"To live intensely is one of the basic human desires and an artistic necessity." (Kimmelman 2-3)
I think what's so energizing and refreshing about the Introduction to The Accidental Masterpiece: the Art of Life and Vice Versa by Michael Kimmelman is his praise of passion. Every so often in STAC, I think we all get into these ruts of having to trudge through and at times forget why we love what we do, which can become viral- even to others. I think what's most integral to our program, dare I say even more than the structure and discipline, is that we learn to appreciate each other's passions.
Now, regarding the reading, I think the most powerful and hard-hitting anecdote was the one about Edgar Degas. While I found Bonnard's muse interesting and Hicks's collection magnificent, Degas's physical admiration and dedication to his hero's work was more than heart-warming or heart-breaking. It was out of this realm, it brought things out of me that only stories of life-long worship can. This man needed to feel the presence of his idols, and in a tragic way, I'd hope to be able show that brand of devout affection someday as well.
For me, Kimmelman's descriptions of amateurs and professionals put into words how I've been trying to live my life for the past few months. I no longer ironically enjoy things, I enjoy them genuinely and I love genuinely and I hope to influence others in that way. I laugh full-bellied. I write what I want to read. I've learned to "dance like no one's watching", which believe me, the people who are watching wish they weren't. I've try my best to stop pretending. The point is, to me, the love of the thing is more important than the art of it. To me, we all need a bit more love.
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