My pleasure reading this month featured art historians and gallerists: Anita de Monte laughs last was sort of an art history mystery about a Cuban woman artist whose more well-known white husband pushed her out of a window to her death. Loved immersion in art world, as well as art historian research, i.e. the white female art history student who recovers Anita’s lost works.
Then The idea of you, was a departure for me. Wanted to read the book before I watched the direct-to-streaming film starring Anne Hathaway (not a fan). A May-December romance between a white 40ish older woman Silverlake gallery owner and a white 20-ish boy band celebrity. But the parts about her gallery and the artists she represents also immersed me in a space I love. Also, Solene is reading a paperback copy of Ninth Street Women, which I read in September. She’s reading it very poorly, too, has bent the cover back and is on the first page, pen in hand. Yes, I’m critical of a fictional character’s reading and assumed she should be further along in the book instead of stuck at the title page. It’s on
’s list of books to read this summer.What else?
Been waiting for Monsters for ages (on the waitlist at the library), and it didn’t disappoint. Claire Dederer expands on her viral essay pondering whether we can love monstrous men like Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Picasso? And she throws in a few women along the way.
In February I listened to Francoise Gilot’s Life with Picasso, which only confirmed my negative feelings about his person and his life. Maybe in my modern art history classes we focused on his work a bit? His periods. I neither hate nor love his work. And I remember my daughter’s pre-K teacher exposing her to Picasso and Van Gogh. In a design class 30+ years ago, we mimicked his style for an assignment.
Also listened to Kathleen Hanna read her memoir Rebel Girl: My life as a feminist punk. Didn’t realize that Hanna’s background is as a photographer (she learned at Evergreen State College) and so learning about her process and practices behind the camera and in the darkroom fascinated me, as well as her writing and singing. Also, her deep attachment to an 8-track mixing desk. Also her feminist philosophy.
Another great listen was Everything she touched: The life of Ruth Asawa. While I love listening to books, because I can paint, garden, quilt, whatever (kill 2 birds with one stone), I miss out on all the photos and illustrations. Learning about Asawa’s role in the San Francisco art world, especially children’s art education, inspired me. Seeing how one person has such positive effect on the world around her left an impression.
I listened to this driving from my home in East Tennessee to the North Carolina coast, with a stop in Winston-Salem at Reynolda House for their Imogen Cunningham show; my May artist’s date. Cunningham is a favorite. I love photography (sculpture, too), and familiarized myself with dozens of women photographers over the years. One of the things I LOVED about the work is how she signs her prints.
After we left the show, I reached a point in the book where Asawa moved to San Francisco, met, and befriended Imogen Cunningham. Wow. Such a lovely happenstance. My next goal is seeing Asawa’s work in person.
My creative practice has faltered. I mean to do the thing, and buy the supplies, and then don’t do anything. Instead of haranguing myself, I’m considering this a period of percolation. Gathering of ideas, images, and symbols. Being at the shore was so relaxing. I nearly nodded off, a rarity. The sound of the waves meeting the sand calmed me. I’m resting up, gathering energy for the onset of practice.
Love reading about your happenings! Sounds like an amazing time at the coast. and an artist date! What an amazing idea. Next time you find yourself in NC, give me a shout!