Untitled - EMAF

RETROSPEKTIVE // RETROSPECTIVE
ESSENTIAL CINEMA \\ FALL 1993 EC // CORRESPONDENCE:
LETTERS FROM DR. BISH 8/23 OR 20, MONDAY, 9 AM
dear Marc,
›RR&R‹ today for me: Reading, Resting & Riting... back to the old trailer. Wife, Lorie taking
care or daughter, Wind. Lorie's day off. Nice image just before waking:
PS: Don't read this in a hurry. Take any material you may wish for your journal. Let me
know how much space you might have; there may be a place for a seg. out of my novel (which
has to be a film I couldn't afford to make). We have an old dog named Cinder, invented from
neighbor, whose name should be Edith - from Edith Bunker. Also have a great Set, King of the
Yukon lead sled dog we call, Werner: I brought them some huge beef rib bones from a picnic
Wind & I ran across yesterday. We tried for a free hotdog, but I gave it up. It was a huge picnic
of employees from some fireplace mfgr. This morning's waking image, relevant I think to
the forthcoming Houseboat Show. Just before waking I saw myself approaching the outdoor
breakfast table of two lovely young women, Indonesian perhaps. The one, ›Lia‹ by name -
rather anxious to see me, I was pleased to note, introduced me to her twin sister, ›L ‹. And
then I awoke, in a good mood for a change. Since you will arrange, or be instrumental in
arranging such a miracle, I especially look forward to the houseboat event. I can take it from
there, if the two sisters can be present. Perhaps they will come to study here for a time?
Yesterday enroute to la musia in the old Mercedes Benz I heard a Presbyterian UW minister
offering a long sermon on...Art and media! Concluding with, ›We are all artists; given the constant
and essential influence media has on our world, we must personalize media...i.e., make
art. (He had commented on the depersonalized nature of much of century's bdcstg). If only this small insight might begin to permeate the
thinking of the academic deanery. If artists should find themselves once again employed...to resurrect somehow the lost sense of community
that is the initial link between each other, the natural environment and to the Cosmos herself. The crazed, bullying artist - that egocentrically
bound mortality. Insane, surely in touch with itself sometimes, miracuclous and clear. A person, merely a momentary view
into Eternity!
Now we lie fallow as in a North Wales Episcopalian graveyard, lost, silent. Our mythology - that is, our probability possibility - buried
in the din of chainsaws , the tragedy of fallen forests; in the incessant motion of persons encapsulated commuting, hurrying, their wake a
terrible (unessesary) fearfulness which becomes the only unifying link, one man to another, each dreading the other.
Well, enough of that. I'll wait ›till Oct. to retype some of the ›novel‹ for the next Cinematograph (SF). The forgoing notes should be useful
for your next journal. A nice idea, the journal. I know it's a lot of work. All of it. Haven't heard much from A-. Hello to her and others
w/your group. And thanks again for the invite. So you were at Bard. My teaching there short-lived as always, was in the mid-70's. I
stayed until '80 or '81, when I came here to help my aging parents. Teach at Evergreen in Olympia, also short-lived, running into a nest
of feminists and the usual deanery. As you can see from the earlier notes of this letter I haven't given up on the world. The houseboat
and fundraiser sounds great. I should do my own fundraiser. I have needed a camcorder for years, part of why I've turned to writing. 3
or 4 trips to Asia since '85, no camera. Maybe make one more try, late Oct (wedding in Mexico) - later, continuing, back to Asia mid-winter...if
I can finance it and if I have the energy. Also in the works: digging out workprint from unfinished films and A-rolling it for a oneprint
release, along w/separate track on cassette. Anyhow, what else?
Bed, food, etc. - visit - good idea. I won't be certain who in family might come along nor whether I can stay overnight, etc-or if I
should arrive the day before, to clear traffic + rest there to be in good form for the event. Also not sure re. scheduling of 2nd public
event. Prints will come from Canyon. If you can somehow manage to rent - and will need a rather close scheduling: I have to marshal my
energy, or it is limited, from the intense efforts of film-making days. It would be nice to somehow do 2 days. Several films one eve. Quick
Billy on another. Just a thought.Do try to have the Indonesian girls there. I am badly in need of an adventure. What else: If you can,
would you spread the word - the Art Inst., UW, ›Concordia‹ (arts or music college) - not the exact name: I want to begin offering a few
seminars or courses - art film for video, and perhaps radio - media seminar, etc. Thanks. I don't have opportunity to try and reach them,
working at home every day and taking care of all the house and home mundanery, being chief babysitter, etc. Remind me to send some
photos for journal, if IF they are certain to be returned from the printer.
That's about it for now. Sorry not to type - takes too long. See ya.
Sincerely
Bruce B.
*Doing radio show with daughter and cat, Gracie.
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