This blog is meant to be about Art and Literature. The definition of “art” has been bugging me. For example, I have been ruminating about the classification of sculptural textiles, but I guess all-in-all, art like many things is about telling a story. I saw the movie “Atonement” in the weekend and it illustrated to me how the same story can have many viewpoints. My reading lately has also been in this area, Norman Lewis’ essays, some political journalism from Africa circa 1981 and the inevitable children’s picture books. What is truth? What is myth? All I know is what I learnt in bars years ago – talk long enough to a person and you will find that EVERYONE has a story, and an interesting story at that. I wish I had the skill to write them, but maybe I can take solace in that I come from a family of oral storytellers.
So here’s a story. I wish I could put the pictures up here because they are important. In the meantime take Martin Edmond’s book ” The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont” and turn to the first lot of photographs. Look for “Philip Clairmont on Waikanae Beach (1976)”.
Last week I took my kids to Waikanae beach. As far as I can estimate, I stood almost exactly in that spot and at some point was probably gazing towards the dunes as well. Today I took the kids to the zoo in Wellington (see the next picture on this page). I parked my car in the only free spot, which happened to face directly on to the back of 36 Roy Street. The top window was open and pink and gold gauze curtains were billowing out in the wind.
Not much of a story. New Zealand is a small place.
Tags: Clairmont
