I haven't bought an album by Madonna since "Ray of Light" Her music of the 21st millennium doesn't much appeal to me, although I still love the early stuff. Madonna has always been a performance artist par excellence and, like the Empress Cleopatra, age has not withered her in this regard.* In other respects, her achievements are more mixed, and it may be argued that Madonna has played a significant role in creating - or at least facilitating - the modern shallow narcissistic social media culture in which appearance is everything. Discuss!
Yet that would be to sell Madonna, undoubtedly one of the world's most successful businesswomen, short. One might, alternatively, make a comparison with the visual artist Tracey Emin, another material girl but not in the same league as Madonna. I find Emin's art uninteresting, but what she says about her work is often thought-provoking. In Madonna's case, I can't recall her having said anything memorable, but what she does is interesting.
Whatever Madonna does, she does well. This includes horse riding, which the "Queen of Pop" only took up in middle age. Yet, having been out of the saddle for some time, here she is riding out in the style recommended by the great equine performance coach, and mentor of Victoria Pendleton, Yogi Breisner: " in balance, forward, with rhythm." That's how we all should try to live!
*"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety: other women cloy
The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies.." (Shakespeare)
Correction: the quotation assigned to Yogi Breisner actually came from his mentor Lars Sederholm.
Her infinite variety: other women cloy
The appetites they feed: but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies.." (Shakespeare)
Correction: the quotation assigned to Yogi Breisner actually came from his mentor Lars Sederholm.
