For a narrow double-height gallery above another entrance, Nguyen has made a 20-foot-high kinetic mobile nodding to Calder. It will dangle over ancient mosaics embedded in the floor from the late 2nd-century A.D., which were discovered during excavations of Antioch in modern Turkey during the 1930s by a Princeton-led team. The polished discs of the mobile are modeled on unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War that has killed many farmers in the decades since, part of ongoing research by Nguyen, a Vietnam-based visual artist.
“It’s the reincarnation of this bomb material left over from the detritus of war,” said Nguyen, who has designed his sculpture with bells and mallets that will chime in the breeze. “It kind of looks like this rising dragon, responding to the old mosaic of a Medusa on the ground.”
This reminds me of many pain-in-the-ass dreams I’ve had in which the possible solution to my dilemma remains out of reach and I decide to wake myself out of it so as to not pee the bed. As that is not an option here, I chose to follow the music, as usual. Here’s a story of a similar type of dream …
I love the city. It could be any city in Europe or Asia, South or Central America, and some in North America. It could not be my city, which had no buildings but wigwams in the Eighteenth century. The problem of identical addresses is a postal problem--as a former postal worker, I know how difficult it is to change an address, let alone a street name. I have letters from a distant relative which only mention "corner of Central and Hall". Central no longer exists, and Hall marked the city limits at that time. Things were fluid then, postally speaking. This situation of course is impossible in the city of the story. The street numbers are, quite literally set in stone.
Congratulations, you invented the literary version of the book of which you are the hero of my childhood! Interesting that most people want to follow the music...
"Jörgen, esta propuesta es pura Sintergia. Convertir al lector en 'el viento' es reconocer que la Lattice de la historia se construye en comunidad. Me cautivó la paradoja del edificio; me recordó que en los niveles más altos de consciencia (y de la narrativa), el camino que eliges cambia la estructura misma de la realidad. Mañana, precisamente, revelaré más sobre ese 'pergamino' que un sabio entregó a mis protagonistas... parece que las frecuencias entre Estocolmo y mi cosmología están más alineadas que nunca. ¡La aventura ha comenzado porque nada es lo que parece!"
As they say, no writer is an island. Thanks for commenting, Emerson. I’m looking forward to your next chapter and to seeing what the Jörgen character will be up to.
For a narrow double-height gallery above another entrance, Nguyen has made a 20-foot-high kinetic mobile nodding to Calder. It will dangle over ancient mosaics embedded in the floor from the late 2nd-century A.D., which were discovered during excavations of Antioch in modern Turkey during the 1930s by a Princeton-led team. The polished discs of the mobile are modeled on unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War that has killed many farmers in the decades since, part of ongoing research by Nguyen, a Vietnam-based visual artist.
“It’s the reincarnation of this bomb material left over from the detritus of war,” said Nguyen, who has designed his sculpture with bells and mallets that will chime in the breeze. “It kind of looks like this rising dragon, responding to the old mosaic of a Medusa on the ground.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/arts/design/princeton-university-art-museum-new-art.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SFA.JUoU.FmAsDUOl6tXN&smid=url-share
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing, Hans.
I guess I’d take the stairs. But also ring on every door. In Sweden only the person who’s expecting a guest would answer.
Hm ... maybe I should have added that option! Don't forget to vote.
ugh, indecision! I want to make a different choice now!
You have another chance now, in part 2!
This is such an interesting, exciting premise. I chose "you follow the music" because I like to follow whimsy, and it seems like many people do too!
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with being like most people. If “most people” are “my people”. :) You have a new chance to vote in part 2.
I enjoyed this so much. And I would follow the music...
Many people seems to follow your lead, Maria. And thank you!
What a fun idea! Looking forward to seeing where this goes 🤓
It's getting dangerous in part 2 ...
This reminds me of many pain-in-the-ass dreams I’ve had in which the possible solution to my dilemma remains out of reach and I decide to wake myself out of it so as to not pee the bed. As that is not an option here, I chose to follow the music, as usual. Here’s a story of a similar type of dream …
https://biffogram.substack.com/p/death-takes-no-holiday-chapter-13
Following the music feels like the only sensible move then. Curious to read your story.
I love the city. It could be any city in Europe or Asia, South or Central America, and some in North America. It could not be my city, which had no buildings but wigwams in the Eighteenth century. The problem of identical addresses is a postal problem--as a former postal worker, I know how difficult it is to change an address, let alone a street name. I have letters from a distant relative which only mention "corner of Central and Hall". Central no longer exists, and Hall marked the city limits at that time. Things were fluid then, postally speaking. This situation of course is impossible in the city of the story. The street numbers are, quite literally set in stone.
That’s really interesting, thank you for adding that perspective. It makes the whole thing feel much more grounded.
Congratulations, you invented the literary version of the book of which you are the hero of my childhood! Interesting that most people want to follow the music...
Thank you so much. It’s not my masterwork, but I believe I might have been the first to do this on Substack.
Wow! Great idea 🎷 ... and now I remember, Yeah I go looking for 📘 Bärnstenskyssen af Peter Glas ~ time for 2nd reading 🤔
https://www.bakhall.com/mobil/artikel/forfattare/g/glas/barnstenskyssen
Tack, Lennie.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you.
Thank you for reading, Fokkina!
Eno and Fripp's alternate guitar tunings speak to this piece. Very well done 🫶
Thank you! Feel free to read with that as your soundtrack.
"Jörgen, esta propuesta es pura Sintergia. Convertir al lector en 'el viento' es reconocer que la Lattice de la historia se construye en comunidad. Me cautivó la paradoja del edificio; me recordó que en los niveles más altos de consciencia (y de la narrativa), el camino que eliges cambia la estructura misma de la realidad. Mañana, precisamente, revelaré más sobre ese 'pergamino' que un sabio entregó a mis protagonistas... parece que las frecuencias entre Estocolmo y mi cosmología están más alineadas que nunca. ¡La aventura ha comenzado porque nada es lo que parece!"
As they say, no writer is an island. Thanks for commenting, Emerson. I’m looking forward to your next chapter and to seeing what the Jörgen character will be up to.