The title of this post is the answer to the age-old question: “How are men like lava lamps?”
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One of the exhibits I just saw at the Center for Contemporary Art made me think of that old joke. It also made me miss the lava lamp I bought in 1969 and gave away some time in the late ’70s before I moved from Brooklyn to Boston. I bought a new one for my office when I worked at UC San Diego in the ’90s, but it wasn’t the same. Maybe I was missing my tie-dyed bedspread, worry beads, and long hair. Well, I know I was missing my hair.
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You may remember that my cousin Al and I visited Sevilla’s Center for Contemporary Art in June. There were a couple of exhibits of interest at the time, but for the most part, although the property is fascinating, I was disappointed. I have been talking with Adela, who is a painter, about going back together to see what’s new. We’ve been waiting for her brother, an art student, to arrive in town. Adela texted me early Sunday morning and asked if I wanted to walk over with them and another friend of hers. I met them after breakfast and we crossed the river in the blazing heat — and, of course, brilliant sunshine.
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Spread through a huge number of galleries was a special exhibit called “Abstraction and Motion.” The first large gallery we hit contained five projection screens with what looked like close-ups of lava lamps in constant movement. Music played that beautifully complemented the motion. Unfortunately, I didn’t note the name of the artist and I’ve been unable to find it online. I’ll keep looking. In the meantime, I have a feeling one of my faithful friends will come up with it!
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I would have been very content to simply sit on the floor amid the larger-than-life lava lamps, listening to the music and enjoying my flashbacks… I mean memories. But, after leaving this room, the exhibit got even more interesting and the flashbacks… memories… got even more vivid. I have so much more to share. For now, I’m off to bed with Grace Slick’s voice singing in my head…
what a great time. Looks and sounds amazing 🙂 Flashbacks, I mean memories can be a good thing 😉
Monkey Man:
Yep, some memories can be good… from what I remember…
ahhhhhhh, flashbacks (I mean, memories……….)
Carole:
Wait until you see the exhibit post that comes next!
I had a lava lamp back in the early seventies and haven't thought about it in years. I don't know what happened to it, but I still have my bong. Ahhh…if only I could recall the memories.
Stephen:
I wish I still had my bong! It was a green glass and ceramic beauty given to me as a high school graduation/going away to college present by my friend Carole (commenter above) and another friend. My-Mother-The-Dowager-Duchess immediately said, "That's just for decoration, isn't it?" I said, "Of course it is." Sadly, the "decoration" broke during one of my moves.
I must go and have a rummage, I know we've still got our original lamp somewhere. Way back in the early seventies I remember they used to have lava lamp 'patterns' showing on some cinema screens, as a precursor to the film. Sometimes they were more interesting than the films. 😉
Elaine:
Well, this "lava lamp" exhibition was like being back in college and sitting on the folding table opposite the clothes dryers at the laundromat watching the clothes spin. I could pass hours doing that. Let me know if you find your original lava lamp!
I shows our age, but at heart we're still young.
Peter:
I usually forgot how old I am. I talk to a 25-year-old as if he's my peer; then he calls me "sir"!
I reckon they changed the chemical gloop inside lava lamps (the early ones were probably more toxic than a very toxic thing) – I have had several and by the time they warmed up and started moving it was usually time to fall into bed! I saw one about a metre tall once in a shop, now that one I _did_ covet and had to be dragged away from, forelornly waving my wallet and yelling to the shop assistants about delivery …
The Owl Wood:
We've gone minimalist (well, everything's relative) but if I saw a metre-tall lava lamp I'd have a hard time NOT buying it. Can you find out if they deliver to Sevilla?
T.O.W:
The cats would LOVE it!
What an amazing space….And I love Lava lamps. Very 'Abigail's Party'.
Jeff:
You know, I've never seen the stage or TV version of Abigail's Party. Now I guess I'll have to find it on DVD.
The current reproductions of lava lamps are not as nice as the originals. It's a shame because they were really groovy!
LOL! Oops… I guess I mean: I can dig it.
Oh those flashbacks/memories!! Never know when they will 'hit'!! lol
Looks like a very interesting exhibit not to mention space……man! (kidding..I think).
You are such a hippie at heart!
Jim:
I do miss walking down streets, sketchbook under my arm, and pockets filled with drawing materials. It's all coming back.
I saw Jefferson Airplane in Montreal at Expo '67…on La Place des Arts…freakin' cool, man…speaking of flashback&forward/memories!
Ron
Ron:
Amazing. And then came Jefferson Starship and then just Starship. I loved them! I was only 13 at the time of Expo '67. Not old enough to take off for Montreal on my own.
My son gave me a bong once for my birthday… I think he tried to pass it off as a vase… Don't know whatever happened to it…. But about the art exhibit… guess I'm too "realistic" to appreciate the abstract… Oh well… nice colors.
The Odd Essay:
Interesting vase. Interesting son!
I have eclectic taste in art. Wait until you see what comes next!
OK I give up – I am not connecting the dots – HOW are men like lava lamps???
Spo:
It's like the game show "Jeopardy." The answer was given in the title of the post and the question was given in the first paragraph. So, in reality…
Q: How are men like lava lamps?
A: They're fun to look at but not very bright.
It wasn't very funny to begin with. And now, as you can see, it got a whole lot worse. Sorry!
White Rabbit will give you flashbacks even if you never took drugs in your life!! Whenever I hear "We Built This City" I cringe for Grace.
Jenners:
And have you watched the "We Built This City" video lately? Talk about cringing! What city was it they built anyway?