Yes indeed, picking up on Mary von Nortwick;s mention of the proverbial Chinese curse regarding the inevitability of living in interesting times, I'm glad that you are enjoying the early unfolding of your latest teaching sojourn in London... and sincerely hope that on your return to the DUSA the books you make mention of have not been struck from library and bookshop shelves by one or other of the executive edicts that are being signed off with ever more frequent florid flourish by the Enlightened Hand of Trump the Most High.
Just me passing, satiric, comment based on what's striking and sticking with me.
Stay well Peter and know that London is not quite the whole story when it comes to what England, Northern Ireland (in which I include Eire), Scotland and Wales have to offer to the intellectually curious traveller 😊
Thanks, Rob. It's ironic, but although we've been here several times on this program, we have seen relatively little outside of London. Obviously, I can't just take off to go gallivanting around the UK and leave my students here on their own... would probably not be looked up kindly by my employer. But yes, it would be nice to follow your recommendation sometime and strike out for some other parts of the country.
Superb word choice Peter, "gallivanting". Of course you are constrained, by both responsibility to your students and the limited time window you have in London, from getting out and about beyond the Metropolis. So enjoy the delights of the culture confection that is London.
I do enjoy reading what's sparked by reading whatever finds its way to a place on your bookshelf. Never a Substacker to even think of second guessing as to particulars of content but one, as I read you, with a clarity of purpose that I not only appreciate but sincerely admire.
This May we were back in London and enjoyed a few days stay at the Chesterfield in Mayfair. We did have time to go by the Royal Academy of Arts to see their version of the Last Supper of Christ, after seeing the original in Milan in 2019. The cruise around the British Isles started in Greenwich. Beautiful weather the entire trip.
Thanks, Anders, glad you enjoyed the piece, and I hope you get to the Estorick. You're absolutely right about futurist politics, of course. (And philosophy, such as it is.) But they're interesting, even if misguided. (Right now the Estorick has an exhibition on futurist poetry, in which both those qualities are on display.)
Ironically, I just spent the afternoon with my family at the Tate Britain. For me it was combining business with pleasure, since I was updating guides we give our students each week. Spent some time with the earlier work, especially Hogarth, then worked my way up to Blake, Turner, Constable, and the PRB.
I'll be back again later for the more modern work. Have to admit I'm not a huge Bacon fan, but I like Henry Moore quite a bit. But I'll give Bacon a second (third) look on your recommendation!
Very pleased to have you here in London my friend. Those of us who like Americans (many), and have experienced great American hospitality in US towns and cities, always look forward to helping puzzled American visitors in London adjust to our little ways. PS look out for the new Arts complex opening in Stratford East (the site of the 2012 Olympics). Ballet, a new V and A site, lots happening.
Billy, thanks very much. I have always also found folks here to be welcoming and helpful. And we always enjoy coming back. Looks as though we will just miss the new V&A this time. What ballet did you have in mind? Our children have all danced ballet and might enjoy seeing something special.
I'll be walking by Blackstock Road tomorrow, I know the neighbourhood well.
It does feel like the country is in a despondent state, it's possible to forget this for a while while striding through London for a couple of hours and we still have some delightful countryside. Next time I should buy you a pint in one of the few remaining old-school pubs that still exist in London.
That's funny, Martin. When we were here back in 2017, we rented a flat in Blackstock Road. There were a few more of us then, as we had all five children with us. Every time we come, it's one fewer--this time we're down to two of them.
The mood is low, and there are real challenges. I would not want to be the one having to fix the budget. On the other hand, when you come down to it, how many countries are there in the world where a person would really rather live than in the UK?
If you are around again sometime, let me know. We'll be here for about three months.
Yes indeed, picking up on Mary von Nortwick;s mention of the proverbial Chinese curse regarding the inevitability of living in interesting times, I'm glad that you are enjoying the early unfolding of your latest teaching sojourn in London... and sincerely hope that on your return to the DUSA the books you make mention of have not been struck from library and bookshop shelves by one or other of the executive edicts that are being signed off with ever more frequent florid flourish by the Enlightened Hand of Trump the Most High.
Just me passing, satiric, comment based on what's striking and sticking with me.
Stay well Peter and know that London is not quite the whole story when it comes to what England, Northern Ireland (in which I include Eire), Scotland and Wales have to offer to the intellectually curious traveller 😊
Thanks, Rob. It's ironic, but although we've been here several times on this program, we have seen relatively little outside of London. Obviously, I can't just take off to go gallivanting around the UK and leave my students here on their own... would probably not be looked up kindly by my employer. But yes, it would be nice to follow your recommendation sometime and strike out for some other parts of the country.
Superb word choice Peter, "gallivanting". Of course you are constrained, by both responsibility to your students and the limited time window you have in London, from getting out and about beyond the Metropolis. So enjoy the delights of the culture confection that is London.
I do enjoy reading what's sparked by reading whatever finds its way to a place on your bookshelf. Never a Substacker to even think of second guessing as to particulars of content but one, as I read you, with a clarity of purpose that I not only appreciate but sincerely admire.
Thank you, Rob! That’s very kind. I’m glad you’re enjoying reading and am always pleased to hear back from you.
Yes, the ships are sinking everywhere. I am reminded of that old Chinese curse: 'May you live in interesting times.'
They certainly are interesting! For better and for worse.
This May we were back in London and enjoyed a few days stay at the Chesterfield in Mayfair. We did have time to go by the Royal Academy of Arts to see their version of the Last Supper of Christ, after seeing the original in Milan in 2019. The cruise around the British Isles started in Greenwich. Beautiful weather the entire trip.
Sounds very nice! The RAA recently opened an exhibition on the "birth of modernism" in Brazil, and I hope to see that while I'm here.
Thanks for that https://www.estorickcollection.com/ Will check on it nxt time
As to the political arm of the futurist and their closenes to the Mussolini fascism I always have a sour taste in my mouth.
On the brighter side I can warmely recommend the Tate Britain
Its a bit hard to get into but it will grow on you
Its not directly pleasing to the eye
Thanks, Anders, glad you enjoyed the piece, and I hope you get to the Estorick. You're absolutely right about futurist politics, of course. (And philosophy, such as it is.) But they're interesting, even if misguided. (Right now the Estorick has an exhibition on futurist poetry, in which both those qualities are on display.)
Ironically, I just spent the afternoon with my family at the Tate Britain. For me it was combining business with pleasure, since I was updating guides we give our students each week. Spent some time with the earlier work, especially Hogarth, then worked my way up to Blake, Turner, Constable, and the PRB.
Have a look at the greats of the 20th century at Tate B: Bacon and Moore, they will grow on you
I'll be back again later for the more modern work. Have to admit I'm not a huge Bacon fan, but I like Henry Moore quite a bit. But I'll give Bacon a second (third) look on your recommendation!
Very pleased to have you here in London my friend. Those of us who like Americans (many), and have experienced great American hospitality in US towns and cities, always look forward to helping puzzled American visitors in London adjust to our little ways. PS look out for the new Arts complex opening in Stratford East (the site of the 2012 Olympics). Ballet, a new V and A site, lots happening.
Billy, thanks very much. I have always also found folks here to be welcoming and helpful. And we always enjoy coming back. Looks as though we will just miss the new V&A this time. What ballet did you have in mind? Our children have all danced ballet and might enjoy seeing something special.
The new Sadlers Wells East venue has just opened, some interesting offers, and it's a nice public space too.
Thanks! I’ll look into it.
I'll be walking by Blackstock Road tomorrow, I know the neighbourhood well.
It does feel like the country is in a despondent state, it's possible to forget this for a while while striding through London for a couple of hours and we still have some delightful countryside. Next time I should buy you a pint in one of the few remaining old-school pubs that still exist in London.
Indeed, one has to remain optimistic.
That's funny, Martin. When we were here back in 2017, we rented a flat in Blackstock Road. There were a few more of us then, as we had all five children with us. Every time we come, it's one fewer--this time we're down to two of them.
The mood is low, and there are real challenges. I would not want to be the one having to fix the budget. On the other hand, when you come down to it, how many countries are there in the world where a person would really rather live than in the UK?
If you are around again sometime, let me know. We'll be here for about three months.
I'll do that!
That is an excellent update, Peter. Thank you for keeping us in the loop. I felt like I was there.
Thank you, Richard! Very glad you enjoyed it.