grease, sand, chalk

Victory, Saint Rocco's greasy pole climb

Buono Festa! Perhaps my favorite event in Cleveland. First one in four years, like the Olympics, well not quite. There were four teams this year, the victory came to the first team in the third round. They were quick. 

There again was not much grease on the pole. Only one fellow slapped grease down. It was 88°F this Labor Day afternoon. Sometimes in the past, with a heavy coat of grease, the grease would slide and tumble down by itself. Before there were more teams competing, which means more people climbing. With each climb, grease is transferred to the climber. Climbers sling grease off to be able to get an easier climb in the next round, and this benefits the next teams too. People want to see a winner, a winner is not guaranteed, so the amount of grease on the pole helps determine the outcome. Also some guys like to splatter the crowd. People try to scatter, and back up when the slop comes their way. Here were first time viewers, they were surprised. I had an opportunity to move up, i chose not to, thinking the angle of sight was too high. I forgot about people sticking their telephones up high. I should have moved up.

The rules are announced over a microphone in the rectory, which this time was unintelligible. Don't think there was much change. Who ever grasps a metal support on top wins, and it's over. Each team has five members. In the past, only four are allowed in round one. Guys climb over each other until all five are up. If they are all standing on the lower guy's shoulders, they are still one body length short. The fourth guy usually climbs over the fifth guy, i also remember seeing the third guy climb the other two. Sometimes a climber or two "locks in", while hugging the poll, his body length contracts, allowing him a stronger hold. At this point, he becomes separated from the lower fellows, and they can slide down. If they all slide down, the turn is over.

The spectators had more room this year. The social hall was demolished, and this gave more space. Between two years of coronavirus, and the demolition, this was the first greasy pole since 2019 [click].

Carl Jara is an artist. His medium is sand. His art is easily received by the public, which allows him to get commercial contracts. Organisations feel confident in hiring him to create a sculpture.There are lot of different art forms, and styles. Not everything is popular, or appreciated. Certain pieces are only for niche audiences. That audience can come from anywhere on the spectrum of taste. Some tastes garner approval only within that segment of beholders. Some things that have to be admitted to is accomplished craftsmanship. I detect dismissive and/or self-important snobbery. I discount what is 'hot' and in vogue, and creativity championed by self-appointed experts, and the avant garde. Beauty counts, ugliness and weirdness detracts. Then again, like what you will; but ease your pretend authority.

Art of chalk and sand are usually temporary. Enjoy it now, it will soon be gone. It compares to a philosophy, and experience in living. This here one supra was at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds for Oktoberfest. 

 

Writing before going to see the chalkings. There is an art institute, and college students nearby. Would be surprised if some did not participate in Cleveland Art Museum's sidewalk chalking. Youngsters often draw cartoon, and comic book characters. We were discussing what recent such movies have come out. Expecting to see Barbie, the newest Little Mermaid, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Football, and soon scary season will be in the air. On Labor Day there were houses with outdoor Hallowe'en decor already up.

Mandalorian (?) Madonna by Hannah Jameson

Well, viewing after the start of the second day, i find myself mostly wrong in guessing. A popular subject was some of the Star Wars spinoff subscription teevee characters. I saw the movies, but none of the cable stuff. My nephew pointed out that this Madonna blended a character from the show. Well, a chief subject of the Renaissance sidewalk drawings were Madonnas.