“The aesthetic experience is a simple beholding of the object . . . you experience a radiance. You are held in aesthetic arrest.” - Joseph Campbell
Aesthetic Arrest is our weekly dip into the Epicurean pleasures we’ve been enjoying lately. Now with TWO ways to enjoy our curated splash of inspiration and culture! Cheers to that!
Click above to listen to our Aesthetic Arrest Podcast, featuring R&R discussing our reading, listening, looking, viewing and tasting recommendations of the week!
Take a deep-dive into our Aesthetic Arrest: Mid-Week Libation! Below is a splash of interesting cultural gems to explore — videos, music, art, articles, recipes and more. Something different every week!
Aesthetic Arrest: Mid-Week Libation
Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Domaine Filliatreau Samur-Champigny (Loire, France)
Reading: James by Percival Everett
“A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view … ‘A masterpiece that will help redefine one of the classics of American literature, while also being a major achievement on its own.’ — Chicago Tribune … Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a ‘literary icon’ (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.” [Source]
Percival Everett wins National Book Award for fiction with retelling of Huckleberry Finn (via The Guardian)
Percival Everett interview: ‘I hope that I have written the novel that Twain did not’ (via The Booker Prizes)
Listening #1: The True North by Peter Garrett
“I am feeling the greatest sense of urgency right now ... Maybe it’s my date of birth; maybe it’s partly because of what’s around us. And I am still trying to sum it up in a song that works musically. ... I really do believe that as much as we live in weird and sometimes dangerous times, at the same time, humans have always shown this capacity to get past the bad that might be happening to create something good.” — Peter Garrett (musician, activist, politician & lead singer of Midnight Oil) on his newest solo album, The True North
Official Site of Peter Garrett / Official Store / Upcoming Live Shows!
Peter Garrett: 'I Am Feeling The Greatest Sense Of Urgency Right Now' (via The Music)
Listening #2: Small Changes by Michael Kiwanuka
“[W]e can switch on the news today and there’s so many horrible stories. You can feel pretty low. And there’s some crazy stuff happening in the world. And one of the ways I quite like to deal with that sometimes is just to sort of focus on better times coming ... even just actively believing that is kind of like a protest. And ‘Floating Parade’ is an image of that. I literally just sort of imagined this cloud, and people just party on top of it.” — Michael Kiwanuka on “Floating Parade,” the opening song of his new album, Small Changes [Source]
Official Site of Michael Kiwanuka / Official Shop / Upcoming Tour Dates!
Michael Kiwanuka: Small Changes Review – An Exquisite Return (via The Guardian)
Looking: Canada’s Largest Inuit & Indigenous Art Gallery! Galerie Images Boréales in Old Montreal
“Inuit in Northern Canada (Nunavut) have been producing bone, ivory and stone art for thousands of years. … Established in 2010, Galerie Images Boréales is proud to represent nearly 200 of Canada’s most established Inuit artists from all over Nunavut. The gallery also works with young emerging artists, offering them a promising future by fostering their career development. Our gallery also represents Indigenous artists from different cultural backgrounds such as First Nations artists, Dene, Haida, Coast Salish, Ojibway and others.” [Source]
View Artwork Online: Sculptures / Sculptures Under $1000 / Paintings / Lithographs / Wall Hangings
Online Boutique - Free shipping to Canada and US on orders over $150! Free shipping to Europe on orders over $800!
And on your next visit to Montreal, also be sure to check out the newest permanent exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) — ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ Uummaqutik: Essence of Life — featuring work from 70 Inuit artists:
Viewing: Crossing (2024) — written & directed by Levan Akin, starring Mzia Arabuli, Lucas Kankava & Deniz Dumanlı (currently streaming on MUBI)
“For Lia, a world-weary former schoolteacher, the intersection of promises and real life events has put her squarely in a precarious position: she’s made a pact to fulfill her recently deceased sister’s last wish — to find her long lost daughter Tekla. Together with Tekla’s former neighbor, an out-of-luck young man called Achi, they navigate Istanbul together in search of her niece. But she soon meets Evrim, a lawyer fighting for trans rights, and becomes embraced by the local trans community. … Through stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack, Levan brings the vibrant culture of Istanbul to life, showcasing the city's complex mix of darkness and beauty.” — Casey Baron [Source]
Tasting #1: Wafu Cooking: Everyday Recipes with Japanese Style: A Cookbook by Sonoko Sakai
“In this dazzling and wholly original cookbook, culinary authority Sonoko Sakai redefines what Japanese cooking can be. Wafu (literally ‘Japanese style’) food is fusion at its best, combining flavors, ingredients, and techniques from around the globe with a distinctly Japanese personality. … From Dashi Cheese Grits with Honey Miso Butter, Collard Greens and Cabbage Miso Soup with Crispy Bacon, and Fish and Lotus Chips, to Caesar Salad with Aonori Croutons and Bonito Flakes, Shio Koji Marinated Roast Chicken, and Miso Apple Pie, these are recipes that reflect—and celebrate—the multinational, interconnected way in which we all eat today.” [Source]
Tasting #2: Our Winter Solstice Dinner in Tirana, Albania
Roasted Potatoes with Fennel & Thyme, covered in a Tahini, Garlic & Lemon Dressing (inspired by a recipe from Nigel Slater’s Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter)
Wasabi Tartar Sauce with Panko-Fried Prawns (inspired by a recipe from Sonoko Sakai’s Wafu Cooking)
Raspberry Cheesecake Parfait and Forest Torte (from Metaj Bakery and Pastry in Tirana)
So that’s it for this week! But in the tradition of our Mid-Week Libations, we’d like to end with this week’s words of wisdom. Today is December 25th. And every year on this day, our household celebrates the birthday of the flamboyantly fabulous Quentin Crisp!
This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Quentin Crisp (December 25, 1908 – November 21, 1999)
Happy Holidays and Merry Crisp-mas everyone!
There’s no podcast next week, as we’ll be busy ringing in the New Year and celebrating a very special occasion . . . as January 2nd will be our 25th anniversary! A quarter of century together! Cheers to that!
Aesthetic Arrest will return in two weeks, but in the meantime, check in on our Substack next week for our annual Year-in-Review articles, where we’ll be picking our favorite books, music, films and TV shows of 2024!
Thank you for joining us for Season 3 of Aesthetic Arrest!
Cheers to that!
Share this post