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Sunday, June 28, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance
Four intrepid travelers ventured into Manhattan for a book group discussion that started with a huge, loud vituperative argument between L.C. and this blogger over the choice of title. Why does the hare and not the tiger carry the title? L.C. was certain that the amber eye is a symbol of...
Okay. Okay. The screaming fight is pure fiction. But the actual discussion was a good one. (Just realized that the discussion of why the hare might have been a good addition. Don't know why we didn't mention it. In looking for ideas, dug up the fact that the original title was: "Anna's Pocket" after the maid who rescued the netsuke from the Germans by putting them in her apron pocket. )
The actual evening started with our viewing a talk by Edmund De Waal. Here is link from R.K.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8wqJINrGj0
We continued the talk over delicious thin crust pizza and salad and wine served by R.K. And an amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.
Discussion themes included:
Interesting that the Ephrussi family went from merchants to art collectors to potter/artist/writers. Coincidence? Or in the DNA? Does longing for artistic ability start with collecting and evolve over generations into becoming an artist? Is artistic expression the ultimate goal of human evolution and intelligence?
That inheritance is more than the objects you inherit but the stories that go with them--it is these family stories that make you what you are.
That we missed R.M. Wish she was here to shed light on a potter's work and life.
That the book was well written and gripping tale filled with surprisingly sophisticated affairs and love stories and connections with famous writers and artists.
That having money and possessions proves futile and meaningless. In the end it did not protect the Ephrussi family from destruction. But their art and the netsuke remain.
Summer read recommendations will be posted.
Okay. Okay. The screaming fight is pure fiction. But the actual discussion was a good one. (Just realized that the discussion of why the hare might have been a good addition. Don't know why we didn't mention it. In looking for ideas, dug up the fact that the original title was: "Anna's Pocket" after the maid who rescued the netsuke from the Germans by putting them in her apron pocket. )
The actual evening started with our viewing a talk by Edmund De Waal. Here is link from R.K.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8wqJINrGj0
We continued the talk over delicious thin crust pizza and salad and wine served by R.K. And an amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.
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| De Waal Vases |
Discussion themes included:
Interesting that the Ephrussi family went from merchants to art collectors to potter/artist/writers. Coincidence? Or in the DNA? Does longing for artistic ability start with collecting and evolve over generations into becoming an artist? Is artistic expression the ultimate goal of human evolution and intelligence?
That inheritance is more than the objects you inherit but the stories that go with them--it is these family stories that make you what you are.
That we missed R.M. Wish she was here to shed light on a potter's work and life.
That the book was well written and gripping tale filled with surprisingly sophisticated affairs and love stories and connections with famous writers and artists.
That having money and possessions proves futile and meaningless. In the end it did not protect the Ephrussi family from destruction. But their art and the netsuke remain.
Summer read recommendations will be posted.
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