Wednesday 28 May 2014

Art, Economics, Bloomsbury Group, Degas, Newton ...


Funny how we learn things ... I heard a story about John Maynard Keynes (1883 - 1946), the economist ... because this is how I would describe him ... how would you categorise him?
Keynes (right) and the US representative
Harry Dexter White at the inaugural
meeting of the International Monetary
Fund 1946 ... Keynes died shortly after



... but this intellectual man, was also passionate about all the arts (theatre, opera, music, ballet, art, poetry and literature), but made his way in the world as a Cambridge academic and government economist, enabling him to support his real interests.



He lived in Cambridge or London and had a south Sussex base near his great friends, members of the Bloomsbury Set ...




... where he could immerse himself in appreciation of the arts ... and who, despite the fact they were conscientious objectors to the war, helped them in many ways.


Degas' painting (1871/2) of his father
listening to Lorenzo Pagans - the
Spanish tenor c/o WikiGallery.org


Two other links occurred ... an A-Z Challenge
link “Lover of Words” at “Of Ships, Shoes andSealing Wax and Cabbages and Kings”  - who had been writing about Degas and his paintings on each of the 26 days ...


... and then I picked up a wired.com article on Newton’s writing and how much of the multitude of his papers (estimated 10 million words) has survived to the modern day ... Sarah Dry has written a book about them ... and I leave you to check out the link if you’d like to ...




I’ve mentioned Newton a few times in the blog – particularly about his rivalry with Robert Hooke over optical discoveries – but what I now found was that in 1936 Maynard Keynes had bought many of Isaac Newton’s papers ... safeguarding them against dispersal ...

Roger Eliot Fry - self-portrait 1928


The reason for my ‘sudden’ interest was a BBC Radio 4 programme, whereby writer and broadcaster Nicholas Wapshott tells of the extraordinary and largely unknown story of how Keynes persuaded the British Government to take paintings in lieu of some of France’s World War One debt.



The ‘opportunity’ to acquire paintings from France came about when  Degas died in 1917 ... a catalogue of the collection to be auctioned was on hand at Roger Fry’s studio, from which Duncan Grant persuaded Keynes to try and get some money out of the Treasury to bid for a few of the French Impressionists and post-Impressionists works on sale.



Oedipus and the Sphinx by Ingres -
may well have been one of Degas'
paintings auctioned off .. which is now
in the Walters Art Museum

Fry was an artist and art critic, after establishing his reputation as a scholar of the Old Masters, he became an advocate of more recent developments in French painting, to which he gave the name Post-Impressionism ... he was the first figure to raise public awareness of modern art in Britain.




This part of the story goes across to “Lover of Words” blog post on the art works purchased by Keynes and where they subsequently ended up and why that small collection is so important to us in England today ...




... but this is how that Degas’ collection came to Britain:

Keynes persuaded the Chancellor of the Exchequer to grant them £20,000 to purchase some of the paintings at the forthcoming auction of Degas’ estate.

Trafalgar Square bounded on the north side
by The National Gallery
A few good paintings would be worth more than the paper IOUs, so Keynes and the Director of the National Gallery made plans to travel incognito to France ...


The French were horrified that ‘some people’ were bidding against the Louvre for various paintings ... this was against the backdrop of bombs falling ...


... Big Bertha, the super howitzer, was on the outskirts of Paris booming in the background --- crump ---  crump ---  crump --- horrific reverberating sounds of bombs landing ...


Charleston Farmhouse
On their return from France the government car dropped off Maynard Keynes at the bottom of the lane leading to Charleston Farmhouse, East Sussex ... it was too muddy to drive down.


Keynes couldn’t carry everything ... so he dropped his own roughly packed art works in a hedge and strode up the lane ... to be greeted with horror ...


... first because the Bloomsbury Group members present couldn’t understand why he had £5,000 unspent ... then realising incredible works of art were sitting amongst the twigs and wildlife at the bottom of the drive!


... Duncan Grant tore down the lane to rescue the package ...


Three members of the group on the
right: Lytton Strachey, Duncan Grant
and Vanessa Bell

The friends were much happier once they heard about the other 27 paintings and the range of artists whose art had been bought for Britain.





Lydia Lopokova
- the ballerina, whom
Keynes married, an early
photograph

So what an incredible story ... for the love of art Keynes travelled to Paris at the time when howitzers were howling, the auction of Degas’ estate was taking place and within this juxtaposition of mayhem and normality the British acquired some extraordinary works of art.


Did we know Maynard Keynes’ interests were so broad ... foremost intellectual: one of the founders of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund ...


... then his artistic knowledge and passion for all things cultural – he founded or supported the Cambridge Arts Theatre, the Royal Opera House, Sadlers’ Wells Ballet Company and after the 2nd World War, just before he died, he was instrumental in establishing the Arts Council of Great Britain.


Cezanne's: Still Life of Seven Apples

Keynes had made arrangements that his paintings and library should go to Kings College, Cambridge after his death ... while one of the paintings in the hedge: Cezanne’s ‘Still Life of Seven Apples’ is on loan to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge ...


Kings College, Cambridge


An observation was made at the end of the Radio 4 talk ... “this is culture, this is civilisation.  This is what economics is for ...”   






Somehow I feel we should spread those words ... provide opportunities for everyone to earn to pursue their dreams ... benefitting our locality, country and the world – improving everyone’s lot in life.


this is culture, this is civilisation.  This is what economics is for ...”   


Lover of Words post: How the National Gallery, London was influenced by the death of Edgar Degas 
(PS I'm very honoured that Natalie has titled this post this way ... very honoured - thanks Nat)

Wired.com Newton Papers: The Strange, Secret History of Isaac Newton's Papers 

The Art of Keynes ... BBC Radio 4 Programme

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Thursday 22 May 2014

Blog Sandwich Update ...


In other words I’m on the run as many of you are ... but having not posted for a while ... an update is due ...


I'd prefer brown bread, but this
looks like blackcurrant jam ...
which is positively delicious
The future is looking rosy ... I’ve got my “new” computer and on Tuesday that will all be set up ... as I move technically forward ...


I’ve got a new iphone – that was dud ... so it was replaced immediately no quibbles and they knew who I was ... as I paid cash the day before and they had had to deal with it! 


That, the ipad and the new computer will all be synched ... thereby launches another learning curve ...


No choice ... has to be BOTH
The helpful small business put me in touch with another small business who will help with the branding, transferring from blogger to WP – I’ll do it, but they’ll get a ‘template’ up for me ...



... that small business then said you can find some artists, illustrators and cartoonists ... and I see they do photographic courses, creative writing etc: which I can think about – but need to get across to meet up with the artists ...

A friend and her daughter are also going to be helping with ideas, illustrations, photoshop etc - it will be amazing working with them ...


Re putting together ebooks – that I need to pursue ... but have a couple of ideas in that direction ...


That side of life seems to be coming together ...


... and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support, offers of help I’ve had – amazing ... and perhaps after the first comment of nearly six years ago in June 2009 ... 

'Nuff said ... but I've given you keen learners of
another language ... some extra translations
.... when Liara (with some compliments) said “... ever consider putting a book of these letters together?”  This after 135 posts, when I was posting nearly every day, is on its way finally to fruition ...


... another blogger from a few years ago has recently tentatively come back on line, and offered her help and support ...



Crumbs from my sandwich as I bluster and splutter ... I am so grateful to be amongst such amazing friends ...
 
Apparently this is a
perfect strawberry

So generally that side of my life is getting sorted and looks like I’ll be fast-tracking fairly soon ..


I haven’t had health issues per se ... but a couple of things needed to be checked out ... and that path is generally plodding along – my hip is becoming a little frustrating ... but life is ongoing and we’ll see ...


... I have no worries, just the age when things need to be checked over: all looks good so far ... and so much can easily be done today – I’m glad to say .. but I need to help?!  I am ... 

Salmon, asparagus spears with
watercress and mixed salad leaves
Food time ... asparagus time of which Jo is Queen in that direction ... but I will eat it every day for the short season, if I get a chance ... and I get a fair few chances ... as I set the rules for eating for myself!!


Another savoury which comes into its own now ... is Watercress ... grown in shallow beds of local gravel, with crystal clear spring water passing through it ...


Watercress beds in Hampshire
... some growers spray garlic over it to deter insects without the need for chemicals, so ensuring the quality of wildlife and water in the area.  Even more inspirational is the use of peregrine falcons every day to keep the pigeons away from the crops ...


How to eat ... fresh as is ... wonderful peppery taste ... I do remember my father loving watercress sandwiches, more robust than cucumber ones ... fresh home-made bread by my mother, buttered topped with watercress and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.


At this moment I'd be grateful if this open
sandwich would fly on out!  Egg and
watercress on delicious wholemeal bread
Now there are many recipes for the green watercress ... sauces, fillers, exquisite sandwiches ... eg crab ... salmon and watercress, steak over watercress ... 

... or soup: watercress and potato ... or even just a sprig or two or three in a salad ... or how about an egg salad with watercress, or for that matter potato salad with watercress ... sounds so good!



Warming sunshine required
to turn this pretty flower into
the perfect red berry


Food, Food, Glorious Food ... now is the time ... strawberries are coming, fresh raspberries follow on, small veggie straight from the earth ... rhubarb we’re eating, gooseberries and all the berries will puff up and ripen under our warm summer sun ... it will arrive ...




Hans Holbein 1542
painting of Henry VIII
 - he could do with dieting!
... on a cool day, liable for cold showers ... I sure hope so ... we’ve had a taster ... now like Oliver WE WANT MORE ... please Mr and Mrs Sky ... send your warming rays our way!



Thank goodness we no longer need to eat in the fashion of Henry VIII ... vast quantities of meat washed down with ale (as water was not safe to drink) ... well, granted if we were on that side of the nobility bedsheet!



Hampton Court Palace:
the gate is just about wide enough
for our 'Henery above?!


... the kitchens at Hampton Court were extended so they could provide meals of up to 14 courses .... yikes and yugh!!!  Still they were using their god-given legs in those days ... and not popping into a four wheeled belching monstrosity ... but is it more comfortable ... I’ll stick with the 21st century!




I sentLenny the DVD of the MooMan film ... and had this great Moochas Grassias! ecard back:


hi grandblogmooom!


 big thanks for the mooman movie. 

it was mooovalous and very moooving. 

mooochas gracis!

 mooooch love and hugs from lenny


That was the icing on the cake today ... my cake is always pretty positive and rosy ... but hearing from GrandBlogSon .. makes my heart sing too ...


That’s the breaded update ... and my Feedly is inordinately full ... but I’m moving along slowly and will catch up ...


See my previous post for my review and the story ... 

Many thanks to you all ...


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories


Monday 12 May 2014

Moo Man – the film ... I’Da Loves to be Besides the Seaside ...


Yes, Moo Man is about cows ... I said cows ... big Holstein Friesian cattle - the primary dairy breed, bred for high milk production.

 

Now add some experts in film, sound, music scores ... a farm with farmer ... mix them all around and what do you get?  The Moo Man ...



Some friends last summer had said you must see this film – it is brilliant: so evocative of our Sussex area, so relevant to the conversation we have here in the UK:          re today’s big industry v small cottage enterprises ...


 Could I find it – no ... but it was an independent film ... perhaps the Eastbourne Film Society would bring it to us – nope, not when I suggested it ...


... but then our Chairman, who is incredibly knowledgeable about films, on realising who the highly acclaimed young Director was, then scheduled it to be shown during our recent extra mini-season.


Steve with his girls


Andy Heathcote is highly regarded as an independent avant garde film maker and the Society had shown one of his early Polish films.




Why Poland?  As Andy said in the early 1990s, after the Berlin Wall came down, the British Council were sponsoring entrepreneurial creative artists to train at the very well renowned Lodz Film School ...




... which is named after Leon Schiller, but other alumni are Roman Polanski, Andrzej Wajda and Zbigniew Rybczynski all Oscar winners ...



What way-out present, something that’s completely different, can you give your loved one on his birthday?  How about a visit to a local farm with its dairy herd ...




Hook and Son, a small family dairy farm, established in 1959 ... was in the mid 1990s teetering financially. 



What to do ... they are passionate about their cows and their land ... so father and son converted the farm over to organic, whereby the pastures are completely free of fertilisers and pesticides.


What next?  Well let’s start a milk round offering “raw” milk, which we can enlarge to include butter and cream in due course ... as they do now.




‘Raw’ milk is completely natural and has not been processed in any way, maintaining the nutritious elements and good bacteria that are destroyed by pasteurisation.


About eight years ago they started delivering flyers within the environs of Hailsham and Eastbourne offering fresh, healthy and delicious dairy delivered straight from the farm to your doorstep.



The business slowly took off – one of these flyers landed on Andy and Heike’s doormat ... unbeknownst to Andy his birthday treat was a visit to Hook and Son.


After the initial shock of ... well ok this IS a different birthday present ... and they had had their tour ... and were returning back home ... the thoughts were whirling in this pair’s brains ......... what if .....??


And so the idea was mooted: a film - taken up, what would the story line be?  No idea, other than the farm and its methods ....


In the end Ida became the story ... the head of the herd ... she made sure the cows behaved, she became the marketing girl ...


A market stall - getting the word out


Andy took four years to film ... recording all aspects of farming life ... the cows, births, deaths, bottling milk, marketing their milk ... and on ...




The film is very British, an English farmer and his love for his cows, his way of life ... the fact he understands his land ... his feelings and emotions re the cost-cutting dairies and supermarket profits ...
 
Unsalted Butter

Steve and Phil Hook, his father, have bravely set out their stall ... which Andy Heathcote brings to the table to give us plenty to think about ... there is a lot more underlying the film ...


Oh! and there are some beautiful moments in the film ... cry with us, laugh with us ... gasp with us ...

... a bottling plant in the kitchen – yes it does get upgraded ...

... cows cavorting on the Pevensey Levels ...

... cows empathising together when something serious happens ...



Ida loves to be beside the seaside!
... a trip to the seaside for Ida .... Ida who does love to be besids the seaside ... did not want to leave Eastbourne seafront ... no coercion there:

 I’m staying put, no I don’t need food to entice me to move ... Moooo Moooooh I am happy breathing deeply in the sea air ...



... the farm hand, who doesn’t appear to help – in fact who looks totally bemused ... yes he is – poor chap it’s his first week and he’s never seen a cow being born ....


... he hangs over the stall looking ‘shell-shocked’ thinking what have I let myself in for ... I’m being filmed, I’m watching a cow being born ... crumbs = all firsts ...


Tidal Marsh, a Pevensey Bay Rhyne

It’s a stunningly beautiful film – setting out the struggles of a small personal family farm, whose way of life they do not want to lose – which shows the incredible bonds between man, animal and countryside ...




Our land, our nature, our Sussex, my blogging history ... the farm on the edge of the Pevensey Levels (a site of Special Scientific Interest (a conservation designation denoting a protected area)) – where William the Conqueror a thousand years ago was able to land his army ...


 
Pevensey Bay c 340AD
Anderida, as Pevensey was known in
Roman times, is on the peninsula (I had
not realised that topography).
Hailsham is marked (just) top left -
where the Hooks' farm is today.
The coast road today goes straight
across the Bay: a lot of sea change

... the start of the shore ... before longshore drift and sea-level change silted up the tidal reaches, Pevensey Bay being three to four miles south as the crow flies.




Even little enterprises can make big splashes ... The Moo Man was selected to be shown in the World Documentary Class at the SunDance Film Festival last year ... when John Cooper, the festival director, called The Moo Man his crazy favourite ...


The film and the farm have gone from strength to strength ... the farm now has 70 cows, many offspring from the cows of early days ... the farm of father and son, has moved on to employing 17 people ...



Ghee

...  we can order our milk, butter, ghee or cream over the internet ... so they are in the 21st century, on top of that they have stalls at various London markets, and here around the Eastbourne, East Sussex area ...




... and then that film “The Moo Man” has been selected as the United Nations film on the occasion of the International Yearof Family Farming 2014 ....


HumanRights Film Network declares that its aim:


Hereby, this human world builds a broader lobby in Austria for independent filmmaking around socio-critical themes of our time and becomes a driving force in this filmmaking.

 this human world is also a mediator for artistic projects centred around the theme of human rights, not only with the example of cinema but also in other urban public spaces

A TrufflePig Film


So I introduce you to TrufflePig Films – the slow makers of films, an independent UK film production company specialising in documentaries ... the films that are so special, they feel they just have to make that film ... The Moo Man in this instance ...




Hookand Son – Dairy Farmers ... their website – which has lots of interesting information on the benefits of raw milk, of nurturing our animals, land and all of nature for future generations ...


TrufflePigFilms – Andy Heathcote and Heike Bachelier’s site ...


Musicby Stephen Daltry – which was so evocative ... a snippet can be found at his website ...


Post Production Sound by Peter Hodges ... this was amazing ... we could ‘feel’ the frosty air, yet hear the birds sing ... a testament to all the film makers ...


The trailers are well worth watching ... I’m sure you’ll enjoy and laugh ...


The stars of the film


The film is bucolic, pastoral ... true Sussex life ... which simply cannot be lost ... the world will be lesser for it – we need these values ...




I’m happy with my Sussex base ... I feel like singing:   
    
I’Da Love to be Beside the Seaside ...


Congratulations to Stephen, his family and his father for their amazing dairy herd and the decision to branch out to offer us milk that is completely natural ...


Steve with Ida


Dear Ida deserves an extra special mention ... she was the star of the show ... her offspring continue her way of life ...






What an amazing outcome from a surprise birthday present those few years ago ... how to find a story in the Sussex countryside and develop it ...


Here’s to Moo Man the film, and the Moo Men themselves ... Good Luck to one and all ...

It is set for distribution via Channel 4 film, I believe ... and no doubt other outlets ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories