Aesthetic Arrest Podcast: Bayard Rustin, Billy Porter, Bryan Ferry, Artemisia Gentileschi & Dinner at I Cuochi!

“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!

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This Week’s Aperitivo: Americano Cocktails (Campari, Sweet Vermouth & Soda Water)

[Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

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Ryan Wildstar’s Recommendations:

Reading: Mask of Silenus: A Novel About Socrates by Babette Deutsch

Purchase via Modern Times Publishing: Lost Canons

• Read an excerpt from Mask of Silenus: A Novel About Socrates (via Literary Hub)

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Listening: Mamouna (Deluxe Reissue 2023) by Bryan Ferry

Purchase or Stream (multiple platforms)

• Official Site of Bryan Ferry

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Looking: Artemisia Gentileschi: Courage and Passion exhibition at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, Italy (November 16th, 2023 - April 1st, 2024)

Cleopatra (c. 1633-1635) by Artemisia Gentileschi

All artwork by Artemisia Gentileschi: 1) Self-Portrait as Cleopatra; 2) Self-Portrait Holding a Fan aka Portrait of a Lady Holding a Fan (mid-1620s); 3) Madonna with Child (1609-1610); 4) Judith and Her Maidservant Abra with the Head of Holofernes (1607-1610); 5) Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes (1621-1624); 6) Judith and Her Maidservant (c. 1645-1650)

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Viewing: Rustin — directed by George C. Wolfe, starring Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, CCH Pounder, Audra McDonald, Aml Ameen, Jeffrey Wright & Chris Rock (Netflix)

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Tasting: Dinner at I Cuochi in Genova (Genoa), Italy

Cantina Deperi, P’igi Bianco Macerato (100% Pigato) [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

Warm Potato and Vegetable Soup with Flavored Focaccia Croutons [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

Seared Scallops on Pumpkin Cream, Confit Grapes, Cauliflower and Caper Powder [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

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Ryan Elston’s Recommendations:

Reading: The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History by Ned Blackhawk

Purchase here.

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Listening: Black Mona Lisa by Billy Porter

Purchase or Stream (multiple platforms)

• Official Site of Billy Porter

• Great interview with Billy Porter here: "Billy Porter’s Never-Ending Performance: Our 2023 Honorary Degree recipient had to wait for the culture to catch up to him (even as he coaxed it along)" (via Vulture)

theebillyporter

A post shared by @theebillyporter

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Looking: Artemisia Gentileschi: Courage and Passion exhibition at the Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, Italy (November 16th, 2023 - April 1st, 2024)

All artwork by Artemisia Gentileschi: 1) Aurora (c. 1625-1627); 2) Self-Portrait (1630s); 3) Minerva; 4) Self-Portrait as Allegory of Sculpture; 5) Susanna and the Elders (1610); 6) Susanna and the Elders (1649)

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Viewing: Soundies: The Ultimate Collection (1940-1946) — 4-Disc Blu-Ray Set of Soundies, curated by Susan Delson

Purchase via Kino Lorber

• Read more about the Soundies at Susan Delson’s Official Site!

• Read more about one of our favorite vocal trios - Day, Dawn and Dusk! (via Vocal Group Harmony)

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Tasting: Dinner at I Cuochi in Genova (Genoa), Italy

Cappelletti stuffed with Sea Bass Cheeks on Lobster Cream with Prawns, Saffron and Tarragon [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

Duck Breast caramelized in the oven with Pink Pepper and Lime Honey, served on Spinach Leaves sautéed in a Barbaresco and Orange Sauce [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

La Panera encased in a Dome of Fondant & Gold and served on a Vanilla Crème Anglaise [Photo by Ryan Wildstar]

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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: “Who's one of YOUR favorite comedians?” Here are some of the great responses from the comments:

• Ryan Elston chose Sandra Bernhard!

• Ryan Wildstar chose Bill Bailey!

• kde chose George Carlin!

• Katie Kleinhesselink chose Tig Notaro!

• Cheryl chose Albert Brooks, Robin Williams and George Carlin!

• Del Mar chose LaWanda Page, Amy Schumer and Garry Shandling!

• Ace Farren Ford chose W.C. Fields, Lenny Bruce, Lord Buckley and Rudy Ray Moore!

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:

From Socrates to Bayard Rustin, Artemisia Gentileschi to Billy Porter, on this week's podcast we've discussed several heroic nonconformists, who stayed true to themselves, defied convention, and challenged the status quo. As Bayard Rustin famously said: “We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.”

So, our question for the table this week is:

Who's one of YOUR favorite angelic troublemakers?

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!