A Magnificent Zen Story and Film

 

Did you ever own a “View-Master” as a child and did you love it? Essentially everyone I asked this question answered… “Yes and yes.” With that reference established I proceeded to tell them about the glorious screen adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi.” The opening credits sequence of this film will return you unexpectedly to that time of total engagement and wonder, to the visually enhanced world the “View-Master” gave us. Within the same emotionally rich feeling the toy drew us into we find ourselves experiencing those same emotions again as we view this film.  The visuals are so compelling, so rich they could exist simply on their own as works of art without a story line or plot. They are that good! There are many scenes through the course of the film that rival museum masterpieces in depiction, depth and composition. This is to the glory and grandeur of Lee’s film that illustrates the limitless possibilities of the emerging medium and technology of 3D. Until now the domain of the “Tech-Boys” the release of “Life of Pi” marks a giant step forward into the realm of the visual arts. Ang Lee (the artist supreme) has crossed into legend with this peace and surely the best from his oeuvre is yet to come. For the moment we have “Life of Pi;” see it, enjoy and be enraptured. 

 

 

 

 

The world of Pi is also envisioned as much more than mere tranquility and beauty. It is brutal and frighteningly realistic. There are many discomforting scenes and times when the dangerous; potential man-eater feels literally at the viewer’s throat and you will find yourself wanting to escape the danger. There are moments of pulling back into your theatre seat and genuine dread. I know of no other film to accomplish such a feat in such a disturbing and alarming way. It is a fantastic thing of amazing dimension.

 

In short Pi is a young boy who finds himself alone on a life boat with an untamed Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. Pi’s father was the owner of a zoo in India who for economic reasons leaves with his family by ship to make a fresh start in Canada. The ship sinks in a terrible storm; Pi’s family is lost, Richard Parker and Pi survive. The life boat, the ocean, the tiger and God are all that remain to Pi. Survival and faith are Pi’s dilemma and salvation. The telling of this Zen story is multi-layered and intricate. 
 

 

                   

 

Thematically Pi and the tiger’s story is one that has been told in many forms and countless versions. There are reminders of Kipling’s “Jungle Books” and Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe.” Only Blake’s “Tyger” captures the power of the beast more dramatically and poetically.  This effort is universal in appeal as it searches for answers to eternal questions. The journey will reflect on your personal vision of life as you drift at sea with the unlikely pair of castaways. Stories of this nature will always be fresh, moving and entertaining; “Life of Pi” is in line of becoming a classic, an exceptional extravagance. The journey of pure survival and into the self is taken every day in less fearful and dramatic but equally meaningful ways. We share this bond with Pi. Ang Lee’s film making and the writing of Yann Martel come together in a thing of perfection. It is ours to enjoy as we return to an age of wonder.

                                                                                     

 

 

 

President Barack Obama Reelected

 The presidential campaign of twenty twelve is over; Romney has conceded, Obama has accepted, the counting of ballots has ended and the results have been concluded…except in Florida.  It was another historic event as essentially every election is in our continually great nation. The re-election of President Obama is the result of an unparalled effort equaled only by another miraculous achievement; his own first election and first term. At this time no one knows with certainty what his next four years will entail but hopefully it will culminate in progressive and remarkable things.

 The campaign was grueling for all involved and difficult for all those lucky/unlucky enough to live in a swing state. The television ads were merciless. The phone calls numbing. The sad reality of modern politics is that attacks are necessary. Both sides are forced to counter-balance each other with negatively brutal attack ads not to get an edge but simply to stay even. There was a time when it was the Vice-President’s or running mate’s job to be the “Attack Dog.” This trend of relentless attacks started many elections ago. It increases every four years. On that count we are all losing. Celebrities were part of the fray as Morgan Freeman narrated a powerful commercial for President Obama; Clint Eastwood aired his trumpeting endorsement of Mitt Romney. Honey Boo Boo endorsed Obama as another little girl tearfully pleaded for an end to the madness “I’m tired of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney “was her lament.

There were also good opportunities within the course of things as citizens had opportunities to meet and see the candidates and their surrogates in the flesh. A personal favorite was a last minute rally featuring former President Bill Clinton at Patrick Henry High School in Salem Virginia. I attended with my cousin and a little over twenty-two hundred others. I was amazed at the number of Romney bumper stickers in the parking lot. (There were zero hecklers in attendance.) Clinton was insightful, charming and funny. He is an amazing speaker, a tremendous public servant and ultimately a great man. We enjoyed it! (John McCain was in the area that same evening. He attracted about three hundred supporters.)

 

 

Another related event I attended was the opening of Melissa Ichiuji’s “Fair Game” exhibition at Galerie Lareuse in Georgetown (Washington, DC.)  Melissa’s primary medium is stitched fabric. She is becoming increasingly famous for her provocative dolls and figures. She utilized her considerable artistic skills to create charactures, stuffed heads mounted like trophies on the gallery walls. Her subjects/victims were the participants of both sides of the election. She uncannily and deftly satirized in much the spirit of Daumier the likenesses of Herman Cain, Paul Ryan and Ron Paul. Obama, Romney and their wives were included among the trophies. The Obama piece was met with such controversy that Sarah Palin (who is little known for her art world interests) has since purchased it.

I was able to enter the fray in many discussions on my job and through social media. Along with face to face discussions I created a number of graphics and cartoons for display, inspiration and humor. Many are featured here as illustrations. Obama’s acceptance speech was expectedly eloquent, heartfelt, touching and rousing. The President is gifted as much as he is the nation’s gift. Hope has been revived for many as some seem to be slipping deeper into delusion and dismay as a result of their shock and disbelief of the election results. Time and realization should bring them around and back to some sense of reality. We (the Obama supporters) will enjoy this brief season of happiness and satisfaction. This is the kind of moment we wish for; a spirit of co-operation and shared purpose that could last for months; possibly years. We can dream.  

A Lonesome Ghost: For Halloween

A Lonesome Ghost

By

James Jones

I came upon a lonesome ghost

along a lonesome road

He had a hundred things to say

In life a heavy load

He carried with him into death

Oh yes; beyond the grave

to carry for eternity

in life he’d been a knave

 

We walked together for a time

A path of pain and sorrow

We shared our tales of tears and woe

today became tomorrow

 

He was the saddest ghost of all

The saddest that I’ve seen

Not so unusual to see a ghost

upon a Halloween