The Figure at Loch Ossian

 

This photo was actually taken last year but I came across it and I still think it is as interesting. When walking up around Loch Ossian I spied this figure in the grounds of the estate house (as you can see the fence doesn't really obscure the view) but it looked odd, it felt as if there was something alien about it. He's far enough away that he might not notice me looking but I still felt a bit like I wasn't ment to see him standing there in silent contemplation... as it turns out he's a sculpture, and reminds me of something by Gormley. The close up below gives a better silhouette. There is something eerie, yet visually pleasing, about it and the trees, it makes me think of the walkers amongst the sentinel trees in the forest north of the Wall in Westeros. 

 



Book Review: The Narnia Code by Michael Ward

This book is a review of a larger volume entitled ‘Planet Narnia’ which sets out Ward’s argument that the chronicles of Narnia were written with underlying structure based upon the seven planets of the pre-Copernican solar system. While it is an easy read this sets out in a simple and easily understandable manner the analysis and evidence for this perspective. Ward illustrates how this structure and metaphorical imagery symbolises God and Jesus Christ.

 

This was an interesting read, however, I found it very repetitive and with slightly too much of a Christian theological slant to it rather than taking an impartial view to the Christian/religious message within Lewis’ novels. This being said it is, in my opinion, a good example of critical analysis for those starting out in the literary research line. I like reading about how author's write, their process and thinking style and structures* so this was an enjoyable read and a good small book to have in my bag for 5min gaps of time or sitting on the train etc. It provides good overview of the planetary symbolism which is often lost to those today who did not study classics at school, which echo’s to what Lewis himself stated about the old language and meaning behind it being hidden but still of use today.

 

I would recommend it to those with an interest in the deeper meaning behind the Narnia stories as well as those interested in literary analysis, though I expect that the original volume would provide a greater insight for those looking for something less aligned with light-reading.

 

*I would highly recommend Haruki Murikami's 'What I talk about when I talk about running' for this also although it is a minor theme within this book also.

Book Review: A Day to Die For

A Day to Die For

1996: Everest's Worst Disaster

by G. Ratcliffe

I have not read that many of the accounts of this event, but having an interest in travelogues and accounts of survival in extreme circumstances, I felt this was a must for my mountaineering-education as it were. This account of the 1996 climbing season on Everest has been perceived as controversial due to the author's attempt to 'uncover the truth' about the cause of this disaster, however it has also been claimed to provide an honest and full explanation where previous accounts have omitted the some of the details.

 

It is an easy read, however I found the writing style rather repetitive, and while there is a warmth to the author's voice I found his narrative rather egocentric. This is an account of the author's experience and search for understanding to appease his feelings of guilt and regret having been on the South Col during the storm on the night of 10th May. Where, for me at least, it lacked the in depth personal descriptions of the experience of climbing and the environment of the area, it emphasises the dedication and determination with which Ratcliffe drove his search. I found this longwinded and unnecessary circular in places but then that is the nature of research, a familiar experience which I had not been expecting to read about in this book.

 

Overall, I found this an interesting and insightful book, one which made me want to read others' account in order to compare them. I think by the end of it I would not say I liked it, I'd be unlikely to read it again at least, however I would recommend it to other readers interested in understanding the motivations and considerations (or disregard there of) behind decision making in extreme environments.

Carron Valley

Nestled in the Campsie Hills is the Carron Valley and reservoir. Having visited these hills frequently as a child it came as a surpirse that I had not known of such a large area and happily set to exploring so as to fill that gap on my mental map. It's a fairly easy walk the whole way round the reservoir and a popular mountian biking area. It took me just over 3 hours to go round, this was walking on the road on the return to the car which made it a bit quicker than returning through the forest track. I had parked at the Tod Holes end (as it's closer to the lovely Courtyard Cafe which sells Katy Rodger's ice cream! a must for all passing through Fintry), however there is also a Forestry car park at the other end of the water.

The track through the forest is mostly gravel and undulates a bit but there are plenty of spots to stop and admire the views over the water or up towards Meikle Bin. Supposedly you can see some osprey in this area, possibly because of the good trout fishing I don't know, but I did see a peregrine falcon, deer, and possibly heard a woodpecker so there was some wildlife about.

On the way back over the road we came across Kirk o' Muir cemetary which had some really old overgrown gravestones. Someone had obviously been there at sometime and folded back some of the grass and moss to uncover the flat stones (as below) and i discovered that interestingly there is some  information about the site online and its probably at least 300 years old, kind creeped me out where there were spaces underneath the old stones between the ground. Someone fairly well off must have lived around there though a the metal fencing around a couple of tombs, while now had rusted away, at one point would have stopped any grave robbers. Which reminds me I must find out more about Burke and Hare and the murder dolls.

CTRL+z

I love CTRL+z, all those page long emails which magically delete themselves when your signing you name can be retrieved, that stupid auto-formatting response to inserting images to documents can be undone, if only there was an equivalent in life...

Went to this nice exhibition yesterday... kind of came across it at the opening conveniently, http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/galleries/kings-place-gallery/exhibitions/abstract-critical-newcomer-award

I realised that it has been weeks (months even) since I went to an art gallery or museum, which is strange since I am forever trying to argue that its good to visit them if stressed and I have been stressed. I particularly liked the work by Dan Roach. While his work was smaller than a lot of the other pieces they felt like they contained great space through the use of colour and shape and layering of paint. At the moment I tend to be drawn to paint which is all texture and height but maybe the controlled calm of his pieces were what was making me spend more time at them than those by Iain Robertson (whose I meandered past thinking about food and pink icing, mmm). It is not uncommon in the slightest that a viewer wishes to touch the artwork but I think this impulse is less when it is a painting because of that notion that painting are flat and 2D, thick paint is a funny one... while I know it will be hard since it is dry and hanging in a gallery I also want it to be soft like it looks. I want to be able to reach out and taste a little from the tip of my finger like I would with a freshly iced cake, highly mischievous yet not destructive. Of course with a painting this would be destructive but I wonder what audiences would do if they were allowed to touch wet painting in a gallery whether they would just touch it, put their mark on it or completely reform what is there, taking ownership rather than just experience. This is tangental however...

It always intrigues me how art-people want abstract art to be abstract and non-representational yet humans have the need to find meaning, understanding or recognition in everything. Everything is a sign for something else even when it is a sign of nothing. I like abstract art, I like finding and making, and I can do this by simply looking. I like letting my mind decide how these lights and colours will make me feel, but more and more I loath knowing these are all just sparks in my head. My eyes look here and there and somewhere else yet I know they are looking, I miss just seeing what is in front of me.

Points of View at the British Library

http://www.bl.uk/pointsofview/

An exhibition worth seeing... especially since it's free!