I have tried, and mostly failed, to imagine Kelly's paintings from the very beginning of your novel Ben and yet in these last two chapters, reading of the acre of contoured pebbles in concrete with the weeds beginning to grow through I see quite clearly; something with a modern twist on an ancient theme... like Borobudur seen from the air.
"I’ve become more and more curious as I study these makers who are pushing boundaries in code. They’re summoning something from nothing just like me."
It is a real challenge to write about art but for some reason, I continually find myself drawn to do it. In drafting the passages in this book where Kelly’s work must be described, I tried to really pin it down with concrete visuals but it killed some of the magic. Maybe a more skilled writer than me could pull it off — paint the picture and maintain the necessary mystery of it, but I could not. Thanks for being here with this story, Susie.
Ben I can assure you it is through no lack of skill or expertise on your part that the pictures are not forming… and I disagree that you have killed some of the magic, quite the reverse, the mystery is the magic!
I love where Kelly is going here, her evolution, her urgent curiosity about the emergent space and the greater order moving her and Lefty along, together. So beautiful Ben! I have felt similar things, some periods more passionately than others, but this really struck something deep inside that’s always been guiding me forward, “I get why we humans want to just tape off little boundaries to feel safe and keep our heads from exploding. But I don’t. I want to blow the top off of it.”
I had no idea the story was gonna take me here either, but that’s kind of a wonderful thing about allowing it to unfold as I go. I’ve taken some of the pressure off myself to try and get everything perfect for these serial runs. As I learned with Harmony house, I have license to change anything I want before it goes to print one day. Thanks for showing up here each week and reading so carefully.
This one spoke to me in so many ways! Wow, I love Kelly’s emerging perceptions and totally identify with the urge and the impossibility of expressing such ephemeral insights in physical form. I’m going to be obnoxious and paste in my favorite phrases from this one — which I picture you channeling onto the page from a deeply connected place. First, though, I want to tell you about Ray and Charles Eames’ great short film from 1977, “Powers of Ten.” Imagine them making it using the film technology of the day. It’s so aligned with Kelly’s thoughts.
“A wisdom that is the wireframe beneath everything. . . there’s far more we don’t see than what we do see in this world. It’s dizzying, and I get why we humans want to just tape off little boundaries to feel safe and keep our heads from exploding. But I don’t. I want to blow the top off of it.”
“he’s been in the business of making the impossible possible—the unseen seen. In that way, I think we’re kindred spirits.”
“I want to know more about that, what that pushing beyond the point of reasonable does—see what emerges. I think that’s where the magic is, out beyond the boundaries of the rules we’ve arbitrarily created to impose order.”
“there’s something that connects us, something vast, almost infinite that we can’t see or touch or even feel most of the time, but it’s there moving us toward each other. Not just me and Lefty, but all of us.”
Oh!!! I love what’s emerging. Kelly’s urgency is so enticing. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Just recorded it under the wire tonight so it’s piping hot in the window tomorrow morning. This was a a fun chapter to write — a bit indulgent!
🔥🔥🔥♥️
I have tried, and mostly failed, to imagine Kelly's paintings from the very beginning of your novel Ben and yet in these last two chapters, reading of the acre of contoured pebbles in concrete with the weeds beginning to grow through I see quite clearly; something with a modern twist on an ancient theme... like Borobudur seen from the air.
"I’ve become more and more curious as I study these makers who are pushing boundaries in code. They’re summoning something from nothing just like me."
Here I am curious too...
It is a real challenge to write about art but for some reason, I continually find myself drawn to do it. In drafting the passages in this book where Kelly’s work must be described, I tried to really pin it down with concrete visuals but it killed some of the magic. Maybe a more skilled writer than me could pull it off — paint the picture and maintain the necessary mystery of it, but I could not. Thanks for being here with this story, Susie.
Your descriptions have been spot-on!
Ben I can assure you it is through no lack of skill or expertise on your part that the pictures are not forming… and I disagree that you have killed some of the magic, quite the reverse, the mystery is the magic!
I love where Kelly is going here, her evolution, her urgent curiosity about the emergent space and the greater order moving her and Lefty along, together. So beautiful Ben! I have felt similar things, some periods more passionately than others, but this really struck something deep inside that’s always been guiding me forward, “I get why we humans want to just tape off little boundaries to feel safe and keep our heads from exploding. But I don’t. I want to blow the top off of it.”
Yes, this!
Thank you, friend. It’s safe to say there’s a fair amount of Kimberly Warner in Kelly. 😉
We already know we’re going to lose Kelly but the foreshadowing here is devastating.
Also, her sudden interest in technology and the AI piece is intriguing. Curious to see what will come of it.
I had no idea the story was gonna take me here either, but that’s kind of a wonderful thing about allowing it to unfold as I go. I’ve taken some of the pressure off myself to try and get everything perfect for these serial runs. As I learned with Harmony house, I have license to change anything I want before it goes to print one day. Thanks for showing up here each week and reading so carefully.
This one spoke to me in so many ways! Wow, I love Kelly’s emerging perceptions and totally identify with the urge and the impossibility of expressing such ephemeral insights in physical form. I’m going to be obnoxious and paste in my favorite phrases from this one — which I picture you channeling onto the page from a deeply connected place. First, though, I want to tell you about Ray and Charles Eames’ great short film from 1977, “Powers of Ten.” Imagine them making it using the film technology of the day. It’s so aligned with Kelly’s thoughts.
https://youtu.be/0fKBhvDjuy0?si=gMBIJnUfwSBANIhq
And my favorites: 🔥
“A wisdom that is the wireframe beneath everything. . . there’s far more we don’t see than what we do see in this world. It’s dizzying, and I get why we humans want to just tape off little boundaries to feel safe and keep our heads from exploding. But I don’t. I want to blow the top off of it.”
“he’s been in the business of making the impossible possible—the unseen seen. In that way, I think we’re kindred spirits.”
“I want to know more about that, what that pushing beyond the point of reasonable does—see what emerges. I think that’s where the magic is, out beyond the boundaries of the rules we’ve arbitrarily created to impose order.”
“there’s something that connects us, something vast, almost infinite that we can’t see or touch or even feel most of the time, but it’s there moving us toward each other. Not just me and Lefty, but all of us.”
PS I’m so behind! Moving has taken a toll. Now get to savor the last precious chapters . . .❤️