tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339559732024-03-05T05:44:31.669+00:00Padhraig Nolan's BlogWelcome to the online home of Padhraig Nolan [aka PJ] [aka Scalder]<br>
I'm a designer / writer / painter / illustrator, based in Dublin, Ireland.<br>
I hope you find something interesting while you're here.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-25785248489606027122011-06-22T10:29:00.001+01:002011-06-22T12:07:26.691+01:00Pivot Dublin : World Design Capital 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUk6__6ictSFeKImlbFm1HBhol97yBez1yEF3uZ3RGLPv3hejSD9dUybCkWHj6lmGhYtrgFq6mVtWfGfD9v19lup80hdacLleR1QGBPalh3CHgYWEjTkw6yokZp0AFM7QoO6g/s1600/pivot-540x344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="255" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUk6__6ictSFeKImlbFm1HBhol97yBez1yEF3uZ3RGLPv3hejSD9dUybCkWHj6lmGhYtrgFq6mVtWfGfD9v19lup80hdacLleR1QGBPalh3CHgYWEjTkw6yokZp0AFM7QoO6g/s400/pivot-540x344.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Absoulutely excellent news from the <a href="http://www.pivotdublin.com">Pivot Dublin</a> camp. Dublin has just been announced as one of three cities worldwide shortlisted to become World Design Capital 2014. The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) announced today that the prestigious designation, awarded biannually to cities that use design to benefit people socially, culturally and economically will be awarded for 2014 to either Dublin, Bilbao or Cape Town. The winning city will be announced this autumn. Details of the Dublin bid can be seen on <a href="http://www.pivotdublin.com">www.pivotdublin.com</a>.<br />
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The shortlisting itself is a huge achievement. Congrats to all concerned for stepping up - in difficult times - and putting a very creative and positive set of shoulders to this particular wheel. The Dublin design scene has been ticking away over the years, often fuelled by enthusiasm more than hard resources. Recent years have seen a blossoming of creativity, to the extent that Irish designers in all disciplines are making a their presence felt right across the international scene. More power to the elbows beneath the shoulders that turn the wheel! And best of luck in the next stage.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-54691864017121048732011-06-02T11:30:00.001+01:002011-06-02T11:34:09.149+01:00Airfield Writers : Launch & Open Mic<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40352542@N04/3710146346/" title="Herb Garden by airfieldfarm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3710146346_eb9495fce0.jpg" width="400" height="266" alt="Herb Garden"></a><br />
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The lovely <a href="http://www.thepoetryvein.com/">Shirley McClure</a> was in touch to let me know about an upcoming event that her writers group is hosting;<br />
<br />
<b>Open Mic Night<br />
to celebrate the launch of our broadsheet <br />
The Mews</b><br />
<br />
<b>Airfield Writers<br />
are hosting an open-mic evening<br />
on Wednesday June 22nd at 7.30 pm<br />
in The Library of Airfield House</b><br />
<br />
Bring your poem/ flash fiction – no longer than two minutes, please. Or just lend an appreciative ear and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine.<br />
<br />
For directions to Airfields, check their site <a href="http://www.airfield.ie/about.html">here</a>.<br />
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Should be an enjoyable evening, Airfield is a fantastic venue. Hope to make it along there myself.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-1349627459953552052011-05-30T12:39:00.003+01:002011-05-30T12:40:41.244+01:00Naomie Ross : Luvverly, Luvverly Letterpress<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22639018?portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/22639018">Letterpress</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/naomieross">Naomie Ross</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>A quite lovely wee video from graphic designer <a href="http://www.naomie.me/">Naomie Ross</a>. Mmmmmmm, smell that innnnnkkkkkkkkk.........Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-16459996945988740962011-05-16T11:05:00.002+01:002011-05-16T12:18:49.813+01:00Eurovision 2011 : Not So Lucky then.<iframe width="400" height="320" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OF21pTGtKTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Dammit. Really thought that the fairy unicyclist would swing it.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-22953872838949001402011-04-27T10:44:00.000+01:002011-04-27T10:44:30.312+01:00Me Diggity : Brandt Brauer Frick<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="390" height="238" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gR8KGam3m9Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-33300371501208004492011-04-24T20:08:00.005+01:002011-04-25T09:48:34.023+01:00Poetry Bus : Yard Brush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJNbLH0zfN2IZImoMPG91w5ZsbkxhraTOLO7-8h8yQppohjZqKEW1QUwxRSM56RFJFhpel6PVkfWjqFbFcimhJdql_sEuLWRy9YqABnfAoJ3j3_1_05KqTXY5BJqX6iCj6pGB/s1600/IMG_1199_yardbrush_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="340" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJNbLH0zfN2IZImoMPG91w5ZsbkxhraTOLO7-8h8yQppohjZqKEW1QUwxRSM56RFJFhpel6PVkfWjqFbFcimhJdql_sEuLWRy9YqABnfAoJ3j3_1_05KqTXY5BJqX6iCj6pGB/s400/IMG_1199_yardbrush_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
So this week's <a href="http://sciencegirltraveler.blogspot.com/2011/04/just-too-too-far-too-bussy.html">Poetry Bus prompt comes from NanU</a>, and the theme is one of Excess. Of Far Too Much. Of Going Over the Edge. I've done something I've never done for the Poetry Bus before ( I think?) - i.e. I've used a poem already written. Reason being, I'm a wee bit 'writ out' right now - after a bit of a purple patch, thankfully - and, in keeping busy outdoors (while the Irish sky deigns to remain conducive to such activity) I remembered something written a few years ago, which seemed to suit this prompt, albeit on somewhat of a tangent. An ode to a loyal implement which has somewhat exceeded its life expectancy, perhaps only due to a lack of excess in its usage? To wit....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Yard Brush</b><br />
<br />
Old friend, I know you longer than my wife.<br />
I brought you from my parent's home - a gift,<br />
for you were on the way out - your acolyte<br />
had deemed you ill-equipped. Yet here you are<br />
<br />
your handle slick and sheened by years<br />
of palms that regularly furled to working fists<br />
(though woodworm traffic in your cambered<br />
head suggests a cheese particularly Swiss).<br />
<br />
Your nylon bristles, once bright cherry red<br />
and eager as a pup's tumescent tip,<br />
are clogged and grey like ancient natty dreads,<br />
but still upstanding - equal to the chore.<br />
<br />
At least to any I might yet inflict.<br />
For that you labour still speaks volumes too;<br />
my yardwork - yes, the sparsity of it -<br />
has kept our union true.<br />
<br />
<br />
© P Nolan 2008<br />
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<br />
That's the implement itself, pictured above in all its woodworm-headed holiness. Still in (sparse) use - even earlier today. The reference to <i>'clogged and grey, like ancient natty dreads'</i> refers to another brush entirely, one my father used when building our family home, which acquired said appearance from sweeping up after mixing cement. But hey, if a poem can't conflate a little......?Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-14698090669962890012011-04-21T15:22:00.001+01:002011-04-21T15:22:59.718+01:00dlr Poetry Now : Fresh from Dún Laoghaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc3uWICcTFQmgqUetKOpmttfJOs_RFGnKoNT-jGtceBPHac4fM0gJxIg3qj-t84NupqFgsxrz5Z4joYvRD2wU43eSZL_6OGtndTMx6pwUf821PvhvEaoNZmZm8OSVu7qH2vRf/s1600/fresh_from_dun_laoghaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc3uWICcTFQmgqUetKOpmttfJOs_RFGnKoNT-jGtceBPHac4fM0gJxIg3qj-t84NupqFgsxrz5Z4joYvRD2wU43eSZL_6OGtndTMx6pwUf821PvhvEaoNZmZm8OSVu7qH2vRf/s400/fresh_from_dun_laoghaire.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mischaphoto.com"><i>Photo : Mischa Haller</i></a><br />
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The podcasts from this year's dlr Poetry Now festival have been uploaded to the festival website - they're all available to listen to <a href="http://www.poetrynow.ie/2011/podcasts.htm">here</a>. Enjoy!Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-10298077593968460212011-04-19T10:51:00.000+01:002011-04-19T10:51:58.005+01:00New Painting : La Madone de Lune<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/p_nolan_lamadonedelune_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="559" width="390" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/p_nolan_lamadonedelune_blog.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
lamadonedelune (La Madone de Lune)<br />
mixed media on paper, 210 x 145mm <br />
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<p></p>Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-77556700279003189012011-04-01T09:38:00.005+01:002011-04-01T09:41:55.534+01:00Scamp : IGI recent work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scamp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/March-2011-Latest-Work-ftai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="495" width="390" src="http://www.scamp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/March-2011-Latest-Work-ftai.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
There's a very cool selection of recent work from some of my <a href="http://www.illustratorsireland.com/">Illustratorsireland </a>colleagues<a href="http://www.scamp.ie/index.php/2011/04/illustrators-ireland-latest-work-march-2011/"> over on the Scamp blog</a> today. The image above is by good mate <a href="http://www.fintantaite.com/">Fintan Taite</a> - a section of a new comic strip which you can see in full on his site. Some of my favourites in this month's batch are a new book by by <a href="http://bit.ly/hJ0qWb">Isabelle Reyes Feeney</a> and images by <a href="http://bit.ly/gaSPAt">Steve Doogan</a>, <a href="http://bit.ly/i8kv61">Diarmuid Ó Catháin</a>, <a href="http://www.scamp.ie/index.php/2011/04/illustrators-ireland-latest-work-march-2011/synnott_november-2010_latest_work/">Stephen Synnott</a> (loads of Steves in the <a href="http://www.illustratorsireland.com/">IGI</a>!) and inistioge-based <a href="http://www.scamp.ie/index.php/2011/04/illustrators-ireland-latest-work-march-2011/latestwork_alemercado-10/">Ale Mercado</a>, whose work <a href="http://www.stingingfly.org/">Stinging Fly </a>readers may recall from his graphic fiction collaboration with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Barry_(author)">Kevin Barry</a> in the Winter 2010 issue.<br />
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Kevin Barry himself is <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/0401/1224293528813.html">interviewed in today's Irish Times</a> about upcoming novel City of Bohane (along with appropriate shivering-writer-in-Leitrim-barracks-lifestyle-colour-angle). Sounds like a cracker!Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-16456080879316199092011-03-29T08:30:00.059+01:002011-03-30T15:44:30.076+01:00dlr Poetry Now : Pause. Breathe. Plunge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPiFzhL97VsI-OKB2w8IlIFjGwHpS885yAvTl6vpTqCCI0DGQTAzzTM8gQFC_Nn8kTSEFtRf2T73kM8eXzGbRHgo1PNCSRj2Brdt6oQWChwEFlQ6oW1ZLZEJgOZse33EZNAnu/s1600/dun_laoghaire_poetrynow2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPiFzhL97VsI-OKB2w8IlIFjGwHpS885yAvTl6vpTqCCI0DGQTAzzTM8gQFC_Nn8kTSEFtRf2T73kM8eXzGbRHgo1PNCSRj2Brdt6oQWChwEFlQ6oW1ZLZEJgOZse33EZNAnu/s400/dun_laoghaire_poetrynow2011.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mischaphoto.com"><i>Photo : Mischa Haller</i></a><br />
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Considering <a href="http://www.poetrynow.ie/">dlr Poetry Now</a> essentially takes place over a long weekend, over time it has developed a unique shape and impact that nourishes the Irish poetry community, at home and abroad, throughout the year.<br />
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The festival has ended now. Over for the year. Or rather year-and-a-half, as the next festival won't take place until September 2012, when it will run in tandem with the newer <a href="http://www.mountainstosea.ie/">Mountains to The Sea Book festival</a>. This year's audiences were assured that dlr Poetry Now is to retain it's own identity alongside that festival, with its own curator. Whoever that should be, they will have the unenviable role of following <a href="http://belindamckeon.wordpress.com/">Belinda McKeon</a>, whose agile and progressive oversight has, for the last four years, honoured the heritage of the festival and the poetry itself, while fine-tuning to fresh, contemporary frequencies.<br />
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I'm still reeling. This year was a classic. The calibre of featured poets, precision of introductions, themes and organisation, and the vitality, generosity, insight and inclusivity of the audiences made for a fitting end to McKeon's tenure.<br />
<br />
Whither from here? The move to Autumn is a significant change. There are aspects to the Spring timing of the festival that are hard to quantify - a vernal spur to tap into, or absorb, which may be underestimated. Perhaps autumnal energies will bring their own, unforeseeable fructuations. Let's hope so. Let's hope, also that the ground is well prepared over the longer than usual interim - that the incoming curator is selected promptly, clearly and efficiently resourced in order to establish continuity and maintain the quality of programming that a loyal audience will wish to support.<br />
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Some personal highlights;<br />
<br />
- Anne Carson's keynote address <a href="http://site.douban.com/widget/notes/134616/note/90763899/">(here in a slightly alternate version)</a> was a meditation on translation, the smithing of meaning from silence, risk - the dreaming of new languages into being. Illustrated by the work of <a href="http://bit.ly/dUH4WL">Francis Bacon</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/fTpQTA">Tyree Guyton</a>.<br />
<br />
- The Friday afternoon fringe reading in <a href="http://www.readers.ie/">Readers Bookshop</a>. Little Old Man: <i>"Is this a party?"</i> Helena Nolan: <i>"No, just poetry."</i><br />
<br />
- The inspired teaming of <a href="http://www.munsterlit.ie/Southword/Issues/17/Poetry/woods_joe.html">Joseph Woods</a>, <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Garc%C3%ADa_Montero">Luis García Montero</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Farley">Paul Farley</a> - a three course serving of place, dreams and wit throughout.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.donpaterson.com/">Don Paterson</a>'s workshop - acute generosity of craft from a remarkable artist, <i>"Allow words to magnetize to the initial rhythms."</i><br />
<br />
- The planned and accidental sychronicities - specific silences from <a href="http://jaan.kaplinski.com/">Jaan Kaplinski</a> & Paul Farley, the spirits of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czes%C5%82aw_Mi%C5%82osz">Czeslaw Milosz </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giordano_Bruno">Giordano Bruno</a><br />
<br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Longley">Michael Longley</a>'s transmutation of the language of war into a new kind of citation, even new life.<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamus_Heaney">Seamus Heaney</a>, in accepting his Irish Times Award... "<i>the poem... read by two is autobiography... by six or seven, becomes culture."</i><br />
<br />
- The audiences; poets, peers, friendships new and old.<br />
<br />
Far too many other individual high points to recount in detail here - so I'll share some impressions from other attendees:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://miglior-acque.blogspot.com/2011/03/night-with-anne-carson.html">Thursday's Keynote address, by Kenneth</a><br />
<br />
Saturday, by <a href="http://michaelfarry.blogspot.com/2011/03/dlr-poetry-now-festival.html">Michael</a>, <a href="http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/poetry-now-festival-saturday.html">Kate</a> and <a href="http://libranwriter.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/for-this-poems-for-our-ireland-a-session-at-pn11/">Lia</a>. And <a href="http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-on-poetry-now-saturday.html">Kate</a> again!<br />
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An excellent overview of Saturday's <a href="http://michaelfarry.blogspot.com/2011/03/don-paterson-workshop.html">Don Paterson workshop </a>, again by Michael.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.contrarymagazine.com/Contrary/Grace.html">Grace Wells</a>, winner of the Strong Award for a first collection, reviewed and interviewed a little while ago by <a href="http://womenrulewriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/grace-wells-wins-strong-award.html">Nuala </a> - who was there in spirit ;-).<br />
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<a href="http://miglior-acque.blogspot.com/2011/03/end-of-poetry-now.html">Kenneth</a> again, wrapping up with an overview.<br />
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Thanks to all. Here's to sharing inspiration, continuity and change in Dún Laoghaire again in eighteen months or so.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-60538769228060824202011-03-25T09:49:00.004+00:002011-03-26T08:24:21.600+00:00dlr Poetry Now 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMPdQK7UE10h2i5sNePVk9e_uptkJiMUICJKp-lVn4X0jgD06Tk0RTOK7fymQwxRQRYA92rGPGZdh1vQKRTvJ9AGeeRvCNbkvbP9rrzTqs2-OkZqETOC1VaB-LUJC64bXFt3t/s1600/dlr_poetry_now_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="343" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMPdQK7UE10h2i5sNePVk9e_uptkJiMUICJKp-lVn4X0jgD06Tk0RTOK7fymQwxRQRYA92rGPGZdh1vQKRTvJ9AGeeRvCNbkvbP9rrzTqs2-OkZqETOC1VaB-LUJC64bXFt3t/s400/dlr_poetry_now_2011.jpg" /></a></div><br />
In glorious sunshine, this year's dlr Poetry Now festival got off to a flying (and quite cerebral) start yesterday. I went along to <a href="http://belindamckeon.wordpress.com/">Belinda McKeon</a>'s inaugural lecture <i>'The Eye of The Poem'</i> at lunchtime. Beginning with a mention of The New York Times' <a href="http://twitter.com/nytimes/status/49191599346958337">recent celebration of World Poetry Day via Twitter</a>, McKeon moved into a consideration of what happens within a poem from the reader's perspective and otherwise. Quoting from a number of the festival poets, she visited the place of the poem in today's world of information overload, referencing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention">William James and the Psychology of Attention</a>.<br />
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Last night I had the pleasure of attending the keynote address by Canadian poet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Carson">Anne Carson</a>. Carson's presentation,<i> The Untranslatable (In All of Us)</i>, looked at the difficulties of actively representing in translation the various unknowables which fill the spaces within, around and among words. Sounds heavy, yeah? Well it definitely required a level of concentration which the audience seemed intent on reciprocating. (There may have been one drowser - but we'll allow him the excuse of jetlag!) Illustrated with a variety of imagery, from paintings by Francis Bacon to photos of the snowbound exterior of a house dressed with soft toys (I kid you not), a key theme was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hölderlin">Hölderlin</a>'s translation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophocles">Sophocles</a> which, though widely derided on it's publication, has evolved to become a key moment in the initiation of modern principles of poetic translation. Phew.<br />
<br />
It was nice to meet blogging pal <a href="http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/">Emerging Writer</a> and that most vigorous of poets <a href="http://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=203&a=58">Dave Lordan</a> at the event, sharing memories of previous Poetry Now keynotes, somewhat more 'agitated' in terms of audience participation.<br />
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Lots more activity today - <a href="http://www.poetrynow.ie/readings.html">the full programme is here</a> - including a new development; a fringe reading at <a href="http://www.readers.ie/">Readers' Bookshop in Dún Laoghaire</a>, featuring poets <a href="http://poetry-24.blogspot.com/2011/03/sea-saw.html">Helena Nolan</a>, <a href="http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844717361.htm">Mark Granier</a> & <a href="http://www.tribune.ie/article/2010/aug/01/new-irish-poetry-a-lost-poem-pandoras-mercy/">Jessica Traynor</a> among others.<br />
<br />
Loads to look forward to - hope to see you over the weekend!<br />
<br />
*** UPDATE : Get Kate's take <a href="http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/poetry-now-festival.html">here</a>. ***Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-8422318161775453602011-03-11T12:26:00.000+00:002011-03-11T12:26:19.571+00:00Exhibition : Graphics Unleashed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/cunduidiot_by_scalder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="570" width="390" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/cunduidiot_by_scalder.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The image above is a new painting entitled, 'Conduidiot'. It's one of three pieces of mine which feature in an upcoming <a href="http://www.blueleafgallery.com/cgi-bin/front_show_exhibition.cgi?ex=675519142">Blue Leaf Gallery show "Graphics Unleashed"</a> at their project space at The Observatory Building, 7-11 Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2. The show itself will run March 15 - 25 (although unfortunately closed on Paddy's Day itself, I think?).<br />
<br />
I'll be showing alongside a number of my <a href="http://www.illustratorsireland.com/">IGI colleagues</a>, including <a href="http://www.unagildea.com/">Una Gildea</a>, <a href="http://chrisjudge.4ormat.com/">Chris Judge</a> and <a href="http://www.stevesimpson.com/">Steve Simpson</a>. A round-up of some recent work from these and other IGI Members can be seen over <a href="http://www.scamp.ie/index.php/2011/03/illustrators-ireland-latest-work-february-2011/">here on the Scamp blog</a>.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-52518782491805789512011-03-07T14:54:00.003+00:002011-03-07T15:17:02.349+00:00Poetry Bus : Pancake Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLf6tmIdnpyEsIyc3tf246dW78GWzLaMFXJgbra961KsD7AbKfY8NNxa16OWcVAstL8XaZw_8mYJoIASbboJ_c_vBS4IbT266He7TPLdOQ8Y8pta_E5lpHhxKC5EEbJV_4CdC/s1600/pancake" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="275" width="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLf6tmIdnpyEsIyc3tf246dW78GWzLaMFXJgbra961KsD7AbKfY8NNxa16OWcVAstL8XaZw_8mYJoIASbboJ_c_vBS4IbT266He7TPLdOQ8Y8pta_E5lpHhxKC5EEbJV_4CdC/s400/pancake" /></a></div>So, time to dust off the bus ticket again. <br />
<br />
This time the prompter is the one-and-only <a href="http://stammeringpoet.blogspot.com/">Peter Goulding</a>, with a selection of prompts <a href="http://stammeringpoet.blogspot.com/2011/03/poetry-bus-will-be-leaving-from.html">over here</a>. I went for the option of writing an homage to Pancake Tuesday (tomorrow, yay!). <br />
<br />
The requirement was to write in the voice of a wellknown poet. I felt that the particular mix of religion and sensual pleasure involved might suit a certain Canadian Troubadour - one of the first poets that ever hooked me with his work - AND I thought I might as well go the whole batterin' hog and record the damn thing too. So, as a Fierce Pancake treat(!?!) - Nolan sings; <br />
<br />
Happy Pancake Day, fellow passengers :-)<br />
<br />
<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11592389"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11592389" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/scalder/pancake-day">Pancake Day</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/scalder">scalder</a></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Pancake Day</b><br />
<i>(with sincere apologies to Leonard Cohen)</i><br />
<br />
Epiphany passed<br />
and the time came at last <br />
to shrive our omissions and misdeeds away <br />
<br />
We met in the middle<br />
I brought flour and a griddle<br />
what you brought you just couldn't say<br />
<br />
the future was fast<br />
riding free in its stirrups<br />
we buried the past<br />
turned gold into syrup<br />
and danced<br />
<br />
and we danced<br />
we danced<br />
on pancake day<br />
<br />
<br />
As twilight grew angry<br />
we pillaged the pantry<br />
hardly seeing each other for smoke<br />
<br />
A crackle of light<br />
turned linoleum white<br />
thunder muffled the words that you spoke<br />
<br />
the future was meagre<br />
the past tried to smother us<br />
hungry and eager<br />
we battered and buttered<br />
and danced<br />
<br />
and we danced<br />
we danced<br />
on pancake day<br />
<br />
The sky boomed and rain fell <br />
we cracked open the shells<br />
mixed the yellows down into the whites<br />
<br />
The gutters were flowing<br />
The storm it was blowing<br />
Like Lucifer and all of his lipsmacking sprites<br />
<br />
I asked would you rather <br />
Azores malassada<br />
but you just lay stroking your legs<br />
<br />
I sprinkled mine <br />
with cane sugar and lime<br />
and we gorged in the night till we ran out of time <br />
and eggs <br />
<br />
and we danced<br />
we danced<br />
and we danced<br />
on pancake day<br />
<br />
we danced<br />
oh we danced<br />
and we danced<br />
on pancake day<br />
<br />
with Mardi Gras spent<br />
we woke up in Lent<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
© P Nolan 2011Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-86449044395496627932011-02-26T13:45:00.003+00:002011-02-28T16:29:03.924+00:00Poetry Bus : Tumulus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakv6U0R8hLHj30h38H0fviTMDHtamD6514IzIfJcNlPPqBBbGgcrHKEbJ_j1Be4zPHlS_1dWMXiNTfPXAc4wafSjpMvR0EBlKAOMWP-VGalGSstRGmVvsRiwnAWh5fnBFkvw6/s1600/scalder_tumulus_skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="390" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakv6U0R8hLHj30h38H0fviTMDHtamD6514IzIfJcNlPPqBBbGgcrHKEbJ_j1Be4zPHlS_1dWMXiNTfPXAc4wafSjpMvR0EBlKAOMWP-VGalGSstRGmVvsRiwnAWh5fnBFkvw6/s400/scalder_tumulus_skull.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Poetry Bus has rolled into town again, this time under the peerless driving of TheManHimself, Mr. <a href="http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/">TotalFeckinEejit</a>.<br />
<br />
A few <a href="http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/2011/02/emergency-bus.html">nice options on the prompt</a> - including some class sepia photos. But I went for the audio prompt - a track from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iWlabVLC_70">Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece</a>. Which reminded me of the Golden Fleece, which reminded me in turn of Jason & The Argonauts, who were sometimes call Minyans, who, I discovered, were a prehistoric Aegean tribe, who also made use of that familiar feature of the Irish landscape - Tumulus graves. To wit.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tumulus</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Lying senseless under sun<br />
troubadours emerge at night<br />
to citizens of twilight trading <br />
fading hues of bottled light<br />
<br />
I stir, the world beside me wakes<br />
creaks on her scale beneath<br />
the measure of diurnal pitch<br />
each trace a blessing, firing<br />
<br />
livid, time initiating space<br />
from no mere spark, instead <br />
an ember coaxed to flare, <br />
two mysteries refracted there; <br />
<br />
a song from time beyond recall <br />
a voice built new from broken things<br />
<br />
<br />
© P Nolan 2011<br />
<br />
You can read some more responses to this prompt <a href="http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/2011/02/poetry-bus-lives.html">HERE</a>.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-26702962216898409652011-02-21T14:01:00.004+00:002011-02-21T14:30:36.015+00:00Poetry Bus : Amber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJYG0P_cIYLhwn15fTq8U2ZVHTES57NGl02uG9EeNzDY6uIPGwWmDhX0_Yq7m_5mlsmSbloAouLlD3syOLQczkqP5sncKwsEufo04Xs9CIT1-doPX92j9-OzW3FreERxH6R3/s1600/amber_21.2.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="441" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CJYG0P_cIYLhwn15fTq8U2ZVHTES57NGl02uG9EeNzDY6uIPGwWmDhX0_Yq7m_5mlsmSbloAouLlD3syOLQczkqP5sncKwsEufo04Xs9CIT1-doPX92j9-OzW3FreERxH6R3/s400/amber_21.2.11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Not being all that bloggerly of late, it's been a while since I posted something in response to a <a href="http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/">Poetry Bus</a> prompt, but this weeks's prompt by <a href="http://120socks.blogspot.com/2011/02/poetry-bus-calling-all-bus-riders.html">120 Socks</a> caught the imagination. The combination of photo and word sparked off some kinda scenario and voice, resulting in the following - hope you like it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Amber</b><br />
<br />
All the missing days went down and met the rest of my life<br />
gliding in that morning on the clearest skies money could buy<br />
I began to cook with foggy disregard for the outcome<br />
<br />
by the time my first guest arrived I had already begun to swoon<br />
coming around each time to spit the metallic taste from my mouth<br />
and scrape off the burnt offerings now clouding the kitchen <br />
<br />
beginning again beginning again beginning again<br />
like the audio track set to loop in the limited seating area<br />
seemed the best chance of breaking through charred surfaces<br />
<br />
with my home now full of people I could only hold my place<br />
as crowds swam around me, those people asking questions<br />
seemed to be in the minority, most were complacent<br />
<br />
while some were advocates, extolling the benefits of exiting<br />
or building a mezzanine or turning off the heat<br />
others ate, glared, belched, smiled, kissed, fucked<br />
<br />
it was all I could do to stay on my feet and even sleeping upright<br />
I kept one eye open because I knew that if I went down this time<br />
there'd be nobody, possibly even no thing to share when I awoke<br />
<br />
so it was ordained.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
© P Nolan 2011 <br />
<br />
Loads more responses to the prompt <a href="http://120socks.blogspot.com/2011/02/poetry-bus-and-were-off.html">here</a>.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-18539204045954778232011-02-04T17:54:00.010+00:002011-02-04T18:24:01.303+00:00New Artwork : UPSTART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZioxuN-T7ejLXVJFeWfwfVnOoSpd1uYMwDMY6KmnUW62nn1-5aWavTeBayOQE9uKyZekPxm0jqY4KHjYa6UrsV3THlMnS7ae8ZUbmAAPxNw2OyvvMMSKbWwdM9xIFOdAj8wzA/s1600/scalder_upstart_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZioxuN-T7ejLXVJFeWfwfVnOoSpd1uYMwDMY6KmnUW62nn1-5aWavTeBayOQE9uKyZekPxm0jqY4KHjYa6UrsV3THlMnS7ae8ZUbmAAPxNw2OyvvMMSKbWwdM9xIFOdAj8wzA/s400/scalder_upstart_web.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzByuBg54mxtY5Pll_U8YuNqafN_iNEIo_6kSF7Dbr2TGkaLPyj_wy5lzna12rgwlhQoRjBNk-dwxMhJXlQuDkqGnUtjfOAqTV24O0aWBqTxk73GfHuKmeRZaqLcsbY4ljJZ_/s1600/scalder_upstart_alt_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzByuBg54mxtY5Pll_U8YuNqafN_iNEIo_6kSF7Dbr2TGkaLPyj_wy5lzna12rgwlhQoRjBNk-dwxMhJXlQuDkqGnUtjfOAqTV24O0aWBqTxk73GfHuKmeRZaqLcsbY4ljJZ_/s400/scalder_upstart_alt_web.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.upstart.ie/">UpStart</a> is a non-profit arts collective which aims to put creativity at the centre of public consciousness during the Irish General Election Campaign in 2011. I originally planned to submit something from my archives, but then decided to create something new. I've been pretty busy since the holidays, so only got around to it this week, with the deadline looming. (Funny how deadlines can focus your mind like that.)<br />
<br />
The images above are 2 versions of the artwork. The first is what I submitted in the end, but the one below it (with the scruffy type) has a lot of energy too. I guess I just felt that - as the image would compete with 'actual' election posters for attention - it needs to work as a strong, simple graphic. Also, I wondered if the very dark hand was a good idea, as it could possibly be misconstrued as some kind of racist invective? Which it ain't.<br />
<br />
So, I'd be interested to get your thoughts? Did I send them the right one? Should I let even more scruffy type feature in my graphic work? Have you been upended by any large hands lately?<br />
<br />
PS. This artwork (or rather the earlier version of it - from before I changed my mind) also features in the <a href="http://www.scamp.ie/index.php/2011/02/illustrators-ireland-latest-work-january-2011/">monthly round-up of work from IGI illustrators</a> over on the <a href="http://www.scamp.ie/">Scamp</a> blog.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-68201354172211048232011-01-10T13:14:00.014+00:002011-01-10T19:16:57.295+00:00Poetry Bus : L'esprit d'escalier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tl2ww-UAs-s5guDm_qdEPd27iorhyphenhyphenyY-zhuD-v50cXXgtvuEYzEXbflHnw0YzuEouSVBONDGjLNrv6ONVzNVFMnJPYiBfGu1wuwiFybCPBoylA8Z-gEvErLlwLGNj9RT7nTD/s1600/target_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="383" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Tl2ww-UAs-s5guDm_qdEPd27iorhyphenhyphenyY-zhuD-v50cXXgtvuEYzEXbflHnw0YzuEouSVBONDGjLNrv6ONVzNVFMnJPYiBfGu1wuwiFybCPBoylA8Z-gEvErLlwLGNj9RT7nTD/s400/target_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>Target</b><br />
<br />
<i>in memoriam C.T.G.</i><br />
<br />
If words came as bidden<br />
opened avenues<br />
brushed ego aside<br />
began flinging stuff through<br />
<br />
conceits, longheld prejudice <br />
bottles of piss <br />
re-heated revenge<br />
served up with a kiss<br />
<br />
self-righteous tirades<br />
unilateral, shrill<br />
a teacup of toxins<br />
from bitter old pills<br />
<br />
vomitted eloquence<br />
sparked by a slight<br />
accusation from someone<br />
or something not right<br />
<br />
drummed down fusillades <br />
released inner kids<br />
broke down your guard<br />
called out my id<br />
<br />
Sent crusaders, stormtroopers <br />
brickbats and bile<br />
with the wink of an eye<br />
and a twinkling smile<br />
<br />
Could petulant spatting<br />
still do me some good?<br />
Re-write the outcome?<br />
You betcha. It could.Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-89961714214651542562010-11-09T10:43:00.003+00:002010-11-09T10:48:24.084+00:00Glór Session : Poetry Bus vs. Soundings<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="400" height="247" id="utv187948" name="utv_n_968480"><param name="flashvars" value="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=10725845&locale=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/video/10725845?v3=1" /><embed flashvars="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=10725845&locale=en_US" width="400" height="247" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv187948" name="utv_n_968480" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/video/10725845?v3=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object><br />
<br />
Went along to <a href="http://www.stephenjamessmith.com/Glor.html">The Glór Session</a> last night for the official launch of <a href="http://thepoetrybus.blogspot.com/">The Poetry Bus</a>, issue 1. A brilliant evening! There were poets in abundance, most of whom read their poem from the magazine, another piece or two of their own and their choice of poem from the recently reissued, much loved school anthology <a href="http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/gift-books/gift-books/soundings">Soundings</a>. Publishers <a href="http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/">Gill & Macmillan</a> donated a number of copies for the raffle - and I was lucky enough to take one home - Yay! My old schooldays copy has long since disappeared, so it's a treat to have a chance to revisit the texts in this snapshot of a shared past.<br />
<br />
The video above is me doing my bit at Glór, followed by the wonderful <a href="http://wicklowwriters.blogspot.com/">Carol Boland</a> doing hers, as well as reading a note from Poetry Bus editor <a href="http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/">Peadar O'Donoghue</a> who unfortunately couldn't make it along on the night.<br />
<br />
I had a great chat with Carol about her involvement in running the <a href="http://www.thespaceinside.blogspot.com/">Space Inside</a> arts nights in Wicklow town, as well as her foray into publishing, with the Boland Press due to launch its first(?) title on December 1st in the <a href="http://www.signalartscentre.ie/">Signal Arts Centre</a> in Bray - so mark your diaries! Great too, to chat with some of the other Poetry Bus poets who read, including <a href="http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/">Kate Dempsey</a>, <a href="http://theblogsthejob.blogspot.com/">Colm Keegan</a>, <a href="http://variouscushions.blogspot.com/">Niamh Bagnell</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/magstreanor">Mags Treanor</a> and many more. Hugely inspiring, and the magazine sold like hot, tasty cakes on a wet November night - which bodes well for its future. <br />
<br />
The session was run (as always) with great gusto and good humour by the man himself, <a href="http://www.stephenjamessmith.com/Home.html">Stephen James Smyth</a>. Many thanks Stephen, for a great vibe and a great night. There's loads more video of this and past Glór Sessions <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/user/StephenJSmith/videos">over here</a>.<br />
<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-48938072260016959042010-11-08T15:23:00.008+00:002010-11-08T16:00:59.539+00:00Poetry Bus : Bath time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCT2drMAz0G6hY5K8NxuldKgJvf4H53PM74iXKaN8lOXmYdKvB9-Ps-Mf_RXEeANeppFVe6qyvQq93gxxzm7X9zFMzVS5TlXXgdroIRm5baouCp37Jo2rHOHkI-X0cF8ZFPn7/s1600/rubberduck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="310" width="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCT2drMAz0G6hY5K8NxuldKgJvf4H53PM74iXKaN8lOXmYdKvB9-Ps-Mf_RXEeANeppFVe6qyvQq93gxxzm7X9zFMzVS5TlXXgdroIRm5baouCp37Jo2rHOHkI-X0cF8ZFPn7/s400/rubberduck.jpg"/></a></div><br />
It's been a while since I've hopped onboard the Poetry Bus. Preoccupied of late. This weeks prompt comes from Jessica Maybury, over <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/9ZSOY">yonder</a>, and has to do with bathrooms, water, swimming etc. Great prompt - some of the best thinking gets done in the bath - but I was all at sea for a bit (a soak is a luxury I haven't had for a while) - no Eureka moment. Instead came a short meditation on the room itself (as society?). <br />
<br />
Here it be;<br />
<br />
<b>Doldrum</b><br />
<br />
Our bathroom's going down the crapper<br />
tiles ungrouted, mildew on the ceiling,<br />
run-off from the bathrim pisses on the bare marine ply floor<br />
each time the shower is used<br />
<br />
a topograph of littered towels claim corner territories as their own<br />
contoured lumps, damp and rank<br />
wary of exasperated hunters blundering in<br />
to bundle them at last into the wash<br />
<br />
some bright morning, sunlight will see <br />
the hot tap wink and all these grimy spells will break<br />
with towels rebirthed as heroes born aloft, their<br />
clear expressions creasing widely, hugging all, folded, soft<br />
<br />
they'll hunker neatly, muffling all doubt,<br />
dispelling damp and disarray, the lack of DIY shrugged off<br />
until, decks cleared, we'll set our faces to the glass<br />
pipe ourselves a welcome, all shipshape once again<br />
from figurehead to ass.<br />
<br />
© P Nolan 2010<br />
<br />
Don't forget, it's the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of the Poetry Bus, Issue 1 TONIGHT!!! At the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheGlorSessions">Glór Sessions</a>, with readings by Poetry Bus poets - as well as readings from the newly re-issued <a href="http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/gift-books/gift-books/soundings">Soundings</a>. Should be a good one!<br />
<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-24478225104299269262010-11-03T12:59:00.003+00:002010-11-03T14:19:03.922+00:00That Dutch Dude : Cor Klaasen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://corklaasen.squarespace.com/storage/CorKlaasen480.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="566" width="400" src="http://corklaasen.squarespace.com/storage/CorKlaasen480.png"/></a></div><br />
Tonight sees the opening of a retrospective exhibition of the work of Irish-based Dutch designer and illustrator <a href="http://corklaasen.squarespace.com/about/">Cor Klaasen</a>. Cor was one of the wave of Dutch graphic designers encouraged to come to ireland in the fifties, with a view to developing a more professional design culture here.<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to benefit from having Cor as a tutor during my training in Dun Laoghaire School of Art & Design (now <a href="http://www.iadt.ie/en/">IADT</a>). He was an iconic mentor, a mildly rakish, intelligent, pragmatic artisan and contrarion who could charm the birds from the trees (as well as students' mothers). More than that, he took a genuine personal interest in all of his students - helping us find unique strengths, both in our talents and personalities. <br />
<br />
Some previous graduates were lucky enough to each receive a personal letter from Cor, in his elegant handwriting (a citheog, he could also produce perfect mirror-writing, a la Leonardo da Vinci!) My good friend James Ellis has a <a href="http://ellisgraphics.posterous.com/cor-klaasen-an-inspirational-teacher">nice piece on his blog</a> about this. I'm quite envious as I didn't receive one of these letters - unknown to us, Cor was already unwell by the time of our graduation. He died the following year.<br />
<br />
As well as bolstering my shaky self-belief and providing a robust graphic apprenticeship, Cor also found me my first proper job! In Dublin, in the depressed late-eighties, full-time positions in graphics were few and far between. It was the night of our graduate exhibition opening. Aware that colleagues needed a junior designer with good drawing skills, he planned to offer the job details to the first graduating student he met - which was (thankfully) me! I went for the interview and was hired shortly afterwards, soon realising I'd a lot more to learn.<br />
<br />
The last time I spoke to Cor was by phone from that very workplace. By then I knew he was unwell, but not the full extent of his illness. I mentioned how I hoped to see him again soon - maybe pick up a few tips for this testing, real world beyond the protection of college. His reply was enigmatic and empowering - 'You're the teacher now.' <br />
<br />
I still make daily use of principles I learned from Cor. His own work also remains a creative inspiration. For that reason alone, I am looking forward to this exhibition immensely.<br />
<br />
The exhibition is being curated by Niall McCormack from the fantastic <a href="http://hitone.wordpress.com/">Hi-Tone Blog</a>. Niall will also give a presentation about Cor's work tomorrow night at <a href="http://iloveoffset.com/welcome/index.php/324/"> a very special OFFSHOOT event</a>. All these events are happening as part of <a href="http://www.designweek.ie/">Design Week 2010</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iloveoffset.com/welcome/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/offshoot04SV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="400" src="http://iloveoffset.com/welcome/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/offshoot04SV.jpg"/></a></div><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-62459813162114899782010-11-01T15:08:00.006+00:002010-11-03T14:20:06.986+00:00Breaking News : Back to Blogger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwPIF_6SYbPacmBxMXWBwn0-ear_BwdftRrLjBfWeJPPHNDyOeL-PiwFLqkgrxK-KtMXipNe8i_uTPN0n2vfIG7TxqjDfkfXdMlhWSpjWYTLO3WxoIhJWVQ0AQOP3Bi_w9S2C/s1600/mcflinty_scalder_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwPIF_6SYbPacmBxMXWBwn0-ear_BwdftRrLjBfWeJPPHNDyOeL-PiwFLqkgrxK-KtMXipNe8i_uTPN0n2vfIG7TxqjDfkfXdMlhWSpjWYTLO3WxoIhJWVQ0AQOP3Bi_w9S2C/s1600/mcflinty_scalder_web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sooo..... it's all a bit odd right now. Comings. Goings. Turnings. Returnings.<br />
<br />
I'm back here after my brief sojourn across the blogochannels to Wordpress. It was good - the virtual weather was fine and all that - but various glitchings and technical bewitchings made me think I'd be as well back here in Luvverly old Bloggerville for a little while yet. Spam is everywhere.<br />
<br />
Staying put. Lots going on. Welcome.<br />
<br />
That guy above is The Fabled Black Hole Head McFlinty - a notorious character from the depths of the imagination of Recently Crowned All-Ireland Poetry Slam Champion 2010, Colm Keegan of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://theblogsthejob.blogspot.com/">yonder parish</a></span>.<br />
<br />
Colm's poetry features in issue 1 of the hippididippest new poetry magazine the <a href="http://thepoetrybus.blogspot.com/">Poetry Bus</a>, as does the above illustration based on his poem. I've a couple of poems in there too, alongside a whole heap of talented people.<br />
<br />
Another whole heap of talented folk are the <a href="http://brainbeltapostles.blogspot.com/">Brainbelt Illustration Collective</a>, who have an exhibition opening TONIGHT! at the <a href="http://www.cfcp.ie/">Centre for Creative Practices</a> as part of <a href="http://www.designweek.ie/">Design Week 2010</a>. Looks well sweet! I won't make it there tonight, but hope to get in later in the week. See below;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scamp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Brainbelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.scamp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Brainbelt.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.scamp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Brainbelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><br />
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</a></div><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-45436337023772523922010-10-01T14:41:00.001+01:002010-11-01T14:42:17.450+00:00OFFSET : Something for the weekend<a href="http://www.padhraignolan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/STAYBUSY2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-282" title="STAYBUSY2" src="http://www.padhraignolan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/STAYBUSY2.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="200" /></a><br />
<br />
So, <a href="http://www.iloveoffset.com/welcome/" target="_blank">OFFSET</a> has well and truly landed. There's fantastic stuff going on all around Dublin city centre this weekend, with most activity taking place at the conference venue itself, the <a href="http://www.grandcanaltheatre.ie/template1.aspx?mid=1" target="_blank">Grand Canal Theatre</a>, designed by <a href="http://www.daniel-libeskind.com/" target="_blank">Daniel Libeskind</a>. Visual creative professionals from all walks and professions will be represented, with some verrrrrry impressive names (international & homegrown) giving presentations about their projects, methodologies and inspirations.<br />
<br />
For my part, I'll be moderating the <a href="http://www.illustratorsireland.com/" target="_blank">illustratorsireland</a> panel discussion called “Getting noticed and staying busy!” featuring contributions from the ever-inspiring <a href="http://www.n8w.com/newweb/index.php">Nate Williams</a> (award winning illustrator and <a href="http://www.illustrationmundo.com/wp/" target="_blank">IllustrationMundo</a>), Darren Di Lieto (<a href="http://thelittlechimpsociety.com/" target="_blank">Little Chimp Society</a>/<a href="http://hireanillustrator.com/i/" target="_blank">Hire An Illustrator</a>), Eddie Gardner, creative director at <a href="http://www.tequila.ie " target="_blank">Tequila</a> and my good pal <a href="http://www.stevesimpson.com/" target="_blank">Steve Simpson</a>, award winning illustrator, based.... downstairs. Aimed at illustrators, it should be interesting for any and all freelance creatives.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://iloveoffset.com/welcome/index.php/offset2010-ticket-info/" target="_blank">* UPDATE : Day Tickets</a>.<br />
<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-73388115223221075362010-09-30T14:29:00.004+01:002010-11-03T13:15:20.757+00:00OFFSET : Scrubbing up!<a href="http://www.padhraignolan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IGI.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-260" title="IGI" src="http://www.padhraignolan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IGI.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="200" /></a><br />
<br />
Phew. Its been busy over this last while - lots going on. For a start I've switched over from Blogger (farewell <a href="http://www.pjnolan.blogspot.com/">Scaldervillage</a>) to Wordpress. A good move? We'll see - it certainly seems easier to customise. For now. Anyhoo - welcome one and all to the new space. Is it a site? Is it a blog? Is it worth a visit? <a href="mailto:spadhraig@padhraignolan.com">You tell me!</a><br />
<br />
OFFSET, that <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0928/1224279819316.html">big old creative festival</a>, is rolling into town and tomorrow (wednesday) sees myself and a bunch of other illustrators, artists, photographers and assorted 'types' airing our dirty laundry at a group show up in <a title="south studios" href="http://www.southstudiosdublin.com/" target="_blank">South Studios</a>.<br />
<br />
Expect all things murky, expect guilty secrets, fetishes, embarrassments and one or two skeletons to fall out of cupboards at this one-night-only show. I'll post my own image up here soon. Ciao.<br />
<br />
UPDATE : Well, it was a great show. Lots of nice images from the night to be seen <a href="www.nerosunero.org/f_pictures/2010_laundry">here</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/offsetevents/">here</a> - my artwork is below on the right - or see it in my folio <a href="http://www.padhraignolan.com/index.php?/illustration/older-stuff/#">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<a title="OFFSET 2010 - Laundry by offsetevents, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/offsetevents/5037735030/"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5037735030_839e1cd68c.jpg" alt="OFFSET 2010 - Laundry" width="400" height="300" /></a><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-29206522667578211572010-09-29T12:06:00.003+01:002010-09-29T12:19:39.737+01:00That's it : I'm outta here!I haven't been posting much here over the last while - been quite busy with other stuff. <br /><br />One thing I finally got around to was moving my blogging activity over to the Wordpress platform, which just seems to allow a little more flexibility. Blogger seems to be attracting more spam too? So, from now on, I won't be blogging here, I'll be over <a href="http://www.padhraignolan.com/">there</a>. The Scaldervillage Voice has hereby closed shop. <br /><br />Hope to see you over <a href="http://www.padhraignolan.com/">at the new spot</a>. Its a work in progress at the moment - plenty of tweaking left to be done. I'm also going to be on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pj.nolan1">over here</a>. As for Twitter? We'll see.<br /><br />I've enjoyed the run here - and, in truth, the content will probably be quite similar at the new place - it'll just be a bit more integrated with my artwork etc.<br /><br />Thanks to all the visitors and those who left comments - it's been fun! If anybody has me bookmarked or blogrolled, I'd politely ask you to please update your links to my new abode? I'll aim to reciprocate asap.<br /><br />Ciao fer now!Padhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955973.post-63555034773414457272010-08-25T16:15:00.003+01:002010-08-25T16:25:58.971+01:00Doodles : Post-it People<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/postit_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 390px;" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/postit_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p><br /></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/postit_2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 390px;" src="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c389/Scalder/postit_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br />Characters that slip <br />from the pencil tipPadhraig Nolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.com