MELISSALAND

Fantastic. Created by Vincent Sahuc with a cheap casio camera and some rollerskates…..

A couple of years back I stumbled upon a cover of (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six by Paper Jones. I wish I had his version to share - it was really wonderful. Apparently the only way to get it at the moment is off the Four Eyed Monsters compilation CD

Although, I am almost positive this video I just found has the Paper Jones’ version (though they do not site his name):

The original track is by Brian Jonestown Massacre

(Play) Brian Jonestown Massacre - (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six

Just one of those songs that I have always loved immensely

Lyrics:

Does she love you, you suppose
With somebody who would know
Who believes in what you are
You’re my favorite thing by far

There’s a fire in your eyes
I see it all sometimes
In the darkness of the night
I see it many times
Yes I’m sure it shines in you

There’s no warm place left to go
When I’m feeling kind of slow (slow down sir)
Do you like the way you are
Yes it is, ’cause you’re the star

It’s the brightness in your eyes
I see it all tonight
In the darkness of my light

The photographs above are by Sergey Larenkov. He’s reshot WW2-era photos (these are from the siege at Leningrad) from their original perspectives, and then faded the original image back in. A haunting and arresting mashup of images. Just trying to even imagine what life would have been like in Leningrad back then is difficult. According to Wikipedia, the blockade was ‘one of the longest and most destructive sieges of major cities in modern history’. Terrifying.

The siege at Leningrad is not included in the book I am currently reading, The Dark Valley - A Panorama of the 1930’s, but the author, Piers Brendon, does a great job covering the period leading up to the Second World War. Although it is massive, (just shy of 900 pages) it is very accessible and completely engrossing.

Tonight I plan on a few good cups of tea and digging into the next chapter, maybe some quiet music in the background - like this song, which was recorded by The Ink Spots in 1941, the year the siege at Leningrad first began……

Listen to The Ink Spots - I don’t want to set the world on fire mp3

(off the Fallout 3 soundtrack - thanks Jason)

Larry Lessig’s post this morning pointed to this conference at the Moritz College of Law in Ohio - it takes place March 12th & 13th and the list of speakers is impressive (DJ Spooky? I’m so there) - only $30 for the general public (plus plane ticket and hotel of course) - I am seriously considering going………

Some nice medium-format color photographs by Bryan Schutmaat - I especially love the middle image. Looking through his photos makes me want to pack up (my non-existent car), hit the long road and head out west to find, well, the west - in all its mythical glory.

And what would be playing in the car? This song.

For more: visit Bryan’s flickr page - flickr.com/photos/lastleaf

fucking beautiful. watch the whole thing and scream along dammit……