Saturday, May 2, 2015

Passing [God of] Time

One of our few local sand sculptors has been setting up "studios" in various locations along Fuengirola's 7-kilometer stretch of paseo that fronts the beach. He does some very entertaining sculptures (click here for an earlier example), so I was happy to see him working directly across the street from us a few days ago.

His current work is an interpretation of a statue of the Greek God of Time, Chronos. The original sculpture sits in a cemetery (Friedhof IV der Gemeinde Jerusalems und Neue Kirche) in Berlin, Germany, on the grave of Georg Wolff (a merchant). It was sculpted by Hans Latt around 1904.

I'll soon learn more about the sand sculptor. I learned Friday from one of his assistants (whom he pays to watch over the sculpture when he's not around) that he's originally from Bulgaria where he was for years a champion professional wrestler.

(Click any image to deify.)

CHRONOS SLEEPING IN THE SHADE IN BERLIN-KREUZBERG, GERMANY.
PHOTO © MUTTER ERDE VIA WIKIMEDIA
CHRONOS SUNNING ON THE BEACH IN FUENGIROLA, MÁLAGA.

WRESTLER-TURNED-SCULPTOR FETCHING TWO PAILS OF WATER.
(AS VIEWED TODAY FROM OUR TERRACE.)

And while Chronos sleeps, time passes.
The below unflattering group photo was taken late October 1972 on the occasion of my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Two weeks later, an Englishman my sister Dale had met that July in Edinburgh, showed up on her doorstep in New York. Within two weeks, they were married and living together in England. Thirteen months after the picture was taken, their daughter was born. Less than nine years after the picture was taken, Dale died of cancer. Five years after that, so did my father. But I'm still here, still smiling, and still thinking of them.

I'M THE ONE WITH THE BIG HAIR.

Suitcases of memories...

12 comments:

  1. Awwww, love getting to see Dale :) and the whole family.
    Amazing sand sculpture. Just amazing.

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    Replies
    1. Judy:
      I love getting to see Dale, too! I'm hoping to get some more sand-sculpure pics today. The tableau is growing.

      Delete
  2. The sand sculptor has amazing talent! Ironic to cast the god of time in such an impermanent medium. How does he earn a living doing the sculptures? Does the city pay him, or local businesses? Or does he rely on tips?
    I love the family photo. Memories, sweet and sad - the song captures it so well.

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    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      He keeps a box for tips at all times. But, since last year, he (and others) must be licensed, pay the city, and pay taxes. He also has to pay insurance and the people who watch over the sculptures when he's not there (including throughout the night). It's a very expensive proposition for the artists. This particular guy is here and working the entire year.

      Delete
  3. That's quite a head of hair you're sporting. I tried to grow long hair in the 70s but it just puffed out like Jiffy Pop popcorn and never grew long.

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    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      My hair is still as thick on the sides and back. Just yesterday I thought of letting it grow past my shoulders and then pulling it all up into a top knot. Fortunately, I didn't think of it for long. My hair used to be great!

      Delete
  4. That is some big hair! =)

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  5. Amazing sculptor's work!
    What a fine looking family, Mitchell. Yes, time does seem to fly by..... just cherishing the memories.
    What a great version of Cyndi L's piece! Beautiful voices on these guys.

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      San Tsui and friends do some beautiful work. Jerry introduced me to him. I've been looking at old photos again. Sometimes I get too buried in it all; other times, it just makes me smile.

      Delete
  6. Chronos never sleeps here; I am glad he gets a break in Europe.

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    Replies
    1. Spo:
      Everyone here is guaranteed siesta every afternoon. It's part of the contract.

      Delete

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