"The Man" by Irving Wallace Is as Relevant as Ever

I believe it was in Civics class my freshman year that we were assigned to read The Man by Irving Wallace. Though I didn't know it at the time, Wallace was a bestselling author most notable for his political fiction. This novel, published in 1964, made such impression on me  that I recall the story and some of its scenes to this day. To a certain extent it has served as a lens through which I view the political games played in Washington D.C., and why so many of us are suspicious of the media's motives or reliability,

The central character is Douglas Dilman, a quiet and unassuming President pro tempore of the Senate who finds himself thrust into the highest office in the land after a series of unforeseen events leads to the sudden deaths of the President and Vice President. By default Dllman, for better or worse, becomes the first African American President of the United States. From the outset he faces unprecedented challenges, both from within the political establishment and the society at large.

Dilman is a reluctant leader who becomes a symbol of hope and change. Kermit Madigan, his chief antagonist, is a Senator who represents the old guard and embodies the entrenched prejudices, deep-seated racism and resistance to change that Dilman must confront. (EdNote: The book came out the year after Dr. Martin Luther King's March on Washington and before the assassinations of Malcolm X, Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy.

There are also a diverse array of secondary characters, each representing different facets of American society, from loyal aides and family members to political adversaries and ordinary citizens.

What remains fresh in my mind are the lengths to which President Dilman's enemies will go to discredit his character, including fabricating a bogus rape charge.  And the media goes right along with it, amplifying every aspect of this preposterous story.  

Wallace highlights the harsh realities of racism in America. Through Dilman's experiences, he hammers home the societal attitudes that African Americans have faced, both in politics and everyday life.

The novel examines the nature of power and the burdens of leadership. Dilman's ascent to the presidency forces him to confront his own doubts and insecurities, while also dealing with the expectations and prejudices of others. (I'm curious what kinds of doubts and insecurities President Biden and former president Trump wrestle with at the end of the day when they kick off their shoes.)

The Man underscores the potential for change and progress in society. Dilman's presidency, though fictional, serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that progress is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds. I'm curious how many of our 1960's classmates imagined that we would see a black president in our lifetimes,

I remember the book being engaging and accessible. Complex political scenarios and social issues were understandable and compelling. His writing kept me hooked  from start to finish, though I was too young to appreciate how he achieved this effect. I only know that it made an impact on me and I've had it come to mind numerous times while following Beltway politics over the years.

What books did you read in school that have remained relevant for you or opened your eyes in one way or another?

Forecast for Friday Art Crawl Lookin' Good

One of the highlights of the local Twin Ports arts scene in 2013 has been the Second Friday Art Crawl that so many people have been participating in. If your thermometer is reading forty below zero right now, like it is at my house, the idea of doing a downtown walkabout may not elicit much enthusiasm. But take heart, the forecast for the end of the week is for a balmy 70 degree swing to the upside. Dig it.

Two shows of note for Friday evening have openings planned. Washington Galleries from 6-9 p.m. and PRØVE from 7-11 p.m.

The Washington Galleries show is themed Cracked with Ej Arnold, Renan Cruz, Faith King, and Jamie Uselman. Cracked features four local folk who know one another in varying degrees who are coming together to display their own personal preferences. The show's description is ambiguous at best, stating "there is no tangible description that comes to mind in trying to explain the artists or their pieces. We welcome you to come and draw your own." That's pretty loose when it comes to creating expectations, but works to create interest. Sounds like like a teaser right before a commercial break where they say, "The most incredible news just came across the wire. We'll be back to tell you about it after this word from our sponsors."

One thing that's definite: Live music from Nathaniel Harvie and Lion or Gazelle. Plus nibbles and beverages by Alyssa Brown.

Down the hill at the PRØVE this month's show is themed Polarize:

 
Artists interested in submitting to the February Valentine's Day show might be interested in their call for submissions. The theme for this show is ‘Quaintrelle.’ Deadline 3 February 2014. If nothing else, the name of the show will teach you a new word.

quaintrelle (n): a woman who emphasizes a life of passion, expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life's pleasures.

All genders may apply.

Duluth Art Institute
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2014 Annual Membership Show sponsored by US Bank January 23 - February 20, 2014 in the Depot's Great Hall. The opening reception is Thursday, January 23 from 5 - 7 p.m. The DAI Membership Show has been growing annually and will likely be better than ever, both in quantity as well as quality. It's not too late to show your work in this show. If you're a DAI member and active artist, select something from this past calendar year and bring it to the Duluth Art Institute by the 10th this week.

A Brief Interview with Alan Sparhawk of Low

I first met Alan Sparhawk as part of the multimedia happening titled 3N6D (Three nights in six dimensions) in February 2010. On other occasions since I captured his performances at a Halloween event, Rock Out Autism at the Clyde, a performance at Sacred Heary and last May on the Blood On The Tracks Express during Dylan Fest... but I've not had the privilege of seeing Low, until last week. The performance at St. Scholastica’s Mitchell Auditorium January 18 was one of a number of events that will be showcasing local talent in the months ahead.

Low is currently comprised of Sparhawk, wife Mimi Parker on percussion and Steve Garrington on keyboards / bass. One is struck by Sparhawk’s ease and confidence as a performer. The vocal harmonies between Sparhawk and Parker are also a feature of the group. This particular show appeared to be a live rehearsal in preparation for an upcoming tour in support of their new album. The new songs were inventively presented but earlier material was also shared with an appreciative packed-house.

EN: Who have been your biggest musical influences? 
Alan Sparhawk: Been inspired by many, many things. As a teenager, The Clash and other punk bands, then expanding as independent music thrived, eventually reaching everywhere with reggae, Neil Young, Roy Orbison, Mavis Staples, Native American songs, etc. My parents both loved and played music. My father wrote songs. Seeing that real people make music was pretty crucial, and punk/indie went hand in hand with that.

EN: How did your first tour in Europe get arranged?
AS: Our record company at the time sent us over to London to do some interviews and a couple showcase gigs on our first record ('94), Then we went to Belgium and did a show in a bar. There were people there singing our songs back to us. After the show, the singers (who barely knew a little English) took us out to the edge of the city to see the view. Pretty exciting for a bunch of farmers like us. Things have just grown from there.

EN: What do you like most and least about live performance? 
AS: Playing live is to me the most honest and pure expression of music. There are magical things that happen in the moment if you let them. It is humbling and exhilarating. I can admit that I've come to love and crave the interaction with people. That relationship has many dangers and wrong turns, but nothing beats creating something then sharing it with people who want it. It feeds my ADD, but makes me want to be better. As for the down-side: 8 hours to get there is getting a little old...

EN: You have several different bands, each with different styles, but your fingerprint is on all of them. What are the key characteristics of your songs that make them a Sparhawk sound?
AS: As you would expect, from where I stand it's hard to get perspective to even try to see what I'm doing, much less control it. It's always just me -- no masks. I think if you put your true self into something for some time, you eventually find your own voice, then it's just a matter of if anyone is paying attention. Trust that you are always going to sound like you, then set yourself free.

EN: Sometimes you play what I call "trance music".... slowly building layers in a patient crescendo. Is there a name for this style of song? 
AS: I sometimes call those songs "drones". I've always loved long, repetitive music -- it's psychedelic, which to me means it tries to go beyond the surface of consciousness, perhaps digging in a little. It can be meditation or even self-therapy. Years ago, the Duluth music community did a 25 hour collective drone as a memorial. It can be very powerful. Over the years, we have tried to push the extremes, and sometimes that means coming back to simple and short. The song usually lets you know where it needs to go.

Sparhawk plays music with at least two other bands that he's assembled, the Black Eyed Snakes and the Retribution Gospel Choir. In 2010, former Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant recorded two Low songs from their album Band of Joy. You can read more about Low on Wikipedia. For a ten minute closeup of Alan Sparhawk produced by Twin Ports Underground visit this Vimeo link.

And have a great weekend... If you're here in the Northland, think warm.