Qaisimalaurittuq (Wish You Were Here)

Get ready for a wistful weekend with Elisapie and The Westerlies.

 

The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

On January 15, 1919, a 20-foot-tall wave of molasses, traveling at 25 mph, ripped through North Boston causing massive destruction and killing 21 people. It was caused when a 50ft tall tank, storing 2.3 million gallons of molasses collapsed. The molasses had industrial purposes, used in creating alcoholic drinks and compounds for explosives.

Along with the death and injuries, there was widespread damage -- an elevated rail line was bent, and several other buildings were demolished, with many more suffering different degrees of damage. The rescue and cleanup were difficult because, well... molasses is sticky. Eventually it was discovered sea water could break down the molasses, so water was pump from the bay and sprayed over the area.

The owners of the tank, trying to dodge liability for its failure, tried to blame an anarchist bombing plot, but that claim was dismissed and they were found liable due to poor construction. It was to lead to tightening building regulations to improve safety.

Below are some pictures of the aftermath of the molasses flood. As an aside, I've posted about molasses once before. 

Bui Xuan Phai's paintings

Click any image to enlarge

Bui Xuan Phai (1920 - 1988) is perhaps the most influential 20th century Vietnamese painter. Born in Hanoi he is best known for his paintings of old Hanoi.

He was born in a Confucian household but gravitated to the arts as a young man. He attended an art school that taught traditional Vietnamese art methods, but he was to become heavily influenced by western artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Chagall. It was to mark his lifelong belief in artistic freedom and expression.     

In 1945 he supported the August Revolution which was the beginning of the fight for Vietnam's independence and freedom from foreign interference. He supported that through what he viewed as the Japanese, French and American occupations. 

However, in the mid 1950s he became embroiled in the Nhân Văn–Giai Phẩm movement, which is a push for greater freedom of speech and respect for human rights. As a result, he was declared a reactionary, fired from his teaching job, and barred from publicly participating in art. 

I find his palette interesting. It is not quite what you would expect to see in a Western painting, I assume it is more of a SE Asian color scheme, although red isn't lathered all over the scenes. In his urban scenes of Hanoi, he'll outline the building with a thick line and color in the surfaces. Again, a technique you rarely see in Western art. 

Bui Xuan Phai

Help Me, Rhonda

Get ready for a catch him on the rebound weekend with na Relo.

 

Reading the room

Say Cheese
(click image to enlarge)

The Room - Kevin John Hart

It is my house, and yet one room is locked.
The dark has taken root on all four walls.
It is a room where knots stare out from wood,
A room that turns its back on the whole house.

At night I hear the crickets list their griefs
And let an ancient peace come into me.
Sleep intercepts my prayer, and in the dark
The house turns slowly round its one closed room.

 

Joaquín Sorolla's paintings

Click any image to enlarge

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863 – 1923) was an extremely influential Spanish painter, although he is not as well known outside of Spain. He started painting at a young age and quickly became a well-known Spanish artist. He was an expressionist who focused on light and wind. He painted a lot of beach scenes. He suffered a stroke 3 years before his death, which marked the end of his career as an active painter. 

Joaquín Sorolla self-portrait

Māori Ki Te Ao

Get ready for an autochthonous weekend with Stan Walker.