Carl Abrahamsson's Blog, page 44
July 8, 2019
A changing of the guards
A changing of the guards, you say? Based on a dream in which formulation, narration, coherence becomes hard for the old protagonist. What was once so poetically flowing now turned to a signal of strained silence. Everyone reaches that moment sooner or later. Inevitabilities.
The important thing is to find your own voice and let it speak. Holding on to others makes no sense, nor poetry. That said, can there then ever be a changing of guards? Yes, there can be. But it’s not so much about what is actually said, or how. It’s a matter of resonance; a kinship of the souls. That can mean a similar kind of mania or approach. An appreciation of creative neurosis. Poetry always exists more in life itself than in any more or less irrational formulations of life.
Kinship. An honouring of kinship. And an honouring of the continuity. When did it begin, and with whom? When will it end, and with whom? These are interesting but ultimately redundant questions. Without a doubt, there is a changing of the guards, but it is invisible and inaudible. No-one needs to see or hear but those involved. And perhaps not even them. One is preoccupied with the end; another with the beginning. Whether hidden or blatant, the show must go on with the show.
July 4, 2019
Mementeros – A turbulent thrust into a void of substance
As in their previous collaboration, Lunacy (2017), Vanessa Sinclair and Carl Abrahamsson began by collecting texts and assembling these for Sinclair to cut up, randomly re-assemble, and record. The sources in this case are various erotic writings by Abrahamsson and many others. When these had been cut up, read and recorded by Sinclair, Abrahamsson set them to music (a total of eight pieces).
With this “album” of spoken word / music as a foundation, a film was made to accompany the sounds and words. Using visual material from 1970s porn films on super 8 as well as newly shot material, Mementeros quickly grew into a vital entity of its own. At a throbbing 38 minutes in weird colors and slow motion layers, Mementeros is a psychosexual expression from an unknown place that constantly shifts shapes and desires.
When the film was finished, randomly selected screenshots were printed out on photographic art paper, and then added to by Sinclair with further strips of cut up texts and images. A full circle form and content in time and space; an estheticized orgasm if you will. These images constitute the exhibition Mementeros, currently on display at MOPIA in Zürich, Switzerland (July 4 to August 28, 2019).
To introduce Mementeros, Sinclair & Abrahamsson present the following text:
The flesh is an emotion in itself. Our flesh is divided as we move along; dissociated from the humble origins. Blotted out; looking for freedom in friction. This is beyond good and evil, and asexuality is also a sexuality for all we know. Each piece of flesh is a colour, a destiny, an enlargement of the first view – the one we hunt for the rest of our lives; even beyond capacity and function. Sweet life of death – incentive of all incentives. A skeleton and an hourglass transcend all known symbols and all unknown poetry. He knew and was prescient up until the very last moment. In that moment, a very different kind of movement. “Sex and death are my religion.” Grabbing the flesh is not so much dominance as it is submission to the sublime. The desired holds all keys to all kingdoms. Can it for some reason no longer be retained in the emotional sphere? Is that physical sensation so overwhelming? Even so, think of it in colours that rapidly paint an inner room: a psychic chamber only for you and the one you desire. It’s all in the mind; it really is. An illusion so strong it can break down the barriers of that negative kind of subjugation – not to a singular force (which is Eros) but to an entire power structure (which is Thanatos). Sartorial tendencies in the male – a dead give away. Fingers, hands, fists uniting in a poetry of the real. But, dear courtesans of the world, what is actually the “real”? Are your enticing orifices really the only way to the truth? Consult the prophets and find allusions and illusions in equal measure. That can happen between the sexes too, when union is made possible by emotional nudity and a temporary upheaval of the intrusive fireworks of fantasy. Then and only then is progress as fast and clear as the formation of new life (desired or not). Each colour then speaks a new language; utters a new sentiment; conveys a new message of the flesh. “Long live the new flesh!” (but only for a brief moment). We see each other in a flash, a micro-eternity, a diaspora of doubts, and an overflowing ecstasy brings us closer to the unknown pleasures not of the body but of the soul. We cannot go higher, lower or anywhere else then. We are then prisoners of our own souls and there is no moment more precious or divine. Yes, the grabbing fingers leave bruises in the skin tissue. But just as the sun rises, the skin will repair itself to pristine vigour and radiant survival for potential procreation; a feast of the senses more than anything else. Isn’t it better to feel something than to feel nothing? This question sums up all of human philosophy and all our aspirations of life. The soul, the senses, the flesh, the macro-phallus, the micro-phallus – all communicating in a language you yourself constructed because of deep need. Be proud of yourself, your ingenuity and of your power to attract both life and death. Anything could come of this. Anyone could come of this.
Vanessa Sinclair & Carl Abrahamsson, Stockholm, July 2019
Mementeros can be watched HERE
Lunacy can be watched HERE
Information about the exhibition at MOPIA can be found HERE
You can follow the work of Vanessa Sinclair & Carl Abrahamsson HERE
June 30, 2019
Bou Jeloud is alive and well
An integral part of the adventure-mythos we’re living is the magic of Morocco in general, and of (the master musicians of) Joujouka in particular. Bowles, Burroughs, Gysin et al all formulated fragments that have gradually morphed into a tangible totality. A vital myth indeed.
And yes, there was that LP of course: “Brian Jones presents the pipes of Pan.” The ultimate classic that led to many a collaboration between the master musicians and similars from other countries and cultures.
So you can’t really go more Beatnik bucket list than actually going to Joujouka proper. They celebrate the solstice, they celebrate the great god Pan, they play incredibly psychedelic music, and also make great food. What’s not to like?
After a few preparatory days in Marrakech, we headed north towards Tanger. Then onwards to the Rif mountains and the very village of Joujouka.
Some fifty guests had arrived for the celebration; at least half of them from Japan. We made many new friends, and also met at least one of our dear Patreon patrons. What a treat! Nothing beats “in vivo”! (Hi, Hamilton!)
Over three consecutive days, the master musicians and their families housed and cooked for us. We were blessed to stay at the house of Bou Jeloud (Pan) himself. The village elder (at a spry 75 years or thereabouts) who assumes the role of Bou Jeloud is a true gentleman; hospitable and courteous, as is his family. There is even a room in his house called “Café Bou Jeloud,” where the assembled can enjoy mint tea, a soda, and the local specialities while looking at photos from the master musicians’ various tours and concerts.
In the afternoons and evenings, a small ensemble (of nine musicians) sang, played drums, string instruments and occasionally flutes while still in “civilian” clothes. After the communal midnight meal had been thoroughly enjoyed and then cleared out, the musicians came back to their stage dressed in their very finest ceremonial village apparel. The fourteen man ensemble now presented drums and those magical pipes. And… wow!
As soon as the very first sound was heard, frenzy set in. It’s just impossible to sit still to this music. High pitched frequencies, deep heart-beat drums, multi-layers of weird syncopations that seem to continually increase in intensity… People jumped up, danced, got into a trance, while the musicians themselves got more and more into it.
Village boys dressed up as anonymous girls/boy-girls/girl-boys blurred the boundaries between the concepts of “trans” and “trance.” In a way, their dancing became a litmus test of the intensity of the music. If the kids went into frenzied trances, the musicians got even more inspirational fuel, and vice versa. Reciprocal ecstasy spinning ever faster through the star-lit mountain night.
And seemingly out of nowhere came Bou Jeloud. Dressed up in a suit made of goat skin, and with a goat’s head attached to his headgear, the old human man was now suddenly a timeless being; a proper god. Pan is alive and very well in Morocco. Bou Jeloud pranced around aggressively and chastised musicians, kids, and local women with twigs. It was terrifying and delightfully humorous at the same time. Being smacked is a blessing, and was originally believed to increase/improve fecundity.
A bonfire was lit while the music was still going on. Bou Jeloud danced manically around it and kept chasing people. What we were witnessing could equally well have taken place two thousand years ago. This was time travel in the best possible way, and to the best possible soundtrack.
After three days of ecstatic partying and dancing (and some nice rest and relaxation as well), it was time to leave the timeless space and head back to the lovely hustle and bustle of Tanger.
There were of course many other adventures and pilgrimages during this grand tour. For instance, visiting the Paul Bowles museum/wing of the American Legation in Tanger. But we’ll have to return to this at another time.
As always, we recorded a lot of cut-ups on both audio and video. You’ll be the first to know when they’re out there. But now, it’s time to sort out all of our impressions of the Moroccan adventure/pilgrimage more in detail. Bou Jeloud blessed us with one of his twig-whips. This will now be centrally placed at a suitable altar at Vanessa & Carl HQ. The beautiful dream continues.
June 16, 2019
Skimming a potential immersion, are you?
Being actually subjected to art is perhaps not such a bad thing, after all? If we can casually control someone else’s artistic expression via our own computers and gadgets, and thereby feel temporarily superior and arrogant, then perhaps it’s a healthy thing to at times immerse oneself in it instead, on the dictated terms of the expression itself.
I’m not saying one should force oneself to watch a lot of junk simply because of a pointless and arbitrary honoring of some aloof principle of respect. Not at all. But if you already feel curiosity, resonance and respect for a genuine and intelligent artwork, then perhaps it’s a great idea to ritualize the moment in order to go deeper into it.
An example: If you can watch a chosen film in a cinema, that in itself rules out (or should) disrespecting the film by looking at your phone, flipping through a magazine, and what not. You’re there in the darkness, exposed to the film, and at the appointed time. The film rules, and it rules out everything but the film. A compelling cultural congress.
The same should be true or valid for music and books too. Why read casually when you know you’re dealing with great writing? Why do other things at the same time as you’re listening an amazing piece of music?
To get deeper into whatever you’re taking part of, you need to subject yourself to the work in question. But in times when everyone is encouraged to have a fast, smart, loud and (not so) unique opinion about everything, how can we expect that people would have the time or energy to really watch, read and listen?
I think the solution lies in ritualizing the experience. Make it special. Shut out everyone and everything that is not relevant to your indulgence. Focus. Value it. Savor the moment. Then, indulge on your own terms and, more importantly, on the terms of the artwork in question.
After you have given it a genuine shot, only then can you be allowed to have an opinion about it. People who skim life and its multifaceted expressions of intelligence and beauty simply need to step back and shut up.
It seems a paradox of sorts but it really isn’t: only those who who can subject themselves temporarily but wholeheartedly to art, are those who are fit to be on top and have an opinion.
May 24, 2019
My new album ”Nocturnal Meditations” is out there
My new album NOCTURNAL MEDITATIONS just hit the digisphere! Darker than dark, and better than ever! Available everywhere NOW. If you want to buy it, please go to:
https://carlabrahamsson.bandcamp.com/album/nocturnal-meditations
May 20, 2019
Malleable Mindframes, Meandering
There is no meaning, no purpose, no higher goal than to exist in the moment, and in the moment make important decisions. As important as you can make them, anyway.
Closing one’s eyes is a prerequisite for seeing clearly. Being silent, one for hearing properly. The stillness inside you must always be allowed to create havoc on the outside.
Avenues, alleys, streets, highways, byways, paths, and mountain meadows… No matter where we stroll, it seems evident that we stroll alone.
But even that is an illusion – as is everything else. If we allow ourselves that privilege and luxury, we are actually already beyond the static hopelessness of existence. A vantage point is easy to change, and that in itself allows for a realisation of an immutable union with cosmic expanses that will never change, and yet seemingly always do so.
Everything is malleable, adaptable, possible to (re)create. It happens in this moment – the moment when there’s nothing but meaning, purpose and a higher goal.
May 15, 2019
Back to the Occulture podcast
I’m on the Occulture podcast again!
“Hopefully you’ve got your creativity caps on, because our guest this time around is Carl Abrahamsson. He’s making his third appearance on the show, and much like the previous two, this one is rooted in human artistic expression.
Carl was here twice last year talking about his book Occulture, but he’s here this time to rap about a recent documentary he put out called Cinemagician: Conversations with Kenneth Anger, which is about exactly what it sounds like it’s about. Carl recorded a couple conversations with highly regarded independent filmmaker Kenneth Anger about his life, his work and the artistic process that is filmmaking. Good stuff, and you will hear all about it, as well as some tidbits on an upcoming documentary Carl’s producing about Anton LaVey, a conference he’s putting on at the end of May in the Italian Alps, and a juicy Patreon extension about what Carl calls our human poetry.
So if that sounds like your tune, then let’s jam.”
https://www.occulturepodcast.com/archive/magick-lantern-cycle-kenneth-anger
Photo by Vanessa Sinclair.
May 14, 2019
The Arrival of a mighty fine LP
Just got the LP today, and of course became overwhelmingly happy. Tangibility! It looks great and sounds even greater. A lot of work went into this project, and it’s a relief and a pleasure to see it manifested in such a beautiful way.
ENORMOUS thanks to Joachim Nordwall of Ideal Recordings, who made it happen!
The album can be ordered from BOOMKAT:
https://boomkat.com/products/loyalty-does-not-end-with-death
Also, only very few copies exist of the limited edition 12” with some bonus tracks. You can get that one straight from Ideal:
https://idealrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/slowly-third-minds-think-alike
And surely you haven’t missed the film about the recording of the album, in which both Gen and I talk about the process of making this third and final instalment of our magical spoken word trilogy:
May 13, 2019
I’m on the Thoth Hermes podcast
Last year I was interviewed by the great Austrian podcast Thoth Hermes. We talked mainly about my book Occulture – The unseen forces that drive culture forward. Now the conversation is out there and GREAT! Please check it out HERE!
The book proper you can check out here:
Available from Inner Traditions
May 10, 2019
”Cinemagician” wins award for best documentary
We are very happy that the Trapart Film Cinemagician – Conversations with Kenneth Anger has been awarded the title ”Best Documentary” in the Indian film magazine Cult Critic (April 2019).
The list of awarded films and directors can be found HERE!
Cinemagician: Conversations with Kenneth Anger from Carl Abrahamsson on Vimeo.
