Pines, preview sequence: Mirrorlands from David S Kessler on Vimeo.
An excerpt from David Kessler’s ongoing film project, Pines. The film has become a collaborative effort: I serve mainly as a guide, but in this clip I have contributed a bit of writing, which is read by Jared Martin, of Dallas fame.
Today I had the privilege of visiting Suningive at Whitesbog and leafing through the recently-rediscovered blueberry test breeding notes of Elizabeth White, who helped bring the blueberry into commercial cultivation. This book of notes was rescued from a dumpster soon after Elizabeth White had died. I was immediately struck by the accidental poetry of Elizabeth’s notes: There’s something very American in her plainspoken lyricism. I hope that the Whitesbog Trust eventually makes these notes available to the general public, either in electronic or book form. The place names, the descriptions of the plants, and the repetition of measurements have the cumulative feel of a hymn book. You quickly pick up on the vigorous rhythms of the passages, which are pruned to their bare minimum. This book of notes may have been intended for practical purposes, but it’s transcended its original use. I see it as a book of poems, written with a shovel and axe.
The third and final episode of my solo journey through the urban wilds of Philadelphia’s waterways. My thanks to Shawn Annable and Marc Brodzik of Woodshop Films for their hard work on this series.
The Local Frontier, Episode I: Rancocas
The Local Frontier, Episode II: Delaware
My friend David Kessler is shooting a film about the Pine Barrens, and I’ve been serving as a guide. This footage was taken on the lower Batsto River about an hour before David got snagged in a fallen tree and capsized into the freezing water. We saved his equipment and emptied the kayak, but David was soaked to the skin and his paddle was lost. Hypothermia was a real danger, so we quickly stripped him to the waist and I gave him the spare fleece and jacket that I keep in my backpack, just in case this sort of thing happens–which it has. I fixed a rope to both kayaks and towed David downriver to my car before he became hypothermic, but his camera was shot. Happily, the footage was saved.
Last night at The Coney Island Museum’s Grand Guignol Variety Show, my friend Les the Mentalist performed quite an amazing feat. Watch this video to the end, and be astounded.
We interrupt the series of Hidden River Expedition episodes to inform you of three events that I will be involved with during the month of December. I hope that our paths may cross.
Grand Guignol Variety Show at The Coney Island Museum
Saturday, December 10th, 8:00pm. The Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
Featuring classic Grand Guignol performances, film, puppet and toy theatre, song, dance, film and more, followed by a DJed after-party with complementary cocktails courtesy of Hendrick’s Gin. Presented by Morbid Anatomy, Atlas Obscura and The Coney Island Museum and curated by Joanna Ebenstein & John Del Gaudio. Lord Whimsy will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Admission: $25 (tickets available here)
Give-the-Gift-of-a-Terrarium Workshop
Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-7:30 pm. Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia
Join us for a fun and festive evening with everyone’s favorite affected provincial, Lord Whimsy, who will present a DIY terrarium workshop. Terrariums are fun little living worlds – and they make great gifts! You will be provided with all of the materials necessary to make your very own terrarium to take home, as well as a care sheet. Materials and refreshments generously provided by Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. RSVP required. Member price: $25. Non-member price: $30.
“Oddities” Marathon and Season Launch Party
Saturday, December 17th, 8:00pm. Observatory, 543 Union St., Brooklyn, NY
You are cordially invited to join Morbid Anatomy and Observatory as we gather to celebrate the new season launch of “Oddities,” that unlikely hit of a television series based on our favorite purveyor of curious and amazing artifacts, Obscura Antiques and Oddities in New York City’s East village. The evenings festivities will include the screening of several new episodes of “Oddities,” special drinks and music by Friese Undine, and give-ways by Kikkerland and Obscura Antiques. Lord Whimsy will oversee the evening in his role of Master of Ceremonies, and members of the cast of “Oddities” will be on hand for questions and comments. Admission: $8
The adventure continues.
At last, the first episode of Scrapple.TV’s coverage of my expedition. Enjoy!
Some of you may be rolling your eyes upon seeing yet another post about my little summer stunt. But in my own defense I should point out that this three-day kayak trip from Mt Holly, New Jersey to Bartram’s Garden in West Philly didn’t have to work out as well as it did: Re-exploration, it turns out, is risky business. I should also note that my friends and I did this project independently, without grant money or any blessing from the authorities. Because I could not vouch for the safety of anyone who might have accompanied me on this trip, I was alone on these three rivers with no one else to help me if my kayak was, say, capsized by the wake of a passing oil tanker. During the course of amassing this collection of videos and images for your enjoyment and curiosity, I could have been hurt, killed, or similarly inconvenienced. Foolhardy? Yes, but now you get to hang out with me in a cozy nook, sipping hot drinks and seeing some really interesting stuff. Lucky you!
I’ll be doing an informal reprise of my Hidden River Expedition video and slide presentation at the Random Tea Room on Sunday Nov. 27th, 6pm. Those interested in the more unusual chapters of Philly’s history should grab a cup of hot chai and have a seat. Hope to see you there.
Over time I’ve learned that one has to be utterly without shame with these things, so here’s my spiel: Does your wardrobe need some 19th-century flair? Have you looked in vein for something that will give you a certain vampiric savoir-faire? Well look no more, for the Rosenbach Museum has summoned author and vintage style enthusiast Lord Whimsy (the overdressed schmuck pictured to your left) to help you learn the surprisingly simple art of tying ascots and cravats in ways that the gents in Bram Stoker’s rollicking adventure would have known by heart (The Rosenbach is home to the original manuscript of Dracula). Bring your own neck cloth, or grab one of the provided bolts of cloth and give it a go. You have only your sartorial boredom to lose! (Note in the photo the twig “W” cravat pin that my man Jesse Sparhawk, musician extraordinaire, generously gave to me. Thank you, Jesse!)
This is part of the Rosenbach Museum and Library’s Dracula DIY event. The Rosenbach will be celebrating Halloween, Transylvania style. Join us for this evening of Dracula-inspired crafts and performances. Fun for the whole family! (Saturday Oct.29, 3-8pm. Free and open to the public. I’ll be there all evening.)
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