BEAUTY: Site Specific Art--Steve Messam

The whimsical, very large scale site-specific pieces of English artist Steve Messam may seem random and zany but there is a wonderful, thoughtful method to his approach. Each piece is situated in an historic spot to call attention to some aspect of English culture, whether it might be an abandoned stone cottage in the forest for his Architecture of Ruins series, a thousand year old church spire, WWII bunkers on the coast, or even a 1960s Brutalist footbridge. The most interesting part of his oeuvre is that he sews the inflatable pieces himself!

Take a look at his website where he explains his inspiration for these pieces and more, along with some wonderful videos of the process.
https://www.stevemessam.co.uk/

"Wake Up" by Young The Giant

I am loving the visceral groove of this song, "Wake Up" from indie band Young The Giant. Consisting of an international collection of musicians, the band is helmed by Indian American singer Sameer Gadhia and the gorgeous sound and lyrics here reflect that. What we get is a joyous, soaring reminder that we are surrounded by a dimension(s) we cannot yet see...

Walking through the desert of the Indus Valley
I was going backwards and I swear I saw me
Talking to Vyasa and he whispered softly
"You were here before in a different body"

Running through the jungle of the Indus Valley
I was here before in a different body
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Wake up, wake up to life, to life
Nirvana on the last try

Now the lotus flower blooms and the sun is rising
East to the West, the event horizon
I smile to Vyasa and he started rhyming
It's better forever and ever and ever than never enough whatsoever

Running through ruins of the Indus Valley
I was here before in a different body
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Wake up, wake up to life, to life
Nirvana on the last try
Nirvana on the last try
(Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up)
Nirvana on the last try

https://www.youngthegiant.com/

BEAUTY: Painting--Tina Berning

Berlin-based artist Tina Berning creates breathtaking figurative and portrait pieces that utilize very minimal brush strokes. Many have a glorious, ethereal, watercolor-y sense about them. Gauzy, rippling, fading women gaze out dispassionately, yet in compelling colors.

Visit her on-line shop to buy original works as well as prints.
https://www.tinaberning.de/
https://shop.tinaberning.com/

"Don't Have To Be So Sad" by Yo La Tengo

I have been haunted by this gentle, whispering, longing song, "Don't Have To Be So Sad" by Yo La Tengo since it came out on their "Summer Sun" release nearly 20 years ago. Sometimes it just pops into my mind and I have to put it on repeat for an hour or so...

You and me
We're at some goldfish pond
And I, I was tagging along for the ride
All the big-mouthed fish really made us laugh

And while I stood still
I felt a chill
I thought that maybe you did too
I wanted to feel that way forever

And that's why
If you're looking at me, I'll try
To be what you want to see and if I
If I'm ever that lucky
You won't have to be so
You won't have to be so sad
You won't have to be so sad

Last night
I was trying to read in bed
I got to watching you sleep instead
Even when I got tired
I couldn't stop

Because I love you so
And I pray you know
But I'm not much for praying
(Ya knew I couldn't say that without making a joke)

And that's why
If you're looking at me, I'll try
To be what you want to see and if I
If I'm ever that lucky
You won't have to be so
You won't have to be so sad
You won't have to be so sad

Yeah, that's why
If you're looking at me, I'll try
To be what you want to see and if I
If I'm ever that lucky
You won't have to be so
You won't have to be so sad
You won't have to be so sad
You won't have to be so sad

https://yolatengo.com/

Happy Thanksgiving 2022!

Despite the many challenges still facing us a nation and in the world, it feels like progress and justice is afoot here in the United States with the pleasantly surprising and relieving midterm outcomes, and it is with optimism that I address all my followers and regular readers of "Oh, By The Way:"

On this holiday of gratitude, let's give thanks for the recent resurgence of hope, and the return of the things that make us good, strong, honorable, and loving human beings. Let's give thanks to the people who bring light and calm and love to our lives and to the world. Let's give thanks for the generous actions and goodwill in our lives--whether done by others or ourselves--that strengthen the fabric of humanism and the choices to unite, protect, and find value in this existence. Hold dear these things and live up to these ideals for which we are grateful. Let's find value in ourselves and others, and express this gratitude in our intentions, deeds, and words. Let's be grateful for the value of human experience, love, and life itself.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanks, Jesus 2022!

As we eat our Thanksgiving meal, let us thank not an imaginary figure in the sky but those who are TRULY responsible--migrant workers and immigrants legal or undocumented--for helping to bring our food to our tables, through their numbingly long days of low-wage, backbreaking work.

"Do You Well" by Nakhane and Perfume Genius

Nakhane collaborates with Perfume Genius (previously here) to create a joyous, infectious dance song called "Do You Well."

"I want to see you out there, in the light!"

Photo by Vicky Grout for GQ

http://nakhaneofficial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/perfumegenius

The Shot That Was Heard Around The World

Today, fifty-nine years ago, a man was shot in Dallas, Texas, at 12:30 P.M.

All day
Hiding from the sun
Waiting for the golden one
Waiting for your fame
After the parade has gone

Outside was a happy place
Every face had a smile like the golden face
For a second
Your knuckles white as your fingers curled
The shot that was heard around the world
For a second

It took seconds of your time to take his life
It took seconds

Seconds

For a second

https://www.jfklibrary.org/
https://www.thehumanleague.co.uk/

Happy Birthday Sagittarius!

I Miss My Mom

Take one if you miss your mom too.

Who You Are Can Always Be Seen

“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.”
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Everything that irritates us about others is what leads us to an understanding of ourselves.”
--CG Jung

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”
--James D. Miles

BEAUTY: Photography--Tye Martinez

In his header description on his Instagram account, photographer Tye Martinez says, "I do not document reality." Which is precisely why I am responding in a very personal way to his imagery of people floating and flying...you see, at least a few nights a week, I dream I am flying or floating in a variety of places and situations. These images feel so familiar to me. Sometimes I can float up and move forward in an upright position, sometimes I sort of "swim" through the air horizontally, sometimes I can leap and fly along many yards before coming back down to push off again. I love seeing Martinez make his models do the same thing.

https://tyedied.rip/

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Hearts Hearts

This gentle chamber music cover of the classic Joy Division song "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is performed and arranged beautifully by Austrian group Hearts Hearts. And the wistful, touching narrative in the video reminds me a lot of Palace's song "Heaven Up There" previously here.

http://www.heartshearts.net/

BEAUTY: Painting--The Radiant Tarot by Alexandra Eldridge

Regular readers know I have a thing for Tarot cards and playing cards used as divination tools. So I am pleased to share that artist Alexandra Eldridge collaborated with Tony Barnstone to create a tarot deck called The Radiant Tarot, full of charming animals and beautiful archetypal imagery.

Justice

The Chariot

The Emperor

The Fool

The Hanged Man

The Hermit

The Hierophant

The Star

The Sun

The Tower

If you'd like prints or to buy a complete set of The Radiant Tarot, visit Eldridge's site for info.
https://alexandraeldridge.com/