Due North

I love birds. It grew on me, since I saw the Audubon exhibit at the Huntington Library. I must have had interest from many years ago, but this is the first point that I can pinpoint.

They live around me that live in the same environment every day. Then there are geese that fly over me as I drive on the 405 freeway. When I see the migration, I talk to them, in Japanese ‘gambare-, gamareyo-’ No good direct translation. Google it, and it says ‘do your best’, but doesn’t feel right. In this instance, especially, there are many feelings involved. And some are mutual.

I hope you get there. Admiration. What strength and endurance! Wish your species remain forever. How lucky to come across you. Glad the weather is nice. Must be tired. Be careful with the falcons.

All that they see, to the north.

do check out All That Breathes, if you have not yet seen it.

BALSE Newsletter 0001

2/15/2023, Los Angeles, 8:30pm

Let’s break this down.  

Balse is an exposed lab. 

What do I mean? 

Balse is where I organize my thoughts and research. It is also a training ground. 

I am no expert in any of these fields. In fact, there exists a gap between where I am and where I want to be in each of the following areas. 

They are dreams, and I wish to strive towards them. 

Let’s take a look at the structure of the site: 

• Newsletter/blog - study for writing. Writing as the base of organizing thought. I would love to be able to write with clarity and passion. Source of inspiration. Don’t we all?  Blogging daily sounds like a worthwhile challenge as well. 

• Flow - what have I been consuming lately? What touched my heart? Less noise, more signals. 

• Study - deep dive, focused research into a particular topic: an artist, piece of music, art history, poetry etc. This is where the dynamic learning happens, fleeting notes, and permanent notes may crystalize. I’ve added a ‘timeline' to organize  chronologically, and ‘useful links’ to provide a centralized page for a list of links to artists, museums, galleries. I will continue to build this up for major cities around the globe. 

• ClassicAsobi - my good friend Ken, the classical music fanatic/expert, provides his input and suggestions directed me, for my reading and learning. I will strive to reach his level to truly enjoy music, understanding the significance of composition, conducting, orchestra work, and sound engineering. 

There are other areas, such as ‘mix’, which is where I plan on continuing occasional DJ mixes.

Next, here are some updates from the past two weeks:

• Art

• Exhibitions

• Bridget Riley Drawings: From the Artist's Studio

• New exhibition at the Hammer Museum. Contemporary British painter’s works. Exhibition is on until May 28th, 2023. I had no prior knowledge of the painter, and learned quite a bit.

• William Kentridge: In Praise of Shadows

• The prominent South African artist, William Kentridge, at The Broad, downtown Los Angeles.  Significant special exhibition. Was a great study of the artist. On until April 9th, 2023. 

• Other

• 6 Steps to Success as Self-Taught Artist

• Great direction from a reliable source. Bought all the books suggested in the video. 

• The Story of Art - E.H. Gombrich - Phaidon

• The Art Book - Phaidon

• Art since 1900 - Thames&Hudson

• History of Modern Art - Pearson

• A New History of Western Art - Yale

• Reading

• Rilke - 

• Now summarizing 

• Story of Art

• On going

• zarathustra nietzsche

• WIP

• Listening

• Midori, Violin Recital at Carnegie Hall New York 2.9.2023

• Make sure to check out this posting by ClassicAsobi on the Midori Carnegie concert 

• Bach - Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003

• Midori recording, magnificent, must listen

• Film

• Documentary - All That Breathes

• Deeply moving, must see doc. Won both Sundance and Cannes

• Film - Everything Everywhere All At Once

• Watched it with AlexAndre at his Saturday morning screenings. Mind blowing film, never seen anything like it. A must see.   

• Interesting commentary

• Film - TÁR 

• Beautiful, cool, strong recommend 

• Writing

• Journaling

• 7 Reasons you should write everyday

• And some inspiration for all of us 

That's it, let’s carry on. 

Charles A. Balse

Balse 2.0

What is balse? This is the question that is consistently on my mind.

Balse originally materialized as a quarterly techno event, in Brooklyn and then in LA. Inspired by the legendary LOFT, by David Mancuso, an eclectic selection of sound that defies genre and unparalleled sound reproduction, this spirit of LOFT is at the core.  The process of research is something that should be shared.  The daily studies, routines, connection, and collaboration. Growing mind,  transforming self, expanding horizons, reaching new ground.

This is what drives Balse; from literature, philosophy, history, art,  music, language, culture, this world is a playground. Following the fun.

What is our purpose?

Creating the next Pompidou.