Monday, November 23, 2009
nick: After the day out in London
here's the one we didn't have to pay to see- 3:21 pm... 23 comments
Comments:
Steve: Maybe we should have gone down the queue showing them our leaflets and telling them to save themselves £12.
nick: I know - not done IMAX yet but will..
In the meatime, here's a five minute interview with Anish Kapoor.
He comes across as likeable and intelligent, but says a couple of things which I think undermine his claim to be an artist.
In my view, "art" is defined as a way of communicating through some kind of creative act: it is important because it has the potential to let the artist convey meaning/expression/emotion in a way that could not be achieved in a more conventional way (e.g. by having someone explain in a conversation).
AK said a couple of things in the interview which are at odds with that (maybe not literal quotes here):
"I have nothing to say as an artist"
and
"art works best when its is neither saying something nor not saying something"
If he had said, e.g. "in my work I am expressing a sense of wonder at the way objects relate to the space they occupy", then I'd say "ok, yes that means you're an artist - although not necessarily a good one"
This business about people finding their own meaning by looking at an artwork is, I think misguided in terms of a way to define art. You can find your own meaning by looking at *anything*.
nick: Well rather to my surprise(*) the Avatar IMAX thing is not fully booked, so how about Fri 8th Jan at
17.40? The alternative evening showing is 21.00 which might mean trains are a bit tricky.
(*) or maybe not - a pre-review I read said that the effects were "literally vomit inducing" - maybe we should go for a meal first
nick: ok I will now attempt to enter the halls of desolation and despair that is the IMAX online booking system
nick: wasn't too painful after all (except the price).
Booked
Avatar 3D (DMR, 12A tbc)
at BFI IMAX
Friday 08 January 2010 at 17:40
3 seats allocated
Seated Layout N9 - N11 at £15.00 (ADULT)
Steve: Oh no, the 8th but I thought...
Yes I've had issues and had to ring up after getting 3/4 through.
Tim: Well done.
I might take the day off, btw. Nobody else needs to, necessarily, but I might be in town in the arvo.
So Nick, now we're at:
Mozart+Titus-Minchin-Hawkwind-Kapoor+Avatar
? + 9? - can't remember - 20 - 12 + 15=.....
Tim: Dieter who?? Never heard of him.
Mozart is probably 2x40
Minchin must have been about 2x20, maybe I paid by credit card, so I'll see if I can find a statement.
So it's 104-72 give or take, I'll be squaring up on Wednesday...have you got a plan?
Tim: Good, see you in town then.
Nick, Neil's pointed out that there's support on Wednesday now. Not unmissable, but there's less incentive to arrive late...
Steve: Yep day off is booked.
Half way through Len Deighton's Blood Tears and Folly and have to say it is very good. A great WW2 overview and loads of interesting stuff I didn't know.
Tim: Nick, I'm in lift-scounging mode if that's alright? Then Neil can come here, we all go to see the Wind hurrah, back here after and Neil gets the train back to Portsmouth or if it's too late kips over. Doable?
nick: Tim,
no problem to give you a lift - easier for me to find your house than to find the Brook (I often take the wrong turning when coming from M27)
I may be in a smallish car since the Vectra is broken at the moment but can fit at least 4 people in.
What time would you like me to get to yours?
nick
Tim: Good one. I think Neil will be arriving HE at 19:36, should be back to my house at 19:45 and ready when you are!
Post a Comment
Steve: Maybe we should have gone down the queue showing them our leaflets and telling them to save themselves £12. nick: I know - not done IMAX yet but will..In the meatime, here's a five minute interview with Anish Kapoor.
He comes across as likeable and intelligent, but says a couple of things which I think undermine his claim to be an artist.
In my view, "art" is defined as a way of communicating through some kind of creative act: it is important because it has the potential to let the artist convey meaning/expression/emotion in a way that could not be achieved in a more conventional way (e.g. by having someone explain in a conversation).
AK said a couple of things in the interview which are at odds with that (maybe not literal quotes here):
"I have nothing to say as an artist"
and
"art works best when its is neither saying something nor not saying something"
If he had said, e.g. "in my work I am expressing a sense of wonder at the way objects relate to the space they occupy", then I'd say "ok, yes that means you're an artist - although not necessarily a good one"
This business about people finding their own meaning by looking at an artwork is, I think misguided in terms of a way to define art. You can find your own meaning by looking at *anything*.
nick: Well rather to my surprise(*) the Avatar IMAX thing is not fully booked, so how about Fri 8th Jan at17.40? The alternative evening showing is 21.00 which might mean trains are a bit tricky.
(*) or maybe not - a pre-review I read said that the effects were "literally vomit inducing" - maybe we should go for a meal first
nick: ok I will now attempt to enter the halls of desolation and despair that is the IMAX online booking system nick: wasn't too painful after all (except the price). Booked
Avatar 3D (DMR, 12A tbc)
at BFI IMAX
Friday 08 January 2010 at 17:40
3 seats allocated
Seated Layout N9 - N11 at £15.00 (ADULT)
Steve: Oh no, the 8th but I thought...Yes I've had issues and had to ring up after getting 3/4 through.
Tim: Well done.I might take the day off, btw. Nobody else needs to, necessarily, but I might be in town in the arvo.
So Nick, now we're at:
Mozart+Titus-Minchin-Hawkwind-Kapoor+Avatar
? + 9? - can't remember - 20 - 12 + 15=.....
Tim: Dieter who?? Never heard of him.Mozart is probably 2x40
Minchin must have been about 2x20, maybe I paid by credit card, so I'll see if I can find a statement.
So it's 104-72 give or take, I'll be squaring up on Wednesday...have you got a plan?
Tim: Good, see you in town then.Nick, Neil's pointed out that there's support on Wednesday now. Not unmissable, but there's less incentive to arrive late...
Steve: Yep day off is booked.Half way through Len Deighton's Blood Tears and Folly and have to say it is very good. A great WW2 overview and loads of interesting stuff I didn't know.
Tim: Nick, I'm in lift-scounging mode if that's alright? Then Neil can come here, we all go to see the Wind hurrah, back here after and Neil gets the train back to Portsmouth or if it's too late kips over. Doable? nick: Tim,no problem to give you a lift - easier for me to find your house than to find the Brook (I often take the wrong turning when coming from M27)
I may be in a smallish car since the Vectra is broken at the moment but can fit at least 4 people in.
What time would you like me to get to yours?
nick
Tim: Good one. I think Neil will be arriving HE at 19:36, should be back to my house at 19:45 and ready when you are!Sunday, November 01, 2009
Steve: Bike up and running
Here is the Dawes from uni and new handlebars and cables (I didn't know the covers were steel lined!). I actually went to B&Q and Co-op and used the pannier. It's famous 531 steel tubing and the ride is nice, firm, not soft like my Felt but not banging like my Peugeot. I'll probably use it as my winter bike for a bit.
- 7:49 pm... 59 comments
Comments:
nick: I think 30th Dec would be ok for me although..what time does it finish? If it starts at 9pm and is ~3 hours then trains might be an issue (should be ok for me as I think there's a B'stoke one at 0.05)
Steve: Hmm this is proving tricky. I think you should go with your brother and we'll wait until it comes around again. D is saying that that week could involve family stuff.
BTW R4 Len Deighton programme was on today - pretty good.
Steve: Hard to say, 2 weeks seems to be far too short a run doesn't it? Why don't we wait and see then? Plus I will hear if it is any good from the crew here.
Tim: Well, they don't seem to have anything "coming soon", so I guess that they'll extend it if it's any good? Now that we know what the times are, we could plan ahead a bit better, maybe.
Tim: Good point on the London ride. I'm available (or, failing that, for a Hampshire ride) for the next three Saturdays - 7,14,21.
Steve: OK I can do 14th or 21st and looks like Nick can do the 7th and 21st. So 21st? London to Dartford would be a good one weather depending of course.
Firebird Suite last night and really enjoyed it. About time I had another go with The Rite of Spring - yikes.
nick: Steve, I think you read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" - I've also read the sequel (nearly as good) and have the third on order from the library. Article in today's paper about the author.
nick: This saturday - possibly. will confirm soon.
ENO are doing an opera that you two lads will definitely not want to miss next Feb/Mar
nick: We've just started using SQLite. A complete SQL database engine in one C file and two header files.
I like their tagline: "Small. Fast. Reliable. Choose any three"
Tim: SQLite, I'm not sure about "complete"... I see the latest version (14 Oct) "Added support for foreign key constraints".
Tim: Nick, I've got the Hawkwind tickets. That's £20 to offset a bit of the Mozart+Titus-Minchin deficit. (So, how does that work out? And, anything I've forgotten?)
nick: Saturday ride: if you're still up for it then I am too (need to fix a puncture this evening in my MTB though). I'd probably rather do the "downhill" route from MD->HE ;-)
Re:tickets - I'd forgotten about these sorry. I owe you for the Minchin/Hawkwind - the TFT thing was only £9 I think and the opera is a christmas present from me, so I'll bring you cash tomorrow.
Tim: Should be OK tomorrow if the weather improves a bit? Re tickets, no!, let me know what the damage is.
nick: 10am at MD sounds good. email/text to confirm when you've git on the way train/abandoned as a result of poor weather
Steve: Well I'm very impressed with the response, it is booked!
Nick: Tortoise do not seem to be on Spotify but the albums I have are interesting instrumentals. Cluster are of course a bit of Krautrock history so will be worth a go.
nick: I have 21st booked for bike ride and 22nd for tortoise. I'd probably rather not to both ride/concert on the same day but don't mind doing them both on the same weekend
nick
Tim: I don't think I can be arsed to do all that travelling in one weekend, myself, but I'd be up for a bit of a pre-gig meetup of any kind?
Steve: Yeah 2 days running is a bit much I suppose, you can't stay at mine as you'd have to take your bike to the gig next day. Yes we can meet up 5 mins before.
Tim: Er, well we could do that, or how about having a laugh/look at the Turner prize stuff at Tate Britain, and/or get some tucker, or anything?
Tim: I see that the Imax booking has been extended a week now (to 7 Jan), maybe they'll keep doing that?
nick: I think my diary's pretty free for January so if we could agree on a date I can go ahead and book...
nick: I think both my endowments are with Aviva (after starting out with different companies who've since been incorporated into that brand). Oh good.
Tim: I assume there are no trains on the 1st. Other than that I think I'm free except Sat 16th. The 9pm kickoff is doable apart from Sundays, 17:40 should be OK generally, or I can get an afternoon off work for an earlier one if you like.
Steve: I'm still free Saturday if you want to ride something Nick - D is out all day. I'll make myself available Sunday PM onwards - should see D for at least some of the weekend!
Probably can't do Tuesdays next year but fine if school hols, 1st weekend of Jan may be busy - need D to check the calendar this afternoon. I'm working between Christmas & New Year but evenings free.
The big problem with endowments is that the bonus is some arbitrary figure. And if you are about to leave a company why give you anything they don't 'need' to?
Steve: Yep we are busy on Sat 2nd and it's Paul's birthday the 31st obviously.
Sunday - art gallery sounds a good plan.
Steve: BTW I'm busy Sat 2nd Jan and free Sun 3rd.
Started in on Shostakovich's 7th but it's so flipping long! This is my longest classical phase for ages, hopefully it will continue as there is unlimited great and cheap stuff out there. Haven't played much contemporary stuff for weeks now.
Tim: I saw a bit of that too. We could give it a try (i.e. see if we can get in, it's too late to book advance tickets).
See you there about 2pm, maybe?
Steve: Nick, on the Saturday thing it would be good if I can spend the day at home as they need volunteers to help to paint the church and obviously they need it done as quick as possible.
Tim: There was an Amazon box on our doormat yesterday, and I *really* couldn't remember what I'd ordered!
Cheers Steve. You've convinced me that it must be a good book...
Steve: It's an amazing book (The Rest is Noise), I have no idea where you would start with such a project. You can check the stuff out on Spotify, I was listening to Charles Ives the other day - what a racket!
I have rashly bought his recommended 22-CD archive set of Stravinsky works (just £15) that I will be getting for Christmas.
Steve: I'm keen to get a streaming device if it sounds better - where are those studio-quality recording going to come from of even Radiohead stuff is only in MP3?!? The follow-up article HERE was good.
See you at 2PM.
nick: Tim, do you want to co-ordinate trains tomorrow? Let me know if there's a train coming through from Southampton that I can join at Basingstoke
Steve: Well done for yesterday, it was excellent. I ended up walking to Moorgate! Approach Blackfriars and remember it's shut for trains, walk to Farringdon for a tune hop - shut, go to Barbican, shut, Moorgate okay for Northern line. Had to get a taxi home in the end.
Here's that previous blog entry in full:
"Nick, on the Saturday thing it would be good if I can spend the day at home as they need volunteers to help to paint the church and obviously they need it done as quick as possible."
Ha!
Steve: Just listening to that Debussy disk, did Klaus pen this title by any chance?
Images pour orchestre
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nick: I think 30th Dec would be ok for me although..what time does it finish? If it starts at 9pm and is ~3 hours then trains might be an issue (should be ok for me as I think there's a B'stoke one at 0.05) Steve: Hmm this is proving tricky. I think you should go with your brother and we'll wait until it comes around again. D is saying that that week could involve family stuff.BTW R4 Len Deighton programme was on today - pretty good.
Steve: Hard to say, 2 weeks seems to be far too short a run doesn't it? Why don't we wait and see then? Plus I will hear if it is any good from the crew here. Tim: Well, they don't seem to have anything "coming soon", so I guess that they'll extend it if it's any good? Now that we know what the times are, we could plan ahead a bit better, maybe. Tim: Good point on the London ride. I'm available (or, failing that, for a Hampshire ride) for the next three Saturdays - 7,14,21. Steve: OK I can do 14th or 21st and looks like Nick can do the 7th and 21st. So 21st? London to Dartford would be a good one weather depending of course.Firebird Suite last night and really enjoyed it. About time I had another go with The Rite of Spring - yikes.
nick: Steve, I think you read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" - I've also read the sequel (nearly as good) and have the third on order from the library. Article in today's paper about the author. nick: This saturday - possibly. will confirm soon.ENO are doing an opera that you two lads will definitely not want to miss next Feb/Mar
nick: We've just started using SQLite. A complete SQL database engine in one C file and two header files.I like their tagline: "Small. Fast. Reliable. Choose any three"
Tim: SQLite, I'm not sure about "complete"... I see the latest version (14 Oct) "Added support for foreign key constraints". Tim: Nick, I've got the Hawkwind tickets. That's £20 to offset a bit of the Mozart+Titus-Minchin deficit. (So, how does that work out? And, anything I've forgotten?) nick: Saturday ride: if you're still up for it then I am too (need to fix a puncture this evening in my MTB though). I'd probably rather do the "downhill" route from MD->HE ;-)Re:tickets - I'd forgotten about these sorry. I owe you for the Minchin/Hawkwind - the TFT thing was only £9 I think and the opera is a christmas present from me, so I'll bring you cash tomorrow.
Tim: Should be OK tomorrow if the weather improves a bit? Re tickets, no!, let me know what the damage is. nick: 10am at MD sounds good. email/text to confirm when you've git on the way train/abandoned as a result of poor weather Steve: Well I'm very impressed with the response, it is booked!Nick: Tortoise do not seem to be on Spotify but the albums I have are interesting instrumentals. Cluster are of course a bit of Krautrock history so will be worth a go.
nick: I have 21st booked for bike ride and 22nd for tortoise. I'd probably rather not to both ride/concert on the same day but don't mind doing them both on the same weekendnick
Tim: I don't think I can be arsed to do all that travelling in one weekend, myself, but I'd be up for a bit of a pre-gig meetup of any kind? Steve: Yeah 2 days running is a bit much I suppose, you can't stay at mine as you'd have to take your bike to the gig next day. Yes we can meet up 5 mins before. Tim: Er, well we could do that, or how about having a laugh/look at the Turner prize stuff at Tate Britain, and/or get some tucker, or anything? Tim: I see that the Imax booking has been extended a week now (to 7 Jan), maybe they'll keep doing that? nick: I think my diary's pretty free for January so if we could agree on a date I can go ahead and book... nick: I think both my endowments are with Aviva (after starting out with different companies who've since been incorporated into that brand). Oh good. Tim: I assume there are no trains on the 1st. Other than that I think I'm free except Sat 16th. The 9pm kickoff is doable apart from Sundays, 17:40 should be OK generally, or I can get an afternoon off work for an earlier one if you like. Steve: I'm still free Saturday if you want to ride something Nick - D is out all day. I'll make myself available Sunday PM onwards - should see D for at least some of the weekend!Probably can't do Tuesdays next year but fine if school hols, 1st weekend of Jan may be busy - need D to check the calendar this afternoon. I'm working between Christmas & New Year but evenings free.
The big problem with endowments is that the bonus is some arbitrary figure. And if you are about to leave a company why give you anything they don't 'need' to?
Steve: Yep we are busy on Sat 2nd and it's Paul's birthday the 31st obviously.Sunday - art gallery sounds a good plan.
Steve: BTW I'm busy Sat 2nd Jan and free Sun 3rd.Started in on Shostakovich's 7th but it's so flipping long! This is my longest classical phase for ages, hopefully it will continue as there is unlimited great and cheap stuff out there. Haven't played much contemporary stuff for weeks now.
Tim: I saw a bit of that too. We could give it a try (i.e. see if we can get in, it's too late to book advance tickets).See you there about 2pm, maybe?
Steve: Nick, on the Saturday thing it would be good if I can spend the day at home as they need volunteers to help to paint the church and obviously they need it done as quick as possible. Tim: There was an Amazon box on our doormat yesterday, and I *really* couldn't remember what I'd ordered!Cheers Steve. You've convinced me that it must be a good book...
Steve: It's an amazing book (The Rest is Noise), I have no idea where you would start with such a project. You can check the stuff out on Spotify, I was listening to Charles Ives the other day - what a racket!I have rashly bought his recommended 22-CD archive set of Stravinsky works (just £15) that I will be getting for Christmas.
Steve: I'm keen to get a streaming device if it sounds better - where are those studio-quality recording going to come from of even Radiohead stuff is only in MP3?!? The follow-up article HERE was good.See you at 2PM.
nick: Tim, do you want to co-ordinate trains tomorrow? Let me know if there's a train coming through from Southampton that I can join at Basingstoke Steve: Well done for yesterday, it was excellent. I ended up walking to Moorgate! Approach Blackfriars and remember it's shut for trains, walk to Farringdon for a tune hop - shut, go to Barbican, shut, Moorgate okay for Northern line. Had to get a taxi home in the end.Here's that previous blog entry in full:
"Nick, on the Saturday thing it would be good if I can spend the day at home as they need volunteers to help to paint the church and obviously they need it done as quick as possible."
Ha!
Steve: Just listening to that Debussy disk, did Klaus pen this title by any chance?Images pour orchestre
