Not quite as outlandish as the artistic ‘happening’ that involved a grilled shark and a glass coffin of two summers ago, this astounding “sculpture” on the Kamini coast road gets our vote as a close second for the most incomprehensible art form to grace our island recently.
Titled ‘Space In-between,” the pair of golden wrapped ‘walls’ was part of an event for the Eleventh Plateau—a performance only understood by those familiar with new-age-type convictions.
We did not enquire as to the cost of the event because as anyone in the ‘know’ will tell you, one cannot put a value on art, which is in the eye of the beholder. Still, we prefer the natural sunset beauty unhindered by a golden barricade—at no cost, though that is neither here nor there.
It was a sprint to the finish, and despite predictions that it could not be done, Jazzmin’s opened on Saturday night in style–albeit with the paint barely dry. Attended by almost all the usual suspects and then some, it was an evening of generously poured complementary wine and beer, delicious snacks by Tobias, and some down-to-earth live jazz performed by Karolos Voutsinas and a Cuban/jazz band. The event incorporated added colour in the form of Alexis Averbuck’s most recent artwork, which will be exhibited through August and into September.
A genuine Jazz club, the first of its kind on Hydra, Jazzmin’s provides a change of venue and pace and is a much-needed asset to the island. For those who remember, this place was last open was in the early 1990s as Disco Kavos, with throbbing house music into the wee hours. Who says things change for the worst?
The Kamini Comet management, staff, associates, underlings, and their dogs wish Sergei, Karolos, and the rest of the team all the best. We’ll be rooting for you!
What with all the negative news floating about; strikes, riots, economical woes of depressing proportions— not to mention the world news… we thought we would weigh in with problems of our own. Tight parking in the village has added to the squeeze!!
Reduced rubbish collection, fewer municipal cleaning staff, an under manned post office… all part of the governmental austerity measures, which are not going down well.
Smoke and other very Bad-Screens…
We try, we really do, to advocate a positive spin on our island BUT—
Stuff you are not supposed to see.
This morning a pony died in the upper regions of our village!
For those who have ever wondered what happens in such sad situations; in a place without hearses, never mind large animal disposal units, it is not an easy task.
It requires manpower with stoic stomach and muscle. (A lorry to deposit said animal to the dump beyond Mandraki; with some fire and other dumping on top)
But today the usually cloaked event was thwarted by bureaucracy, not Hydra motivated, but new law; on-high, the large corpse lay for hours. The Central government has created such dismal events to be delayed because of time/manpower, or the new lack of it. Had it been mid-summer hot; well, flies and accompanying plague may have had fun instead.
We try hard to pretend that the global economy and more specifically Greece’s financial woes’ do not affect our little island— never mind outer Kaministan. But we cannot escape the reality anymore; no matter how much we bury our heads, and not donkeys, in the dirt.
Dirt being the tip of the anti-sword of new austerity measures, dictated by red-tape helmets in the Big Olive, have enforced measures that seem ludicrous to those of us who simply pay our simply way.
For those of you who would like to buy a stamp to send something snail-mail home; allocate an hour or three. Such activity is now under the duress of one poor employee who must deal with EVERY postal service. (Even poorer the other staff who were given early retirement) The queue in winter already goes out the door.
Thanks again smart government from the big all-seeing economic powerhouse that used to be Athens.
So in case you think this is alien waffle, here is the skinny as laid down by local discussion. The mayor has issued an ultimatum to the central authority. Give me back my employees in order to keep our island “clean” or I will Walk out. Toooo right !!
We could make this a political issue, but that is not what we are about.
I simply walked down to our garbage collection point, and noticed a lot more rubbish in the street. This however is so much as silly complaint to a life removed, that it is embarrassing to state, but the message is honest. If we feel it, then be ‘advised’ we are all under ‘advisement’. Time to be aware…
All we can do is accelerate our personal “carry-a-bag-and-clean-as-we-go” help.
I’ll do my shit… now if only 6 billion other did one nice thing for humanity, once a day, no matter how minuscule, despite the circumstances, well then; we stand a small chance.
Just one small, kind thing, not about one’s own agenda, or someone else’s imposed agenda… simply something that was “NICE”