“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. Cheers to that!
This Week’s Apéritif: Domaines Gilles Canton “L’Impudent,” Terrasses du Larzac, France (and our surprisingly delicious French frozen pizzas!)
Ryan Wildstar’s Recommendations:
Reading: The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh
Listening: The Music of Gribouille (1941-1968)
Looking: The Art of Bill Reid (1920-1998)
1) Raven and the First Men (1980) by Bill Reid [KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 2) Raven and the First Men (1980) by Bill Reid [Xicotencatl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 3) Chief Skedans Mortuary Totem Pole (1964) by Bill Reid & Werner True (The moon face at the top was recarved by Don Yeomans in 1998.) [Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 4) Haida Bear (1963) by Bill Reid [Wolfgang Sauber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 5) The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe (1986) by Bill Reid - Vancouver International Airport [Reinhard Kraasch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 6) The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Black Canoe (1986) by Bill Reid - Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. [Boberger, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 7) Killer Whale (1984) by Bill Reid [David Abercrombie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]; 8) Bear Mother (1991) by Bill Reid [Rob Kelk, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]; 10) Raven by Bill Reid (1974) [David Abercrombie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Flickr]
Viewing: Albert Brooks: Defending My Life — documentary about Albert Brooks, directed by Rob Reiner
Tasting: Our Farewell Dinner in Bellegarde, France at La Petite Cantine
Ryan Elston’s Recommendations:
Reading: The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Listening: The Music of Florence Price (1887-1953)
Looking: The Photography of Kali Spitzer
See the current exhibition - Kali Spitzer: Bodies of, Bodies Within at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (November 18, 2023 - March 17, 2024)
Click here to watch a short video segment - Healing BIPOC people through photography: Kali Spitzer via Colorado Voices at PBS.org!
Viewing: Albert Brooks: Defending My Life — documentary about Albert Brooks, directed by Rob Reiner
Tasting: Our Farewell Dinner in Bellegarde, France at La Petite Cantine
That’s it for this week! But we want the dinner party to continue! So each week we are asking a “dinner party” question for everyone joining us here at our table. Last week, we asked: “What's one of YOUR favorite cheeses?” Here are some of the great responses from the comments:
Ryan Wildstar chose Livarot!
Ryan Elston chose Vacherin Mont d'Or!
kde chose Double Cream Brie and Roquefort!
Del Mar chose a Baked Brie, with a fresh Salsa Genovese pesto sauce surrounded by a scoundrel of Medjool dates and leaves of mint!
Cheryl said: “I just love cheese! Pretty much every cheese I’ve ever had!”
Thank you everyone for your wonderful responses! That was last week . . . but we don't want this week's dinner party to end either!
So here is this week's question for the table:
Our shared viewing recommendation this week was a delightful documentary about the legendary and hilarious comedian, Albert Brooks.
So, our question for the table this week is:
Who's one of YOUR favorite comedians?
Tell us your choice in the comments and we’ll share some of your responses on next week’s podcast!
Also, don't forget to stop by The Epicurean Vagabonds Substack on Wednesdays, to check out our revamped Mid-Week Libations! Now with audio segments featuring Ryan & Ryan!
And thank you for joining us for Season Two of Aesthetic Arrest!
Cheers to that!
Aesthetic Arrest Podcast: Albert Brooks & Rob Reiner, Thich Nhat Hanh, Florence Price & The Book of Delights!