Just when you thought you’d seen your last holiday pine…..But wait, there’s more!! Meet Berlin Dadaist John Heartfield. I found this image of one of his creations hidden away in the pages of an art magazine. It’s his critique of the rise of National Socialism in a photomontage he created, titled ”Oh Christmas tree in German soil, how bent are thy branches” 1934. Brilliant and effective! If you want to know more about Da Da go here, or John Heartfield
Several years back Mr.V attended a garage sale in Pasadena. An elderly man was selling off his household’s contents and returning to his native Germany. Mr.V bought the gentleman’s mosaic supply for a couple of bucks and then handed them over to me. What to do? My 30th birthday was around the corner and it occurred to me that a birdbath might be the perfect vehicle for my newly acquired tiles. We went to a concrete garden ornament company in El Monte, (Santa Anita Ave and Walnut?). While I was making my selection, Mr.V discovered the company dumpster out back. While the work crew watched in amusement, we backed up the truck and plucked base and bowl in quick succession. They had suffered a little cosmetic damage. Mr.V got off cheap. I had no idea how to apply the tiles so I used acrylic based bathroom calk. It’s a restoration nightmare but I do occasional touch ups to keep it going. The birds like it and Mr.V remains thoughtfully cheap.
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The Verdugo’s backbone on the South/West end of the mountain range
Panorama: San Gabriel, San Rafael and Santa Monica Mountains
Looking down into the Burbank grid. In the mid-distance is the Hollywood Reservoir and downtown Los Angeles in the far distance.
The Verdugos are half the height of the San Gabriels, lack Yak, and are completely encircled by urbanity. On December 21st it’s my tradition to make this hike. The sun on it’s western most trek, sets on the flat ocean horizon behind the Santa Monica Bay. Sorry, can’t prove it here. Unfortunately it was a smog/fog filled solstice this year. But it’s not to late to see for yourself. Two weeks on either side of December 21st works. I wonder if Mike still loves Nancy? The young can be so fickle.
if you want to understand the “Mike and Nancy” reference, your going to have to watch the video: pfft!
