Excuses, Excuses...

I have to write a very long paper about this painting. That's how much my life sucks right now.
Originally uploaded by swarthbore.

Well, first of all my keyboard is busted (someone spilled a beer on it, I think), so blogging, amongst other things, is more difficult these days. This is the cheapest mac compatable keyboard I could find (as opposed to the $29 official apple store one). It may be a while before I actually get around to buying the damn thing, though.

I also have several research presentations/papers due next week. For instance, I have to write something about this painting here...

Some things I have learned about this painting so far:

1. The skeleton had been painted over at some point and was only rediscovered a few years ago.

2. The costumes and evening setting of this painting suggest that the scene takes place on the night before lent. There's a dutch word to describe this night. It looks something like Volkdersoenzbichdzennacht.

3. I think I hate dutch art.

Also, writing about the intersection of feminist theory and art history makes you feel kind of like a hunted animal. No matter what way you decide to approach the project there's some very highly educated feminist art historian out there who has written a book or maybe even several books about how that particular method or attitude is either irresponsible or a plain old fashioned tool of The Man. I don't know how many intellectual knots I can tie myself up in before I just run off screaming to the kitchen to have some babies and bake a pie. Hey, if The Man wants art so badly he can have it. Whatever. I don't really mean that. Well...He can keep Dutch stuff, how about that? Impressionism, too.