so tenacious and subtle is this union that it can only be maintained by the shortest and straightest line between the eyes, and the smallest deviation from it, the slightest glance aside, completely destroys the unique character of this union. no objective trace of this relationship is left behind, as is universally found, directly or indirectly, in all other types of associations between men as, for example, in the interchange of words. the interaction of eye and eye dies in the moment in which the directness of the function is lost.

by the glance which reveals the other, one discloses himself. by the same act in which the observer seeks to know the observed, he surrenders himself to be understood by the observer. the eye cannot take unless at the same time it gives. the eye of a person discloses his own soul when he seeks to uncover that of another.

what occurs in this direct mutual glance represents the most perfect reciprocity in the entire field of human relations.

- george simmel on the mutual glance

here’s one show from menswear fashion week in paris that i particularly loved – number (n)ine by takahiro miyashita. the mystical quality of this collection is even better exemplified in motion than in photographs… and jackson c. frank’s milk and honey is absolutely perfect in accompaniment.

i’ve started a side project called ten minutes (the link is also available under the menu to your right). it’s basically a micro site featuring short music mixes, but they’re different from the ones i’ve done so far for this blog – these ones are restricted to approximately ten minutes in length, and the songs are a continuous sequence instead of separate mp3s (side note: you can download the mix, if you like, by clicking on the image). i try to make them as concise as possible so as to establish a clear, distinct theme with each edition. for example, the inaugural theme is “nebula music”: atmospheric songs that expand and collapse upon themselves without much development.

all in all, the main concept behind ten minutes is to eliminate the distractions of experiencing recorded music. nowadays, songs come with flashy music videos, songs serve as soundtrack accompaniments to film, songs are played in the background as you read blogs (guilty). nobody’s really listening. that’s why the design of the web page is so simple – the point is to make you pay attention to the music itself. maybe you will find something meaningful out of that brief experience (now wouldn’t that be something!). in those ten minutes of your life, i hope that you at least enjoy the stillness of letting nothing else around you matter, nothing but what you hear.

track listing

al green - L-O-V-E

the masqueraders - desire

mitty collier – i had a talk with my man

the spinners – i’ll be around

aretha franklin – sparkle

four tops – i can’t help myself

the impressions – choice of colours

the dynamics – ain’t no love at all

the temptations – just my imagination

al green – let’s stay together

happy 50th anniversary to motown records, going strong since january 12th 1959!!!