I first met Carlo Amodio whilst managing the Falcon Hotel, a small B&B in Paddington, London. The hotel was in desperate need of a new night porter and we had placed an ad for the "live-in" position in the Evening Standard newspaper. After receiving Carlo’s call and finding his New York drawl calm, reassuring, and somewhat intriguing, I invited him for an immediate interview. Of course when he appeared at the door he didn’t quite fit the archetype American – with his bald head, goatee and gold earring appearing more like a genie from some modern day Arabian Nights tale...
Falcon Hotel
Anyway, Carl and I quickly hit it off and within 5 minutes I was informing him that his first job as our new night manager was removing the “Person Wanted” sign from the front door! I later found out that, in typical Carlo style, he had purchased that particular newspaper and a coffee with his last 5 pounds and had walked into the hotel practically homeless and penniless!
With both of us living and working in the same hotel, we had plenty of time to get to know each other. I quickly became endeared towards this curious little man with his funny accent, original wit and insightful comments. He also had a willingness to discuss any and everything under the sun – especially matters of mind and spirit – the more esoteric the better. Carlo also got on well with my partner of that time and we all shared many a pleasant evening together.
Despite our close proximity and friendship I didn’t know Carlo's sexual orientation for quite some time. Mind you this was not just me being obtuse (I certainly had my suspicions) as Carlo was quite guarded about “letting on” and had even spoken of past girlfriends. In fact it took a night out on the town where Carlo, a mutual friend and I ended up at a gay bar for the penny to finally drop…prompting me to ask drunkenly “Carlo ...are you gay?” I’ll never forget his humorous but somewhat cajoling and exasperated “I’m as gay as a …TULIP!”
This one's for you bud!
In many ways the Falcon Hotel lived up to the “Fawlty Towers” type reputation of a typical English B&B and was often a source of amusement to both myself and Carlo. The following pieces of Carlo’s were made whilst working nightshift at the hotel and, though full of in-jokes, may give some insight as to the nature of our employ there (as well as being good examples of his quirky sense of humour)
"Falconol" |
Carlo's answer to the infamous
"8PM Form"
|
Falcon Hotel Postcard |
Reception Notice |
"B&B Groove" |
Falcon Family |
When Carlo and I went our separate ways from our positions at the Falcon Hotel it did little to dent our firm friendship although I dare say I experienced some long delays between contact at times. In most respects I understood this – Carlo was one to give a great deal of attention to whomever he was around at that particular point in time. It also occurred to me that this was a habit of Carlo’s, to flit from one group or friendship to the next, always seeking out the new, the interesting, the untapped.
Carlo (location and photographer unknown)
At one point Carlo had trouble finding a rental property so we invited him to live in the living-room of our one bedroom flat. It was a tight squeeze but Carlo’s congenial nature made it pretty easy going. And we now had use of a car that Carlo had gained access to in his new job as a web designer for City Herbs. I’m pretty sure it was around this time that I started calling him “Curly”. Curly by name and curly by nature – the name was conceived as much for his love of long and twisted discussions about the ways of the universe, as it was for his penchant for winding, half-lost driving excursions (made without the aid of a street directory I might add) that took 3 or 4 times longer than they should have!
Carlo at the flat in Vauxhall, London
One longer such trip involved traveling to a farmhouse down on the coast of Cornwall (and a veritable maze of twisty, winding roads for him to get lost in!). It was this journey that proved Carlo’s American background as he drove ever nearer to the left hand curb (still not being used to “driving on the wrong side” as he would have called it). As the unlucky passenger seated next to him, I became more and more concerned with every passing mile as we inched closer and closer. Writhing and sweating in my seat – I started making ever more concerned comments… “you know you’re really close to the curb”…“whew, that was close!” … “wow – that time you were REALLY close to the curb”…”look ou..." BANG! (see photo for the result)
"Crikey!" - Carlo's curb catastrophe
Cab Sav, cigars and Curly "crimebuster" Carl conquering
the competition at Cluedo in a caravan at Cornwall!
"Curiously concerned" Carlo captured on the coast of Cornwall
Living with Carlo I had the pleasure to meet a number of his friends and associates. He occasionally remarked that I was an “interesting person magnet”. I feel this was very much a projection of his own personality – he appeared to have a constant stream of interesting new workmates, friends and acquaintances.
I must also mention that during the time Carlo stayed in our flat, he spent some time instructing me on the finer points of Photoshop – software with which he undoubtedly had considerable skill. Little did I know that somehow, at that time, he had planted a seed which would take some time to germinate.* (see below)
Apart from the many discussions we had on the nature of the universe (often taken place during or proceeding into the wee hours of the morning) Carlo was a friend, teacher, councilor and confidant and provided moral support for me on many occasions. Carlo was present during some significant moments in my life – the tragic passing away of my sister Rosalie and my marriage breakdown being two such events. He even generously offered to help drive a rental van of my belongings to Denmark and back again when I was leaving the UK.
Carlo was friendly, compassionate and thoughtful. He was always able to offer advice and insight – much of it from leftfield – which almost invariably turned out helpful and accurate. I also recognized in Carlo an ability to “be” and “feel” at home just about anywhere. He almost always seemed to be at ease and comfortable – a talent I was both impressed by and (hopefully) learned from.
Unfortunately Carlo's insight did not always correspond to his own life which, as he himself recognized, was like “trying to see the ground under your feet”. At least whilst I knew him, Carlo was certainly, even by his own admission, a victim of the “intelligence trap”. Every question that appeared to be answered by his frequent and in-depth intellectualizing ultimately seemed to give rise to yet more questions. Thus he was a perfect partner in crime for our endless discussions into the nature of life the universe and everything, which rarely (if ever!) succeeded in answering any of the great questions, but which provided glimpses of insight and a great deal of entertainment.
On returning to Australia, Carlo and I continued our contact but due to the tyranny of distance it lessened over time. When we did have contact however, it certainly seemed obvious that Carlo had found a new group of friends that he was enamoured with and perhaps even some respite from his seemingly neverending search for answers and meaning. Thinking that Carlo was upto his old tricks, I thought little of the unanswered emails and the phone calls that rang out in the months thereafter. Even when emails I'd sent started bouncing back with the “no such email address” error, I thought it would only be a matter of time before I tracked down my elusive friend on the internet, given his usual line of work as a web developer.
Finally during one of these offhanded searches I made every 6 months or so, I was shocked to come across his obituary. The shock was soon followed by a deep sadness and even more surprise when I realized Carlo had died three years hence. I had long envisaged a reunion with Carl in his native homeland to which he had wanted to return. I rue that now I will never have the chance, as we had on occasion discussed, to sip a “quawfee” with Carlo on a beachside café in California – a place he had expressed a desire to live.
Carlo at Richmond Park, London
Of course I am deeply indebted to Carlo’s friends Peter and Akash for putting together the website dedicated to Carlo (Found HERE)– without which his demise would surely be unknown to me still. Although it pains me that I was not present to give solace to my friend during his last days, I have every confidence that Rebecca, James, Peter, Akash and Carlo’s other friends were able to provide the kind of support that he needed and wish to extend my gratitude to all of you.
Carlo and Rebecca
Carlo, Rebecca's daughter Saskia and Herbie the Hamster
Carlo and Saskia at Wimbledon Common Fair
Carlo was to me at various times the voice of reason, the voice of my unconscious mind and indeed the devils advocate. We were teachers to each other, but somehow I feel the lessons given far outweighed the lessons taught. I feel we had a special bond, a brotherly like mateship, an insight into each others strengths and failings. His influence was deep enough that I feel some part of him is still alive within me - coming through in my thoughts, my perceptions, my art and my dealings with people. I will always remember you my dear friend Curly Carl!
Carlo's last photo
* During the time that Carlo and I were out of contact, I found myself with a sudden urge to start experimenting with Photoshop. Inspired by some of the tricks and tips Carlo had shown me, my photoshop work quickly grew from experiments and exploration, through to a deep fascination and finally something bordering on obsession. Many times whilst engrossed in my new favourite pastime Carlo would be in my thoughts. Often I would be wondering what Carlo would think of this or that piece - attempting to "see through his eyes" as it were - or perhaps looking forward to hearing his critique on a few of my favourites when I finally got to show him. Some years later, I had compiled a healthy collection of several thousand pieces of work. Although I had long had an interest in computers and art I had always wondered about the impetus behind my sudden and intense foray into digital artwork creation. Some time after finding out about Carlo’s passing, something prompted me to look back through my files to see the date when I had set out on my artistic journey. I was both amazed and shocked when I discovered it had begun just a week after his death. Here then perhaps, was one of the most precious gifts and meaningful lessons I received from Carlo.
Wavelength Gallery
Carlo and I also shared a love of electronic music (particularly the ambient genre) and I’m grateful for the awesome music and artists he introduced to me. As a music producer myself, Carlo’s feedback was always welcome and I'm sure he had some influence over my music productions. Given his creative ability, I feel Carlo might have had considerable talent if he had tried music production but unfortunately he never did, as far as I know. In a similar vein to my photoshop story above, I like to think that I have been able, to some degree, “hear through Carlo’s ears” – especially when making ambient music. As such, I have dedicated to him a piece of music I made recently entitled “Lost in an Alien Wilderness”. I like to think he would have enjoyed this track.
LostInAnAlienWilderness.mp3
