DRAWING: A REASSESSMENT

 

On a recent trip to the United States, my dear friend Currado Malaspina took in a Yankee game (or maybe it was a Knick game), met with his principal dealer, Doloras Shem-Totan, and made a few sketches in his various notebooks.

I sat for him, as did various other colleagues and acquaintances.

The whole process got us thinking.

Currado Malaspina's Chez-d'oeuvre inconnu

My dear comrade Currado Malaspina sees himself as a modern day Frenhofer.

The truth is, he has all the tragedy and none of the talent.

His recent artist book inspired by Balzac's classic fable is charming and sad in equal measure.

 

Much to my astonishment, the decaying, calcified, out-of-step luddite, Currado Malaspina has joined the ranks of TikTok influencers. 

This is both good and bad news.

On the good side, it signals his sentience.

The bad side is all too obvious.

THE LAST OF THE GREAT FLÂNEURS

My dear, eccentric comrade Currado Malaspina, is a relic. He has no cell phone and therefore, no Google Maps. His complete absence from life online has given him no other alternative than to adhere to actual, physical existence. Without texting apparatus or email he is forced to communicate (he is comfortable in at least four languages) with articulated words spoken in full or near-full sentences.

His attention span is still intact and his memory is unfailing. Though he owns a bicycle, he prefers to walk.

As he walks, on occasion he stops, and when he stops he sketches.

Above is an old accordion notebook annotated in english.