Newport offers all kinds of architectural and sculptural triangles.
On to this week's videos... Most sails are triangular, so I went and found a version of Tab Hunter singing "Red Sails in the Sunset" with lots of gorgeous triangular sails. Ah, paradise!
Speaking of things maritime, and especially since I live in a place that's been a maritime center since its founding in 1638, the following song was the first thing I thought of when I learned that this week's theme was "triangle". It's the song "Molasses to Rum" from the musical 1776, and it describes the Triangle Trade, which traveled between New England, the West Coast of Africa, and the New World, trading slaves from Africa in the Caribbean for sugar cane and molasses, which was then taken to New England to be distilled into rum, which in turn was taken back to Africa to trade for slaves. The scene portrayed here recalls Edward Rutledge, one of South Carolina's delegates to the Continental Congress, objecting to one of Thomas Jefferson's phrases in the Declaration of Independence putting slavery in a negative light and paving the way for the institution's end. Rutledge points out that the most vociferous objectors - the delegates from New England - were the ones who benefited most, economically speaking, from the Triangle Trade. [Historical note: Rutledge was a slimy, rabidly racist scumbag who also tried to fight against independence; he was in favor of a more friendly and cooperative arrangement with Great Britain. He was a wealthy planter with aristocratic aspirations whose schemes would work better as a citizen of the British Empire than as a citizen of an independent America. He spent much of his time at the Continental Congress holding up the proceedings with trivialities and trying to drive a spike into the progress toward declaring independence. On the racial scene, he tried to have all African-Americans banned from joining the Continental Army. For all his physical charm (he was said to be handsome and was a real, foppish dandy) he was a truly ugly personality.] Anyhow, here's the scene from the movies version of 1776.
And finally, I found this gem, juggler Michael Moschen making use of a triangular frame to create a truly unique sight and sound experience. This is juggling taken to the next level. Enjoy!
Photos & text © 2010 by A. Roy Hilbinger
I liked the history lesson as much as anything else. Always a pleasure, Roy.
ReplyDeleteHi Roy,
ReplyDeleteI like the pics and the vids. I think when I was young I had a crush on Tab Hunter. And seeing Ben Franklin listening to the singing was cool.
I was mesmerised by seeing how many triangles the balls made as they were going everywhere on the triangle. It was so fast that I could barely keep up at times. I am not sure if they always made a triangle but it seemed like it. It was amazing that he could do that with a triangle and I do not think he dropped one ball.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Happy TT.
God bless.
Wonderful shots. Interesting bit about the Trade Triangle. Rutledge: bah.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely and your take on the theme is quite unique. An interesting lesson in American history, too (I am Canadian), and am in agreement with willow!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, as always Roy. Loved the architecture and door posts, especially! Thanks for reminding me of the Hayden clock symphony on my blog. I was in symphonic band in college and we performed that!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Roy, full to the top with wonderful images and fascinating explanations.
ReplyDeleteNice post. I really like the photos, and enjoyed the clip from 1776. That was an interesting bit of history about the "Triangle Trade.".
ReplyDeleteI used the Michael Moschen video as my entry also. Amazing, isn't it?
Wow photos, history and a juggler, now that's a first. I'm glad I waited until today and had the time to really check it out! Loved it all but the juggler wins! I stole it to send to others!
ReplyDeleteAs Always, You got your Points across! Interesting post Roy.
ReplyDeletewonderful set of triangles....thought for sure you were going to have some sails today....but architectural shots never fail to please this house mouse....and the gravestones! terrific!!
ReplyDeleteThere sure are a lot of triangles around! Lovely pics!
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