1212_0223 El Duende
The Val Marie Group of 4 have completed their fourth assignment (I hope) and will be uploading their take on the "word of the week". Pam chose the word this week, and the word is "el duende". Pam, how can we ever thank you?
"El duende" is a Spanish term for which there evidently is no English equivalent. Oh, great. In my benighted state of existence, I'd never heard of it. I read several definitions and emerged no wiser. The clues I was able to cobble together suggest that it is a quality of being, or perhaps of art, or artistic expression, best exemplified in flamenco music. It contains elements of sorrow as well as authenticity. Although he is not a flamenco musician, Bob Dylan has it. Van Morrison has it. Neil Young and Tom Waits can summon it up. I'm not certain, but would be willing to bet that Wayne Newton doesn't have it, nor does Celine Dion. Randy Travis? You gotta be kidding. I've no idea if I have it. However, I am almost certain that Mr. Pumpkinhead does; you can see it in his time ravaged smile.
This is my Halloween pumpkin, sitting out in my backyard, vegetable cell walls long since exploded and frozen, awaiting - patiently - a warm chinook wind and midwinter thaw that will turn him into a puddle of ooze. He is one soulful dude. Yes, I think he has the right stuff. El duende!
Here are links to the other interpretations of this assignment:
www.flickr.com/photos/rwharwood/8275275644/in/photostream
www.flickr.com/photos/redcalfstudio/8276205842/in/contacts/
www.flickr.com/photos/pjwoodland/8276375952/
Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission.
© James R. Page - all rights reserved
1212_0223 El Duende
The Val Marie Group of 4 have completed their fourth assignment (I hope) and will be uploading their take on the "word of the week". Pam chose the word this week, and the word is "el duende". Pam, how can we ever thank you?
"El duende" is a Spanish term for which there evidently is no English equivalent. Oh, great. In my benighted state of existence, I'd never heard of it. I read several definitions and emerged no wiser. The clues I was able to cobble together suggest that it is a quality of being, or perhaps of art, or artistic expression, best exemplified in flamenco music. It contains elements of sorrow as well as authenticity. Although he is not a flamenco musician, Bob Dylan has it. Van Morrison has it. Neil Young and Tom Waits can summon it up. I'm not certain, but would be willing to bet that Wayne Newton doesn't have it, nor does Celine Dion. Randy Travis? You gotta be kidding. I've no idea if I have it. However, I am almost certain that Mr. Pumpkinhead does; you can see it in his time ravaged smile.
This is my Halloween pumpkin, sitting out in my backyard, vegetable cell walls long since exploded and frozen, awaiting - patiently - a warm chinook wind and midwinter thaw that will turn him into a puddle of ooze. He is one soulful dude. Yes, I think he has the right stuff. El duende!
Here are links to the other interpretations of this assignment:
www.flickr.com/photos/rwharwood/8275275644/in/photostream
www.flickr.com/photos/redcalfstudio/8276205842/in/contacts/
www.flickr.com/photos/pjwoodland/8276375952/
Don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission.
© James R. Page - all rights reserved