a few quick notes
Writing letters and making mix tapes - so deeply satisfying.
Steph's moving to Cortland in two weeks. Hmm.
I finally got to understand 'romantic' movies a few nights ago, when I curled up with a new friend and watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and found one that was actually well-done: I got into it. I not only suspended disbelief, I came to associate so strongly with the characters that their joy was my joy--their losses were my losses. I'm glad I had someone to be close to after that emotional rush.
Under the assumption that the character of Sabina most directly states Milan Kundera's personal philosophy, I will conditionally say that I really liked The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
In the realm of totalitarian kitsch, all answers are given in advance and preclude any questions. It follows, then, that the true opponent of totalitarian kitsch is one who asks questions. A question is like a knife which slices through the stage backdrop and gives us a look at what lies hidden behind it. In fact, that was exactly how Sabina had explained the meaning of her paintings to Tereza: On the surface, an intelligible lie; underneath, the unintelligible truth showing through.
But the people who struggle against what we call totalitarian regimes cannot function with queries and doubts. They, too, need certainties and simple truths to make the multitudes understand, to provoke collective tears.
Sabina had once had an exhibit that was organized by a political organization in Germany. When she picked up the catalogue, the first thing she saw was a picture of herself with a drawing of barbed wire superimposed on it. Inside she found a biography that read like the life of a saint or martyr: she had suffered, struggled against injustice, been forced to abandon her bleeding homeland, yet was carrying on the struggle. Her paintings are a struggle for happiness was the final sentence. She protested, but they did not understand her.
Do you mean that modern art isn't persecuted under Communism?
‘My enemy is kitsch, not Communism!’ she replied, infuriated.
Note to self: One's notion of one's own attractiveness may not be accurate. Thus, not taking care of your appearance may not equate to being unattractive to others. Growing a beard ≠ being a hermit.
But I'm glad, anyway.
Steph's moving to Cortland in two weeks. Hmm.
I finally got to understand 'romantic' movies a few nights ago, when I curled up with a new friend and watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and found one that was actually well-done: I got into it. I not only suspended disbelief, I came to associate so strongly with the characters that their joy was my joy--their losses were my losses. I'm glad I had someone to be close to after that emotional rush.
Under the assumption that the character of Sabina most directly states Milan Kundera's personal philosophy, I will conditionally say that I really liked The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
In the realm of totalitarian kitsch, all answers are given in advance and preclude any questions. It follows, then, that the true opponent of totalitarian kitsch is one who asks questions. A question is like a knife which slices through the stage backdrop and gives us a look at what lies hidden behind it. In fact, that was exactly how Sabina had explained the meaning of her paintings to Tereza: On the surface, an intelligible lie; underneath, the unintelligible truth showing through.
But the people who struggle against what we call totalitarian regimes cannot function with queries and doubts. They, too, need certainties and simple truths to make the multitudes understand, to provoke collective tears.
Sabina had once had an exhibit that was organized by a political organization in Germany. When she picked up the catalogue, the first thing she saw was a picture of herself with a drawing of barbed wire superimposed on it. Inside she found a biography that read like the life of a saint or martyr: she had suffered, struggled against injustice, been forced to abandon her bleeding homeland, yet was carrying on the struggle. Her paintings are a struggle for happiness was the final sentence. She protested, but they did not understand her.
Do you mean that modern art isn't persecuted under Communism?
‘My enemy is kitsch, not Communism!’ she replied, infuriated.
Note to self: One's notion of one's own attractiveness may not be accurate. Thus, not taking care of your appearance may not equate to being unattractive to others. Growing a beard ≠ being a hermit.
But I'm glad, anyway.