TC: Bach's Booty

Three barrels of beer was Bach's pay. Still now
A dim shadow falls across the bright festal tone
As we follow the figured bass part down
Memory lane, where the art form's short term losses,
Simulating his disputes with authority,
Preclude the purple laurels victory brings.
Don't blow your wig, scholar. Let the beer fiddlers play
"The Warrior Minstrel of the Forlorn Hope."
Life remains long, but now and then as the silver
Chords gather and are sprinkled above the planet
Like sparks pinned to a blue velvet canopy
We get these inklings, self regard drifts away
From boreal night's cold lucid frame
Into postromantic darkness, and real stars come out.

TC: Lewis Carroll/Problems of Thought

Often has it been remarked that no one ever did something and regretted it later without also having to admit there had been a point of return, perceptible had only one been paying attention. Responsive as a small dog loyal to any passing whimsical attraction, however, one was too busy to take any notice. One could have stopped. Thought could have been summoned. Rescue could have been effected. But such are the powers of distraction in this world that though one might easily have turned back in time to save oneself from disaster, this never happened. Thus things came to be as as they stand at present.


The last of the crew needs especial remark,
Though he looked an incredible dunce:
He had just one idea — but, that one being "Snark,"
The good Bellman engaged him at once.

He came as a BUTCHER: but gravely declared,
When the ship had been sailing a week,
He could only kill beavers. The Bellman looked scared,
And was almost too frightened to speak:

But at length he explained, in a tremulous tone,
There was only one beaver on board;
And that was a tame one he had of his own,
Whose death would be deeply deplored.

The beaver, who happened to hear the remark,
Protested, with tears in its eyes,
That not even the rapture of hunting the Snark
Could atone for that dismal surprise!

It strongly advised that the BUTCHER should be
Conveyed in a separate ship:
But the Bellman declared that would never agree
With the plans he had made for the trip:

Navigation was always a difficult art,
Though with only one ship and one bell:
And he feared he must really decline, for his part,
Undertaking another as well.

The beaver's best course was, no doubt, to procure
A second-hand dagger-proof coat —
So the Baker advised it — and next, to insure
Its life in some Office of note:

This the Banker suggested, and offered for hire
(On moderate terms), or for sale,
Two excellent Policies, one Against Fire,
And one Against Damage From Hail.

Yet still, ever after that sorrowful day,
Whenever the BUTCHER was by,
The beaver kept looking the opposite way,
And appeared unaccountably shy.

This Quote Is Helping

"But if you want my blessing for your home, it should have one further characteristic: you must give yourself away in some little detail. Your home should purposely show up some weakness of yours. This may seem to be a field in which the architect's authority ceases, but no architectural creation is complete without some such trait: it will not be alive. This trait can be compared to the need for a particularly subtle kind of humor to expose one's own weaknesses."

— Alvar Aalto

TC: The Apparitional Canoe

Captain James Cook and Chief Maquina, Nootka Sound, 1778





The Apparitional Canoe


Before contact
peace in every upstream inlet

in early summer
the sea is glassy calm

fog banks form the margin of
the japan current

and roll in morning
after morning

sea otters swim
in pods among kelp

back-floating
the sea is glassy calm

until one morning
the evil star dawns

with the white
sail on the horizon










With

The first incoming
apparitional canoe

a singing
wind rushed

through cedars—a
silver moonlit

beached whale gleamed
out on the Sound

wave washed
otters slept

on kelp beds
back-floating






Mild

They're easy together
inside the pod
when there's no hunting
the yelp of the little
ones is not heard
on good days
when the weather is mild they move
like the vowels in the word
repose
off shore to browse
among sea
urchin and mussel
encrusted submerged reefs
or in drifting patches of
floating kelp


____________________________________________


Capt. James Cook—His Report: on the Sea Otter

The fur of these animals, as mentioned in the Russian accounts, is certainly softer and finer than any others we know of and, therefore, the discovery of this part of the continent of North America where so valuable an article of commerce may be met with, cannot be a matter of indifference. There is not the least doubt, that a very beneficial fur trade may be carried on with the inhabitants of this vast coast. But unless a northern passage be found practicable, it seems rather too remote from Great Britain to receive any emolument from it.




Infestation of the Merchandise

"one could say that in taking on a cargo of furs
one takes on also a cargo of lice"—
Marchand, 1790

Particularly in the early years when
to get their hands on a few novel articles
of trade the chiefs were willing
to strip the sea otter cloaks
from their own backs and as Cook
says thereby reduce themselves
to a state of nudity

many if not most of the skins exchanged
were—Cook again—"very lousy"





Brass (Cook at Nootka)


metal was especially demanded
particularly brass with such eagerness
before we left hardly a bit
of brass was to be found in the ships
even officers' jackets without buttons

________________________________


THE TWO CHIEFS:
Cook and Maquina at Nootka






Maquina Greeting Cook at Friendly Cove
(Nootka Sound, 1778)


A canoe remarkable for a
singular head which

had a bird's eye and a bill
of an enormous size

painted on it
a person who was in the bow

seemed to be a chief
many feathers hanging from his head

his face painted in extraordinary manner





The Bird Ceremonial Greeting for Cook


From the biggest and last in line
of the Nootkan dugouts

the chief
stood up strewing handfuls of

feathers over the water
towards us on the ship

as some of his fellow
Indians threw red dust

or powder likewise—
and made a long harangue

holding in his hand a carved bird
of wood

as large as a pigeon
which he rattled and was

no less vociferous in his harangue
two or three natives likewise

had their hair quite skewed over
with small feathers

others with large ones stuck
into different parts of their heads






The Canoe Song


While this ceremony continued
the others sat in their canoes

a little distance from the ship
and one sang

a very agreeable air
with a degree of softness and melody

which we could not have expected
the word haela friend

being often repeated
as the burden of the song





The Ship Boston

The Indians rifled
the ship Boston

dressed up in women's clothing
and sacks

pulled high stocking caps
over their heads

with powder horns
and bags of shot

came from all around
to party four days

till two Boston ships
the Juno and the Mary

came into the Sound to trade
the Indians

scared them off with great
whooping and shooting

of guns
signalling no trade

TC: Apparitional Canoe 2: The Commercial Phase

(The "Discovery" of the Mouth of the Columbia)

John Boit of Boston (aetat.17), "Log of the Second Voyage of the Columbia" (1792)



Captain Robert Gray at the mouth of the Columbia River in 1792.
Oregon State Capitol mural


12 [May 1792] We saw an appearance of a spacious harbour abrest of the Ship, haul'd our wind for it, observ'd two sand bars making off, with a passage between them to a fine river. Out pinnace and sent her ahead and follow'd the ship under short sail, carried in from 1/2 three to 7 fm.and when over the bar had 10 fm. water, quite fresh. The River extended to the NE as far as eye cou'd reach, and water fit to drink as far down as the bars, at the entrance. We directed our course up this noble River in search of a Village. The beach was lin'd with Natives, who ran along shore following the Ship. Soon after, above 20 Canoes came off, and brought a good lot of Furs, and Salmon, which last they sold two for a board Nail. The furs we likewise bought cheap, for Copper and Cloth.

Cargo in Trading Goods: The Columbia

Columbia Hoes 36
Shingling Hatchets 91
Large Axes 73
Small Axes 34
Adzes 49
Pole Axes 2
Bill Hooks 52
Drawing Knives 78
Rat Traps 18
Snuff Bottles 78
Butchers Knives 117
Cod Hooks 52 Gross

Jews Harps 22 3/4 Dozn.
Tin Soldiers 6 Boxes
Trinkett 5 Boxes
Beads 116 lb
Necklaces 15 Dozn.
Tobacco Boxes 72
Tin quart potts 72
Tin pint potts 191
Tin half pint potts 125
Dippers 23
Tile potts 38
Tin Kettles 12

They appear'd to view the Ship with the greatest astonishment and no doubt we was the first civilized people they ever saw. At length we arriv'd opposite to a large village, situate on the North side of the River, about 5 leagues from the entrance. Capt. Gray named this River Columbia's and the north entrance Cape Hancock, and the South Point, Adams. This River in my opinion wou'd be a fine place to set up a Factory for skins.



Pepper Boxes 16
Pudding pans 2
Polish'd Iron pint potts 8
Sail Needles 600
Looking glasses 461
Pint Basons 12
Combs 50 Dozn.
Awl Blades 6 Gross
Awl Hafts 6 Dozn.
Cuttoes 1476
Shering Knives 55
Reaping Hooks 3
Pump Hamers 8

Hand Saws 72
Pewter Porringers 72
Basons 72 [Quart]
Elegant earings 14 Dozn. pr.
Large Saws 7
Lott Wire 1 (Bale)
Cloathing 12 Suits
Brass Tobacco Boxes 9
Tinder Boxes 34
Skillitts 90
Spiders 95
Iron Potts and Kettles 84
Kane Knives 37
Chizells 1600

15 [May 1792]. N. Latt. 46º 7’ W. Long. 122º 47’. On the 15th took up the Anchor, and stood up River but soon found the water to be shoal so that the Ship took the Ground, after proceeding 7 or 8 miles from our 1st station, however soon got off again. Sent the Cutter and found the main Channel was on the South side,[1] and that there was a sand bank in the middle, as we did not expect to procure Otter furs at any distance from the Sea, we contented ourselves in our present situation[2] which was a very pleasant one. I landed abrest the Ship with Capt. Gray to view the Country and take possession,[3] leaving charge with the 2d Officer.[4] Found much clear ground, fit for Cultivation, and the woods mostly clear from Underbrush. None of the Natives come near us.

In the Northwest, Native American cultures lived in a shelter known as the plank house.

First map of the mouth of the Columbia River, discovered and drawn by Bruno de Hezeta and named Bahia de la Asuncion, August 17, 1775
Courtesy Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla

18 [May 1792]. Shifted the Ship’s birth to her Old Station abrest the Village Chinoak, command’d by a cheif name Polack.[5] Vast many Canoes full of Indians from different parts of the river where constantly along side. Capt. Gray named this river Columbia’s, and the North entrance Cape Hancock, and the South Point Adams.[6] This River in my opinion, wou’d be a fine place for to sett up a Factory. The Indians are very numerous, and appear’d very civill (not even offering to steal). During our short stay we collected 150 Otter, 300 Beaver, and twice the Number of other land furs. The river abounds with excellent Salmon, and most other River fish, and the Woods with plenty of Moose and Deer, the skins of which was brought us in great plenty, and the Banks produces a ground Nut, which is an excellent substitute for either bread or Potatoes, We found plenty of Oak, Ash, and Walnut trees, and clear ground in plenty, which with little labour might be made fit to raise such seeds as is nessescary for the sustenance of inhabitants, and in short a factory set up here and another at Hancock’s River in the [34] Queen Charlotte Isles, wou’d engross the whole trade of the NW Coast (with the help [of] a few small coasting vessels).

"We have to remember that what we observe is not nature in itself but nature exposed to our method of questioning" (Heisenberg)

20 [May 1792]. This day[1] left Columbia’s River, and stood clear of the bars, and bore off to the Northward The Men at Columbia’s River are strait limb’d, fine looking fellows, and the women are very pretty. they are all in a state of Nature, except the females, who wear a leaf Apron (perhaps ‘twas a fig leaf). But some of our gentlemen, that examin’d them pretty close, and near, both within and without reported that it was not a leaf but a nice wove mat in resemblance!! and so we go—thus, thus—and no Near!—!

I landed abrest the Ship with Capt. Gray to view the Country and take possession, leaving charge with the 2d Officer. Found much clear ground, fit for Cultivation, and the woods mostly clear from Underbrush. None of the Natives come near us.

The American flag that
circumnavigated the
globe with Captain
Gray on the Columbia

______________

Brooklyn in Winter

A recent trip to Williamsburgh and Dumbo to see some galleries ended up on Front Street, which can be a little too delightful in summer, now that it is being so developed. On this frigid winter day, just the right balance was struck among people in the street, things to see, and the scale of the Manhattan Bridge overhead, looming like a movie set.

The nicest part of the day was walking into Susan Bee's "Eye of the Storm" exhibition and finding Susan there! Her new paintings (see example above) have moved into a new area. Her familiar wavy seas and sexy femmes fatales are still there, but there are also starker areas, large unmodulated shapes that reminded me of Al Held's blunt, brightly colored, geometric paintings from the early 1960s. Susan pointed out that she is a sucker for clouds and paints them differently in almost every painting. It was true.

On Sunday there was a gathering for a new publication: A Tribute to Emma Bee Bernstein (1985-2008). This is a remarkable book by and about a remarkable young woman, who left us way too soon. The book has a striking cover by Susan, preface by Johanna Drucker, intro by Emma, interview w/ Susan by Emma & Nona Willis Aronowitz, a memoir about Emma by Susan, interview w/ Marjorie Perloff by Emma and Nona, postscript by Marjorie, text on Emma's poetry by Nona, an editor's note, several collages by Susan, and photos by and of Emma.

Johanna Drucker, in her introduction writes of Emma's writing, "Sometimes she shows a casual disregard for disciplining her large, raw talent. At moments she seems content to let it rip, to let the language and associations zigzag from marker to milepost while she asks, over and over agian, what does it mean to be a feminist in and for her generatioin? In other passages she feels inhibited by the tensions betwen academic language and its critical edge and the need to break through those conventions and speak in the vernacular. In other places, the text is tightly crafted, well-groomed and finished. The variation is as scenic as the terrain through which she moves..."

This is one of my favorite parts of Emma's text: "Gaze out the window. Notice the velvet black cows grazing on the ochre corn fields of Nebraska, snow capping the icy blue grand Tetons of Wyoming. Watch the fluorescent glow of fuchsia motel signs click off in the gray dawn, while sipping your complimentary coffee. Pull over to gawk at swirls of evergreen trees dipped in the brightest autumn fues, frosted with Montana mist."

But of course that is only the setting for richer quests, of a woman as woman and woman as part of a generation. Her perceptions on her era are acute. When she writes that "college graduates on the corporate career track replace spiritual pilgrimages to India with squeezing a Yoga class into a busy schedule, morning bong rips with after-work cocktails, moccasins with Manolos," you think have the picture. But she pulls you up short: "But we are not materialistic or apathetic. We are deeply self-aware and apocalyptic. Think Radiohead rather than Ravi Shankar..."

From Belladonna's Elders Series; available through Small Press Distribution (www.spdbooks.org) or from Belladonna (orders@belladonnaseries.org).

TC: Writing: Dangerous—(1) Curzio Malaparte

Writing: Dangerous

Curzio Malaparte

"As for the political émigrés, one must insist, with all due respect: that a writer doesn't simply break his pen in two in the presence of a tyrant who prohibits him from writing as he pleases, rather he tempers and sharpens it and seeks to write between the lines, saying secretly what he can't say openly; that in a country subjugated by a tyrant, one can't write openly against tyranny; and that, if it is legitimate to flee abroad to free countries to escape persecution, it is neither honest nor fair, from such a distant and safe place of refuge, to reproach those who remained in Italy for not ending the masquerade, as they used to say, and for not facing, openly and unarmed, the very same violence from which they themselves escaped by fleeing."

--Curzio Malaparte, Preface to Don Camaleo (trans. Michael McDonald)

Casa Malaparte, Lipari



Curzio Malaparte

The two great writers who addressed the Second World War from within the belly of the beast were Céline and Malaparte. Of the two, Malaparte is the lesser known. His works are part journalism, part fiction. The subjective center of his works is a Malaparte who calls himself "I" and may or may not be the "real Malaparte". (Curzio Malaparte, of course, was not his real name; he was born as Kurt Eric Suckert.) This "I" mutates and coalesces through what in internet technology might be called "multi-user domains". Indirection and subversion were central to Malaparte's strategy in writing.

As early as the 1920s, in the false springtime of the Mussolini regime, Malaparte was working his arts of contradiction, parable and double-and triple-meaning to undermine the dictator from directly under the dictator's haughty nose. His self-justification for choosing this mode of resistance is stated in the above-quoted Preface to a later reissue of his parabolic anti-Mussolini text Don Camaleo. A similar rationale might be adopted by a present-day blogger who eschews the relative safety of political exile and chooses instead to articulate dissidence by burrowing-from-within.

______________________________