Thursday 12 October 2017
Just do it
This is a portrait of a friend's son which H.I. painted some years ago. It now hangs on the wall of a house, high in the mountains of Spain.
It was the fashion for young people to wear the slogan of the sports clothing manufacturer, Nike, as free advertising for them which the wearer has paid for. Theo even wore it as a band around his neck. It says, 'JUST DO IT'.
It seems like a life-affirming piece of encouragement - something to spur you on to greater things, to enter that race, to aspire to win it - to just get on with living your life.
Well it turns out that these were the last words of a convicted criminal to his executioners when asked if there was anything he wanted to say before they killed him.
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Words to live by! It reminds of Bentley's famous words 'Let him have it'. Things can be misinterpreted; but probably not in Bentley's case.
ReplyDeleteI think Bentley was innocent by virtue of innocence, but maybe you think otherwise.
DeleteSomeone said ‘ Beam me up ‘ but I don’t remember who !!! Gives me the heebie jeebies !!! ( not the painting though .... that’s good ) XXXX
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a petty criminal handed out a rather severe sentence in court.
DeleteWonderful painting. It has all the iconography to be a modern day Van Eyck.
ReplyDeleteJust do it is Nike, so the kid has TWO sporting goods manufacturer references . Gary Gilmore said it right before he was shot by firing squad in -- where else? -- America in 1977. I remember that case. The 1970s were a deeply weird time.
Yes, thank you. I have corrected the brand now.
DeleteI told my grandchildren I would not pay for clothing that contained advertising slogans, as the manufacturer had not paid me first. It becomes increasingly difficult to find plain clothes. My granddaughter has influenced me to accept things like "nevertheless, she persisted."
ReplyDeleteI sometimes sport the little man playing polo on a Ralph Lauren shirt, but that is my limit. I do not wear Moschino belts...
DeleteI hate words written on things, but then I am old fashioned. Incidentally you did manage to get one up on me with your comments. Well done. Here;s to the next time.
ReplyDeleteHere's to the next season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Weave.
DeleteVery Craigie Aichison
ReplyDeleteNot messy enough.
DeleteVery Craigie Aichison background then.
DeleteWhat, blue?
DeleteYes, the colour.
DeleteSuch is life. The words of an Australian criminal to his executioners, Ned Kelly I believe. Slogans are what you make of them.
ReplyDeleteNed Kelly was not officially executed. His tin can armour was simply riddled with holes, but with him still inside.
DeleteSorry - I have been corrected below.
DeleteNed Kelly was indeed officially executed! He was hanged at Pentridge gaol as every Aussie can tell you. They even made a death mask of his face post mortem.
ReplyDeleteOh. I apologise. It's been a long time since I saw Mick Jagger's awful bit of acting.
Delete*cringe* That has to have been one of the worst movies ever made.
DeleteAt least the video of 'Dancing in the Street' with Bowie only lasted a few minutes.
DeleteI like that he's sat there with his arms crossed.
ReplyDeleteHe was very big for his age. He has now grown into his body.
Delete