“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 Aperitivo: A Garibaldi! Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the famed Italian general and revolutionary who united Italy. He’s widely considered the “Father of Italy.”
Click here for an easy, elegant great recipe from Difford’s Guide!
Ryan Wildstar’s Recommendations:
Reading: Love In a Dark Time: Gay Lives from Wilde to Almodóvar by Colm Tóibín
Listening: Motewolonuwok by Jeremy Dutcher
Looking: The Photography of Lisetta Carmi (1924-2022): Suonare Forte (Playing Strong) Exhibition at the Villa Bardini (Florence, Italy)
Check out Lisetta Carmi: Identities at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art (London) - Now on display until December 17, 2023!
Lisetta Carmi: Identities review – radical photography reveals Italy’s outsiders (via The Guardian)
Viewing: Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes (PBS American Masters) — documentary about Max Roach, directed by Ben Shapiro & Sam Pollard
Tasting: Dinner at Tratorria La Casalinga (Florence, Italy)
Ryan Elston’s Recommendations:
Reading: The Aeneid by Vergil (translated by Sarah Ruden)
Listening: Motewolonuwok by Jeremy Dutcher
Looking: Paintings by Sandro Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy) — Primavera, The Birth of Venus, Madonna of the Magnificat, The Annunciation Fresco (1481), The Cestello Annunciation (1489) & The Calumny of Apelles
Viewing: Casa Susanna (PBS American Experience) — documentary about the history of Casa Susanna, directed by Sébastien Lifshitz
‘Casa Susanna’ Opens Doors on Early Postwar Trans and Cross-Dressing Community (via Variety)
TIFF 2022: Casa Susanna reflects on a little known part of LGBTQ history (via The Spool)
Tasting: Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore (Florence, Italy)
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: “If you could travel back in time and visit ONE ancient civilization, what would it be?” Here are some of the great responses from the comments:
Ryan Elston would visit Ancient Greece, specifically Athens in the 5th century BCE !
Ryan Wildstar said he would go back to ancient Mesopotamia to Sumeria or to live amongst the Sabaeans/Sabians!
kde chose the ancient Celtic culture of the prehistoric era of the British Isles!
Katie Kleinhesselink would likewise go to Ancient Greece . . . though she would also love to see Teotihuacán at its height!
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:
This week’s podcast was clearly inspired by our recent visit to Florence, as well as our visit to Rome two weeks ago. And next week we’ll undoubtedly be talking about our travels in Sorrento and Naples!
So, our question for the table this week is:
What's ONE of your favorite people, places or things from Italy? Tell us the name of something or someone Italian that you love!
It could be your favorite Italian food or wine, your favorite artwork from the Italian Renaissance, your favorite Italian film or singer or fashion designer, or maybe your favorite place to visit in Italia! 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: Botticelli, Lisetta Carmi, Casa Susanna & Fabulous Food from Firenze!