Ode To Joy

On this day two centuries ago (May 7, 1824), Ludwig van Beethoven conducted a performance of "Ode to Joy", his musical masterpiece (Symphony No. 9). Beethoven was completely deaf at the time -- so he couldn't hear a volcanic burst of roaring applause following the performance. At that moment Beethoven was still facing the orchestra so a contralto stepped up, put her hands on his shoulders and turned Beethoven around so he could visually see the ecstatic response his composition had generated.

As a teenager Beethoven studied the poetry of Friedrich Schiller. A volume of it became Ludwig's most cherished book. He dreamt of setting Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" to music. The poem is a tribute to freedom, peace and human happiness. Schiller described it as a “kiss for the whole world.” Beethoven carried that kiss to the rest of us where it's still felt today. "Ode to Joy" is regularly played at the Olympics and the United Nations.

Beyond

Five years ago I found a 1957 Kodak Brownie Starmite II. The camera is a mass-produced piece of crap containing a cheap plastic lens. Sold the year I was born, the camera cost $10 back then and was intended for casual snapshots.

I took the camera out on a bitterly cold day in December 2022. Pushing it beyond normal use I coaxed the hunk of plastic to create these interesting images.

Back In The Saddle

After my vision-loss I stopped taking photographs. Not completely: I tried a few times to use my digital camera but was so discouraged by awful results that I halted the effort. Those experiences hurtled me into profound despair. That was three years ago.

I'm feeling better now, physically and mentally. I want to resume photography. Even if the outcome isn't perfect. I always found the process -- looking at the world, considering visual possibilities and metaphors, seizing images -- to be creative and restorative.

My plan now is to work around my visual limitations. I want to re-capture both the enthusiasm I used to have for photography and the magic possible when using real film. There's alchemy involved in playing with silver crystals suspended in gelatin.

I'm gonna start by pulling out my favorite camera, a 1972 Kodak Instamatic 30. In my view the camera's technical deficiencies are creative strengths. They challenge you to think deeper, do more and explore the unknown.

Here are a couple of photos I made in the past with this kinky camera.

"Straight To Hell"

Netflix just released a drama from Japan. With no fanfare or publicity push.

Which is a shame because the show is THE BEST THING ON TELEVISION right now. An ensorcelling portrayal of a woman who grew up in extreme poverty after World War II, succeeded in business against big odds, got entangled with Yakuza (organized crime), endured hardships, became skilled at exploiting people, achieved celebrity as a fortune teller on TV, and sold millions of books. Multiple scandals in her life were revealed in 2006 but she overcame even them. She lived in comfort until 2021 when she died at 83 years old. This is a true story based on a real person who's famous in Japan.

The show could (and should) become a global hit. Dōitashimashite.

Spring!

I welcomed Spring this week at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay (NY). 

After frequent fluctuation between Winter/Summer, Spring finally made its appearance. Yay!

My "Outfit"

I've reached the age where, when I go out in the morning to retrieve empty garbage cans, I don't bother putting on clothes. I just wear a bathrobe over my pajamas.

My role-model for this is Tony Soprano. If it's okay for Tony -- a powerful mob-boss -- to walk down the driveway in a bathrobe, then it's good enough for me.

National Library Week

Today starts National Library Week. Sponsored by American Library Association, the week celebrates libraries for promoting literacy, education, and community. The theme this year is "Find Your Joy," encouraging patrons to explore resources and spaces offered by public libraries.

No place supports my growth as a person more than the local library. From childhood on, it has opened doors at no cost. I borrow books there, read dozens of magazines in their comfy lounges, bring home movies on DVD, and meet others sharing my interests (like a local photography group and a book club). Yay, libraries!