March Gloom
Highlighting art, music, literature, and film for the month of March in the year 2024.
Art
Chantal Khoury
I TIE THEM LOOSELY, solo exhibition
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles
Sept.16 - Oct. 28, 2023
“Raised between Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox communities, Khoury recognizes that the religious figurines, antique vessels, fabrics, finger bowls, candlesticks, and various other tchotchkes that surrounded her in the homes of her grandparents and extended family, represent a connection to, and simultaneous withdrawal from, their home countries. The traces of recognizable subjects found in Khoury’s work, such as the Virgin Mary in MaryMary (2023), or perhaps a Greco-Roman figurine in She rises from the sea, holding her locks (2023) point to that connection-withdrawal, materially and metaphorically. By referencing items that exist primarily in domestic spaces, Khoury cites a type of intimacy tied specifically to the home. The meaning applied to these objects is constantly shifting, reflecting the intersecting nature of one’s personal heritage. Though she begins with a singular reference, the end result highlights a varied understanding of these broader cultural landscapes and migration stories.”
Literature
“The Stranger” by Albert Camus
First published in January, 1942
Recommended if you enjoy absurdist fiction, philosophical principles, and contemplative literature.
Synopsis:
Published in 1942 by French author Albert Camus, The Stranger has long been considered a classic of twentieth-century literature. Le Monde ranks it as number one on its "100 Books of the Century" list. Through this story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on a sundrenched Algerian beach, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd."
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“Anarchism and other essays” by Emma Goldman
First published in 1910
A favorite quote from the book: “The true artistic genius, who will not cater to accepted notions, who exercises originality, and strives to be true to life, leads an obscure and wretched existence.His work may some day become the fad of the mob, but not until his heart's blood had been exhausted; not until the pathfinder has ceased to be, and a throng of an idealless and visionless mob has done to death the heritage of the master.”
Anarchism and Other Essays provides a fascinating look into revolutionary issues at the turn of the century, a prophetic view of the social and economic future, much of which we have seen take place, and above all, a glimpse into the mind of an extraordinary woman: brilliant, provocative, dedicated, passionate, and what used to be called "high-minded."
Music
“Bloom” by Tiger! Shit! Tiger! Tiger!
Released in February, 2024
Recommended if you enjoy grunge, alternative rock, post punk, shoegaze.
”Bloom is a sonic full-court press. TIGER! SHIT! TIGER! TIGER! are plasma globes containing the electrical discharges that crackle inside. I’m sure if Nikolai Tesla were alive and experimenting today he would have TSTT playing at full volume in his laboratory.” — Joyzine review
View album on Bandcamp
Poetry
“The Dead and the Living” by Sharon Olds
First published in 1984
Over the years, I've observed a stark divide in people's opinions about Sharon Olds' poetry—it's either passionately adored or vehemently despised, with little room for middle ground. Bold, visceral, raw, and vivid, her second poetry collection released in 1984 fundamentally altered my perception of the art form. Upon reading it for the first time, I encountered poetry unlike anything I'd experienced before. It wasn't just the subject matter that resonated with me, but rather the fearless approach to expression. Olds' words hit you like a forceful punch to the gut, leaving you craving more. She fearlessly explores themes such as pregnancy, motherhood, abortion, religion, and politics with a vivacity that's both captivating and unapologetic. While some argue that poetry should prioritize prose and elaborate descriptions, there's a certain allure to being jolted awake by bold and deliberate writing. If that prospect intrigues you, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Dead and the Living.
Film
“Camille Claudel” directed by Bruno Nuytten
Released in 1988
If you don’t know the story of Camille Claudel, this film does a solid job of telling it. It could have been a little shorter in length but the story is tumultuous and encompasses decades so I can understand why more time was needed. The film recounts the troubled life of French child prodigy sculptor Camille Claudel and her long relationship with the married sculptor Auguste Rodin. Claudel was the daughter of a devoutly Catholic, socialite mother and a wealthy French businessman. While the latter was sympathetic to her highly iconoclastic, secular art, her mother found it odious. Beginning in the 1880s, with the young Claudel's first meeting with Rodin, the film traces the development of their intense romantic bond. The growth of this relationship coincides with the rise of Claudel's career as she overcomes prejudices against female artists.
“Anatomy of a Fall” directed by Justine Triet
Released in 2023
Although I typically steer clear of 'whodunit' films and crime dramas, I couldn't resist the buzz surrounding Anatomy of a Fall. It was the only Best Picture nominee I hadn't seen before the Oscars. Right off the bat, the acting was undeniably intense and compelling. In my humble opinion, Sandra Hüller, the lead actress, was robbed for the Best Actress Oscar. While I admired Emma Stone's performance in Poor Things, Hüller's portrayal is among the most captivating I've witnessed in recent memory, if not ever. Yet, it's not just her; the supporting cast delivered outstanding performances too. From the child actor to the prosecuting attorney, each character was portrayed with remarkable depth and skill. Coupled with stellar sound design and visually striking cinematography, Anatomy of a Fall deserved to clinch the title of Best Picture.
The closer we look, the less we know in Justine Triet’s masterful Palme d’Or–winning Anatomy of a Fall, an eerily riveting courtroom thriller that examines the line where truth becomes fiction and fiction becomes truth. When Sandra Voyter (a transfixing Sandra Hüller), a writer who turns the material of her life into autofiction, is put on trial for the suspicious death by defenestration—or was it suicide?—of her husband, it opens up an inquiry that will turn a troubled home inside out. Tapping into the minimalist intensity of a chamber drama—and using intricate, elliptical editing—Triet constructs a mystery that is ultimately less about a death than about the hidden lives we lead.
Let me know what you think!