Thoroughly Impressed

BodyWorlds2 is an amazing display! To see how muscles knit together with ligaments, and tendons attached to bone - the spinal column actually seems to unbraid itself near the base of the spine! Even the display of the pregnant woman (though painful and emotional) it is still an incredible gift to the medical community to SEE the internal workings of the human body as is. It's also amazing how packed together the organs are in our chest cavity. I've always imagined a slightly more comfortable placement of the organs, but they are packed cheek by jowl - no wonder things get left behind in surgery. Whether you agree with the practice of plastination or not, you cannot argue with the opportunity to learn - DaVinci would be front and centre, examining every tissue and connection. Highly recommended view, and worth all $20.00.

I was disappointed with the lighting - rather than all-round ambient light, the display has harsh, single-source lighting. Some areas were in such deep shadow, it was difficult to examine carefully.

I'll also admit to a faulty pre-conceived notion - that people would be reacting strongly, and protecting others from viewing the displays. The buildup to a complete human body (without skin) is gentle but direct. Included in the display is a colt, and an adult camel and baby. A comparious of the working of our stomachs and theirs. There were numerous school groups there, students eagerly absorbing information, with the occasional chuckle among a small group. Nothing is sacred, we've made the same jokes as children (and adults, for that matter).
Well, must get back to the big, red curtain.
Cheers. Take care of yourselves.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOZART!
That's not really all I have to say today. Considering the results of the election earlier this week, it is nice to have a celebration of beautiful music to close the week.
Visiting the Ontario Science Centre tonight - going to the BodyWorlds 2 exhibit. I'm excited, and vaguely nervous. Since I'm working my way through a book of DaVinci's work, the inner workings of the human body are currently fascinating. I'm curious to see OTHER people reacting to the exhibit. The western mind is so fraught with shame about how our body looks and what it produces, I'm more interested in watching when people turn away, and when they edit FOR THEIR CHILDREN. Living with an eleven-month-old really enlightens how naked and shame-free we are as children, the freedom of not knowing social conditioning. Certainly some of our civilized values protect us all from each other, but to be ashamed of our naked bodies, the beautiful machine we inhabit, the gift we have been given? Maybe McDonald's is to blame (okay, not just McD's, but all fast food westerners eat gluttonously).
Well, it is a beautiful, sunny day here in Barrie. I'm off to buy some threaded rod.
XOXO

Our politics

I voted last week - at the early polls since I can't vote here in Barrie. I voted to keep Canada organized and efficient, rather than spending the next two years or so watching the government rip apart the previous two or three years work. When was the last time a government actually work together for the good of the country as a whole, instead of simply blocking the other party policies? You may vote for a Conservative (god forbid) and I may vote Liberal, but can't both parties see the inherent value of certain issues being brought forward?

I'm seriously hoping Canadians carry on the tradition of surprizing even themselves. Michael Moore is right - we have a wonderful sense of irony, but having Steven Harper as our Prime Minister? Does he understand the meaning of those two words? Will he continue to act like a five year old on recess while in the Chamber?

I'm tired of puffy, white, hetero businessmen running this country, without having someone in the House of Commons there to FORCIBLY REMOVE the idiots calling each other names. Let's solve our problems by screaming - it always works at home with the wife. I've met more intelligent reptiles (that might be an insulting comparison to the reptiles).

Tuesday is only six short hours away, here in Ontario. My only hope is that September 19th meant something to more people than just Patrick and I. www.michaelandpatrick.com

A favourite quote

Be exceptional. Make tremendous efforts to be extraordinary. What a privilege to be here on the planet to contribute your unique donation to humankind. Just be sure you do so . . .

Opening Night of Playground

Preview performance was fantastic last night - unsure about whether I'm right, this is a good show, or not. I'm emotionally attached right now. So, come see it, not just for me, but for the whole.
Exciting meeting this afternoon with Richard O. and Marek N. for the design of Emily.
Looking forward to a week at home, finally, in the new house, while I design the next show, All you ever wanted to know about bad theatre.
And a week with the boyfriend (aka: Patrick).
Spent two hours ironing the skydrop for Playground yesterday - very zen. Ironing a huge blue silk drop. Looks much better now.
Some final notes I should be getting on with.
Love to all,
Michael

Another Installment of MIB

Good Evening Everyone,

Since I'm feeling a little chuffed about having just completed Talk is Free Theatre's first full floor treatment, I thought I would take the time to say hello.

My last update didn't include any photos, and neither does this one. I've saved the photos from previous productions this season at home, and since PRB and I just moved, our lives have been in an upheaval. I did get an overnight stay in our new house, and Patrick has done some beautiful things. We both agreed the house has a unique energy. Perhaps some house pics and production pics in the next email, after this Friday's opening night.

Playground, which is the opening I'm elluding to, is a new Canadian musical by Joey Miller, directed by Jim Betts, musical direction by Ryan deSouza with a star-studded (if you can say that in Canada) cast. It is set in 1973, in a Toronto playground. The principle character, Benny, sits on a swing, and eventually chains himself to it.

The design is simple, which is to my taste anyway, but is a suggestive, representational vision of a playground in fall: two panels of bright red, orange and yellow dyed silk hang above, a single 30 foot wide panel of mottled blue silk hangs as the sky, and the deck has been painted to represent fall grass and a path through the playgournd. And of course, the swing, which is strong enough to hold a piano.

The show is wonderful! It is not really uplifting, nor is it a downer, but leaves the audience with questions of moving on, growing up, making choices. I'd love to invite all of you to see it, since it is so human and emotional.

It's a quiet Sunday up here tonight. Everyone has left for their respective homes, leaving me quite alone to paint and work on costumes. Kind of a weird isolation.

Next up: All You Ever Wanted To Know About Bad Theatre - This is a Play, by Daniel MacIvor, and Drama and The Evils of Tobacco, by Anton Chekhov. Barrie mightn't be ready for this, Ethel.

Lots of love, my regards
Michael XO

Happy New Year! MIB issue #?

Since I haven't been keeping up with my MIB file, I'll simply NOT number them at all. I've forgotten to do so thus far anyway.
Visited the dentist's office prior to the holidays - I'm quite impressed! The painters have done an amazing job, the sytro work that was created in Calgary looks awesome, and now I'm simply waiting for a return visit to see the completed train bridge.
Started building Playground, the next Talk is Free show, before the holidays. Written by Joey Miller, directed by Jim Betts, musical director Ryan deSouza and an amazing cast (Jeff Madden, Lisa Horner, Peggy Mahon, and others), set in a playground 1973. Simply set (painted floor treatment, silk panels above to represent the fall coloured leaves, sky drop of silk), except the swing, where I learned ALOT about chain (currently we have chain which is capable of supporting a piano!). Sounds great, I'm aiming to match and support.
Just returned to the north today, after the "holiday" week, during which Patrick and I packed up our little two bedroom apartment, and just yesterday, moved into a Frank Lloyd Wright influenced (or designed? we don't know for sure yet) two bedroom cottage! The space is amazing, a kitchen big enough for three bums, a designated studio space and PATRICK HAS A SHOE CLOSET! I actually heard him laugh heartily after arranging his shoes (I'm not sure if they are organized by era or by colour. I'll be sure to let you know). We're both loving the space, and the genuine "grown-up" feel of the house. Now we both need to learn that we can't hear eachother all the time.
I'm jumping back into the fray today, pushing forward to next week's tech days.
All my best and happiness to everyone for the New Year.
Michael