“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: Caipirinhas!
Ryan Wildstar’s Recommendations:
Reading: Les Chimères (The Chimeras) by Gérard de Nerval (translated by Robert Duncan, from his book Bending the Bow)
“Nerval's Lobster: Is walking a crustacean any more ridiculous than a dog?” by Mark Dery
To read Ryan Wildstar’s translation of Nerval’s “Horus,” click here:
Listening: The Music of Cesária Évora (plus the documentary: Cesária Évora (2022), directed by Ana Sofia Fonseca)
Looking: The Art of José Malhoa (1855 - 1933)
Viewing: Farewell Amor (2020) written & directed by Ekwa Msangi, starring Ntare Mwine, Zainab Jah & Jayme Lawson (available at The Criterion Collection & The Criterion Channel)
Tasting: Ryan Wildstar makes Grandma Belle’s Borscht
Ryan Elston’s Recommendations:
Reading: Bending the Bow by Robert Duncan (1919 - 1988)
Poems (and audio!) by Robert Duncan at The Academy of American Poets
Click here to see some of the beautiful collages created by artist Jess (aka Jess Collins), Robert Duncan’s partner, creative collaborator and husband of 37 years! (via the Jess Collins Trust)
Listening: The Music of Cesária Évora (plus the documentary: Cesária Évora (2022), directed by Ana Sofia Fonseca)
Looking: The Art of Tarsila do Amaral (1886 – 1973)
How Tarsila do Amaral Reinvented Brazilian Identity with Modern Art (via Hyperallergic)
Viewing: Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, miniseries about the British Post Office scandal, written by Gwyneth Hughes, directed by James Strong & starring an ensemble cast led by Toby Jones (ITV1 & ITVX)
Tasting: No Passport Required with Marcus Samuelsson on PBS Food (Youtube) — starring Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Watch all 12 episodes of No Passport Required with Marcus Samuelsson at PBS Food on Youtube!
And check out Marcus Samuelsson’s fantastic cookbook: The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food: A Cookbook!
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 things from the Roaring ‘20s?” Here are some of the great responses from the comments:
Ryan Elston chose Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven Sessions!
Ryan Wildstar chose Fritz Lang’s 1927 film, Metropolis!
Del Mar chose the music of Bessie Smith!
kde chose 1920s Paris, specifically fashion liberation for women!
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 we talked about Grandma Belle's borscht, as well as Ryan Wildstar's fond memories of cooking with his beloved great-grandmother. And we suspect everyone listening right now has a similar story about your own family's culinary traditions.
So, our question for the table this week is:
What's one of YOUR favorite childhood memories connected to food?
Is there a family recipe that's been passed down through the generations? A memory of cooking or market shopping with one of your parents or grandparents? A holiday or cultural festival involving a favorite cuisine? A beloved restaurant your family reserved for special occasions? Or just a regular mealtime tradition or routine that reminds you of home?
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!
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