“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: Nurellari Winery Pulsi Beratit, Pulëz Varietal (Berat, Albania)
“Originating from the vineyards of Berat County in Albania, this grape variety gives rise to some of the country's most exquisite dry white wines. Boasting a delicate floral bouquet and an enduring finish, it proves to be a valuable inclusion for those seeking to enhance the sophistication of their wine cellar.” [Source]
Reading: Karla's Choice by Nick Harkaway
(recently featured on Our Favorite Books of 2024!)
“The instant international bestseller set in the world of John le Carré’s most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway … Set in the missing decade between two iconic installments in John le Carré’s George Smiley saga, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Karla’s Choice marks a momentous return to the world of spy fiction’s greatest writer.” [Source]
Listening: This Land by Lara Downes
(recently featured on Our 100 Favorite Albums of 2024!)
“Iconoclastic American Pianist Lara Downes presents This Land, a timely and resonant project that speaks to the significance of this pivotal moment in American history. Known for her expansive and profound musical explorations, Downes offers a powerful and soulful reflection on the diversity of stories that have shaped the contrasts and contradictions of the American condition. … She acknowledges the nation's flaws while celebrating the beauty of the American experiment, embracing hope and humanity as vital tools, and echoing the call to move forward with courage, to stand together on common ground, and embrace the radical power of joy.” [Source]
Check out Amplify with Lara Downes on NPR Music (one of our favorite Youtube series!), featuring in-depth interviews with guests like Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Esperanza Spalding, Regina Carter & more!
Next Wednesday, January 15, Lara Downes will be appearing at Joe’s Pub in NYC! “This is a musical gathering of dear friends to honor Dr Martin Luther King Jr on what would have been his 96th birthday, and to center hope and love and resistance and persistence as we face this rather terrifying new American era.” [Source]
Looking: The Art of Titus Kaphar
“If we don’t amend history by making new images and new representations, we are always going to be excluding ourselves.” — Titus Kaphar
Titus Kaphar Paints Memories, Family, and Grief into ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ (via Colossal)
Watch this *amazing* 2017 TED Talk from Titus Kaphar:
Viewing #1: Exhibiting Forgiveness — directed by Titus Kaphar, starring André Holland, Andra Day, John Earl Jelks & Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
(recently featured on Our Favorite Films & TV of 2024!)
“In this raw and deeply moving directorial debut from renowned artist Titus Kaphar, Tarrell (André Holland) is an admired American painter whose path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks), a conscience-stricken man trying to reconcile. … Together, father and son learn that forgetting the past is as challenging as forgiving.” [Source: Apple TV]
Viewing #2: The Funniest Comedy of 2024? Cunk on Life — starring Diane Morgan as Philomena Cunk (Netflix & BBC iPlayer)
“The comic actor returns as the worst-informed person on TV for a one-off that tackles the big issues – and quite possibly causes permanent damage to the baffled academics she interviews”. [Source: The Guardian]
Philomena Cunk on Life Review – Diane Morgan is Absolutely Peerless (via The Guardian)
Tasting: Our 25th Anniversary Dinner at Vena Vinoteka in Tirana, Albania!
Last week we celebrated our 25th anniversary! A quarter of a century! And what better way to celebrate than with wine and cheese and tapas (plus a perfect soundtrack of classic jazz and blues) at our favorite wine bar in the region? (Please excuse the slight blurriness of the photos. We were enjoying ourselves too much to focus!)
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. This week, our quotation is inspired by a favorite quote of Lara Downes, a line from the wonderful award-winning poet Rita Dove:
This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Rita Dove
Check out this beautiful conversation between Lara Downes & Rita Dove here:
Thank you for joining us for Season 3 of Aesthetic Arrest!
Cheers to that!
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