It will be the future of telecommunications, I know that. But Skype calls are quite disconcerting. Yesterday's call from the 3 Australian Profs was an odd affair indeed. Business was conducted but one Prof suddenly asked, what's that picture above your left ear? It was in fact Folon's 1977 Prisoner of Conscience for Amnesty International. But the question was asked because Skype is a video link and they could see my face and even into the room that is my study, even see the books on my shelves - hmm. I don't mind but when the gasman calls I will be sure to be sitting by a bare wall which reveals nothing of me. Of course I don't think my study looks like this one, above. Though St Augustine might have been a good Skyper. Can you imagine him sitting here saying, "Give me chastity and continence, but not yet..." via your computer screen rather than through the weighty tomes of his writings - an utterance rather than a finely transcribed narrative? Hmm, again, what does that say about discourse. Still, I do rather like this paining of St Augustine. Its by Vittore Carpaccio, 1502. And yet while I don't aspire to be the great man I am drawn to the study itself for it reminds me of my own in some way. His extraordinary studio is packed with beauty and culture and wealth and religion. Augustine is not an austere, hermit-like pauper scribbling in a cell, but a rich man who enjoys things. Its the sixteenth century yet he enjoys the company of countless books and his symbols of learning, the astrolabe, the figurines in a row, the precious conch, the well-made furniture and the countless ornaments and knick-knacks. His mitre, his crook and his Jesus statue are emblems of piety but they can't disguise the wealth. And in this 21st Century we still have the same trappings, do we not? I like to be surrounded by my things too, as I sit here typing. Though St Augustine also provides a timely reminder, the Pope is here in the UK at present and the piety is all too often overwhelmed by the combination of the disgrace (sexual abuse for a start) and the rich (bling) trappings of the metonym we call the "catholic church". As Augustine also said, "Charity is no substitute for justice withheld." Sigh! Fuck art, let's dance, take it away Salif: Although I am reminded of this again, just for being the most spiritual piece I have heard in many years and I love the film too. Still don't have a proper translation but its so good I can't resist posting it again - well it is down time Saturday, after all.
