Friday ,13th November 2015

Fireworks last weekend were beautiful , rhythmically illustrating the music in Hove's display, orchestrated by John Kennett. These are the only explosions we expect to experience at this time of year . And yet last night, after an afternoon and evening of art and conversation and shared food ,

I was shocked to return to the news about horrific terrorist attacks on Paris, killing innocent citizens and visitors, and striking horror into the heart of Europe and the world. 

      

      

There is a profound sense of shock at the worst terrorist attack on France in modern history , with the slaughter of innocent people ...." Carnage" "Horror in the city of light" .... Are just some of the reactions.

Really this underlines the importance of us supporting the Police in keeping citizens safe - sharing important information and remaining vigilant. We cannot let this defeat our democratic civil society . 

      

     This international news could cause me to stop there. If I did , then the opportunity to reflect on my week would be being sacrificed to the terrorists. I won't accede to them and forego the chance to highlight the glories of Diana Athill , still writing and delighting a literary  audience at 95 , last Monday . 

       

Damien Barr's final Literary Salon of the year at the fabulous  Mondrian on the Thames below Blackfriars, was again a wonderful night with an eclectic line up of Sloane Crossley, Nick Frost and Diana Athill. A birthday treat for my daughter and boyfriend , it gave us beauty , deliciousness and intellectual stimulation .... and most of all , wonder at the human spirit . Diana Athill is a beacon of hope and a model of action for those contemplating great old age, and indeed independent,yet supported communal living. No longer is "Somewhere towards the end" her final book; she read to us from the soon to be published "Alive ,alive Oh: And other things that matter" . She especially focussed on life after the Second World War when  "life returned to what it ought to be". And she told a wonderful and improbable story about the joys of an early ClubMed holiday!                       

Diana's an inspiration and her example  provided comfort to me as I continued to explore with my father this week how to assist him in finding more independence yet within a safe and supported environment. We think we may have found it ! More in future. In the meantime, home selling and form filling is underway. 

 

                           

                               View of Blackfriars bridge from the Mondrian

Another cultural highlight, closer to home , came at Smalls Jazz in Brighton on Thursday. Organised by Dennis and Liz Simpson at the Caxton Arms, it's talented house band ( Piers Clark,acoustic guitar) Steve Thompson (double bass) and Mark Edwards ( piano) provided brilliant backing to two jazz trombonists ,Mark Bassey and Malcolm Earle Smith. We were treated to an uplifting evening of freshly arranged numbers from the 20s and 30s with brilliant improvisation and a joyous spirit . These fortnightly sessions are a real treat and a labour of love from Dennis and Liz . Check out the programme! 

 

      

          Smalls Jazz

This week of cultural creativity was topped off with a long planned and much anticipated visit to enjoy the current exhibitions at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. This gem boasts one of the loveliest twentieth century collections,  and on top of that, consistently provides special exhibitions to delight and extend my art education. 

David Jones (1895-1974) was not known to me and yet his influences and influence are obvious from seeing his work. 

                                          

                                              The Garden enclosed 

                                          

                                              Self portrait 

And then the joy of discovering Evelyn Dunbar (1906-60) was terrific. The only salaried female war artist, this accomplished graduate of the Royal College of Art , was relatively unknown and unhung when her "Autumn and the Poet" was taken to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012. This led to the discovery of a "lost studio" of 500 works in a Kent attic, and ultimately to this exhibition, a book and new admirers .....not to mention glorious pictures of the women's land army and pictures on a gardening theme.

                           

                               Evelyn Dunbar - Autumn and the Poet (1948-60)

            

                            

                                Evelyn Dunbar - Self portrait c1930

                        

                             

                                 Evelyn Dunbar "Singling turnips" 1943 

And what better after that, than the wonder of sung Evensong at Chichester Cathedral . How lovely to revel in the beauty of the building , the marvels of its John Piper tapestry and the glorious singing of the Cathedral choir. What a good suggestion from my Polymath brother , who was cooking us a tasty meal with friends afterwards. (There is a lovely YouTube video on the making of the tapestry ) 

                

 

                             

                                 Chichester Cathedral Tapestry by John Piper 

  And after art and contemplation, a shared meal and conversation provided a great end to the week, enlivened by Audrey, the Polymath's  dog , who delights in company and attention. I leave her image with you , to cheer a day that will necessarily be dominated by the news of terror in France and soul searching for a road to stability, tolerance, respect and peace for all. Vive la France . 

 

                         

                             Piers Ottey "Audrey"