Jim Avignon poster book

Last Sept. 17 I was watching a program called "Talking Germany" on DW-TV, showing an interview with german street artist Jim Avignon. Towards the end of the program, the reporter said he would give a poster book by Jim Avignon (with a drawing he made in the first page, during the program) to raffle among the viewers, who contacted the program. I sent an email and some weeks latter I was contacted back: I had won the it! Some photos of the first pages (total of 40 pages):

Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith

(or in latin: Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor) My friend Paul Bakker (see link on the left) made this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, using bottle caps he colects when he´s out walking the dogs. Under any circumstances, a Queen is a Queen is a Queen.

Much better than Damien Hirst

In Caldas da Rainha I had the previlege of visiting the workplace of a ceramist specialized in the typical Caldas pottery. On the dusty shelves there was this amazing display of popular potery. Side by side you had Jesus Christ, Buddhas, soldiers, bulls, phallus, angels, football players, dunks, Chuck Norris, swallows, cups, saints, couples, plates, etc. This reminded me of a famous work from 2008 by british artist Damien Hirst apptly called "Nothingness" which consists of a medical cabinet containing pharmaceutical packaging, similar to those you can see in any pharmacy. But the shelves in this ceramist`s atelier/shop are infinetly more interesting, more aesteticaly stimulating than Hirst´s cabinet. By the way, Damien Hirst´skull covered in diamonds is perhaps the epitome of western art. That´s where the history of Western Art comes to rest.

Art in Caldas da Rainha (also known as Prickville)

I was in this artshow at Caldas, a quiet nice town in Portugal known for it´s ceramics, specially the ceramic pricks of all sizes. I even saw pastry in the shape of boobs and pricks in the window of some bakery shops. See photos:

The huge exhibition hall:

Assorted cakes displayed on a pastry window:

Wine containers:

My latest painting

Alexandra Leaving

I had the pleasure of hearing Sharon Robinson sing this same song in Lisbon last Sunday, 7. Suddenly the night has grown colder. The god of love preparing to depart. Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder, They slip between the sentries of the heart. Upheld by the simplicities of pleasure, They gain the light, they formlessly entwine And radiant beyond your widest measure They fall among the voices and the wine. It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving, A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost. Even though she sleeps upon your satin Even though she wakes you with a kiss. Do not say the moment was imagined Do not stoop to strategies like this. As someone long prepared for this to happen, Go firmly to the window. Drink it in. Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing. Your firm commitments tangible again. And you who had the honor of her evening, And by the honor had your own restored Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving Alexandra leaving with her lord. Even though she sleeps upon your satin Even though she wakes you with a kiss. Do not say the moment was imagined Do not stoop to strategies like this. As someone long prepared for the occasion In full command of every plan you wrecked Do not choose a coward's explanation that hides behind the cause and the effect. And you who were bewildered by a meaning Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost. Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving. Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost.