Thoughts and Happenings

Life, the universe and everything

Pondering the indeterminacy of life and art I muse on whether I’m conduit or origin. Read more
Got you covered

We want the gut punch of immediate visuals tickling the faster parts of our central processing unit to know if we should spare our precious and limited attention on something. A lot hinges on the humble cover. Read more
The Revolution Will Not Be Funded

Alright, darlings, let’s get busy with some feisty political talk—and, true to form, a big fat complicated book to read! The book is not immediately about art, it comes from the world of violence prevention work. But, it’s about art, too, even if they authors don’t mention it specifically. Hopefully you’ll stick with me on… Read more
Coded works, coded lives

Wherein a biography of John Singer Sargent stirs thoughts of the balancing acts queers faced then and what we still face today. Read more
Saturate this, mofo! Color as Rebellion

Color has been the object of extreme prejudice in Western culture. For the most part, this prejudice has remained unchecked and passed unnoticed. And yet it is a prejudice that is so all-embracing and generalized that, at one time or another, it has enrolled just about every other prejudice in its service. Read more
Fascinating

In the on-going excavations of Pompeii, finds like cool frescoes in a dining room garner coverage in major outlets. But rarely does anyone discuss the amazing number of erotic works uncovered. Uncovered and then—prudery triumphant—hidden away again. Read more
Shameless and perverse flaunting

Reflections on the allure of flowers upon a visit to the sensual delight that is the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show. From their visual allure to their cultural symbolism, the fascination with flowers runs deep. Read more
Worth a thousand words

While a fully-sighted person might not ever notice–or need–alt text, they make a huge difference to a lot of people who would totally miss out on the image otherwise. They may experience it differently, but why deny them any experience at all? Read more
An angel has no memory

I find myself suddenly drawn to the angel as a presentation of male beauty that is sensual and celebratory, rather than violent or coercive. Yes, there’s a bow and arrow. But it’s the revelation of hidden desires he’s aiming at his unseen target, not a threat of subjugation. Read more
What Men Want and What Men Look Like

reading this book, and sharing in the experiences and reminiscences, I wondered: is representation also the freedom to present your desire, unedited, uncoded, uninhibited for those that share the desire? We bond over not being the same, but wanting the same. Read more