The Imperial Nobility of France The nobility (French: la noblesse) in France, in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, had specific legal and financial rights, and prerogatives. The first official list of these prerogatives was established relatively late, under Louis XI of France after 1440 and includes:
* exemption from paying the taille (except for non-noble lands they might possess in some regions of France),
* the right to hunt,
* the right to wear a sword and have a coat of arms,
* the right (in principle) to possess a fief or seigneurie.
*Certain ecclesiastic, civic, and military positions were reserved for nobles. At the same time, certain activities were required of nobles.
These included:
* honneur et fidélité (honor and faithfulness) such as military service (the "impôt du sang" or "blood tax")
* concilium et auxilium (counsel and assistance to the king)
Other activities could cause dérogeance, or loss of one's nobility. So were most commercial and manual activities strictly prohibited, although nobles could profit from their lands through mines and forges. Other than in isolated cases, serfdom ceased to exist in France by the 15th century. In Early Modern France, nobles nevertheless maintained a great number of seigneurial privileges over the free peasants that worked lands under their control. These included:
* cens (tax): Vassals were required to pay an annual tax on lands they leased or held (the "cens" was often more symbolic than useful),
* champart (work): to work the noble's private domain, to give the lord a portion of their harvest,
* banalités (small charges): to use the lord's mills, ovens, or wine press at a cost.
Nobles also maintained certain judicial rights over their vassals, although with the rise of the modern state many of these privileges had passed to state control, leaving rural nobility only local police functions and judicial control over violation of their seigneurial rights.
More on the link. Kind of points out the world MA lived in...and the expectations that were seconds from going out of control while she was dancing, feeding her livestock and living her wholesome life.
Bend in the Susquenhanna Near Asylym, PA Where the French Colony Was Established Postcard Photo Dated 1900 But the appearance probably was the same as it had been 100 years prior when Aristide-Aubert Dupetit-Thouars first arrived. Postcard Auctioned on eBay November 2005
Another glorious drive down to Danville, PA. Gorgeous with all sorts of hills, valleys, fields and farms. I saw this great sign coming down the last time and promised myself that the next time, I would capture it. I love the cow/type interface along with the pretty fearless text treatment with the overlap etc. There was some planning with this design, but I think the secondary copy grew in the development, thus the outlining in yellow as a way to give the letters some prominence against the big Bs.
It was great having a bit of think time in the car with this green landscape. Thought randomly about things to do, lists to make, ideas for pictures, and the near and dear. I got to Danville a bit early and stopped at the Weis market to use the bathroom and then do a little looksee at what was offered. Good Pennsylvania Dutch stuff? They did have the funny flat noodle, chicken pot pie in the deli. Selzer's lunch meats. No special bread but pink pickled eggs in the salad bar. No beer, of course, it's PA and they have beer distributors and state stores. Then, as I knew where I was going, I drove to a new part of the campus I was visiting and checked out which building, and where the parking might be. Then, I drove around the periphery of the campus finding myself downtown via the back routes, often with these very narrow lanes connecting the main roads. It was fun figuring it out. Had a good meeting. Hopefully this will work out. It all felt very right.
After the meeting, I took another drive downtown to see what the shopping district, I guess, the historic district was all about. There are blocks of high victorian buildings, some dressed stone, some perfect brick with high chroma detail and paint all about a block from the beautiful Susquehanna River. I discovered this amazing building/school called St. Cyrils which my new pal told me about as it is a school (St. Cyril Academy), retreat center and retirement home for the Sisters of St. Cyril>>. The amazing architecture that St. Cyril's has--with an enormous tall campanile, tower out of stone--very deco and impressive that can be a locator point in town. It rises above the landscape as a beacon for this small town.
I checked into the hotel and found there was a local, hand-drawn map on the desk. I asked about Bloomsburg which was apparently 10 minutes away. So, as I had a little time on my hands, I took a drive over on route 11 to see the college and it's small town which was charming and had a little town square with high Victorian architecture, a big fountain and a the requisite Civil War monument (complete with a tall obelisk and figures with flags). It was very Disneyland in it's americana and it's perfection. One thing I can say about these small towns is that there is such a neat and tidiness even in the working class neighborhood that bespeaks the honesty and work ethic that is so predominant here.
I came back and futzed with my computer to find out that the sticky track pad was being caused by the battery --which was bulging out of it's container. I was panicking (as of course, it was going to be ruined prior to Hartford...OMG OMG OMG)--noticed the battery, popped the battery out and restarted the computer. Just like new. Wow. It's so nice to be able to figure the obvious stuff out.
Going to work on my thumbnails later this p.m. and go to bed early to get up at 5 to return to the plateau by 9. Later>>
Did some research on shoes of Marie Antoinette's time. The french were celebrated for their fabric shoes...sometimes sumptious fabrics or even fur with these high heels that were called "french heels" or "louis heels". The Bata Museum in Toronto had some notes on it...and other historic clothing/fashion sites. So, the above is a th.mbnail of the thinking....for the Dream Project. Cinderella's glass slippers were a fabrication from the reality--she had fur (to be specific squirrel) shoes. But her heels had to be french heels--I like this pursuit as it allows me to touch on all sorts of fairy tale stuff like Cinderella or the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Girls with a thing for shoes.
Blistering here. A former client called to let me know that they were declaring a state of emergency and letting the kids out of school by noon. I wish they would do the same here. I am fearful for brownouts and the fritziness that the computers get in this environment...often in the beginning of August. The new water wand is going to get a workout today as are the box fans.
At the House of Health today. Tried the elliptical...and will continue to try it....along with the quick stroll uphill that the treadmill provides. Off to Pennsylvania tomorrow to talk with the same folks from two weeks ago to flesh out what is needed, where, when , how much. And back Wednesday a.m.
I think there is definitely something here>>I love the idea that one can take notes, listen to a lecture and if you want, listen to the lecture again. I love it that there are podcasts on art already accessible on the web. Why not chunk out the History of Illustration and have a representative few postcasts on an illustrator or two (one obscure, 3-4 "known" like Rockwell, Gibson, Leyndecker, Cooper Studio?) posted with images to the Hartford Website (and also that of Tinkelman Studios) to really get some attention. Maybe this isn't a university thing, but maybe that of SOI--in the advancement of the understanding of illustration, illustrators and the world they live in, the vision they have and change? The Rockwell Museum could do it and use it as a way to drive attention and credibility beyond the small community it attracts and speaks to.There might be an interview or two with illustrators that are specialized like children's books, storyboard, character developer or even with the great art director from the New Yorker. it might cost a bit, but would be a gift. I also think, it would be a way to broaden all of our understanding of this field--and how it all isn't editorial work, covers of magazines, or almost passe applications that with the changing media--so the need for illustrators to be informed, educated and involved to be able to practice their art (and craft) in a viable way.
It all comes down to relevance. R mentioned the aspect of relevance with regard to an older friend whose career was based on a powerbase that is no longer here, doing things that are really no longer important or significant. With all of those pieces having lost their power, their position, their relevance--all that this man is/was has no more import. That is, if you base today on the activities of yesterday. We all need to stay relevant--relevant each day looking forward, which pushes us to stay current with media, clients, where the money is spent and how it is spent, and the voice of the time. Illustration as a practice must stay relevant or it will be relegated to a place where printing presses used metal type and engravings. I feel that illustration is as relevant as it has been since cave dwellers times...it just might not live in the business world in the same categories as it has since advertising and print has come on. Thus this nod to the podcast.
Hot and still this morning. Summer has arrived with a blast. We are putting up hanging baskets and clothes lines for wet towels. I have a batch of muffins going as the home team devours them all week as they struggle to get out of bed and out the door to school. Making is faaaaar cheaper (and better) than buying. I am seguing to almost all "from scratch" food. Not a huge move...but a bit more. I cannot wait for the local stands to open up with the produce from the backyard. The Trumansburg Farmer's Market opens this Wednesday (the elegant Ithaca has been open since April with both Saturday and Sunday open now) with 27 vendors including grassfed meat, a smoked meat vendor, of course the local CSAs (Community supported agriculture)--and the wonderful blueberries. Bring on the heat because that brings on the agricultural wealth.
Blistering hot here. "They" have been promising us rain...darn it...and nary a drop. It seems to sail north of us to drench all towns above the NYS thruway...but not us. So, more watering of the big bushy purple baskets and my hot pink and magenta geraniums. The hardy perenials somehow enjoy the hardship, but our annuals wilt and cry. The nicotiana is gorgous. I forgot how much I love that plant. There is hope there will be a trip to Agway for all sorts of goodies today so I can touch the plants and dream. Remember, dream is the watch word.
Sheldrake is at least 5 degrees cooler.Due to the lack of rain, the grass has slowed its growing...and the breezes are welcome. The water is too cold but I threw pinecones in for Shady and she stealthily went in and got her legs wet. She stopped panting for about an hour as it lowered her core temperature a bit.
Speaking of Dreams, I think I have the dream project in hand. After a fun two hours or so of looking about the web at stuff and trolling the recesses of my small brain, I think I have settled on a historic person, someone that will not surprise you...but maybe the manifestation of the pictures might amuse...Marie Antoinette is my person...and the 6 pictures will be done in different approaches--but very decorative. The six are: Marie Antoinette/her hair, the hands and the rose (loose and tight--vector style), Marie Antoinette/ Party Girl (her shoes--decorative/tons of patterns, The royal barnyard (Petit Trianon, raising sheep and cows...the whole fiddle dee dee, Wheeeee, I am so back to basics) featuring either a cow or sheep, "Let them eat Cake" --you can guess what that is about (inspired by the wonderful pictures of Wayne Thiebault), and the last picture which will be the last girl at the dance...or the end shot...wig on wigstand, little death references... I plan on using roses and fleur de lis in all of the images. Palette will be a candy coated selection inspired by the colors at court..(lemon yellow, peach, pink, salmon, a dirty light blue, lilac, grey, beige..saaaaaaweeeeeeeeet). We have bows and fabric..lots of luscious stuff. We have the 1700s version of Paris Hilton, equally bright, equally ill directed, equally up front and center. Only, she had more money, and I think, maybe a better fantasy life. After all, Paris Hilton may have a TV show about her "new best friend" but MA had dictated friends (her personal court), had factories and designers devoted to making anything she would desire (like Sevres milk buckets for her fantasy country life and farm at Le Petit Trianon). Interestingly, this might be a better comparison that I originally thought as both girlies had the eye of the press on them and the eye of the "people" on them sickly fascinated and repelled by their antics at the same time. Hmm. I need to think about the juxtapostion of these ladies as there might be some hooks or at least personal amusement there.
Approach is light and fun. Lots of patterns and detail. Whimsy? This will be a progression into a group of images unlike Memento Mori or the strong vector work from syracuse. Funny, as it comes off my hand, it will resemble those images...its more futzing with other aspects of illustration (like color and pattern) that will be hard but good to dive into. I could blow this into a thesis...or just stop at this...and do something else. Even the children's book could be a thesis...I am mulling over the color book idea and am still pretty excited about it. I even sketched out the idea with Erich and he thought it held together. We'll see.
Another unexpected garland from Hartford. I have been granted a merit scholarship from the University of Hartford. How wonderful! Now the pressure is on...and what with my muddle and confusion...it only sullies the mix. Man, I am nervous.
Post looking at the I Miller Warhols, I had a great idea for a book on color for littles...with spreads on each color--with these "scientific specimen case" type of pages that stack out all sorts of things that are either the color or bear the name of the color in the name of the thing. Maybe some little type things throughout...so there is lots for the young reader or little person and their reader to read and discover. Could be cute.
K and I may do a little book on Mr Grumpy, our cranky boy cat...who always is guaranteed to get up on the wrong side of the kitty litter every single, solitary day. He always is swiping us, crankily telling us its time to eat. He does bow to the superior cat,(read dog) who he accompanies nightly on her walk, serving as the court of honor along with his bookmatched companion cat, Mei Mei. And, if we don't behave, he will poop in the tub to show us who is boss. I will write and layout. K is to be the illustrator. We casually write it when we comb the cats/superior cat....and scream with laughter. So, hello project, hello LULU.
I ask myself, "what the hell are you smoking?". Dunno. I am going deep with Vignee-LeBrun paintings of Marie Antoinette with every other picture of her holding a stylized old style, David Austen-ish, pink rose. The hands are always the same. Always. I'll show you...(not now). Love the ribbons and bows, the flounces and furbellows, the pearls and feathers, hats and the absolutely luscious color. My puritan spirit embraces the sheer baroque, over the topness. So, I sez to myself...I need to see more, more more of this wonderful lusciousness. So off the Dutch still lives from Ambrosius Bosschaert with the quest of the victorian interpretation of these scoops of gloriousity. On the other hand, I am thinking Andy Warhol...and my artdirector and husband out of the blue suggests the I Miller images from Warhol's youth. So, off to that direction. And the Dream Project. I wallow and sink in it's absolute profundity. I am lost. Wandering...albeit mit schlag.
Well, here we are. SHrillery is on her way out...taking her marbles and her bossy, chiding way away from all of us. Thank goodness. Shrillery may have had good thing to say, but the whole "mommy", "nag" and image that she projected in voice and message became, for me too much. I know that I will be labelled as anti woman (albeit I voted for her), anti progress with these snippy comments, but in the world of politics--her tone, her link to Bill, her naggy, harsh delivery to messages that were sometimes lies, truth stretching etc--but she did not project confidence, control,a thoughtful perspective. She wears an imaginary apron and wields a spoon--pointing out what right and wrong is...in a harsh way. And, my emotional reaction to her is always one of anger and lack of comfort. I was never in her court the way she handled the health care project in Bill's White House, the unpleasant way of "not making cookies", and her lack of public anger and seeming acceptance of Bill's picadillos. If this campaign with the prize being the presidency was the payout for his ridiculous behavior--then payback is complete. I am happy she is out....albeit always with the last laugh--insisting that she would consider being a running mate which would have little traction for Obama...with quips behind the hand saying all she wants is to be asked...so she can refuse.
Now we have two candidates. Both of them viable. One with age and experience who embraces the Bush doctrine, who supports the war to indicate it will be one hundred years...etc. The other is untried and seemingly a bit lightweight. He represents hope, and change. Essentially, anti- status Quo. The hamburger is getting ready to be thrown for the two of them to fight over the prize...throwing ugliness,unfairly accusing each other with the spinmeisters creating issues and drawing relationships where they might not be anything at all. Yawn. Let's see what happens.
I am happy at least we have resolution.
Got the Toivo CD and package done yesterday. Rich Koski, the heart of the group and a two row diatonic button accordianist, was the Performer of the Year by the Finlandia Foundation National, 2004. Rich told me that with some of the proceeds from the touring he did with this award, he accumulated money to buy an accordian that he travelled to a small town in Italy that had over 50 family run accordian factories that sounded like bliss for someone of his recognition and ability. The graphics incorporate an illustration by Annie Campbell as requested by Rich...with blocks of color and a ton of copy. Looks nice...clean...friendly like the music.
Am noodling with a bunch of stuff. I am making myself nuts with the dream project. Thought I might do a half dozen hair pictures (using the quicky Marie Antoinette as the jumping off point) with Marie Antoinette, Louis Quatorze, George Washington, Andy Warhol, a flippy fifties (Marilyn? Doris Day?), Custer? or Buffalo Bill? Maybe? or florals>? just going down the lane with that? New deadline. Not to actively think about it and just go into making/doing until mid June and then focus. Need to contact Bunny Carter about the level of tightness she means when she talks about thumbnails...Mini pictures? or loosy goosie?
More later. Sorry for my miss yesterday. Just was swamped.
Have been futzing with pictures of Marie Antoinette and the hairdos current in her court. It is all about rats and about comb overs with bit pieces of padding underneath...with feathers, jaunty hats, flowers, and endless strings of pearls or jewels to hold the whole look together. So, I have been messing around in my sketchbook about this...with the lady shown above as the best of the bad selections. It is interesting that the drawn image is quick, and then I take it into the CS suite and add highlights, clean up a bit etc. Interesting approach. Lots of need to work it out beyond the limited stuff you see above.
We had a nice visit at Bakers Acres--buying all sorts of annuals (lobelia, hot pink geraniums, nicotiana, pansies) and perennials (monardia--13 plants). It was a very happy day there as we had not patronized the Acres for a while as our work on the house and house projects held us back as it was and still remains left foot right foot. With the Carriage House and the drive way all in an almost finished mode, it becomes easier to concieve of frills such as plants and the color and scent they give us.
We heard Eilen Jewell at the Rongo the other night. R. went inside...it was lovely outside, cool and comfortable. So, I hung outside with my friends and caught up with all sorts of people, meeting new people saying hi to older friends. It was very nice and collegial, very Tburg with the luscious music spilling out onto the street. With their sets being finished, Eilen and her band made themselves comfortable on the street, sitting on the walls of the Children's Garden confirming the grassroots efforts folks are making around making Main STreet nice. It was wonderful talking about the world with musicians, people who see their world through their ears...(not eyes like me)--and when you focus in on that, how is it that they stud their stories, language and sound with music references.
Swept a bunch off the desk today. All of CE Jones. Done. Also, a business card for the Chokers (48hr print)--mini postcard size. They loved it last week (the yumbo sized card...they all want them!). More later.
GlassLab. Unpredictable. Our last session was on Friday the 30th, and it was by far the best we've had in our two residencies (Miami Art Basel + Cooper Hewitt New York City). The weather was PERFECT in the beautiful garden of the CH...but that was not only the case...
Working with glass, you learn to accept being in the moment. The material is subject to the weather, the gaffers (master glassblowers, all), and the design. Constantin and I were trying to develop a concept of a bouquet in a vase, made of glass, where real flowers could be dispursed among the fake ones--to stunning effect. Our first session was spent making canes (glass rods for the "stems") and developing a connection detail that would attach the "stems" to the glass vase. We developed this technical detail with the unparallelled Eric Meek and hoped we would gain traction from there.
Before the second session, Constantin and I worked out the proportions and details--down to meaurements and connections. We had a new team to work with, and despite their best efforts, every single piece we made blew up after we got it off the punty (the stick you blow glass on).
Luckily on Friday, Eric was back working with us and we made two beautiful pieces together. I'll post the images here on Monday. GlassLab Closes Today---Don't miss it!
Baby, they were plenty smart when they made you beautiful. James Gleason (1886–1959), U.S. screenwriter, and Norman Houston. Hank (Bessie Love), The Broadway Melody, to Queenie (Anita Page), who has typically said something dopey (1929).
Back! Lovely drive. Absolutely lovely. Bunny route the whole way. This little town, that little town, fields of groomed cows, fields of grazing goats. Stone houses, funny singage--hills and vales, shadows and shade. It was (believe it) relaxing and almost meditative. We had great meetings with hopes that this job will hit... more later>>
I've been up since five...theoretically lining up my pencils, stuffing my bag with old work, looking at random maps and then looking at MapQuest and back again. I have to get K's lunch done and get her up. Then it's gas and go. Looks like my drive to Central PA will be peaceful and nice--back roads, clear skies and cold still (frost warnings until 8 a.m. today). Chet the Lawnmower man was here and made our verdant grass look like combed velvet. Mandy moved all the "blue" hosta to the front of the house and made us a gift of a mammoth blue one which she split into four and socked in with our small offerings that we have been "cultivating" here and there on the property.
I am nuts for my tree peonies that are about a week away from the big fat buds blowing out into enormous fluffy flowers. I have put tree peonies all over the place too...and as they get bigger and woodier and able to take the deer mano a mano...I think they will be able to survive their nibbling torture. Nothing is quite like what they have at the Cornell Plantations, but we aspire...can't we? We have doubled our monarda (bee balm) as the scent (bergamot...something in Earl Grey tea) is not apppealing to the deer...and they have a nice show or red or purple (in our case) without any interruption.
K and I had a nice dinner talking about her favorite topics: boys, teenage social networkings, biology and art.The collisions of those topics are amusing and it is fun to see K. pick her way through that. I always have such a nice time with her...finding out her passion for chunks in soup, that if reincarnated--she would come back as a cockroach and so on. I came back and finished the last gasp for Carol Elizabeth, so we can have a package done by the end of the week. The night before was late because of the animal client...so a break in the wall of work is opening so we can catch our breaths before the next enslaught.
The Corning Museum of Glass' GlassLab is at the Cooper-Hewitt for the last week or so...and a bit more. Kathryn Shattuck at the NY Times wrote a nice article with some nice quotes from R. about the who what where of the GlassLab.
Journey to the West (traditional Chinese: 西遊記; simplified Chinese: 西游记; pinyin: Xīyóujì; Wade-Giles: Hsiyu-chi) is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, and even though no direct evidence of its authorship survives, it has been ascribed to the scholar Wú Chéng'ēn since the 20th century.
In western countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley. The Waley translation has also been published as Adventures of the Monkey God; and Monkey: [A] Folk Novel of China; and The Adventures of Monkey.
The novel is a fictionalized account of the legends around the Buddhist monk Xuánzàng's pilgrimage to India during the Táng dynasty in order to obtain Buddhist religious texts called sutras. The Bodhisattva Guānyīn, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sūn Wùkōng, Zhū Bājiè and Shā Wùjìng — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuánzàng's horse mount. These four characters have agreed to help Xuánzàng as an atonement for past sins.
Some scholars propose that the book satirises the effete Chinese government at the time. Journey to the West has a strong background in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and value systems; the pantheon of Taoist immortals and Buddhist bodhisattvas is still reflective of Chinese folk religious beliefs today. Part of the novel's enduring popularity comes from the fact that it works on multiple levels: it is a first-rate adventure story, a dispenser of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying toward India stands for the individual journeying toward enlightenment>> More>> Sūn Wùkōng is the name given to this character by his teacher, Patriarch Subhuti, and means "the one who has Achieved the Perfect Comprehension of the Extinction of both Emptiness and non-Emptiness"; he is called Monkey King or simply Monkey Emperor in English.
He was born out of a rock that had been dormant for ages in Flower Fruit Mountain that was inhabited/weathered by the sun and moon until a monkey sprang forth. He first distinguished himself by bravely entering the Cave of Water Curtains (pinyin:Shuǐlián-dòng) at the Mountains of Flowers and Fruits (Huāguǒ-shān); for this feat, his monkey tribe gave him the title of Měi-hóuwáng ("handsome monkey-king"). Later, he started making trouble in Heaven and defeated an army of 100,000 celestial soldiers, led by the Four Heavenly Kings, Erlang Shen, and Nezha. Eventually, the Jade Emperor appealed to Buddha, who subdued and trapped Wukong under a mountain. He was only saved when Xuanzang came by him on his pilgrimage and accepted him as a disciple.
His primary weapon is the rúyì-jīngū-bàng ("will-following golden-banded staff"), which he can shrink down to the size of a needle and keep behind his ear, as well as expand it to gigantic proportions (hence the "will-following" part of the name). The staff, originally a pillar supporting the undersea palace of the East Sea Dragon King, weighs 13,500 pounds, which he pulled out of its support and swung with ease. The Dragon King, not wanting him to cause any trouble, also gave him a suit of golden armor. These gifts, combined with his devouring of the peaches of immortality and three jars of immortality pills while in Heaven, plus his ordeal in an eight-trigram furnace (which gave him a steel-hard body and fiery golden eyes), makes Wukong the strongest member by far of the pilgrimage. Besides these abilities, he can also pull hairs from his body and blow on them to transform them into whatever he wishes (usually clones of himself to gain a numerical advantage in battle). Although he has mastered seventy-two methods of transformations, it does not mean that he is restricted to seventy-two different forms. He can also do a jīndǒuyún ("cloud somersault"), enabling him to travel vast distances in a single leap. Wukong uses his talents to fight demons and play pranks. However, his behavior is checked by a band placed around his head by Guanyin, which cannot be removed by Wukong himself until the journey's end. Xuanzang can tighten this band by chanting the Tightening-Crown spell (taught to him by Guanyin) whenever he needs to chastise him. The spell is referred to by Xuanzang's disciples as the "Headache Sutra", and is as follows:- "Oh-munney pud-meyon", which is spoken quickly and repeatedly.
Wukong's child-like playfulness is a huge contrast to his cunning mind. This, coupled with his acrobatic skills, makes him a likeable hero, though not necessarily a good role model. His antics present a lighter side in what proposes to be a long and dangerous trip into the unknown.
see?
