Solo and Savoury

For those waiting for something a bit more salacious, those who imagine an Inndulge far removed from the rather sedate reality, I can only say I am immersed in nothing more seamy then culture and climate. The most stimulated part of my body after my brain is my shutter finger. The temperatures, I think, even for here, have been high for the time of year. This requires care outside and limits ones stamina; well, mine anyway. We did the laundry and went to Michael's to buy an item for a cousin.

I had some photographic ideas around the area and left Greg at the resort whilst I drove to fulfil them. My first destination was Desert Memorial Park, resting place of Frank Sinatra amongst others. I have been before but it was not at all as I remembered it quite apart from having, presumably, more occupants. I could have sworn that some markers had standing stones but today there was none so I had to consult the office to find Francis Albert. I also enjoyed the Veteran's Chapel and associated memorials. It is a beautiful cemetery but a bit bare on a Wednesday when flowers are removed and the grounds tended.

From there I drove to the airport intending to revisit the Air Museum but lingering instead in the present day and near the Atlantic ramp for its biz-jets. There was again no sign of imminent arrest or indeed being shot. I though this just as well; if a tetanus jab costs $160, I imagine treating a bullet wound could be quite expensive. However, photography can be difficult because of the available angles and the sun. I found a gem in the form of The Loft Airport Cafe where I ate lunch early in the form of an excellent Asian salad. In the event, with the temperature probably touching 30 again, I drove past the Museum and on to another, the Palm Springs Art Museum. I was there to see a specific piece by Antony Gormley

Apart X, 2002 Antony Gormley

but the excellent collection had much more in addition to offer. I was conscious of being there without Greg and of the need to return with him espcially to the Richard Avedon exhibition. His work left me perplexed. My regular readers will both know that I am no fan of b&w and this did not make me one. I could clearly see the technical brilliance of many of the pictures but the point of none. They were for all their clarity just portraits and very few for me captured a person or their moment as presumably intended.

You might think I have no soul but you should know me better. I had soul enough to be shocked by 'Ryuanji', a cast bronze of 2006 by Deborah Butterfield. I don't really want to get involved with lawyers but I can only say that the resemblance to the works at Torre Abbey by Heather Jansch which I viewed on 12 July this year was striking. I should say that Ms. Butterfield's work appears to be the earlier. It appears that both artists use similar techniques and it can be little surprise that both, as artists, are drawn to horses. Perhaps this indicates that many works in many genres are necessarily and inevitably derivative solely because of the limitations of being human.

We shall probably visit the museum on Friday after tomorrow's excursion to the beautiful city of San Diego.