與子偕老 Love Crime

There are three objectives that I want to accomplish in this post:  an ode to Hannibal series finale(not again?!),  some reflections on my birthday(older yes, wiser surely not), and a tribute to Painting Set Free, the Turner exhibition at de Young(yes and yes, from the bottom of my heart!). This is exactly how the mind works - a fierce cacophony of inspirations, aspirations, and impugning emotions.

The Angel Standing in the Sun

Exhibited 1846

And I saw an angel in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.

_ Revelation 19:17

兒童過生日期待禮物, 成年明白生日是母難日應感恩非歡慶, 現下過生日則, '對酒當歌, 人生幾何'… 省思居多. 耽迷三年的影集Hannibal同天絢爛落幕, 讀著同好篇篇觀點迥異的精采影評, 倒像是冥冥中老天爺戲謔的默契, 於我生日的夜空, 綻放一朵接一朵璀燦的煙火.

Birthday bouquet from my boss and birthday treats from my team - they were very thoughtful to prepare extras(and gluten free!) so I could take home for Mr. LK and Little V to enjoy.  You are the best!

The Dogano, San Giorgio, Citella, from the Steps of Europa

Exhibited 1842

A close up.

Hannibal Season 3(Series) Finale

'Love Crime' was specially written for the epic ending sequence by the British punk legend Siouxsie Sioux.  I must admit having no idea who SS was until listening to and being moved to tears by the hauntingly beautiful tune.  Underneath the satire and gore, the Hannibal series is a dissertation on love, the very quintessence of love.  Its dark and sweeping cinematography creates a fairytale aura, the ironic and sexually charged fairytale that Angela Carter would have written where once upon a time, Snow White born as the child of the lustful king's desires.  The doom of Francis Dolarhyde in the hands of Will Graham and Hannibal was a Shakespearian redemption, not so much for ending a disturbing monster's griefs but the consummation of two ardently knowing souls.  It was an incredible journey of betrayal and revelation - I will miss every word of the esoteric love letter from Dr. Lecter.

Shade and Darkness - The Evening of the Deluge

Exhibited 1843

The morn put forth her sign of woe unheeded; But disobedience slept; the darkening Deluge closed around, And the last token came:  the giant framework floated, The roused birds forsook their nightly shelters screaming And the beasts waded to the ark.

- Joseph Mallord William Turner, Fallacies of Hope

換成自己點評反而辭窮, 我想, Hannibal與Will之間極其純粹, 知性的牽引, 生物本能的皈依, 如此纖細激烈的愛, 透過共同血刃Francis D, 圓滿莎士比亞式的情感盟約.  相擁躍下懸崖的兩個孤獨靈魂, 會在某座華麗的記憶宮殿互偕永生吧?  Will不是不深愛Molly, 然平凡夫妻之情遠不敵宿命的知己, 與Hannibal共赴毀滅是唯一的抉擇.  故事各個角色皆精簡描畫歸宿, 除了FBI探長Jack Crawford, 自始至終Jack的存在是正義冷漠的化身, 尤其愛妻Bella絕症過世後.  荒謬可憐的Dr. Chilton體無完膚繼續於氧氣艙裡咬牙切齒.  Dr. Bloom前季終鬼門關回來, 復仇的美艷心險, 得知Hannibal假釋放真脫逃, 拋下豪富古堡攜家眷沈鬱登上私人客機避難. 曾是藍鬍子末代新娘的Dr. Bedelia du Maurier依舊撲朔迷離, 燭光晚餐等待的是誰?

An elegant fountain pen set from Paris and the glittering botanical oil(I will never be as feminine as you are, my friend :)  Thank you, Echo!

Thoughts on birthday

Flying under the radar has been my birthday maxim since I joined the quarter century club eons ago.  Still, I am very grateful to a surprise birthday celebration in the office the day before, a surprise birthday present from a traveling friend during her well deserved vacation afar and hugs&kisses from Little V and Mr. LK first thing my birthday morning.  For those who always remember my birthday and how special we make each other feel, you are life's companions of the highest order.  I love you and thank you!  For those who tirelessly care about my age, title, alma mater down to the brand names I wear or even the real estate I own… I will hold the back doors for you(out PLEASE, for the show has ended).

Guess what?  Great minds think alike.  Earlier in the summer I got myself a basic fountain pen set in Tokyo.  I will save the opulent version from Echo for penning my magnum opus in the future :)

大學修藝術史, J.M.W Turner是心頭好.  從知悉舊金山de Young美術館Painting Set Free特展便心癢難耐, 直到週五請假赴館悠遊ㄧ午后方得償宿願.  與古畫真跡相對如墮入時間洪流, 數百年前的沈思糾結, 穿越層層色彩明暗光影, 只要你願意傾聽, 紙張畫布漸漸有了呼吸聲… 創作者的靈魂, 開始將心路歷程娓娓道來, 攜著你的手指向他深情凝望的所有風景.  因為Turner奔騰的筆法, 我懂山光水色蘊涵的心緒, 他最擅長以大自然的驚滔駭浪擁抱人性卑微的掙扎, 一時彷彿佇足鬼岩崎嶇山城峰頂, 一時船搖至波光粼粼黎明水鄉橋旁… 目不暇給, 胸口滿溢感激.  離開de Young時戀戀不捨, 驅車奔往 Legion of Honor續賞Luminous Worlds, 這美麗的印記會保存良久.

Turner's Bedroom in the Palazzo Giustinian(the Hotel Europa), Venice

ca. 1840

A rare sketch of an interior by Turner.

J.M.W Turner:  Painting Set Free

J.M.W Turner 1775-1851

The Turner exhibition transformed de Young Museum into my sanctum sanctorum for one afternoon before the Labor Day long weekend.  Oil, watercolor, gouache… master J.M.W Turner is still speaking to us about the force of nature and the romance of the light, until this day, this very moment when I breathed in from the canvas and the colors breathed new meanings into me.  The glorious vibrancy he created with the ferocity of brushstrokes and his tenderest touch to give presence to a certain mystical figure against the engulfing, majestic landscape was transfixing.  I found myself strolling besides the aging artist as we climbed up the rocky hills and the next moment sitting side by side in the gondola afloat into dawn… could not bear for the day to end I drove to Legion of Honor right afterwards and continued viewing the Luminous Worlds :)

Within minutes leaving de Young, I arrived at the Legion of Honor.  I love San Francisco!

Luminous Worlds:  British Works on Paper 1760-1900

Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy

ca. 1827

A close up.

'慨當以慷, 憂思難忘', 是時候分梯次梳理生命種種混沌情感, 有些應貼封條(畫辟邪鬼符?)釘箱, 有些撣去塵埃竟閃閃發光, 開啟一扇扇遙望的窗, know thyself是今年給自己最好的生日禮物 :)