David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :

'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)

(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.


25 November 2013

Dr Who : LOL


Those new to the acronyms of texting often reveal their newbie status in the way they use LOL, believing it means Lots Of Love.

LOL is the abbreviation for Lots Of Looking :
    

               
detail
A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
someone looks at something ...
 
LOGOS/HA HA
      
        
Even Dr Who says LOL. Not sure what he imagines it means?
      
Dr Who (Smith) : Now, I want this stone dust analysed. And I want a report in triplicate, with lots of graphs, and diagrams, and complicated sums, on my desk tomorrow morning. ASAP! Pronto! LOL!

- 50th anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor
    
.   .   .   .
     
Joining with 93 other countries of the Cast of Earth : Theatre of the Actors of Regard, bLOGOS/HA HA tuned in at 6.50am yesterday to watch the simultaneous broadcast of the 50th anniversary episode of Dr Who : The Day of the Doctor.

We were not disappointed. LOL indeed!
    
.   .   .   .
    
LOL #1 : The Doctor is summoned to the National Gallery by Britain's Chief Scientific Officer, Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (daughter of 'The Brigadier'). 

She hands The Doctor a letter from his employer Queen Elizabeth 1. (Apparently, he still works for her Unified Intelligence Task Force, investigating aliens.) To confirm that the letter and its message are genuine, he and Clara are escorted into a secure section of the Gallery to look at a painting, Her Credential.
    





The Doctor recognizes the painting. 
     
Dr Who : "No More"
Kate L-S :  That's the title.
Dr Who : I know the title.
Kate L-S : Also known as "Gallifrey Falls".
Dr Who : This painting doesn't belong here. Not in this time or place.
Clara : Obviously
Dr Who : It's the fall of Arcadia, Gallifrey's second city.


 
Clara: How is it doing that? How is that possible : it's an oil painting in 3D. 
Dr Who : Time Lord Art. Bigger on the inside. A slice of real time. Frozen. 
      


Dr Who : He was there.
Clara : Who was?
Dr Who : Me. The other me. The one I don't talk about.
     
LOL #2 : In the War Room of Dalek-beseiged Gallifrey, the Time Lords worry at their desperate defence. 

Here, they examine a security breach to the Time Vaults of the Forbidden Weapons. Included among these is The Moment, the most dangerous weapon in the universe, turned sentient, and now with a conscience. It has been stolen.
    

Who would do that? John Hurt as The Doctor.

Another cube, (requires) another Act of Looking  :
     

Billy Piper in the form of Rose Tyler / Bad Wolf looks on as The Interface, the conscience of The Moment. 
           
Later, this Doctor will commit to use the terrible weapon. He will declare: "The moment has come".

LOL #3 : Still at the National Gallery, the Doctor reads his letter from Elizabeth the First.
           


Elizabeth I : My Dearest Love, I hope the painting known as 'Gallifrey Falls' will serve as proof that it is your Elizabeth who writes to you now.You will recall that you pledged yourself to the safety of My Kingdom. In this capacity I have appointed you as Curator of the Under Kingdom, where deadly danger to England is locked away. Should any disturbance occur within its walls, it is My Wish that you be summoned. God speed gentle husband, Elizabeth R

             
more Dr Who : LOL soon...

    
detail
A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
someone looks at something ...
 
LOGOS/HA HA