Art
MIKE FINIGAN: The art of letting go, un-mastered – TheChronicleHerald.ca
If you ever receive a birthday or Christmas card from me, please, read it, check it for money (good luck with that), and feel free to toss it. The gesture will have come, done its job, and gone!
Simple, right? Should be the policy for the receiving of all greeting cards. Right?
No, not right at all.
No, in terms of the giving and receiving of greeting cards, such simplicity escapes us.
I understand that a person feels guilty throwing a card from a good friend or your mother out in the trash. It’s anathema! It’s somehow built into our DNA to stuff these cards into a drawer in the bedroom. And the longer we keep them, the worse it gets.
I myself, who am not so much cold as frequently oblivious to the fragile and familiar politics of human relations, have brief second thoughts too when I am cleaning out my drawers. What’s this? Aww. The card my wife gave me on our 9th anniversary. With love. But. Okay, if it was a 10th anniversary or a 25th anniversary. But it’s a 9th. I look over my shoulder. I step out into the hall and look both ways. I look at the card. I’d keep it, but … but if I do, where am I going to put my jujubes, my hammer, my Sobeys receipts and even splits?
Does she have my 9th anniversary card?
It’s hard to tell. The line between her sense of sentimentality and practicality is much like the horizon line between the ocean and the sky. Sometimes obvious, sometimes a seamless illusion.
I stick it in the shredder. I press the button. And when the card is halfway through, I remember, bleakly, starkly, our policy.
Our card policy is the ‘keep everything’ policy.
Every time I open a tote hoping to find a pair of winter pants or a pair of sandals and I find birthday cards instead, I go through multiple signs of the cross, because it’s almost more than I can do to keep from showering the place with blasphemies. They boil over. I tried stifling them but it’s bad for my health. They won’t be repressed. They come either freely or hissing as though from an over-stuffed suitcase somebody is sitting on in an effort to close. Still, if I put one card in the trash, a voice fills the room, much like the voice that used to tell me to close the fridge door. A ubiquitous voice. “Don’t touch those! I am sorting those out! God Almighty! My nerves!”
C’mon. You can’t save everything.
Even the Stanley Cup has only so much room. You can’t just keep putting more rings on the Cup. You can’t skate around the rink with a twelve-foot-high trophy. Every so often they take a ring off. The next ring is due to come off in 2030, and with it the Leafs. Yep. Policy is policy. Even the Leafs will not be saved by sentimental drivel. After 2030, they’re gone. And … well … don’t get me started.
Anyway, my point is, I’m trying to find places to put stuff lately. We just had family move in and even shoebox-sized spaces are at a premium. We did get a new shed for this occasion, but I don’t want to put household stuff in the shed. It’s a tool shed! The old shed got out of hand and this is, yes, a brand-new start. A chance to do it right this time.
Actually, it’s an opportunity to bring some of my stuff from my old shed into this one. But not just any old stuff.
Take, for instance, this old hinge. Sure, it’s thirty-six years old. Maybe it’s got a bit of rust. But…
It could come in handy someday.
Not like a used birthday card.
Mike Finigan, from Glace Bay, is a freelance writer now living in Sydney River. He can be contacted at cbloosechange@gmail.com.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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