They're Fun To Look At But Not All That Bright

The title of this post is the answer to the age-old question: "How are men like lava lamps?"

One of the exhibits I just saw at the Center for Contemporary Art made me think of that old joke. It also made me miss the lava lamp I bought in 1969 and gave away some time in the late '70s before I moved from Brooklyn to Boston. I bought a new one for my office when I worked at UC San Diego in the '90s, but it wasn't the same. Maybe I was missing my tie-dyed bedspread, worry beads, and long hair. Well, I know I was missing my hair.

You may remember that my cousin Al and I visited Sevilla's Center for Contemporary Art in June. There were a couple of exhibits of interest at the time, but for the most part, although the property is fascinating, I was disappointed. I have been talking with Adela, who is a painter, about going back together to see what's new. We've been waiting for her brother, an art student, to arrive in town. Adela texted me early Sunday morning and asked if I wanted to walk over with them and another friend of hers. I met them after breakfast and we crossed the river in the blazing heat — and, of course, brilliant sunshine.

Spread through a huge number of galleries was a special exhibit called "Abstraction and Motion." The first large gallery we hit contained five projection screens with what looked like close-ups of lava lamps in constant movement. Music played that beautifully complemented the motion. Unfortunately, I didn't note the name of the artist and I've been unable to find it online. I'll keep looking. In the meantime, I have a feeling one of my faithful friends will come up with it!

I would have been very content to simply sit on the floor amid the larger-than-life lava lamps, listening to the music and enjoying my flashbacks... I mean memories. But, after leaving this room, the exhibit got even more interesting and the flashbacks... memories... got even more vivid. I have so much more to share. For now, I'm off to bed with Grace Slick's voice singing in my head...