JaZzArt en València

This phenomenal piece of street art, on one of the old streets in the Russafa neighbourhood of L’Eixample of Valencia, caught mine eye and I wanted to share it to see if you could figure out what the hell it means!

I walk around this neighbourhood a lot and there is not much street art around. Not like in other sections of Valencia, like Ciutat Vella and El Carmen. But this one on this short, little and not too much transited street, is something of a work of art. I’ve no idea who painted it, but it was painted in the traditional style that one would create a mural. Nos stencils like the ones used by Banksy and his minions…

So, what do you think? What does it mean? Or does it mean nothing? I would like to know.

Here is some other ones (including some fallas) back from 2020…

CHEERS

It was truly a pleasure to chat with da-Al and to discover her ideas on art and literature. My first interview with her was published in LatinosUSA (English Edition on Tuesday, 25.03.2025 titled Conversing With da-Al and today I present it, in full as a chapter of FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did interviewing her.

IN HER OWN WORDS

Hi there! I’m da-AL, and since I learned to hold a pencil, I’ve been a writer. My journalism awards include an Emmy for Dark Waters and an earlier video, Homeless on the West Side, was nominated for an Emmy.

You can follow & share her blog about fun, love, & literature: HappinessBetweenTails.com

OUR CONVERSATION ABOUT ART AND WRITING

VALENCIARTIST: As a writer/novelist do you believe writers, and others in the arts, should publicly voice their opinions on politics and current affairs, not to preach but to inform?

da-AL: In the same way that conversations are influenced by the experiences of the speakers, stories can’t help but reflect their times of origin and the perspectives of those who weave them.

VALENCIARTIST: I see your future novels have titles that allude to music, Flamenco and the Tango. What does music do to inspire your creativity and are there other types of music that you like as well?

da-AL: My favourite thing is the uplift of dance which, of course, involves music. World music is especially thrilling, better yet, any dance my husband does with me. In ways that heal mind, body, and spirit, music and dance balance out my passions for writing and reading. For a long while I took flamenco classes, later Argentine tango classes (there are some videos of my honey and me tango-ing at my site), and now I’m beyond thrilled by the joy, health, and camaraderie of Zumba.

VALENCIARTIST: What is your opinion reference the use of AI in writing and in painting? And how do you see literature and the arts evolving?

da-AL: For non-writers who need to write business letters and the like, why not? It’s painful to see human jobs outsourced to machines, especially when only one person gets to amass incredible wealth. At the same time, it helps those who aren’t rich.

As for creative works, the question highlights how blurry the definition of art is.

When mainstream musicians incorporated electronic instruments, critics argued they weren’t making “real music.” Now people compose with a computer mouse and keyboard. The same apprehensions were voiced when computer video animation started to appear on big screens.

When it comes to painting, paints and brushes are involved. I’ve seen people sell paintings created by elephants and chimps. My local art store sells multiples that were surely painted by fancy printers. If those are “real paintings”, are they “real art”?

Now, when you ask about novels, that’s personal haha. If I guide an AI program to compose an entire book, I have to admit that it’s still a “real novel,” one needing the AI program’s by-line as much as mine. At this point, I doubt it would be fun to do and worthwhile to read. For sure, no agent or publisher would buy it from me, given how they state “no AI” on their guidelines.

New things, from art to how we treat each other, are often seen as radical. With time, the same people who initially balked will act as if those things are common sense. Since I can’t stop the evolution of literature and art, I resort to asking myself whether, case-by-case, I like it. Always, I’m intrigued by the electric passion that only a human can convey.

As for your question about how I think literature and the arts are evolving, we’re getting exponentially voracious for uniqueness and volume. Somewhere I read that music hardly changed for centuries until modern ideas of copyrights and ownership took hold. Before that, people sang and played tunes passed down for generation. Now everything is now about originality. We’re still human as ever, though. Always we’re guided by our thoughts and emotions, our need for survival, love, beauty, fun, well-being, and all the rest.

What works for me an artist is to look within, to continually find what inspires me and go with that.

Phenomenal! I thank you so much for your time and for your candid replies. I think we all would benefit greatly by going with what inspires us and searching for as one searches one finds…

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VALENCIARTIST: So is there anything you would like to say in closing da-AL?

da-AL: Yes, of course… Currently I am a novelist and formerly a journalist, and my awards include an Emmy for “Dark Waters: California Coastal Crisis.” Whether fictional stories or nonfiction for print, radio, TV, blogging, or podcasting, the writings that elicit the most reader response are my most intimate. I’m indebted to my multi-cultural grandmothers and to the care of strangers. In addition to my Iranian husband’s encouragement and my rescue pit-mix’s playfulness, which are everything to me.

At the moment, I’m querying for literary representation. My novel, «Flamenco & The Sitting Cat», is the story of Lali Catala’s love letter to all who feel too broken, too old, too young, or too whatever to not deserve happiness. Lali’s grandmother from Barcelona returns from the grave to challenge the 40-year-old cynic to do what she swore she never would—to shop for a husband. The resulting comedy of errors involving heart, career, and family teaches Lali that the richest love lies within us and that life is a series of coming-of-ages.

Across all my social media, 10,000 people follow my blog, HappinessBetweenTails.com and you can too. Thank you.

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This has been a fun and enlightening interview with a very interesting and prolific writer. I wish to thank da-AL for taking the time to talk to us here at LatinosUSA. We certainly appreciate it. And we think you too have enjoyed out conversation with da-AL.

CHEERS

AND…

If you are a poet, writer, painter, musician or involved in any way with the fine arts, and you want to be a protagonist on FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST, all you have to do is reply to this post with your email address and we will contact you.

“Pino” el percusionista… “Pino” the Percussionist

Ahora en Omnia Caelum Studios València – Now at Omnia Caelum Studios València

Síguenos en Instagram: @Francisco_Bravo_Cabrera

Follow us on Instagram: @Francisco_Bravo_Cabrera

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GRACIAS – CHEERS

Most definitely one of Britain’s powerhouse groups and the creators of iconic songs and of one of the greatest albums in rock history, Dark Side of the Moon, we have the phenomenal Pink Floyd! They were formed in London in 1965. They did space rock, psychedelic rock, symphonic rock and progressive rock. They did it all and gained quite a following… Pink Floyd has sold over 280 million albums worldwide! When they first got together, the four above, they still called themselves (1964) the Tea Set Barrett but Syd Barret, leader of the group at the time, suggested The Pink Floyd, uniting the names of two blues musicians he admired: Pink Anderson y Floyd Council. «The» was utilised until 1968, although David Gilmour continued to refer to the group as The Pink Floyd until 1984.

​But there is too much to say about one of the most influential groups in rock history, and I know you know it all anyways, so I will leave it there and let you enjoy their music…

CHEERS

“Pino” el percusionista… “Pino” the Percussionist

Ahora en Omnia Caelum Studios València – Now at Omnia Caelum Studios València

Síguenos en Instagram: @Francisco_Bravo_Cabrera

Follow us on Instagram: @Francisco_Bravo_Cabrera

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GRACIAS – CHEERS

Most definitely one of Britain’s powerhouse groups and the creators of iconic songs and of one of the greatest albums in rock history, Dark Side of the Moon, we have the phenomenal Pink Floyd! They were formed in London in 1965. They did space rock, psychedelic rock, symphonic rock and progressive rock. They did it all and gained quite a following… Pink Floyd has sold over 280 million albums worldwide! When they first got together, the four above, they still called themselves (1964) the Tea Set Barrett but Syd Barret, leader of the group at the time, suggested The Pink Floyd, uniting the names of two blues musicians he admired: Pink Anderson y Floyd Council. «The» was utilised until 1968, although David Gilmour continued to refer to the group as The Pink Floyd until 1984.

​But there is too much to say about one of the most influential groups in rock history, and I know you know it all anyways, so I will leave it there and let you enjoy their music…

CHEERS

ONE NIGHT I DANCED ON BOURBON STREET

One night I danced on Bourbon Street,
It was so very long ago,
and I realised the feet that danced there
deserved a place to go,
to find a sheltered hideaway
and refuge from the cold,
of stones that hold the dirt of years
and much, much more
I’m told.

I’m told that deep within the cracks
that urine, gin and rain have carved
upon this street of dancing hearts,
sleep ghosts, eternal madness,
who’ve hidden there the first few notes,
the chords that jazzmen
all are wondering
If they’ll ever hear at all.

But I heard them as I jumped and swayed,
the notes that they were seeking,
while voodoo priests and strippers
through hurricanes were speaking,
and little boys with tap shoes
went dreaming with their feet
and danced a soft shoe carefully
we do all need to eat.

I also heard the voices of the souls that wonder here,
some searching for the rising sun
some searching for a beer,
and I looked at them and smiled,
reminding them that some remember,
assuring them their time’s not ending.
And I danced all night on Bourbon Street
sparks and farewells sending…

C.2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 25 MAR 2025, Valencia, España

ONE NIGHT I DANCED ON BOURBON STREET

One night I danced on Bourbon Street,
It was so very long ago,
and I realised the feet that danced there
deserved a place to go,
to find a sheltered hideaway
and refuge from the cold,
of stones that hold the dirt of years
and much, much more
I’m told.

I’m told that deep within the cracks
that urine, gin and rain have carved
upon this street of dancing hearts,
sleep ghosts, eternal madness,
who’ve hidden there the first few notes,
the chords that jazzmen
all are wondering
If they’ll ever hear at all.

But I heard them as I jumped and swayed,
the notes that they were seeking,
while voodoo priests and strippers
through hurricanes were speaking,
and little boys with tap shoes
went dreaming with their feet
and danced a soft shoe carefully
we do all need to eat.

I also heard the voices of the souls that wonder here,
some searching for the rising sun
some searching for a beer,
and I looked at them and smiled,
reminding them that some remember,
assuring them their time’s not ending.
And I danced all night on Bourbon Street
sparks and farewells sending…

C.2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 25 MAR 2025, Valencia, España

I must confess that I did not know much about this painter, mainly because they did not mention her at uni, but what I have discovered is incredible! Leyster, a Dutch artist from the Golden Age of Netherlander art, was not given credit for her work. Her works were attributed to Frans Hals, a baroque artist considered a master portrait painter, or to her husband, Jan Miense Molenaer, also a painter and engraver. In 1893 Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, a collector and curator, gave her the authorship of six paintings which carried her distinctive signature ‘JL’. It is incredible, but possibly because after her death many of her paintings were placed in inventory as simply being of the wife of Molenaer», and not as Judith Leyster.

She was born in Haarlem, on the 28th of July of 1609 and died in Heemstede, on the 10th of February of 1660. It is believed that her first signed commission was dated 1629. Four years later (1633), at the age of 24 years, she was admitted into the Guild of Saint Luke in Haarlem. She might have been the first female artist to be registered in the guild. But it might also have been another female artist (which we will feature here in the future) Sara van Baalbergen, who was registered, it is believed, in 1631. Judith was registered in the guild and recognised as an artist, not like many other women who were registered as embroiderers, ceramists or wood and metal workers. Some were added to the lists of the guild as the successors of their deceased artists husbands.

Her self-portrait of 1633 (see above) is considered her audition to the guild. The self-portrait definitely shows some historic changes in the style of portraits of women. Her pose is relaxed and dynamic in opposition to the style of the times. Her dress denotes her status and dignity. She presented herself as a lady of society and means. After all one can present themselves any way one wants in a self-portrait. She demonstrates the dignity of her profession.

You can see some of her works in various museums: The Rijksmuseum of Ámsterdam; The Mauritshuis of The Hague; The Museum Frans Hals of Haarlem; The Louvre of Paris; The National Gallery of London and the National Gallery of Art of Washington D. C…

CHEERS

DEACON 11
The Good and the Bad

I understood he was about to talk about good and evil and as I approached I wondered what on earth he would say…

Then he began:

“Some of the ideas related to the concepts of good and bad have been altered in these days. We used to think of good and bad in terms of absolutes, and that is what’s been altered. Now we are to believe that there are no absolutes that it all comes down to the consequences of the act. And that may or may not be true. For me, I do not accept it as truth. There is an organic difference between good and bad. And when it comes to people, being either good or bad, there is a very clear and distinct difference.

«No one can deny that there are good people and there are bad people. I do not know how they got that way. The mind of humans is a mystery and the origins of the mind is even more mysterious. And what goes on inside the mind, thoughts, impulses, instincts etcetera, that no one but God knows. I don’t care what psychologists or neurologists say. The truth, and truth is also an absolute, is that no one knows what goes on inside a person’s mind. So why there are bad people, or why some become bad at some point in their life, is a great unknown.

«However, are we equal? Well… equality is not a natural occurrence. Everything is nature has a purpose and a function and everything was made perfect for their assigned purpose and function but not necessarily equal to any other thing. Human beings are the same. We are not descendents from animals nor are we evolved creatures. We are created by God in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) and with a spirit that enables us to transcend the gap between the profane and the sacred. That is not possible for evolved animals or plants. So equality was not a part of the scheme of the Creator. For each their abilities in accordance to their function.

«Yet, harmony is important in life and in society we must all be equal under the law. And that very important quest, to make us equal, under the law, is a job for the government. In society we cannot tolerate differences based upon sex, gender, race or colour. The job of good government is to iron out our differences and allow us all to work and live as equal members of society. But what of the bad people? What of the anti-social ones that wish to disrupt the peace of our communities? Punishment? Being equal under the law is not a moral equaliser.

«Punishment is important. We cannot tolerate criminal or anti-social behaviour that is violent or in any way damaging to others. But the job of punishing criminals, that commit delinquent acts, is the job of the government as well. Governments must strive to maintain a balance between our Human Rights and their duty to sanction delinquents. It is not our function to judge or to punish. It is the job of our judges and our free and democratic judicial systems.

«We are taught that God lets it rain upon the just and the unjust and lets the sun shine on the good and on the evil, (St. Matthew 5:45). Therefore our commandment is to love (St. John 13:34-35). Jesus said we must love our enemies as well as our friends (St. Matthew 5:43-48) and to pray for those who hurt us (St, Luke 6:27-28). Can we do that? Have we ascended to the point where we can forgive and turn the other cheek? (St. Matthew 5:38-48).

«In closing I want to leave you with the knowledge that there is absolute good and absolute bad in this world. We are judged at the end by the one who can take our soul. We are taught along the way what is the righteous path, but we have free will. We are all children of God, and to some He has given the right to call themselves sons of God (St.John 1:12). And we, who are good, are not equal to those who are bad. Yet, it is not up to us to change anything, the wheat must grow alongside the weeds. (St, Matthew 13:30).»

May God bless…