Artist of the Month; Ron Mueck

Ron Mueck is one of those artists whose popularity is both self explanatory and well deserved. In an age of innovation, Mueck is ahead of most of his contemporaries and the way his work is received is evidence of just how far he is. Personally I have only seen two of his sculptures 'in the flesh', I saw 'Dead Dad' in the UK when I was a student, and one of the 'Boy' sculptures towers above the entrance hall at Aros art musuem here in Aarhus. Mueck is my artist of the month (after some contemplation) because I recently saw the images of his 'pregnant woman' (see image above) and I just love it.

Faster than light

Today was one of those days when you know its good to be alive. It rained, then it shone, then it rained again. Brief heavy showers whilst the sun shone. Mette and I drove out to Tilst to look at dull but practical clothing they used to sell at Bilka, but to no avail. The men's section was both tiny and appeared to be stuck in a time warp. Wasted effort. After this, with Vilde creaking from the back seat, we drove to Trøjborg and ordered a new futon. 12 days delivery alas. We drove home and killed an hour in the best possible manner. Chicken sandwiches for lunch and then I went to pick up Freja who was playing Lego Batman at school. She was reluctant, until she learned that since she is learning to tell the time, we were going to buy her a wrist watch. She chose a pink one with little red hearts on the strap, then we stepped next door to the juice bar. She chose pink again. We collected conkers from the parking lot at Klostertorv and when we passed by the cafe, 'Under Masken' we came across the artist Hans Krull who was sitting with two friends, one of whom was Vigo Sommer. Krull had been painting as he often does outside the cafe, which I believe he owns, and I stopped to look at what he'd done. He has his own particular style which I like. He gave me the painting after having asked me my name so he could dedicate and sign it. They were all drunk, but even sober I doubt he'd remember me. It was almost twenty years since last I spoke with him. He said; "Art should be therapy I believe. Art should be free." His friends agreed with him. The woman told me it was a great honour to be given a genuine Krull. She wished he'd give her one. Krull said he would. I said I was sensible of the honour and I shook his hand. It's kind of an ugly picture but I love it anyway. It is a picture of a man's head and Krull thought I looked like the man in the picture he'd painted. Viggo Sommer was one big smile. he'd aged so much, I hardly recognised him until he spoke and then there was the unmistakble voice. Freja sat on the bike seat and watched with the indifference of childish ignorance. "I might as well give them away because no one can afford them anyway" Krull said. I smiled sadly. It was probably true. I would certainly commission him to paint me some figurative art, preferably big woman, if I was rich, but alas, I'm not and probably never will be. We continued on our way to pick up Magne who was over joyed to see us. When we got home, I showed the painting to Mette. Later I read that scientists at CERN have measured neutrino's moving faster than light. I'm not surprised. This probably explains why there is no unified field theory.

Lustrum

By Robert Harris

This is the sequel to 'Imperium', and is the story of Cicero's time as Consul, his battles in the senate against the rise of Julius Caesar and the after effects of his many decisions. It is also yet another triumph of story telling by Robert Harris.

I thought I might have to wait a couple of years before I got to read this book, but I was wrong, and though the book was published in 2009, I never heard of it until recently so I've had to wait four years, though happily the wait was worth it. As always with Harris I was unable to put the book down once I'd reached two thirds of the way through, and now the story is finished I am anxious that I might have to wait four or more years to read the last book of the promised trilogy... and who knows what might happen in four years!? Come on Robert!

The first book in the series seemed to be filled with reflections regarding contemporary politics, not least the legacy of Tony Blair, and there was still a shadow of this in 'Lustrum', but I suppose Harris's intervening novel 'The Ghost' exorsized twenty first century politics to some degree because this story seemed to reflect Rome, and only Rome.

So many projects, so little time...

...and theres just never enough time any more. Every evening I browse my usual haunts, looking for something to distract my mind whilst I work on which ever project has priority, currently I'm building a 'swamp house' for RM7, and I also have to finish my harbour crane by painting it. Then I have to finish another model house, this one a generic 'American style' wooden house, and also two commercial buildings which feature corrugated metal roofs. Then I have to paint a lot of packing cases which I built to go inside my commercial buildings. Apart from some wooden fence, and brick wall elements which also need painting, I only have to paint twenty odd figures and then I'm ready to start on the models for RM8...

Whilst all this is going on, my Norman Keep is sitting on my window sill, staring at me and any day soon, a client is due to inform me whether a set of drawings I did for her need to be corrected.

So much to do, and now its already 3am!

...which means its the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Already! Its horrific how short a decade is when your at the end of it. Its election time in Denmark at the moment (we vote on thursday) and the polls indicate a change of regime. The socialists stand to resume power, which they haven't had for a decade. I am not a big fan of socialism, in fact I think all ideologies are a curse that only lead to tears, so I'd be happier to see the current government continue. The fact is however, both sides of the political divide here are pro EU so I don't anticipate things are going to get better in Denmark, regardless of who wins, I only anticipate that things will get far worse, under a socialist government.

Special Assignments

By Boris Akunin

Erast Fandorin is off again, this time in two shorter stories, gathered together into one book. Both stories follow the perspective of Anisii Tulipov whom Fandorin, now a powerfully well connected man, adopts as his assistant. This works well as Tulipov, shy, flawed but enthusastic, is an easy character to engage with. Certainly easier than the paragon of all virtue Fandorin.

The first story concerns a cheeky fraudster whose tricks cause Fandorin a measure of proffessional discomfort. The tale is rather humourous, but never really breaks into being funny. Nor does it provide much mystery if any as, as is often the case with Akunin, the culprit is not hidden but explored. This means the only real mystery is how Fandorin solves the case, and what will happen at the inevitable outcome.

The second story is some what better, and far more gruesome. It features no lesser a character than Jack the Ripper, whom it transpires was a Russian and who was never caught in London because he returned to Russia, where he ran up against Erast Fandorin. Thankfully the identity of the killer was obscured (I barked right up the wrong tree) so the mystery and the suspense remained intact. Of the two, I liked this story better.

ROSA

ROSA Final Trailer from Jesús Orellana on Vimeo.

Jacob Sten Lund Olsen

Jacob Sten Lund Olsen was killed at Gereshk, in Helmand province, Afghanistan on saturday 3rd September.

During a patrol, Lund Olsen and several other Danish soldiers were hit by IED. All were evacuated to Camp Bastion but unfortunately Jacob Sten Lund Olsen died of his injuries.

Jacob Sten Lund Olsen joined the Gardehusar Regiment in August of 2010 at Slagelse. After his initial training he continued in the regiments mechanised infantry company as a rifleman. He was despated to Afghanistan where he joined Bravo Company's second platoon. Jacob Sten Lund Olsen was 22 years old. May he rest in peace and may his family know that his death was not in vain.

Rocketman update

Two more Rocketman campaigns are looming on the horizon, and I am now in full swing building the various models I will need (but still keeping the keep at hand so it doesn't get neglected). First up is a harbour crane made from 2mm book binding card for RM7. Its only meant for a single game, or possibly two, so it doesn't have to be overwhelming. When its finished though, I'll paint it all rusty and old so I'm hoping it will look the part. RM7 & 8 will run seven games from 19' Oct and will feature evil cultists in the Florida Everglades, a gun battle in Cuba and a trip upriver to the dark heart of the Congo!