London Calling

London Calling from faraway towns – to many of us of a certain generation this is the “opening line” of alternative music.  Whatever its significance Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of the iconic punk rock group “The Clash” created a song title that’s used over and over in pop culture for a variety of reasons.  Today, for instance, I’m using this line to introduce my latest painting.  Hee hee. 

Now War is declared and battle come down – this second line can be interpreted to mean a rising of the masses, a revolution of the oppressed, the have nots, the forgotten.  I’m choosing to use this line to talk about this summer’s Olympic Games!  They’re in London this year.  In August athletes and fans from around the world will descend on this timeless city that oozes generations, and history and tradition. 

London calling to the underworld – this third line appears to double down on the second line – a sort of signal to the counter culture out of sight of mainstream society.   In 2012 as it pertains to the Olympics, this line could mean something different.  This line could be a shout out to the billions of couch spuds like me that will be watching this hallowed event from the comfort of leather sectionals and reclining chairs with cup holders.

Come out of the cupboard you boys and girls – this fourth line appears to underscore the third line – a sort of prodding of a frightened ambivalent youth.  Again as it relates to the Summer Olympics – maybe it’s a call out for us to admit our strange fascination with this event. For two weeks we’ll be mesmerized by sports none of us follow but every four years.  We will fall in love and honor swimmers, divers, gymnasts, sprinters, high jumpers, pole vaulters, shot putters, weight lifters, even Greco Roman wrestlers……well maybe not those dudes.  We’ll promise ourselves we’ll continue following these sports long after the games end and then we won’t… for another four years.

London Calling now don’t look to us – this line could mean, well I don’t know what it means.  In fact I don’t know what any of this means.  Am I really serious about comparing the counter culture yearnings of the late seventies to the Olympics of 2012?   Nope.  I just wanted a vehicle to share my latest painting.  It’s a mixed medium 24”x 32” on canvas.  It’s a commission piece so I’m not really marketing it either.  Then again no one reads this, so…