War films were big business back in the 1950’s. It was a time for revisiting events from a decade earlier and deciding how they should be interpreted.
‘Ice Cold in Alex’ is one such film. It caught my eye the other day, purely because of the famous Carlsberg ad some years previous. I wanted to know the back story to the advertisement and to the film.
Then of course I wanted to learn about the actors and their subsequent careers. The film itself appeared to be quite hammy, especially the love interest. Stiff upper lip and general persistence appeared to be the order of the day, with a final conclusion that most of the Germans weren’t a bad lot, really.
When the final credits rolled over a fanfare of triumphant music the two things that struck me most were firstly, the shortness of life. The majority of the actors are now dead, even though the film was only made in 1957. Secondly, art is a means of interpreting life.
Nothing original there really. You could read that in any second rate philosophical diatribe, but this time it was more personal than mere information. I really understood it.
How this will inform my future paintings remains to be seen. No doubt it will in ways that at the moment I cannot envisage. If I could, there would be no need to paint. Painting is a means of working out and internalizing what we encounter in the outside world.
Not that I can see my art descending into a darker realm. The opposite is actually the case. It’s important to keep reminding ourselves of all that is good and beautiful in life. Hanging a piece of uplifting original art on your wall is the perfect way to achieve this.
Hence, my obligation to direct you to these pieces, particularly at this time of year.
Have a happy Monday!
Hi, I'm Jimmy.
On this site, I share how writing and painting can provide meaning and enhance our lives.
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