Blog

After generations, London Calling (1979), a hit song by the UK punk rock band Clash, is still iconic of London.  We still enjoy this song maybe without thinking too much of what the words really mean.  I was a bit surprised to find out, however, when I read its lyrics because they actually portray a pretty gloomy state of their troubled times back then, and speak about their anxiety of the world going to pieces.  When people stop and think about the words, it still sends us a message after decades.  Perhaps that is what the songwriter intended.

We often hear creative people say "making art is therapeutic," implying art has a healing benefit.  I, as a painter and one working in the art community, think so, too.  An creative activity is not necessarily an escape from the reality (often harsh) but it gives us a power to cope and accept our thoughts and emotions through artistic expression.

Immediately after Paris was attacked a few weeks ago, which killed and injured many people, those with creative skills responded by expressing their emotions with what they do best: painting, music, poetry, cartoon, graffiti, etc.  It was a way to cope with the tragedy but it was more than that.

It is not possible to comprehend how all these creative expressions, even as a collective power, have helped or will help the whole situation but it does send a message that moves people.  And they will be there to keep reminding people that something has to change in the world that seems to be going in the wrong direction.

"London Calling" by the Clash

London calling to the faraway towns

Now war is declared and battle come down

London calling to the underworld

Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls

London calling, now don't look to us

Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust

London calling, see we ain't got no swing

'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing

The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in

Meltdown expected, the wheat is growin' thin

Engines stop running, but I have no fear

'Cause London is drowning, and I, I live by the river

London calling to the imitation zone

Forget it, brother, you can go it alone

London calling to the zombies of death

Quit holding out and draw another breath

London calling and I don't want to shout

But when we were talking I saw you nodding out

London calling, see we ain't got no high

Except for that one with the yellowy eye

The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in

Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin

A nuclear era, but I have no fear

'Cause London is drowning, and I, I live by the river

The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in

Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin

A nuclear era, but I have no fear

London is drowning, and I, I live by the river

Now get this

London calling, yes, I was there, too

An' you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!

London calling at the top of the dial

And after all this, won't you give me a smile?

I never felt so much a' like a'like a'like

(Lyrics from Google play)

Near Victoria and Albert Museum, London

watercolor en plein air, 50x35cm

Trafalgar Square, London

watercolor en plein air, 50x35 cm

Me painting at Trafalgar Square, London

St. James Park, London

watercolor en plein air, 35x50 cm

Tower Bridge, London

watercolor en plein air, 35x50 cm

Enfield II, watercolor en plein air, 35x50 cm

Enfield I, watercolor en plein air, 35x50 cm

Borough Market, London

watercolor en plein air, 35x50 cm

Near Covent Garden, London

watercolor, 29x21 cm

Piccadilly Circus, London I

watercolor 74x27 cm

- Join me on Facebook and follow my blog on NetworkedBlogs

- Follow me on Google+

- Follow me on Twitter
- FASO Artist Websites - Easy, Professional Art Websites for Artists who Sell