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The boy in the Sandbox

4/26/2013

The Boy in the Sandbox
Short story
by Steven Benjamin (2012)

Description:
Innocence can come in many forms; curiosity, a journey, an absent life and even a simple vision. Between here and an unforgiving faraway land lies vacant memories of a life given, and a life lost, and the link they share. It started with a tree, which inspired a long journey to find truth. Clara takes this journey to discover that even within dirt and arid heat, innocence and a rose may yet live…

***

Her mother nodded even though her back was turned.

“If this was real it would fall down and die. Metaphorically speaking that doesn’t bode well for us. Our family tree is more than just a little lopsided Mum. I’ve filled most of your side in; gone back about as far as your great-grandparents. But there’s nothing on dad’s side. I’ve already written something about him – just a couple of lines. I need more… Mum? Hello? Are you even listening? I need a story, something. I mean, all I’ve written is about how I don’t know him, and, how he’s never been around.”

She lowered the heat and then turned from the stove. “Do you really need to know? I mean, is this really it? Is this what you want?”

“Well. Yeah, I mean... Unless you want me to submit a half completed project.”

“This isn’t just about some school assignment…” she said folding her arms, “this is about you. What do you want for yourself? Just for you.”

“Well,” Clara took a step back to think, “You’ve always told me ‘when I’m older’, well now I am.” She hesitated, “Why have I never met him? You never said that he died. I don’t remember you ever speaking of him with regret; then again, you hardly speak of him. The last time was when I was enrolling in High school. You said to me he’d be proud. Where is he Mum?”

Corrolla felt the question coming. She exhaled deeply, her face without emotion, as she prepared her words. “I could tell you a story.” She chewed her lower lip, her eyes searching, reaching out to distant memories. “Perhaps it’s better if you see. I’ll tell a few of the facts, the ones I know of anyway, just some names for your tree. The rest, I really don’t know.” Her eyes continued, still on their journey of reminiscence.

Clara looked to her with concern. “Mum?”

Corrolla’s eyes were lucid, meeting her daughters gaze. “You’ve started something now, haven’t you? There’s no turning back. Are you still keen? You need to be absolutely sure.”

Clara swallowed, “Uh…” She took a deep breath, feeling a little cornered, before she responded “… well, only if he’s a good man. I mean, as long as he’s not in prison.”

Corrolla smiled, walking toward her daughter. She cupped her cheeks and then pulled her close, wrapping Clara in her arms. “Okay, I’ll take you there.” She thought about Clara’s last words, and then thought to herself ‘Not all men in prison are bad men. Hope is so fickle. He’s probably still in one, maybe.’

My Liebster Bloghop Recruits

4/18/2013

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So, this is how I roll... My roll of honour, those whom I have selected, I dabbed my sword upon their proverbial shoulders in a virtual knighthood of blogging, sort of... in a much smaller way, and without the sword. I must just say that I had 11 people, but quite a few of them reneged on my proposal - so its not my fault that there were full calendars, schedules etc etc...
Here though, are the eleven questions I asked them:

1         What sort of books do you like to read?

2         Do you believe in a higher power, (I’m thinking spiritual here)?

3         What fascinates you most about humanity?

4         If you were a colour, what colour would you be?

5         What’s your favourite scene from a film?

6         What are your three favourite foods (desserts are also food)?

7         What is your favourite song or lyric?

8         What is your passion and what inspired it?

9         If you could do one wild and extreme thing, what would it be and why?

10     If you could have lunch with a comedian, who would you choose?

11     Could you think of three things that your close friends would say that would describe you the best?

And now, for the honour roll:

Kelly Brown - Spark Change ("think of it as something between Pay it forward & Chicken Soup for the soul" - my words)

Claudia Jones - It's a me thing(s) - yes, lots of 'things'. Claudia is a creative human and self professed Bubblegum enthusiast.

Joachim Wilbers - JoachimArtist - following on from my post "The Future of Art" (don't be lazy, scroll down, way down) - visit his site and follow the many links into this fantastical world of digital art.

David Marinez Romero - Writer, poet & Filmmaker on blogspot here
(Get well soon buddy!)

Special Mentions:

Although not participating in the challenge, the following blogs were on my provisional list of recruits - so see it as a small list of cool blogs to check out... (I included them with their Twitter profile pics; everyone on the post is worth a follow - its what I've done)

Marysia's travel blog "MyTravelAffairs" - visit and find out more on Marysia's travels around the world.

Cassie Patton's blog called "WittyTitleHere" - she's a professional writer, part time photographer and 'passable' dog whisperer.

Blog of author and psychiatrist Olga Nunez Miret (posts in Spanish & English) visit her page here

Darlene Craviotto: Screenwriter, playwright and author (and Mom). Her blog is titled "Can you all hear me in the back"

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The Liebster Bloghop challenge - with a cape

4/12/2013

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This post comes to you as part of the Bloghop challenge. I was recruited (or tagged) by Eleni Muller (Papanou). She is an author all the way from Hawaii - and you can find her through the following link to her blog HERE. Thanks Eleni for thinking of me in this regard!
So, as part of the Liebster blog Award challenge, i have to quote eleven random facts about myself and then answer the eleven questions from my recruiter - Eleni. And finally, recruit eleven people and do the very same thing - like a chain letter. (Challenge accepted)
And now, on to my response to the Liebster challenge:

11 Random Facts about Steven Benjamin (ahem, me) -

· For a while my dream was to become a Formula 1 driver (or F1 designer).
· I love rock climbing.
· I'm currently editing my debut novel The Quiet Days (about to give it a name change - this is still part of one fact).
· I once rode my bicycle and crashed into a tree.
· When I was much younger I climbed to the top of our garage and got stuck. My sisters and some of their friends tried to save me by holding the ends of a blanket and catching me in it. So I leapt … and, I got hurt, but I survived to tell the tale.
· I’m greatly fond of ice cream – to the point where (once upon a time) a greatly respected man even called me a connoisseur (not a family member).
· I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour when I was 6 years old (at a PowerTeam event - you know, those ‘strong men’ shows – the guy who broke a block of ice with his head, prayed over me)
· In grade 2 a teacher asked everyone to draw a picture of what we’d like to become when we’re older; I drew 3 things – a mechanic, a motocross rider and… I can’t remember the 3rd thing. I remember that day because my teacher summoned me after class and asked me about it. She first assured me that I wasn’t in any trouble, and then said, “I noticed you wanted to become three things…” – I said “Yes” – she looked at me and slowly nodded, with a lingering look, and then gave a faint smile and said "okay, just wanted to make sure", before dismissing me.
· I had a Blair Witch Project moment. The scene: We were at the border post between Botswana & Zambia – it was around midnight when I took the video camera to take some footage of a couple of Kudus (I think) in the bush nearby. Soon after switching to night vision mode, about to commence my live commentary monologue, I was savagely attacked by an as yet unknown number of smallish unidentified flying objects (read UFO’s) – not just insects, but abysmal, obscure, AFRICAN insects… 1 insect jabbing at my neck I can handle, but a sudden rogue attack from a fleet on 9… each with the own mosquito wingmen?
· I gallantly led… okay okay, (I was part of a great team) that hiked the Fish River Canyon last year.

11. · I may soon be immortalized in cartoon format.
- An early work up - "I prefer the gentleman on the left. Quite a fine likeness, I might add" FYI - I don't wear spectacles.

- I have taken a blood oath, sworn to secrecy and may only divulge details - which include the creator/illustrator's name when he launches it himself... (okay the blood oath part is technically not a fact, though it is a fact that it is practiced in some parts of the world... somewhere, maybe even by some random guy, who also happens to be named Steven).

Okay, now to answering Eleni's questions:

1. What fictional character would you love to be for a day?

Bruce Wayne – okay wait… No, not James bond either, that’s too typical, does Jeremy Clarkson count, no . . . AAAhh yes, I know – GAMBIT! No... when in doubt, always be BATMAN!

2. What is the hardest aspect of writing for you?

Finding the right words, to match the amazing imagery and pure coolness permeating in the creative nerve center of my mind (it’s harder than it sounds), and yes, sometimes it’s so cool there just are no words.

3. What three historical figures would you love to share a cup of coffee and conversation with?

Nikola Tesla; John the Baptist; Winston Churchill

(Alternate list: Steve Biko, Michelangelo - with a translator of course, Princess Diana)

4. If you weren't an author, what else would you be doing?

Working another job whilst fulfilling my passions and pursuing my dreams in other smaller ways. (or maybe start the South African Bobsled team)

5. On your deathbed, far into the future, how do you want to be remembered?

A man who lived true to himself, always in pursuit of the heart of Christ… (or just, a good example)

6. Do you believe in an afterlife?

Yes, I was born in heaven… one day I shall return home.

CD cover - links to youtube vids

7. What is your favorite book, movie, and album?

The Avenger – Frederick Forsyth.

The Dark Knight (though, being a movie critic means I have a rather extensive list of favourites.)

I’ve never actually settled on a favourite album, though my music tastes are pretty vast. Favourite song would be “Black” – by Pearl Jam… and if I was under duress to pick an album, I guess I’d go with U2’s ‘Joshua Tree’ (or their first ‘Best of’ collection). Then again, according to the “most listened to” on my playlist – it would be Ben Howard’s “Every Kingdom”.

8. Name the worst aspect of humanity.

Indifference to your fellow human, which is kind of an appendage to that of inhumaneness.

9. Name the best aspect of humanity.

To Love, unconditionally…

10. If an alien landed on Earth and asked you to go with him or her, but that you'd never be able to return home, would you go. Why or why not?

No. Assuming this would happen in the next week or even few years (while I’m young) – too many things to do here. Too many people to Love, to shout at (even metaphorically, or in written word), to educate, to learn from… Then there’s the very likely scenario of me crapping myself and fainting at the site of said ET. If this were to happen in my older years – Maybe… because if I’m still married (because I intend to be a husband to a woman one day) and she’s still alive, then I definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on any of that… So to conclude – Probably Not, though there is a chance, if the circumstance is right, and the space trip is first class, and maybe if I stipulated a "plus one" clause!

11. Do you believe intelligent life exists beyond this planet? Why or why not?

This is something I haven’t paid that much attention to, simply because it doesn’t really affect me that much, as in my everyday life… but I would have to say yes, I believe intelligence life exists on other planets. I’m a strong believer in the old “just because you cannot see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there” credo, and the universe is too vast (and we are too small) to simply and firmly state that we are all there is in it (regarding intelligent life forms)

Stay tuned, my next post will include the eleven people I recruit (thought I'd highlight them all in a special post of awesomeness... plus, contacting them all can prove a hassle... you know artists.

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The Future of Art

4/4/2013

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Labyrinth - from wallpapers.free-review.net

Is Art stagnating?

Where is modern art going? Will we ever see another Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Modigliani, Picasso, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh or Pollack?

Logically, when you think of it in context, my instincts says “NO”… they were all innovators (paying specific attention to painting here) – pioneers, but has everything that can be done in the art of ‘paint of canvass’, already been accomplished. Of course that’s what the challenge is for today’s artists – to be the next big thing, to forge a new path, a new direction in their field.

Part of the problem, in my opinion, is that too many people want to be the next great artist… just hear me out here.

Here’s what I mean: The oldest art school in the world, still active today, is a little over two hundred years old, yet in its early days it’s pretty safe to say that few people knew about it (although art schools existed as far back as the Middle ages - VanEyck in Flanders f.e. 13 -1400's. (Michelangelo, just by the way, learned through early apprenticeships, first as a 13 year old working under Florence painter Domenico Ghirlandaio, and then under a retired sculptor, creating his first major sculpture at the age of 17 - The Battle of the Centaurs.)
Then you think about how many art schools there are in the world today, anyone with vague artistic flair can apply, and a percentage of those applicants will manage to forge a career in the art world, most finding their place, or niche, within the corporate/commercial world.

What this means is that art has grown exponentially in the last century, accessible to every household – which is, for clarification, a VERY GOOD thing. Many will argue that that was (and was for the renaissance crowd) the ultimate goal of those earlier pioneers – to bring art to every person. Art is part of life. Without art, the world would be an unliveable place for most. Plainly put, we need art as an outlet of our creative selves… the sad reality of it though, is that all forms of global art forms might have diluted the craft.

The trouble now is distinguishing the good from the brilliant, and then there are the blatant publicity stunts… (I’m not a fan of blank white walls or installation art – using light fixtures for instance). Media has played a huge part in the dilution of the craft.

I think there are many new forms that have popped up recently that grab me – performance art (using a large crowd of people) as well as sand art (creating pictures and stories using sand on an illuminated screen). And yet, can we say that there is a definitive new art form or artist/painter, who is doing something new and revolutionary, and will be talked about for many years to come, much in the same vein as the artists of old. I heard it put a different way: The experts and genuinely gifted artists of today are pushing the envelope – but are they just doing it in incremental fashion – a little at a time. Where is the giant leap forward (or sideways) in the thinking and/or application on creating something people have never seen before?

I admittedly am not on the pulse of what’s the most spoken about thing in the art world right now, but like many, am very receptive and attentive to it, always on the lookout for something that will grab my attention whilst also admiring the works of old.

When you think about it, Art as we know it today, where everyone can say they know an artist, is very new – yes it has been around for as long as people have – noting rock paintings etc… but artists in the truest and purist sense of the word were always rare and in certain places revered, they certainly were not on virtually every street corner, so in a way it’s a catch 22 scenario… you want art to be present in some form or another in every household, but I for one, still want that something new, which will be universally recognised as something no one has ever seen before.

Some great photography - Sadly I can't recall where I found this image - although I believe its from somewhere on theChive

My prediction:

The next great artist or art form (in the purest sense) will come from Africa. I’m not saying that just because I’m African but because I believe it’s the most untapped resource in the global context. Admittedly though, I do say this more out of hope and prayer.

For it to happen, something in the art industry must be corrected; that of the “classification system”. You may have, once upon a time, come a upon a curio in your day, I speak specifically of those wooden animal statuettes. You can go around, round up 100 to 1000 people and give them all a lump of wood and say “carve something that will sell” – I’m betting you’ll only find a couple worth keeping (let alone worthy of a sale), yet this industry (somehow has been shunted from labelled as sculpturing) is relegated by the art industry and labelled “Arts & Crafts”. Just because someone doesn’t own a degree or even a formal education (specifically in the Arts), does not mean that person’s work is less good, or less relevant. That individual was inspired by a variety of things, most times pure circumstance, whatever the case; the result is a piece of art which they have toiled over, more often than not with their entire livelihood at stake… Just the other day I saw paintings of a 5 year old American boy selling for thousands of dollars (and that with no tertiary training); hence formal education has little to do with the product.

It says something that practically all the great artists were poor in their day, some even trading their works for a meal… living, creating, day by day…

So, to conclude; on the earlier question of art stagnating, and thence the future of Art...
Art has been described as an indefinable and boundless thing/form, meaning the possibilities are endless, and as is so often the case when initially exploring a theory on a topic (in this case), one is enlightened and finds new avenues. Here's a quote of an artist friend of mine who was happy to share his opinion on what the future holds:

The next great artist and art form will be found in the digital environment, is my opinion. We are still in an experimental stadium... Technique is taking all over, so obviously this also will happen in art…
- Joachim Wilbers

So, the Digital environment then, as the world wades through the plethora of new technology and how best to apply/implement it in/to our lives - so Art is in a veritable stage of self rediscovery (hence the labyrinth image) - exploring where it will venture to next. If you're still in the dark on this, then I urge you to explore it. Here's some images and quick links into this realm - the future:

Digital Art - (& mini Artist Feature)

"Fear" - by Joachim Wilbers

All these works and more (including landscapes) can be found on Joachim Wilbers' site in the 'New Creations/latest' set

JoachimArtist.net
JoachimArtist blog
Wanderbach on Facebook
Virtual Gallery -- (this is really cool!)

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The boy in the Sandbox

My Liebster Bloghop Recruits

Special Mentions:

The Liebster Bloghop challenge - with a cape

Okay, now to answering Eleni's questions:

The Future of Art

WRITING
WITH
A CAPE

FROM MY DESK:

Top Topics:

Archives

BLOGROLL

Categories

The boy in the Sandbox

My Liebster Bloghop Recruits

Special Mentions:

The Liebster Bloghop challenge - with a cape

Okay, now to answering Eleni's questions:

The Future of Art

WRITINGWITH ​A CAPE

FROM MY DESK:

Top Topics:

Archives

BLOGROLL

Categories

WRITING
WITH
A CAPE