2005-06-01
INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
While traveling to ~and from~ Montreal, I read February House a new book written by Sherill Tippins | The book's a detailed recount of an experiment at creating an intentional artists' community; the intent to see what could be done to spark creativity |
Set in the year just before the United States entered World War II, tenanted by the likes of Wynstan Auden, Gypsy Rose Lee, George Davis, Carson McCullers, Paul and Jane Bowles, Benjamin Britten and a whole cast of occasional residents and visitors from Erika Mann to Salvador Dali, their residence in Brooklyn Heights became a breeding ground for creative endeavor and thought-provoking ideas |
The confluence of these talented people, gathering together during such momentous times, set off a chain reaction of ideas and events not often observed so closely, yet which had enromous impact and influence upon the growth of a cross-pollenated culture between American and Europe |
Reading the book now, while the world is again in a state of flux and upheaval, only sharpens the message that telling the tale becomes but a part of depicting | There are lessons to be learned here; lessons to be learned and heeded | I don't often urge people to read books, much less historical group boigraphies, but this one is worth the visit | Find a copy somewhere, find a quiet corner, and get yerself some history | ¶ 21:44
While traveling to ~and from~ Montreal, I read February House a new book written by Sherill Tippins | The book's a detailed recount of an experiment at creating an intentional artists' community; the intent to see what could be done to spark creativity |Set in the year just before the United States entered World War II, tenanted by the likes of Wynstan Auden, Gypsy Rose Lee, George Davis, Carson McCullers, Paul and Jane Bowles, Benjamin Britten and a whole cast of occasional residents and visitors from Erika Mann to Salvador Dali, their residence in Brooklyn Heights became a breeding ground for creative endeavor and thought-provoking ideas |
The confluence of these talented people, gathering together during such momentous times, set off a chain reaction of ideas and events not often observed so closely, yet which had enromous impact and influence upon the growth of a cross-pollenated culture between American and Europe |
Reading the book now, while the world is again in a state of flux and upheaval, only sharpens the message that telling the tale becomes but a part of depicting | There are lessons to be learned here; lessons to be learned and heeded | I don't often urge people to read books, much less historical group boigraphies, but this one is worth the visit | Find a copy somewhere, find a quiet corner, and get yerself some history | ¶ 21:44
