Peace Within, Autumn Afternoon.

  No matter how deep into the hole you are, nature is always there, to get you out of it; makes you stop, decompress.

  Simply breath

  Just its silence that fills everything up. No distraction, no distortion.

  It is the Golden hue of the atmosphere that made me pause; that made me feel elated.

  No boundaries to the view; no need for words, only thoughts.

  Before I forget, and keep on digging.

Soundtrack for these Images Angels Within by South Electronica.

 

  

Película: The Dying Gaul (2005)

Dirección y Guión: Craig Lucas 

Actores:

Patricia Clarkson como Elaine Tishop

Campbell Scott como Jeffrey Tishop

Peter Saarsgard como Robert Sandrich.

  Esta película, lleva directamente a el espectador a envolverse en el desarrollo de una relación entre tres personas; un productor  ejecutivo de Hollywood con  tendencias sexuales reprimidas (Jeffrey Tishop), su esposa quien es un escritora retirada (Elaine Tishop) y un guionista (Robert Sandrich), quien ha perdido recientemente a su amante a causa del SIDA; y el cual está tratando de hacer frente a la pérdida.  Esta relacion triangular se desenvuelve durante la revolución de la Internet a mediados de los años 90, cuando las salas de chat dominaron la interacción humana en la red,  y refleja cómo algunas personas intercambiaban e intercambian todavía contenido de extremadamente personal con extraños.

 Jeffrey como productor, trata de obtener los derechos para el guión de "El Galo moribundo" (guión escrito por Robert), a el mismo tiempo que seduce y empuja a Robert a mantener una relación sexual con él, independientemente de su matrimonio con Elaine. Robert cede en parte, debido a la soledad,  y en parte debido a la necesidad de vender su guion. Una vez  que Jeffrey obtiene los derechos al mismo, hace participe a Elaine en el proceso al permitirle su lectura, automaticamente se siente atraida hacia el escritor y se propone a entablar una relación de amistad con Robert, elemento en la película que te lleva constantemente a preguntarte si Elaine sospecha algo de la relación entre ellos.
La  curiosidad de Elaine la lleva a seguir a Robert hasta  el chat donde el se convierte en un libro abierto; (particularmente para mí, esta es la parte donde el guión es un poco débil, la curiosidad de Elaine es fiel a la naturaleza femenina, pero la falta de sospecha por parte de Robert, de la presencia de Elaine en el chat, es lo que he encontrado un poco  improbable).  Después de este suceso, la historia se mueve y se desarrolla rápidamente, llevandola a un desenlace de suspenso con consecuencias catastróficas. 

 Cuando termino la película, mi mente repetia una y otra ves una de las frases que Jeffrey dice al principio de la misma ; "las películas que te mantienen deliberando al salir del Teatro merecen la pena", con toda honestidad, ésta lo hizo. 

  Técnicamente, la película está extremadamente bien realizada, logra retratar con la fotografía, el tono de luz dorada /naranja que puedes encontrar en el desierto, por el mismo, se le recuerda una y otra vez al espectador que la película fue filmada en el sur de California. Especialmente en todas las tomas de interiores, donde este resplandor dorado esta presente, ya sea que se refleja en la pared, o proporcionando una luz tenue a un cuarto de baño, esta parte de la película fue de agrado personal. La casa de los Tishop para mí, se convirtió en el cuarto protagonista de la película, independientemente de que uno apruebe o desapruebe su arquitectura, se convierte en el recipiente y el filtro principal de la atmósfera de el film, añade elegancia y serenidad a la historia, especialmente en su relación con Elaine, quien  es su principal habitante. La cual refleja a pesar de las circunstancias que le tocan vivir durante  la pelicula un nivel de serenidad extremo.

 Mi recomendacion 4/5

Movie:The Dying Gaul (2005)

Director: Craig Lucas
Writer:   Craig Lucas (Screenplay)
Cast:
Patricia Clarkson  as Elaine Tishop
Campbell Scott     as Jeffrey Tishop
Peter Saarsgard    as Robert Sandrich.

The path on this movie takes you straight to a three people relationship; in between a Hollywood Executive Producer, living his sexual tendencies in the closet (Jeffrey Tishop), his wife who is a retired screenwriter (Elaine Tishop)  and a  screenplay writer (Robert Sandrich) who has recently lost his lover to AIDS,and is still trying to cope with the loss. This triangular affair is setup in the Mid 90's internet revolution; when chat rooms once were the main feature for human interaction on the web; and showcases how people used to then, get extremely confident with strangers.

  Jeffrey as a Producer, tries to obtain the rights for the screenplay "The Dying Gaul" (Robert's Screenplay); at the same time, he pushes Robert to sustain on a sexual relationship with him regardless of his marriage to Elaine.  Robert concedes in part because of loneliness, in part because of the need of getting his script sold. Once Jeffrey obtains the script; he involves Elaine in the process by letting her read the script; who being a writer herself, feels compelled to engage in a friendly relationship with Robert, his persona intrigues her, which along the course of the movie makes you wonder if she suspects anything from the beginning. 
  Her curiosity takes her to follow Robert to the infamous chat where he becomes an open book; (particularly for me, this is the part where the scripts goes a little bit weak; Elaine's curiosity is truthful to the female nature; however the lack of suspicion on Robert's part on what Elaine's is up to is what I found unsustainable).  After this, the story takes turns and moves along quickly with a buildup for an ending of catastrophic consequences. When it was finished, the only thing stuck in my mind was; Jeffrey warns you at the beginning, that movies that keep you wondering when you leave the Theater are worthwhile, in all honesty this one did. Even tough I have read some reviews about some people who considered that this ending constituted a badly made movie; I disagree. 
     Technically, this movie is beautifully crafted, it achieves a wonderful portraying of the golden/orange light you can encounter in the desert; by it, you are reminded over and over again that the film was shot in Southern California. Specially in all the indoors frames, where this golden glow is always shining onto a wall; or giving a dim light to a bathroom; I particularly enjoyed this part of the movie a lot.  The Tishop's house to me, became the fourth main character of the film; independently that one approve or disapprove its architecture, it becomes the container and main filter of the ambiance in the movie; It adds elegance and serenity to the film, specially in its relationship with Elaine; who is its main inhabitant. Elaine's demeanor amidst her circumstances, always maintains those same behavioral features throughout the film, serenity and elegance.

My personal rating on the film 4 out of 5 stars.

The Why and How of Designing With the Light....

  It is believed that  the word photography comes from the Greek words φωτο -light- and γραφία-writing or designing- ref. Wikipedia; therefore I have named my blog designing with light; since at this point in my life, my efforts are being funneled to the field of photography. When I think deeply about this occurrence; I realized that I am purposely within my heart searching for that aspect with my work; really looking on how to design with the light. 
 Of course I can take images that are extremely realistic, pristine and sharp; this is part of the road you undertake as a photographer. But with me; I have the horrible virtue of being in constant curiosity on how to do things a little bit different...on how to represent an idea from within my brain;or a concept more than a fact....
 My training in photography started in Black and White Film and Darkroom mode; about 7 years ago; I did this drawn to a field that has always interested me; but was never able to explore. At that point my technical knowledge of handling a camera was close to 0%; It has been a long and windy road. fast forward 7 years and I feel that perhaps I am on to a 75% of control of the camera.

   I got my camera as a gift, the weapon of mass instruction I use is a wonderful Olympus E-510, yes I know; it is not a Nikon, or a Cannon; but let me tell you; this is a mean machine; very versatile, shutter is quick; great resolution; extremely easy menu. The only problem I had in the beginning is a system called Image Stabilization; which prevent a blurred shot; however, when you are in a low light atmosphere; then it does not let your camera perform as it should. I even had to contact Olympus; once they gave me a run down on the issue, I was a free bird.

Along with this instrument I got; what I call a new way to look at color and texture lens, the lens is no other than the Zuiko Digital ED 14-54 F2.8-3.5 II; what can I tell you?; This lens has been the transfer tool of ideas from my mind and eyes into images. It absorbs light, color, and texture as a sponge does water. I can tell you that Olympus might not be famous for their cameras (they are working hard on it) but their lenses, oh my, their lenses are extremely famous, and I can see why; I can recognize Cannon and Nikon lens images; extremely sharp and very crisp; but an Olympus lenses images have a particular personality on how they can perform, you can feel texture coming at you (specially fabrics), the colors are vibrant and true to reality and once you understand which aperture is the best one for your lens, you will obtain the same sharpness of Nikon or Cannon. My lens is just a beauty. 
  Remember the designing with light idea; well; ever since I can remember I have not liked the effects of a flash on incidental photography; I digest it better when I shoot events, or things of that sort (I only use bouncing) but other than that; I use no flash with my camera; then how can I achieve nocturnal or indoor shots? well, my beauty does its job, and of course slow speed and wide aperture...the results? creative and wonderfully interesting pictures...
 Speaking of working with low light listen to this song and specially watch the video. Superb!!!
 Röyksopp - What Else Is There? (HD).

                                                          

© Aixa Caldera-2009

Out of My System....

 A few years back, I walked into a phase where the yearning of really grasping the career I went to school for, became the unbalanced center stage of my life; I caught myself into the portion of the career it didn't even released my imagination or creation switch. It was just the compromise of moving up the ladder, unaware I was setting my own trap.
  Architecture as an art form is glorious, subtle, but at the same time philosophical, thoughtful and incredible rewarding. The construction process that accompanies it, is the excitement of seeing the first portion come to completion, and makes the element stop existing in the architect's mind, and brings it to the Human Realm...
   However, the Suicidal attempt to make everything of capital gain;  have made clients, contractors and architectural firms cheapen the realization of any architecture of importance. Amidst of this, I came in to the plate, to become just another player of the same game; the no consciousness on my part; made me swallow every bitter pill. The effects of this process didn't take long to show the damages....
  I became sleepless, too much compromise with the client, too much responsibility with not enough experience, too much of my personal life given away; of course, I was making good money and couldn't give it up.....and the creation process completely forgotten.....
 All that is gone now;  I am out of the corporate and standardized architectural field....I am working now in things that little by little bring a more controlled environment, participation in architectural competitions, and arts exhibits have brought a breath of fresh air to my life. Now; not everything is perfect; I am money strained along with most Americans; I am paddling down the river and trying to make small projects produce some comfort, that is now what concerns me; but  I feel that my mind and soul are starting to align in the right direction.

 It was funny for me to watch a Sundance Channel special on Rem Koolhas last week; and hear him saying the same complains; on a more grandeur scale of course; he has a more creation controlled process than I could ever dream of, and he compromises very little; but the tag lines were in all the same; frustration with the client that alter the architectural process; and the lack of vision on behalf of what is profitable, and of maximum capital gain even if that  minimizes the quality of the building
  The image I am posting comes from all the struggles I had during my first built project; I think it expresses it all....

  I have been thinking a lot about the process. Soundtrack by Trentemoller "moan'

Inertia Creeps....

....As for me breaking the Inertia has been the toughest job; full of ideas but never transfered to words, drawings or images; always too busy, too lazy to attend my own brain;  until last year; until I was forced to do it, from within me and because of the circumstances....Clouds have parted and writing is just the next stepping stone of the new journey; my intentions are absolutely visuals; however without the writing I will not accomplish my main objective.
   I hope that by doing this I will achieve it; and some people may join me on this coming of a new personal era...
 
    Soundtrack on this post Massive Attack/Inertia Creeps
   Hope you like it...