Thank you :-). My partner is an early years educator, with a particular affinity for Regio Emilia, so Loris Malaguzzi crops up a lot is my life. Slowing down and observing is not a luxury. :-)
Thank you for your mention of Regio Emilia/Loris Maliguzi. It was an opportunity to follow my curiosity and learn a little more. Thank you Wikipedia!
I once read a book titled Summerhill School by A.S. Neill. It was published in 1960 and told the story of Summerhill’s alternate way of looking at raising/teaching children. I’m not sure if the school is still in existence.
The pressure to monetize by commodifying the art as merch is constant. Relationship building is a more solid ground. You describe the Parisian Impressionists. At the same time, there were scientists, philosophers, and artists gathering in Viennese cafes to discuss their work and the context of their lives. Right now where I live, I am hanging out, almost daily, in a coffee shop that is intentionally designed as a third place (first place is home; second place work; third place, a social gathering spot). Groups gather daily for conversation. Fridays and Saturdays are game nights serving good German beer. New relationships formed where none would happened. The investment in time is not for marketing, but rather for perspective and support. I had a lovely conversation with a Vietnamese grad student the other night. She asked if I came there often. I said, "All the time. See you soon." Relationships are not a utility for marketing. They are a means for marketing. As I am constantly saying to people that i meet, "Who do you know that you think I should know, and would you introduce us?" Relationships mean so much more, if we allow them to form organically.
Thanks Andy, Steven. Time away in a quiet place with great company tends to lend clarity to complex thoughts and enable a degree of simplicity. Or maybe it was the Alpacas :-)
“Moving fast and breaking things created temporary mediocrity.
Moving slowly and making things creates beauty.”
Including people!
It seems we rush children, too.
2 year old kindergarten,
Tryouts for 2nd grade basketball teams,
Harried parents running from full workdays to scheduled night time activities.
It’s no wonder the whole world seems edgy and clings to the promises of leaders who want more, faster.
As Simon and Garfunkel sang, slow down you move too fast.
A great interview:
https://youtu.be/Bi6NFPhsGyM?si=fiGj4luJes6xluW_
Thank you for your posts Richard.
They offer hope and possibility.
Thank you :-). My partner is an early years educator, with a particular affinity for Regio Emilia, so Loris Malaguzzi crops up a lot is my life. Slowing down and observing is not a luxury. :-)
Thank you for your mention of Regio Emilia/Loris Maliguzi. It was an opportunity to follow my curiosity and learn a little more. Thank you Wikipedia!
I once read a book titled Summerhill School by A.S. Neill. It was published in 1960 and told the story of Summerhill’s alternate way of looking at raising/teaching children. I’m not sure if the school is still in existence.
The pressure to monetize by commodifying the art as merch is constant. Relationship building is a more solid ground. You describe the Parisian Impressionists. At the same time, there were scientists, philosophers, and artists gathering in Viennese cafes to discuss their work and the context of their lives. Right now where I live, I am hanging out, almost daily, in a coffee shop that is intentionally designed as a third place (first place is home; second place work; third place, a social gathering spot). Groups gather daily for conversation. Fridays and Saturdays are game nights serving good German beer. New relationships formed where none would happened. The investment in time is not for marketing, but rather for perspective and support. I had a lovely conversation with a Vietnamese grad student the other night. She asked if I came there often. I said, "All the time. See you soon." Relationships are not a utility for marketing. They are a means for marketing. As I am constantly saying to people that i meet, "Who do you know that you think I should know, and would you introduce us?" Relationships mean so much more, if we allow them to form organically.
Third spaces are on my mind right now - having just come away from a weekend in one such. Without them we become brittle...
Like the artist metaphor Richard.
I can’t remember who described a corporation as something that “eats quality and shits quantity”.
Great article Richard- you are obviously inspired by you weekend away😁
Thanks Andy, Steven. Time away in a quiet place with great company tends to lend clarity to complex thoughts and enable a degree of simplicity. Or maybe it was the Alpacas :-)