Today's bummer has to be the death of Maurice Sendak, the beloved and, to stupid prudes, controvesial author and illustrator. Like many great books intended for children, Maurice Sendak's works tended to be characterized by what I'd call "mitigated darkness". In his best-known books, Sendak's young protagonists leave the comfort of their homes and enter surreal dreamscapes inhabited by ominous, though ultimately benevolent, figures, passing through these dreamscapes back to the sanctuary of home, with a renewed appreciation of what they have.
Sednak's illustrations gloriously mix the grotesque and the whimsical, his monsters were simultaneously fearsome and comical. The ugly, charming creations depicted by Sendak (much like the Muppets) allow readers to confront their fears and master them... when one is the King of the Monsters, one doesn't have to be afraid of the thing lurking under the bed.
Is there a better tribute to Mr Sendak than to devour one of his books, preferably in the company of a brilliant, demented child? Here's an animated short based on Mr Sendak's most controversial (OMG! SKETCHED NUDITY!!!) and most surreal work:
Thanks for the imagery, Mr Sendak, and thanks for the tools to disarm childhood fears.
Bastard in Picture Not Shown at Actual Size
About Me
- Big Bad Bald Bastard
- The Big Bad Bald Bastard is a character played by Monsieur _______ of the City of Y______. The role of the Bastard is a handy one to play on subways, walking the streets, and in dive-bars, when being a nerdy, bookish sort is not to one's advantage.
8 comments:
My parents didn't read to me so, I had never even heard of this guy until I was grown.
One of my boys ... hmmm.. I think Joe, loved Where The Wild Things Are.
((Hugs))
Laura
I loved that book, too, Laura.
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One of my boys ... hmmm.. I think Joe, loved Where The Wild Things Are.
It's a classic. Maurice's books were pretty trippy.
I loved that book, too, Laura
You're the kind of guy who likes a wild rumpus, eh?
and thanks for the tools to disarm childhood fears.
What's he got for adulthood fears?
Seems to me that we're the officials for that job, zrm.
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Nice post 4B. I like the bit about teaching kids to disarm fears. You're a thoughtful guy
Spike Jonze's WTWTA is an excellent adaptation.
What's he got for adulthood fears?
Booze!
Seems to me that we're the officials for that job, zrm.
Thunder against terror!
Nice post 4B. I like the bit about teaching kids to disarm fears. You're a thoughtful guy
It comes from dealing with a lot of kids in my volunteer gig, and helping them come to some terms with some of their anxieties.
Spike Jonze's WTWTA is an excellent adaptation.
Gotta check it out... hanx!
Well, we're all fucked then
Future FYFriday post?
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