A Bright, Bright Sunshiny Day

I like heat, even in spicy food. Today surpassed my tolerance. It maxed out at 95%, which didn’t quite break the record. It was hot.

I love light. My windows are floor to ceiling, which means 16’ x 20’, with western exposure. I get plenty of light. My friend, Lourdes, swims in the Bay. I may follow suit.

Anyhow, I took a book to the courtyard. That was “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger. Although four others contributed to it, unnamed in the intro. It is a pictorial book which immediately presents a conflict on his argument that reproductions of art, paintings in this case, cannot be genuinely viewed if not in person. Within the book there are 125 reproductions. I’ve been to many museums including the Met and the Louvre. Of course the famous works are reproduced in bookstores, and yes, it’s not the same as standing there before it. I may guess that his problem is how to put the visual experience into words.

What really bothered me was his chapter on female nudes. His presumptions were, to my mind, chauvinistic. He said the model portrayed herself from a duel ego. One wanting to be seen (vanity) or two, as a part of cultural history. That may be true. But in most cases, the models were wives, mistresses or servants. I don’t think the subjects of these masterworks had much of a say. The women most likely agreed for some sort of reimbursement.

Well, I’ll skip forward and find out if there is any value in Berger’s critique.

Should cool down tomorrow.