I often discuss the idea of narrative in images when review art in these pages. Not every picture has to tell a tale beyond itself, but for me, depth is added when it does; when the image before you becomes a glimpse caught in time of a far broader canvas, inviting the imagination into it and consider all that might lie beyond the window we see.
When it comes to the art of Cybele Moon (Hana Hoobinoo), we are given not so much a window into a narrative, but a doorway into entire realms. Her work is, in a word ethereal; there is a beauty and depth to it which is magnificently and hauntingly moving – and you can can witness this for yourself at the meadow art area in Commune Utopia, where she has been invited to exhibit her work. She presents 15 pieces (16 if you count her enchanting bio giver) and as always, all are truly marvellous pieces. To enjoy them to the fullest, be sure to set your time of day to midnight.
Cybele’s Second Life work is a reflection of her photography in the physical world, where she captures landscapes – sometimes using an infra-red camera – and produces mythical scenes of extraordinary depth and life. Many of the pieces she displays in-world combine the physical and virtual worlds to create wonderfully layered pictures which – as noted – are richly narrative in nature.
Her muse for her work is a combination of history and myth – some of her work is inspired by Celtic and Icelandic mythology, for example, and other pieces are inspired by her own travels in north Africa and Central America. She describes her work as constantly evolving, and one of the attractions of the Commune Utopia exhibition is the breadth of her work on display – composites, colour and monochrome all share the space, offering the visitor a marvellous view into the various forms her worlds can take.
The will be an opening event for Cybele’s exhibition at Commune Utopia at 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 22nd in the art meadow. Also, no visit to Cybele’s work is every complete without also visiting her websites. In Runes of the Gatekeeper’s Daughter, she presents tales and photographs inspired by her travels. Meanwhile, Virtually Yours presents her images from, and musings on, virtual worlds.
It’s time to kick-off another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s home at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday, July 16th
13:30: Tea-Time at Baker Street
Tea-time at Baker Street continues with readings from The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927.
This week: The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier.
The year is 1903, and the Second Boer War has not long ended. Holmes is visited by a veteran of that campaign one James M. Dodd, who has a strange tale to tell while seeking Holmes’ assistance in locating a colleague and friend.
During the war, Dodd served in the Imperial Yeomanry, alongside one Godfrey Emsworth. Dodd lost contact with Emsworth not long after the latter was wounded. Now six months later, which trying to locate his friend, he has encountered a strange situation which has aroused his suspicions.
Upon contacting Emsworth’s family, Dodd was told Emsworth had departed on a voyage around the world. On visiting the family, he is again met with the same story, and Emsworth’s father intimates Dodd is lying about ever having known his son. Relating the rest of his story, Dodd reveals several more events that lead him to believe that all is not well with his friend and former colleague. He’s then rather surprised when having related events, Holmes considers that, but for one clue, the answer to the entire matter is elementary, and agrees to accompany Dodd to visit the Emsworth family to confirm his belief.
Find out how Holmes so quickly deduced what is going on, and what has happened to Godfrey Emsworth by joining the Seanchai Sleuths!
Join us from 3:00pm on Sunday, July 15th, for the next Sories at the Park. Caledonia Skytower, Trolley Trollop and Crap Mariner will read a selection of 100 word stories and poems inspired by the art on display at Holly Kai Park through until Sunday, July 23rd. The featured artists for the month are:
Originally published in 1961 under the title Sammy Going South, and then later Find the Boy, W.H. Canaway’s novel is often referred to a “The Huckleberry Finn of Africa.” It became the basis for a 1963 British film Sammy Going South, starring Edward G. Robinson, which was released in the United States as A Boy Ten Feet Tall – hence the revised title for the book.
Born in the Suez region of Egypt, where he is orphaned, Sammy learns he has an aunt living in Durban, South Africa, and is determined to travel south to be with her.
Already distrustful of adults – he was told immunisation shots he was given at a young age would not hurt, when of course they did – Sammy sets out on foot uncertain of how he will complete the journey, but determined that he will. Along the way his distrust of adults is reinforced thanks to encounters with those who seek to profit from him and due to his witnessing the cruelty humans can inflict upon one another.
But also along the way there are those who do seek nothing more than to help him. One of these is a poacher and diamond trader – the kind of person you’d believe only to willing to take advantage of a young boy alone in the world. But it is compassion that rules this man’s heart (played in the film by Edward G. Robinson), and he takes the boy under his wing, helping him to heal from his emotional wounds …
Join Gyro Muggins for more of the adventure.
Tuesday, July 18th 19:00: In the Words of Stephen Vincent Benet
Short stories with Corwyn Allen, Caledonia Skytower and Kayden Oconnell. This week: The Sobbin’ Women and poetry.
Wednesday, July 19th 19:00: The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Caledonia Skytower reads Kelly Barnhill’s 2017 Newbery Medal winner.
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian.
Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.
One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own.
To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.
Also presented in Kitely (hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528).
Thursday, July 20th 19:00: Songs of Love and Death
Shandon Loring reads Demon Dancer. Also presented in Kitely (hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528).
Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for May through July is Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, raising awareness of childhood cancer causes and funds for research into new treatments and cures.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 