An artist’s struggle with conformity

On my walk through the neighborhood this morning I saw this magnificent modern art installation on the wall of a building.

I pointed it out to the tall person and told him that the juxtaposition of the curves and angles was surely intended to portray the artist’s struggle with conformity.

The tall person smiled and remarked that the plumber had clearly experienced a brainstorm, a moment in which one is suddenly unable to think clearly or act sensibly.

Hmm. The tall person clearly has no understanding of contemporary art.

 

A long way from Arizona

On my walk through the neighborhood this morning I saw this fantastical creature.

I pointed it out to the tall person and he told me that it is the legendary long-lived phoenix bird. According to various accounts, it has a lifespan of 500 years, 540 years, 1,000 years, 1,461 years, or even 12,994 years. As the end of its life approaches it builds a nest of branches and myrrh (the aromatic resin of a thorny tree), sets it on fire and is consumed in the flames. After three days, the phoenix is reborn and rises from the ashes.

Hmm. The phoenix appears very interested in the gifts underneath the small Christmas tree. I suspect one of them contains myrrh. I suggested to the tall person that we quickly pass by. We don’t want to be caught in the conflagration.

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Jackson Pollock exhibition in my neighborhood

On my walk through the neighborhood this morning I saw this.

I think the dog that did this is either an avid fan of the abstract expressionist movement or should see a vet immediately.

New blog about Georgia

I have some exciting news! Tall person has launched a new blog to share his experiences about life in the Republic of Georgia. Having lived here for several years he wants to show the best of the best of this wonderful country and with the help of De and Mari his new blog will take you on a guided tour of its unique culture, rich history, amazing food and wines, colorful markets and natural wonders.

Walk with him in the snow covered Caucasus mountains and lush forests. Tour the towns and cities and countryside and meet the Georgian people, renowned for their hospitality and love of life. Learn how to cook Georgian food. Visit centuries old churches filled with exquisite icons and murals. Learn about traditional crafts and customs. See the best of the best of Georgia.

Called Georgia About, the new blog will bring beautiful Georgia to you! http://georgiaabout.wordpress.com/

Visit Georgia About and see the best of the best of Georgia: http://georgiaabout.wordpress.com/

Good luck with your new blog tall person. I see you have found something thinner than you!

The indecisive wall

On my walk in the neighborhood today I came across this example of indecisiveness.

I imagined the internal struggle that must have tormented the man who built this wall.

“I will build this wall in red brick.”

“Yes, it’s looking good.”

“Hold on. I’m not sure.”

“Perhaps white bricks would be better.”

“I’ll use white bricks.”

“Yes, that was the right decision.”

“Hmm, perhaps it would look better in stone.”

“I’ll use stone and angle the stones to the right.”

“Yes. They look great angled to the right.”

“Hmm, perhaps they would look better angled to the left.”

“Fantastic!”

“I’m not sure, I think they did look much better angled to the right.”

“I’ll angle them to the right.”

Yes, that was the right decision.”

“Wait. I’m not sure about stone. The red bricks do look good. I’ll use red bricks.”

“All done!”

“Hmm, I’m still not sure.”

“Perhaps a wooden fence would have been better.”

“Now, shall I get the bus home or walk?”

“I think I’ll walk.”

“No, I’ll get the bus.”

I asked the tall person why some people have problems making decisions and he told me that it often stems from an irrational and impossible need for certainty. Making a good decision is important, but when we escalate that preference into an ironclad need to get it right, not only do we get indecisive, we also fret and worry about any decision we do make. He said that it is better to make the best decision you can, even if it turns out not to be a great one because we tend to regret what we fail to do much more than what we actually do.

Pseudonymous seahorses found in Tbilisi!

Tbilisi is a long way from the sea so I was very surprised to discover a family of seahorses resting in a side street.

I pointed them out to the tall person and he smiled and said they are not real ones.

Hmm, if they are not real why is that person standing there waiting for them to move.

Tall person shook his head and said that the man is also not real. He said that the man and the seahorses are examples of street art and reminiscent of Banksy, a pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter.

Ah, so they are pseudonymous seahorses.

Dancing in the rain

Yesterday, the tall person, De and the little person went to Djansug Kakhidze Gardens, which are situated just off the recently renovated Agmashenebli Avenue.

The garden was opened last year and two beautiful bronze statues were recently erected at the entrance to the garden.

The statues are of Iliko Sukhishvili and his wife Nino Ramishvili, founders of the Georgian National Ballet. It is due to their efforts that Georgian national dancing and music has become known in many parts of the world. 

A performance by the Georgian National Ballet’s dancers in which the female dancers, wearing long skirts, appear to glide across the floor was an inspiration for writer Terry Nation in creating the Daleks for the television series Doctor Who.

Bassa meets the hydra!

In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was a terrifying serpent like beast that possessed many heads. It would attack herds of cattle and local villagers, totally terrorizing the land.

One of its heads could never be harmed by any weapon, and if any of the other heads were severed another would grow in its place.

It sounds very scary.

I was relieved to hear that it was eventually killed by Heracles as the second of his Twelve Labours.

Well done Heracles!

I do like a good myth.

However, you can imagine my surprise when I found the remains of the terrifying serpent like beast in my neighborhood!

Someone must have dug it up, not knowing what it was and although it is long dead it still looks very scary.

Hmm, I do hope it is dead.

Street art

On my walk today I found this street art……………in the middle of the street!

I like the way the street artist has blended natural and synthetic materials and wrapped them in a yellow ribbon. The inclusion of a tire is inspirational and is clearly a comment on society’s dependence upon the motor vehicle.

I admire the determination of the artist. It must have taken some effort to dig that hole!