Why I Never Became a Dancer 1995 Video Art Super 8 film Collection of the Tate, United Kingdom
Featuring scenes from Emin’s hometown of Margate ‘Why I Never Became a Dancer’ features the beach, the ‘golden mile’,’ and the games arcade with Emin narrating a story from her early teens.
Tracy Emin Young British Artists, Photographer, Painter, and Conceptual Artist Born: 3 July 1963, London, UK Nationality: British
Emin is an artist particularly known for her autobiographical and confessional work. She uses a variety of media including drawing, sculpture, painting, photography, film, neon text, and needlecraft. Emin was regarded as the ‘enfant terrible’ of the Young British Artists during the 1980s but is now a Royal Academician
They came in to the little town A semi-naked band subdued and silent All that remained of their tribe. They came here to the place of their old bora ground Where now the many white men hurry about like ants. Notice of the estate agent reads: ‘Rubbish May Be Tipped Here’. Now it half covers the traces of the old bora ring. ‘We are as strangers here now, but the white tribe are the strangers. We belong here, we are of the old ways. We are the corroboree and the bora ground, We are the old ceremonies, the laws of the elders. We are the wonder tales of Dream Time, the tribal legends told. We are the past, the hunts and the laughing games, the wandering camp fires. We are the lightening bolt over Gaphembah Hill Quick and terrible, And the Thunderer after him, that loud fellow. We are the quiet daybreak paling the dark lagoon. We are the shadow-ghosts creeping back as the camp fires burn low. We are nature and the past, all the old ways Gone now and scattered. The scrubs are gone, the hunting and the laughter. The eagle is gone, the emu and the kangaroo are gone from this place. The bora ring is gone. The corroboree is gone. And we are going.’
Oodgeroo Noonuccal Born: 3 November 1920, North Stradbroke Island, Australia Nationality: Australian Aboriginal Died: 16 September 1993, Brisbane, Australia
Oodgeroo Noonuccal was a political activist, artist, and educator. She is best known for campaigning for Aboriginal rights and her poetry. She was the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse
In love, there is no deeply hidden secret Nor is there anything bizarre Give all of the self and let love be returned Without holding back When there is nothing to fear By placing desire at love’s bequest It may be a challenge For true love sets the mark high But true lovers hear it call Give all to love And follow the dream
Antonio Carlos Jobim Bossa Nove, Jazz Born: 25 January 1927, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nationality: Brazilian Died: 8 December 1994, New York, USA
A primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova, Jobim was a composer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and singer. He is considered one of the greatest exponents of Brazilian music and internationalized the bossa nova and merged it with jazz in the 1960s. He is often referred to as the father of the bossa nova
Fix You Album: X&Y Date: 2005 Genre: Alternative/Indie Artist: Coldplay
Coldplay was formed in London in 1997. The line-up consists of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion, and creative director Phil Harvey. Initially called Starfish the band met at University College London and began playing together in 1996. Coldplay are one of the best-selling musical acts of all time with over 100 million global album sales
There are times when I have been caught off-guard And the easy path has become so hard Leaving my heart and soul battered and scarred Some stages of this life are all uphill
The future isn’t always mine to see When my eyes see what I desire to be But fate dictates that isn’t right for me Some stages of this life are all uphill
Yet there is no choice but the way ahead The easy path, now a challenge instead
And with body and mind feeling the ache It feels like my heart is about to break In the end, it’s the worthy path to take Some stages of this life are all uphill
Inspired by and written for the Ragtag Daily Prompt, my thanks to Dr Kottaway
Form: Deplorable Sonnet
Those early days after it all came out And everything seemed surrounded by doubt And I had no voice left with which to shout My old jeans still feel like my closest friend
Once darkest blue now they’re faded and pale I recall when I bought them in a sale And they have been there with me without fail My old jeans still feel like my closest friend
Now in my wardrobe, they are hung with pride For being there throughout, right by my side
I know frayed edges have seen better days Faded and frayed like me in many ways Getting old with memories in a haze My old jeans still feel like my closest friend