September 2013

Latent Potential #14 Bozeman, Montana 2013

 I decided to continue this series of photos by shooting, as the painters like to call it, en plein air for a while. It’s a whole different endeavor than working with them in the studio. Both have their virtues, but I like the plein air work the best (although the studio approach has a certain attraction during the cold winter months).]]>

Taking Shelter Bozeman, Montana 2013

One winter years ago I was skiing by the cabin on the neighbor’s land up above our house when I saw these two pipes bent nearly flat from snow and ice that had built up  and hit them when it broke loose and slide to the ground. Later they built this A-frame shield to protect them. Obviously it worked since they’ve been safe since then. It wasn’t until yesterday I noticed the interesting composition they created.]]>

Kerepesi Cemetery #6 Budapest, Hungary 2011

This is a burial monument to the communists of Hungary, not the most popular part of the cemetery for the many who suffered under communist rule and were glad to see them finally leave in 1989. There is an interesting description of Kerepesi Cemetery here. I’ve excerpted what they have to say about the monument in this image and the interesting issue of the timing of burials of the communists lackeys in the Hungarian AVO (secret police) vs those who opposed them during the 1956 uprising.

Situated in a corner, away from the statesmen and nobility is the workers’ pantheon, designed by József Körner in 1958, and fast becoming a museum piece. It is one of the few places in Budapest where you can see the word “Communism” written out in bold letters.

The slogan “A KOMMUNIZMUSÉRT A NÉPÉRT ÉLTEK” (They lived for Communism and for the people”) dominates the spacious white stone piazza. Giant statues of two young men and a woman holding hands in Socialist Realist style gaze out boldly into the future. Six massive white blocks of stone bear reliefs of workers in the field or at war, and remembrance plaques testify to the bravery of socialist workers.

The cavernous two-level crypt underneath can be visited if the unpredictable attendants are on duty. Here, the ashes of politicians and artists find eternal peace. Leo Frankel, Gyula Derkovits and Ferenc Rózsa are just some of many names, recognizable from Budapest street names.

Black ceramic urns stand on shelves carved from Austrian red limestone. One of the urns contains the ashes of a certain Éva Braun. Sinka says, “It was often pointed out to visiting officials to test if they were paying attention. She really lived and, ironically, was a young Jewish member of the partisans. The name and dates, 1917-1945 are identical to Hitler’s mistress.”

Behind the Worker’s Pantheon is a plot for the heroes of the 1956 uprising. The plot for the “upholders of the system” in 1956 – the secret police or ÁVO – is also in Kerepesi, but Sinka explains, “The two groups were buried on opposite sides because if there was a memorial service for both groups on the same day, there would be fights.”

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Krepesi Cemetery #5 Budapest, Hungary 2011

Even angels mourn it seems. (Or maybe he’s just tired; hard to read an angel’s face.)

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Kerepesi Cemetery #4 Budapest, Hungary 2011

I think an alternate title for this image would be “Rodin’s Thinker Having a Bad Day.” Or, given it’s in a cemetery, perhaps “Rodin’s Thinker in Mourning.”

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Kerepesi Cemetery #3 Budapest, Hungary 2011

I love the sweeping s-curve lines in this statue.

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Kerepesi Cemetery #2 Budapest, Hungary 2011

The number statues of people lining the portico of this mausoleum make it look like a very busy place even when there is no one around.]]>

Kerepesi Cemetery #1 Budapest, Hungary 2011

In terms of it’s statuary the city cemetery in Budapest is one of the most unusual cemeteries I’ve ever visited. I blogged about this once before some time ago. (See it here.) I’ve worked on a few more images from there and will present them this week.]]>

Cinderella Story Budapest, Hungary 2011

Caught this sight in a courtyard when I was walking around downtown Budapest one evening. I’m not sure why it reminded me so much of the Cinderella story as there are lots of settings in which you might see such a gown. But I couldn’t help but think a horse drawn pumpkin carriage was about to drive up.]]>

Lectio #45 Washington, DC 2008

If I remember correctly, this theater is next door to Ben’s Chili Bowl, where “only Barack Obama and Bill Cosby” eat for free. I don’t know about Cosby but Obama was in fact at Ben’s during his 2008 campaign.]]>