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| "Lyra" by Jessica Joslin |
Context is important.
I went to the West Town Chamber of Commerce in Ukrainian Village on Friday night. Some of Tony Fitzpatrick's artist friends had gotten together to put on a show, "Black Swan Elegies," in his honor, and invited me. The Metra schedule gave me the choice of being a little early or a little late, and I chose early, so I could leisurely walk a cigar up Western and then east along Chicago Avenue.
I was the first guest there, so had time to admire the various artworks, such as Jessica Joslin's dramatic bird above.
After I'd looked at the pieces, I went into the hallway, toward the front room, where there was a bar, and a spread of cookies. The choice was wine, but the bartender kindly dug up a bottle of chilled water for me. Passing back through the hall, I noticed this line of little birds — Tony did like his birds —and appreciated their crisp uniformity, so snapped a photo.
I looked for the placard, for the artist's name, the piece's title. But didn't notice one, and didn't think much of that. An oversight perhaps.
More people arrived. I talked to friends in the front room. Then decided to go back into the gallery, now filling up with people.
Only then did I realize my mistake. For a bright guy, I can be extraordinarily dense. Do you see it coming? I certainly didn't. I had a good laugh at myself. Those unfortunates who have to always insist that they're right, even when they're wrong, never know the pleasure — nearly a joy — of having a good laugh at your own expense. Not art. A coatrack.
Maybe those birds are actually functional art, created by his artist friends.
ReplyDeleteThe Tony Fitzpatrick Memorial Coatrack? Why not? Works for me.
You made me LOL there :)
ReplyDeleteYou make a vital point. Being able to laugh at yourself is one of the most important tools in the self actualization toolkit. Show me a person who can't laugh at themselves and I'll show you an insecure, incomplete person. It is a trait that defines MAGA, starting with its humorless leader. He can't laugh at himself but he can laugh at other's misfortune. Frightening. The story of MAGA and it's leader won't be told by historians, but rather by aberrant psychologists..
ReplyDeleteso I was correct that photo yesterday was saint volodymorts church.
ReplyDeletethats what my boys called it when we lived around the corner and walked past.
ReplyDeletewe were at the hideout last week for another remembrance of Tony . he is sorely missed by many
My theory is that if you laugh at yourself first, you win; it doesn't matter how many laugh later.
ReplyDeletetate
I very much appreciate the birds as well as the pun in the title of today's blog post.
ReplyDeleteGo to any VA hospital (while they're still open) and enter a restroom. Through the door is a wall, and to the side is the way to the facilities.
ReplyDeleteOn the wall are squares, about 4 inches square. I can't tell you how many people would push or pull on these eye-level squares. Word came down from Washington; put labels on the squares as follows: THIS IS A COAT HOOK.
I don't remember where I first heard the line, but I use and share it often. "If you're going to laugh at it someday, you might as well laugh at it now."
ReplyDelete