I’m taking in some great art and creating very little

#029: I’m in my 'taking in so I can create later' era

Jun 23, 2024

I’ve been taking in a lot more than I’ve been creating, but I think that’s okay. I need to absorb as much as possible until my creativity sponge is sopping wet and there’s nothing left to do but release it with a generous squeeze 🍋

Books, Books, Books

These are the three books (l to r) I just read, am reading, and will read next. I’ve included bookshop.org links below and hope you can support your local bookstore and/or library!

“Stay True” by Hua Hsu

I’m really drawn to books about grief because I’m curious how it manifests in different people. I’m also on a serious search for a memoir, essay, or fictional story with anticipatory grief, if any of you have any recommendations.

Hua Hsu lost his best friend in a sudden, cruel way and his memoir details his friendship with Ken, their bond, and Hua’s need to channel his grief through writing. There are some references to music and zine culture that don’t quite resonate with me, but every so often, Hua has a poignant quote in “Stay True” that I can’t help but scribble into my notebook. I really understand his hunger to document, to hold onto, to cherish, and to uplift.

“when a pair of old boots go from new to worn…mixtape wheezing to the end of its spool.”

“The Very Nice Box” by Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman

I recently learned that a former colleague of mine (Laura) wrote two books! “The Very Nice Box” is her first. I’m still currently in the middle of reading it. It’s a page-turning story about the tech industry, New York, and a furniture company most likely based on Ikea. It’s a love story with this creeping sense of dread and unease. I just know there will be a surprising turn of events soon!

“Log Off” by by Kristen Felicetti

Kristen is also a former colleague of mine from the same company! I had the pleasure of attending the Brooklyn stop of her book tour. In true Brooklyn fashion, it was in a backyard with a grill, picnic blankets, a relaxed environment, and good company.

I have yet to read “Log Off,” but Kristen read an excerpt at the above event and it was funny with a distinct voice. I can’t wait to read it. I mean, that cover art and font are also delightful!

Things I’ve been watching

Aftersun is a beautiful coming-of-age story. The film is primarily filled with scenes of a vacation that a father takes with his pre-teen daughter, but we see things from the perspective of the daughter and through the lens of adults who understand the full picture. It’s both tender and filled with longing. There’s a scene in particular that smartly showcases a disconnect between the daughter and father through mirrors and camcorder screens. This was the second time I watched it. It’s on Netflix now!
Baby Reindeer is a very intense and gripping series written by, and based on, comedian Richard Gadd’s traumatic experiences. I don’t think the point was to find his real-life stalker, but unfortunately internet sleuths did. “It’s very emotionally true, obviously: I was severely stalked and severely abused. But we wanted it to exist in the sphere of art, as well as protect the people it’s based on.”
I just watched Kinds of Kindness this morning. I haven’t seen “Poor Things” or “The Favourite,” but have seen his earlier movies like “The Lobster” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.” This movie wasn’t completely my cup of tea and the explorations of power fell a little flat for me, but you may enjoy it. It stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie, and Margaret Qualley.

Events

Kaze Fujii is a young pianist and singer-songwriter who performed at the Apollo a couple of weeks ago. He was so good live and involved his audience many times! Here’s his recent Tiny Desk performance.
If you’re in the NYC area and are searching for an opportunity to connect with others through meaningful conversation, join No Small Talk! I attended one and was impressed with the prompts offered and the willingness of the participants to open up. It’s also hosted by my friend!

I really need to start working on the art show, but the drive and motivation I had in December is nowhere in sight. Over the July 4th weekend, I’ll be back in New England with my family. There, I aim to take lots of video snapshots on my iPhone to make some artist introduction videos. I don’t even have the exact date or venue planned, but here’s a website I’ve been planning! What do you think?