The first few days in London

January 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

A full English breakfast buffet may not be the healthiest but if you’re looking for protein with beans, it works well when it’s buffet style. I woke up thinking I’d developed Lou Gehrigh disease. I could not straightene my right hand; I still couldn’t two days later. and I still can’t write in my journal effortlessly. It’s been one of my concerns since I thought of this trip: what if I get ill? A nerve diseade was a perfect example of a self-fullfuilling prophesy. How could I go on without opening m right hand; what would come next; would my left hand be affected; should I go to Africa this way; could I shlep the suitcases? I must find a way to go on , said I. Suitcase, of course, I can’t open my hand because I shlepped the suitcases for ever. It’s not Lou Gehrigh; it’s Albert in pain. Unfortunately, it’s raining and the wind keeps the umbrella inside out most of the time. Nevertheless I made it to the Modern Tate, where Juan Munoz’ works are displayed. “Juan Munoz  (1953-2001) is regarded as one of the foremost sculptors ans sinstallation artists of the late twentieth century. Exploring themes of interior space, muteniss and absence, his art is renowned for situationg figures within elaborate or complex architectural settings.” This retrospective of his work is extremely interesting. He depicts situtations, colonial days for e.g., with photographs, and draws characaturs of the principal person beneath the photograph as he perceives him an as, I for one, might extrapolate all the intended perspectives of colonialists; a face with pighs lips for e.g. Otherness comes to mind- all his sculptures give us  a sense of what else the peron or situation reminds us of, but always with politcal framework.

The main exhibition was of Louise Bougeois’ work. An artist that wasn’t widely recognized and accepted for most of her 96 years. She has sculpted, frawn, painted, printed and mounted instalations. Three dimentiona work has been her main aprroach; she uses a wide reange materials. “Much of her work is motivated by her exploration of personal memories and the psychological states of trauma and anxiety. Though the sources of her imagery are autobiographical, her … sculptures also communicat unversal concers and emotions.” To me, she reacting to the effects her tyrannical father and cheating husband had on her. The may be the organic form her cells take. Her imagination abounds. The vidie doesn’t present her as particularly  pleasent, but cetainly as a determined person. A must see.

The Tate Modern, also has an intersting exhibition on the ground floor, which seems to be the entrance to a former garage. The whole length of the 500′ f building has  a crack on the floor that appears to be the result of a small earthwake. It is called Doris Salced Shibboleth. ” A shibboleth, (as you all know) is a word used as a test for detecting people from another district or country by their pronunciation, a work or sound very difficult for foreigners to pronounce correctly. It is, therefore, a way of sperationg one peole from another.” From the bible, a way of detecting people crossing the Jordan who couldn’t pronounce ’sh’. They were captured and executed. The crack represents the distance and division used to seperate and divide peoples through history and it is a reminder of the existence of the everlasting wounds created the other not able to pronounce ’sh.’

Friday night I went to see “The History Boyz.” A depiction of English public school and the direction education is taking; measurability or nothing. The professor that wants ecucation dies is a motorcycle accident as living education has. Well acted presented. If any of the above comes or returns to the States, it would be well worth seeing any or all of it.

I know I’ve spoiled you all. Don’t expect these detailed impressions. It’s only because I’m not well that I’m not out there precticing for Africa. I’ll be back.

Al