A quick-thinking Silesian photographer captures the rare spectacle of a school of puppetfish (Puppespielen bellmerensis*) disporting themselves in the mangrove-shoals of the River Spree while the HMS Snark heads out to sea on its final voyage … a wordless panel, as befits this week in which we observe the January 14th deathday of Lewis Carroll …
O Bellman! my Bellman! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, your bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring …
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*This particular taxonomic, visual and surrealist reference must remain somewhat vague. But what a draftsman! Perhaps the best of the last century … you google at your own risk. NSFW.
Just hope this is not the end of our journey together...
ReplyDeleteNo, not at all, I calculate about 150 panels in all, if all goes as planned, maybe 3 years! Snark forever!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this blog.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely look into the history of "snark".
"An anti-subject painting might effectly conceal its subject, hiding it from everyone except the painter; or it might tease viewers with clues; or it might be so arcane that few people can see its subject: What counts is the retreat from the obvious, unambiguous primary meaning."
ReplyDeleteJames Elkins: Why are our Pictures Puzzles, p. 129, 1999 (The author should have interviewed you before he wrote his book. But you will like it.)
the book sounds interesting, thanks, Götz!
ReplyDeleteThe book is quite interesting, despite some bias and flaws (e.g. discussing the increase of literature on art history without comparing it to the growth of literature in other areas). Also I would have learned more about why artists construct puzzles. (Personally I think, that quit often it is for having fun with the own work and with the viewers. That would be a good reason already.)
ReplyDelete