For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Introspection is an art. It is possibly the most important skill we can develop if we want to find a measure of contentment in life. But, like any art, it takes a lot of time and practice before we become skilful enough that the results are considered admirable by others. It is hardly surprising that... Continue Reading →
Everything you need to know about installation art would have been evident to you had you ever had the (probably quite surreal) opportunity of seeing (and certainly smelling) Dieter Roth’s Staple Cheese (A Race), which was part of his exhibition in Los Angeles’ Eugenia Butler Gallery in 1970. The work consisted of 37 suitcases of... Continue Reading →
I will concede that it is a possibility that my vehemently anti-tongues stance was born out of a couple of negative experiences with charismatic churches. I certainly would be loath to tar all such churches with the same brush or to insinuate that all or even most members of such churches are in any way... Continue Reading →
I am concerned by the reluctance of governments and schools to encourage talk about morality in the classroom. They are happy to talk to business ethics, but not personal values. It seems that we are too afraid that by engaging in such discussions we might accidentally offend somebody. The result is that we are raising... Continue Reading →
I have been told that I am overreacting when I express criticism of how we celebrate Heritage Day (September 24th in South Africa). I truly love the concept of Heritage Day. Knowing how the currents of history have influenced the space in which we find ourselves provides invaluable insight into who we are, both as... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week I had to fly down to KwaZulu-Natal to participate in the national standardisation of drama practicals. It was my first introduction to the Dramatic Arts examining panel, and they were – as can be expected – absolutely fabulous and thoroughly entertaining. On Monday night for dinner they elected to eat at a... Continue Reading →
I am not going to lie. I am a hardline cynic. Maybe I have been too jaded by experience, but I cannot look at the world and see it as basically good. I have no desire to stay forever young, nor to live any longer than I have to on this side of eternity. One... Continue Reading →
I need to confess to having a closet interest in Science. Many of the pupils I have taught would be horrified, given how much time I spend in my classes decrying it as the irresponsible obsession with throwing things off cliffs or buildings and timing the descent. But as many flaws as Science has, it... Continue Reading →
Blind jazz pianist, George Shearing, according to a popular story, was waiting at a busy intersection for somebody to help him across. He heard a tapping and a man spoke: “I am blind. Please could you help me across the road?” He is later quoted as responding: “What could I do? I took him across... Continue Reading →
I was explaining to a friend recently why Turner’s landscapes are among my favourite paintings. I love the savage beauty of nature, as he depicts it. Something about his wild impartial skies and wild, alien landscapes resonates with my soul. Whenever we look at a piece of art, we only tangentially see the artist. What... Continue Reading →
Vapors In The Wind 