Ryū Murakami

I love Japanese literature. I love many Japanese things actually. But their writers are so special. Banana Yoshimoto is on top of my list as well as Ryu Murakami. I am surprised Audition has only been issued at the beginning of the year since it has already been made into a cult movie in 1999. I suppose you can call it a psycho thriller. I just finished it today and I am still disturbed by its story. It is very in the line of his previous masterpieces, Coin Locker Babies, Piercing, In The Miso Soup, Raffles Hotel and Almost Transparent Blue. I read them and loved them all.

French Literature

Living in English speaking countries I have only read English books for quite some years now. Strangely, I just finished two amazing French books that were out in 2008 and not yet translated in English. “La Meilleure Part des Hommes” from Tristan Garcia was an amazing tale set from the late 80s until now where many recognised a handful of famous French activists even though the writer claims it is all pure fiction. Meanwhile regarding the other book, “Le Théorème d'Almodovar” from Antoni Casas Ros, you are never quite sure if it is an autobiography, a dream or a fantasy. It resembles nothing I read previously and made for an easy and fascinating read. Incidentally, the moment I finished the book I read about the new Almodovar movie that will be out later this year "Los Abrazos rotos" and I can’t help but draw some parallels. Both the book and the movie follow a character who is living a life “in the dark” (one lost his “face” the other his sight) after a car accident where the love of his life happens to die. Never having been disappointed by an Almodovar movie, I can’t wait for this forthcoming release.

Papunya Tula

As mentioned earlier in this blog, upon arrival here, I did not know very much about Aboriginal painting even though I appreciated it from day one. Visiting galleries, talking to people, reading books I am now starting to have a much better idea and comprehension of all the different movements and schools as we would call them in Europe. There are so many different styles from the Arnhem bark paintings depicting the local wildlife to the Central desert dot painting through the Western Desert amazing ochres. Visiting galleries inspire me so much but kind of make me feel dizzy because of this explosion of colours and creativity Aboriginal Artists seem to be gifted with. The most famous movement was initiated in the 70s in Kintore / Papunya station over 200 km from Alice Springs and a wonderful book which details the lives of all the contributors to the Papunya Tula movement was issued last November. Essential!

In the picture my favourite living Artist, Walangkura Napanangka.

Takashi Murakami

My favourite artist is currently exhibiting at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles. I am not unfortunately able to make it but I had the good surprise to have been offered the beautiful catalogue summarising his career that has been put up together for this event. It was a very thoughtful and highly welcome gift believe me!