Isle of the Dead by Arnold Bocklin
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"We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks the language of the night." -- Ursula K. LeGuin
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Mankind's Journey
There was constant and growing turmoil throughout Europe during the lifetime of Finnish artist Hugo Simberg and Swiss artist Arnold Bocklin. Armies were marching, boundaries were changing, and powerful, and often cruel new leaders emerged. There have been intervals, but brutal war has never stopped. And it goes on today.
NATO is an alliance of 30 nations (with 2 more currently in the process of being approved) who have come together to try and stop this madness of pain and suffering that threatens all of them. War today comes from one delusional man, the brutal dictator, Vladimir Putin.
The painting of The Wounded Angel is by Hugo Simberg.
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What Is Important
"Yet, even amidst the hatred and carnage, life is still worth living. It is possible for wonderful encounters and beautiful things to exist."
The quotation above is from the great Japanese creator of extraordinary full length animated films, Hayao Myazaki. He was born in Japan in 1941 and lived through the bloodbath of suffering caused by a cabal of a few fanatic, arrogant men. They were much like Putin. They created the dark power-hungry debacle of World War 2 in the Pacific. Anti-war ideas are expressed throughout Miyazaki's creations as well as a heartfelt appreciation of children, family, friendship, loyalty, and love.
The illustration is from Miyazaki's anti-war film Howl's Moving Castle.
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The Sandman Has Returned via Net Flix.
Unlike the two women below, Maya Philip and Rebecca Nicholson, I have only read excerpts from the original DC Comics version of the Sandman. However, I have read and admired many of Neil Gaiman's books. I am experiencing the Sandman (with Morpheus played by Tom Sturridge) for the first time. I found the story to be very dark, a labyrinth of fantasy and fear, imaginative and extremely well produced.
Both Maya Philip, in the New York Times, and Rebecca Nicholson in the Guardian, wrote excellent and informative articles about this new 10 episode series of Sandman. They have been knowledgeable fans since the Sandman first appeared as a comic strip. Here are excepts and Links to their articles:
Sandman By Maya Phillip, NY Times
The Sandman, Neil Gaiman’s best-selling DC Comics series that lasted for 75 issues in its original run, from 1989 to 1996, follows Morpheus, a cosmic being who wields power over dreams. When he is captured and imprisoned in the first issue, the repercussions of the event extend beyond the dreamscape into the waking world, where Morpheus must eventually travel to set things right. . . .
The Sandman belongs to the pantheon of great graphic novels that broke through the boundaries of the often insular world of comics to win mainstream acclaim.
The Sandman is more than just a decades-old best seller; it launched one of the most loyal fandoms you’ll find in the domain of graphic literature. . .
PinkNews photo of Neil Gaiman is by Getty/Netfli
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Sandman by Rebeca Nicholson in the Guardian
This dark, engrossing comic book adaptation is utterly lavish, and features an emotional depth that’s almost unheard of in fantasy epics. It should delight fans and newcomers alike.
And Then, There Was the Question of Reality
'Well, it's no use your talking about waking him,' said Tweedledum, 'when you're only one of the things in his dream. You know very well you're not real.'
'I am real!' said Alice and began to cry.
'You won't make yourself a bit realler by crying,' Tweedledee remarked: 'there's nothing to cry about.'
'If I wasn't real,' Alice said—half-laughing through her tears, it all seemed so ridiculous—'I shouldn't be able to cry.'
'I hope you don't suppose those are real tears?' Tweedledum interrupted in a tone of great contempt.
'I know they're talking nonsense,' Alice thought to herself: 'and it's foolish to cry about it.' So she brushed away her tears, and went on as cheerfully as she could.
The illustration is from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
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Wonderland, Like Neverland, Is a Great Place to Visit, But..."It is one of the ironies of our age that a true understanding of what children want in their books emerged from a pathologically shy mathematician who believed in rules, order, and limits for children but who overcame those convictions in order to produce a book that would entertain the seven year old girl with whom he was infatuated. He inadvertently revealed to us that Wonderland, like Neverland, is a great place to visit whether you are a child or an adult, but you really don't ever want to live there."
Maria Tatar, writing about Theaters For The Imagination in her book, Enchanted Hunters.
The illustration of the Mad Tea Party is by John Tenniel.
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Imaginative Independent Animation
Mozart by Magnum
With his first piece in a Minor key, Amadeus Mozart – only 17 years old in 1773 – broke all musical conventions and the expectations of his contemporaries and patrons who were used to the former child-star's light, gallant, works in a Major key. The Musical Genius now presented himself as a mature composer with a piece that was more assertive, expressive, and passionate than any of his previous works.
Visuals and production by MullenLowe in Madrid
Link: Mozart by Magnum Time 2.50
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A Double Life
Outrageous dark comedy, gender identity
Created by (including music) Job, Joris, Marieke
Produced in association with Fonds 21, Pathe, and Netherlands Fimfonds
Distribution KLIK
Link: A Double Life Time 2.40
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Yearbook
Funky nerd IT story, alien attack is coming in 17 years
Written and directed by Bernardo Britto
Produced by Brett Potter, Lucas Leva, Ben Cohen; Co-producer Dean
Music by Matthew Cooper, art director Alexa Haas
Link: Yearbook Time 5.35
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Ukrainian Kids Sing from a Bomb Shelter to Brooklyn
MOM ON SKYPE
In a bomb shelter in Lviv, Ukraine, a young soldier on duty, rehearses a play that he has directed about the separation and disconnection of children and parents. His cast is comprised of 9 children between the ages of 10 and 14 including his own daughter. Children who, overnight, have had to deal with the realities of missiles directed at them, bombs falling around them, and the fear that at any moment a family member or they themselves might die.
Irondale will bring this courageous production, Mom on Skype with its Ukrainian cast to Brooklyn this August. . . For 3 weeks the young Ukrainian performers from The School of Open Minded Kids Studio Theatre will rehearse, interact with the Irondale Young Company and sample New York City’s cultural riches. They have also been invited by the organization Sing for Hope, to a youth retreat in Ivoryton Connecticut where they will create theater and music with other American teens. They will also perform in
Link to read more: Irondale Center And here is a video link to the story by Terry Greiss of Irondale and link to a rehearsal : Ukrainian Girls
The photo is by Finbarr O'Reilly, New York Times.
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If we know anything, it's that folklore - stories, community, and the fabric of everyday life - is a powerful, often untapped force. It can entertain us, connect us to each other, and even, under the right circumstances, "restore our sense of security, sanity, and sense of justice" (Jack Zipes.)
Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman are award-winning folklorists, teachers, and writers. Together, they founded The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic, teaching creative souls how to re-enchant their lives through folklore and fairy tales.
Sara and Brittany were joined on their free July 24 Folklore and Resistance panel by the extrordinay Terri Windling. Alas, I missed this date and the panel discussion. However, the event was recorded and I have now signed up for it. (Link)
Here are the other members of this outstanding Roundtable Peggy Yocom, Jeana Jorgensen, Daisy Ahlstone, and Maria DeBlassie, Sara and Brittany. will host the event. "Please note that this event was recorded, so if you can't make it today, do please go ahead and sign up so you'll be emailed a direct link to the recorded version!"
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Refugee children worry us. Families have been rendered asunder. School, books, food and medical support are often missing from their lives.
Save the Children works to benefit the lives of children in need in 120 countries. Save the children brings assistance and hope. Here are excerpts from their website:
Save The Children .
"More than half of the world's refugees are under the age of 18. They have had their childhoods interrupted, and half of all refugee children are out of school. Save the Children calls on the international community to ensure that every refugee child has access to education and is learning. No refugee child should be without education for more than one month after being displaced."
Photo by Hokam Katan
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The Sound of Freedom in the Night and Day
Listen here to a moving performance, live at BBC Proms, on the Orchestra's 2022 word tour.
The Ukrainian National Freedom Orchestra plays the National Anthem. Link: Ukraine Music
Photo credit/SNAK Newsweek
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Why Am I ?
Here is a review from a world renowned scholar, authority, and writer about children's literature of the Yelodoggie Book, Why Am I ?.
Jack Zipes, professor emeritus of German, comparative literature, and cultural studies.
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This was the lead-off sentence in Wayne Walker's review of Castle In The Mist. I was delighted to read it, for not only was it provocative, it went to the core of the story...
Castle in the Mist is an anti-war story. The Planet Of The Dogs series is anti-war. In each book, the dogs help humans to find non-violent solutions to ruthless rulers, invaders, and the abuse of power.
Here is more of what Wayne Walker wrote:
“Author Robert J. McCarty has created a charming fantasy-allegory that can be read and understood on at least two different levels. Children will enjoy the story about dogs who come from another planet to help people on earth. But under the surface are the important messages of friendship, love, loyalty, and how to overcome evil with good. The same things are true as the story continues in Castle in the Mist. The book is well written and easy to read. It will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next, and, as with Volume I, leads to a satisfying conclusion. You can learn more about the series and read sample chapters at www.planetofthedogs.net."
Wayne Walker's complete review appeared on the Home School Book Review; the Home School Buzz; and Stories for Children Magazine.
The illustration from Castle In The Mist is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty.
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"In the world which we know, among the different and primitive geniuses that preside over the evolution of the several species, there exists not one, excepting that of the dog, that ever gave thought to the presence of man." Maurice Maeterlinck
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