons. I realize my Bullshit Detector has been on high since about 3rd Grade in a Roman Catholic School. As a Wee Lad, I was so filled up with Jesus, the Devil, the Cross, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo, Sin, Guilt, the Blood, the Suffering, I have no room or tolerance for any of those cheap, totally transparent hustlers selling God and unbridled, unashamed Capitalism and Prosperity. It is amazing how my fellow Americans never tire of being hustled by the Con and Con Men and Women of all stripes. (See also MAGA!).
The other film about an artist was sort of an antidote; totally cool and inspiring. Another movie about life, and a real-world character: "The Electrical Life of Louis Wain" (2021) - beautiful, touching, amazing, sad. An example of a human being putting the best of themselves into their art. Transforming tragedy and suffering into beauty and joy. Yes, everything is electricity! No doubt! Just ask your local mitochondria! Louis Wain was an "eccentric" man, he loved cats, and made cats and their "electrical nature" his life's work. Fabulous film. Nick Cave is in it (small cameo). I have lately been on a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds jag, so it was great to see him playing H.G. Wells. Highly recommended!
The a.m soundtrack: "World Spirituality Classics 1: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda" (2017) - This record was a major discovery for us in 2021. Just spinning it seems like a spiritual quest. So beautiful, passionate, holy. We actually ended up purchasing a handful of Alice Coltrane cds in 2021. This one, a late career collection from "rare ashram tapes" is bold, breath-taking, powerful, life-changing. Alice Coltrane was certainly a giant in music. Her life, her art, her dedication to the spirit is a joy and an example. Great way to start the new year. The music swells, and washes, and cleanses the soul. "Om Shanti, Om Shanti Om..."
