Jerry and I have moved around quite a bit. In the summer of 2011, we moved to Spain and we now live in Fuengirola in Málaga Province. This is a chronicle of the paths we have taken and continue to take. Along the way, I tell stories about us and the years leading up to us, the many plunges we've taken together off the high board (sometimes into an empty pool), and all the other stories of two lives constantly on the move.
Monday, July 23, 2012
They're Fun To Look At But Not All That Bright
The title of this post is the answer to the age-old question: "How are men like lava lamps?"
One of the exhibits I just saw at the Center for Contemporary Art made me think of that old joke. It also made me miss the lava lamp I bought in 1969 and gave away some time in the late '70s before I moved from Brooklyn to Boston. I bought a new one for my office when I worked at UC San Diego in the '90s, but it wasn't the same. Maybe I was missing my tie-dyed bedspread, worry beads, and long hair. Well, I know I was missing my hair.
You may remember that my cousin Al and I visited Sevilla's Center for Contemporary Art in June. There were a couple of exhibits of interest at the time, but for the most part, although the property is fascinating, I was disappointed. I have been talking with Adela, who is a painter, about going back together to see what's new. We've been waiting for her brother, an art student, to arrive in town. Adela texted me early Sunday morning and asked if I wanted to walk over with them and another friend of hers. I met them after breakfast and we crossed the river in the blazing heat — and, of course, brilliant sunshine.
Spread through a huge number of galleries was a special exhibit called "Abstraction and Motion." The first large gallery we hit contained five projection screens with what looked like close-ups of lava lamps in constant movement. Music played that beautifully complemented the motion. Unfortunately, I didn't note the name of the artist and I've been unable to find it online. I'll keep looking. In the meantime, I have a feeling one of my faithful friends will come up with it!
I would have been very content to simply sit on the floor amid the larger-than-life lava lamps, listening to the music and enjoying my flashbacks... I mean memories. But, after leaving this room, the exhibit got even more interesting and the flashbacks... memories... got even more vivid. I have so much more to share. For now, I'm off to bed with Grace Slick's voice singing in my head...
I had a lava lamp back in the early seventies and haven't thought about it in years. I don't know what happened to it, but I still have my bong. Ahhh...if only I could recall the memories.
Stephen: I wish I still had my bong! It was a green glass and ceramic beauty given to me as a high school graduation/going away to college present by my friend Carole (commenter above) and another friend. My-Mother-The-Dowager-Duchess immediately said, "That's just for decoration, isn't it?" I said, "Of course it is." Sadly, the "decoration" broke during one of my moves.
I must go and have a rummage, I know we've still got our original lamp somewhere. Way back in the early seventies I remember they used to have lava lamp 'patterns' showing on some cinema screens, as a precursor to the film. Sometimes they were more interesting than the films. ;-)
Elaine: Well, this "lava lamp" exhibition was like being back in college and sitting on the folding table opposite the clothes dryers at the laundromat watching the clothes spin. I could pass hours doing that. Let me know if you find your original lava lamp!
I reckon they changed the chemical gloop inside lava lamps (the early ones were probably more toxic than a very toxic thing) - I have had several and by the time they warmed up and started moving it was usually time to fall into bed! I saw one about a metre tall once in a shop, now that one I _did_ covet and had to be dragged away from, forelornly waving my wallet and yelling to the shop assistants about delivery ...
The Owl Wood: We've gone minimalist (well, everything's relative) but if I saw a metre-tall lava lamp I'd have a hard time NOT buying it. Can you find out if they deliver to Sevilla?
Oh those flashbacks/memories!! Never know when they will 'hit'!! lol Looks like a very interesting exhibit not to mention space......man! (kidding..I think).
Ron: Amazing. And then came Jefferson Starship and then just Starship. I loved them! I was only 13 at the time of Expo '67. Not old enough to take off for Montreal on my own.
My son gave me a bong once for my birthday... I think he tried to pass it off as a vase... Don't know whatever happened to it.... But about the art exhibit... guess I'm too "realistic" to appreciate the abstract... Oh well... nice colors.
Spo: It's like the game show "Jeopardy." The answer was given in the title of the post and the question was given in the first paragraph. So, in reality...
Q: How are men like lava lamps? A: They're fun to look at but not very bright.
It wasn't very funny to begin with. And now, as you can see, it got a whole lot worse. Sorry!
what a great time. Looks and sounds amazing :) Flashbacks, I mean memories can be a good thing ;)
ReplyDeleteMonkey Man:
DeleteYep, some memories can be good... from what I remember...
ahhhhhhh, flashbacks (I mean, memories..........)
ReplyDeleteCarole:
DeleteWait until you see the exhibit post that comes next!
I had a lava lamp back in the early seventies and haven't thought about it in years. I don't know what happened to it, but I still have my bong. Ahhh...if only I could recall the memories.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI wish I still had my bong! It was a green glass and ceramic beauty given to me as a high school graduation/going away to college present by my friend Carole (commenter above) and another friend. My-Mother-The-Dowager-Duchess immediately said, "That's just for decoration, isn't it?" I said, "Of course it is." Sadly, the "decoration" broke during one of my moves.
I must go and have a rummage, I know we've still got our original lamp somewhere. Way back in the early seventies I remember they used to have lava lamp 'patterns' showing on some cinema screens, as a precursor to the film. Sometimes they were more interesting than the films. ;-)
ReplyDeleteElaine:
DeleteWell, this "lava lamp" exhibition was like being back in college and sitting on the folding table opposite the clothes dryers at the laundromat watching the clothes spin. I could pass hours doing that. Let me know if you find your original lava lamp!
I shows our age, but at heart we're still young.
ReplyDeletePeter:
DeleteI usually forgot how old I am. I talk to a 25-year-old as if he's my peer; then he calls me "sir"!
I reckon they changed the chemical gloop inside lava lamps (the early ones were probably more toxic than a very toxic thing) - I have had several and by the time they warmed up and started moving it was usually time to fall into bed! I saw one about a metre tall once in a shop, now that one I _did_ covet and had to be dragged away from, forelornly waving my wallet and yelling to the shop assistants about delivery ...
ReplyDeleteThe Owl Wood:
DeleteWe've gone minimalist (well, everything's relative) but if I saw a metre-tall lava lamp I'd have a hard time NOT buying it. Can you find out if they deliver to Sevilla?
T.O.W:
DeleteThe cats would LOVE it!
What an amazing space....And I love Lava lamps. Very 'Abigail's Party'.
ReplyDeleteJeff:
DeleteYou know, I've never seen the stage or TV version of Abigail's Party. Now I guess I'll have to find it on DVD.
The current reproductions of lava lamps are not as nice as the originals. It's a shame because they were really groovy!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Oops... I guess I mean: I can dig it.
DeleteOh those flashbacks/memories!! Never know when they will 'hit'!! lol
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very interesting exhibit not to mention space......man! (kidding..I think).
You are such a hippie at heart!
Jim:
DeleteI do miss walking down streets, sketchbook under my arm, and pockets filled with drawing materials. It's all coming back.
I saw Jefferson Airplane in Montreal at Expo '67...on La Place des Arts...freakin' cool, man...speaking of flashback&forward/memories!
ReplyDeleteRon
Ron:
DeleteAmazing. And then came Jefferson Starship and then just Starship. I loved them! I was only 13 at the time of Expo '67. Not old enough to take off for Montreal on my own.
My son gave me a bong once for my birthday... I think he tried to pass it off as a vase... Don't know whatever happened to it.... But about the art exhibit... guess I'm too "realistic" to appreciate the abstract... Oh well... nice colors.
ReplyDeleteThe Odd Essay:
DeleteInteresting vase. Interesting son!
I have eclectic taste in art. Wait until you see what comes next!
OK I give up - I am not connecting the dots - HOW are men like lava lamps???
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteIt's like the game show "Jeopardy." The answer was given in the title of the post and the question was given in the first paragraph. So, in reality...
Q: How are men like lava lamps?
A: They're fun to look at but not very bright.
It wasn't very funny to begin with. And now, as you can see, it got a whole lot worse. Sorry!
White Rabbit will give you flashbacks even if you never took drugs in your life!! Whenever I hear "We Built This City" I cringe for Grace.
ReplyDeleteJenners:
DeleteAnd have you watched the "We Built This City" video lately? Talk about cringing! What city was it they built anyway?