Look what our neighbors to the north are doing to celebrate diversity! Dancing the Bhangra, a Punjabi folk dance led by Gurdeep Pandhera, a joyous Sikh immigrant who emigrated from India to Canada is on a mission to spread joy. Wouldn't it be great if our police spent more time dancing, communing with their community and celebrating the people they protect. I dare you to get up wherever you are right now and follow along--smiles on every face, including yours!
three things we love
Chinese Chef Andre Chiang
The documentary Andre and His Olive Tree, available on Netflix, tells the story of the highly celebrated Asian chef André Chiang and offers a behind the scenes look at his restaurants and what it takes to run such high end establishments. Chiang is a very interesting character, not afraid of change, and his highly acclaimed Singaporean restaurant Andre, the subject of the film, went out on a high note, closing its doors at the height of its success in 2018. If you are still curious, you might like to listen to this extensive interview with him. And click here to stay current and find out what Chiang is up to now--I for one am planning to visit his new venture in Japan once the pandemic is over...
Hector Guest Sculpture of Patrick Hutchinson
This photo of Englishman Patrick Hutchinson carrying a white supremecist to safety in the midst of a Black Lives Matter protest in London is an image that has resonated around the world, even inspiring a sculpture about him and his heroic act. Raised by a single mom in London, England, now a father and grandparent many times over himself, Hutchinson's story is one of a simple act of kindness by a regular citizen, who despite differing opinions, took it upon himself to save a life of a fellow human being. Hutchinson attributes his values to the compassion and empathy he learned from his mom. In his own words: "I hope that if there's one thing you can take away from that picture, its unity. It doesn't matter to me the color of a person's skin or even their views, if they're a person in need then I will save them and I would do it again. We don't have to be friends afterwards, but I'm there to help anyone in need. If we were all like that, I think society would be a better place." Featured in many publications including GQ Magazine in December 2020, Hutchinson also caught the attention of Prince Harry, who sat down with him for an extensive conversation, revealing to me the decency and compassion of both men.
Franz Kafka
I came across this delightful piece regarding Franz Kafka and a missing doll on someone's facebook post this week. On further look, there are many versions of this story and some doubt as to all its details, but I thought you might enjoy it in any case, especially coming from a writer who we might not necessarily think of as associated with such a tender act of kindness...Here goes the story:
At 40, Franz Kafka (1883-1924), found himself walking through a park in Berlin when he met a little girl who was crying. She had lost her precious doll and was looking everywhere for it. Kafka joined in the hunt but they were not able to find it. When they parted,
Kafka told her to come back the next day and they would try again. The next day brought no better luck so Kafka, who had thought ahead, pulled out a letter he had brought with him "written" by the doll, telling the little girl "please don't cry. I took a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures."
Kafka continued to write these letters until the end of his life in 1924, when he passed away at the age of 41 from tuberculosis.
During his meetings with the little girl, Kafka read the letters of the doll, carefully written with her adventures and conversations. The little girl loved listening to this correspondence and delighted in it. One day, Kafka came carrying a doll which he had bought, saying the doll had returned to Berlin. When the little girl said "It doesn't look like my doll at all," Kafka handed her another letter in which the doll wrote: "my travels have changed me." That satisfied her and she gave the doll a big hug, happily bringing it home. Kafka died soon after.
Many years later, the now-adult girl found a letter inside the doll. In the tiny letter signed by Kafka it was written:
"Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way."
And speaking of dolls, have you heard of the company Cuddle + Kind?
They are one of my favorite places to buy new baby gifts..In addition to supporting a small business, their fair trade production employs women in Peru and a portion of their proceeds goes to feeding hungry children. To read their mission statement, click here.
painting of the week
Pam Smilow Blue Composition with Stripes and Dots and Moons mixed media on canvas. Recently sold painting in a beautiful home in Napa, California.
If anyone is considering purchase of a new piece of art and/or just wants to see how it will look, I have a nifty new tool that enables me to transpose a painting on your wall without moving an inch from my desk (or yours). All I need is an email from you including a straight on photo of your wall (with some of the room around it for context) you will see instantly how art uplifts, excites, transforms and inspires...No purchase necessary if you want me to just play around...
Self Portrait going grey in the time of Covid…
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her, check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.