"[T]he object, the love of it, the appreciation of its unique qualities and of what it took to achieve that quality, brings people into each other’s lives in ways that allow them to really see and be and communicate with each other."
Wow, geez. This is so right on.
In a lot of Surrealist play, the "rules" of each Surrealist game are shared even more gleefully than the results of the game. The intention is for others to try the game, too, to put their own spin on it and share back. You've got me thinking about how this "process over product" attitude is also a key part of the community-building.
Thanks so much, Nate! And your comment has me thinking about the rare times when I'm able to wrangle people into playing a version of that great Surrealist game, magnificent corpse, where one person adds a line or drawing to the one that came before it, then passes it on. Sure, you might be able to create something as odd and brilliant on your own–but it wouldn't be half as fun, or revealing of the ways in which people show some unexpectedly incredible quirks.
I just wonder what we're all supposed to be doing if we leave our "thinking or feeling," as Zeller put it, not to mention material creation, to the side: drool over TikTok videos all day? Consume in general, I guess...
I must figure out how to gather willing participants for a no-luxury anti-retreat replete with creative games and literary hijinks, including what I should have referred to as exquisite corpse, whee!
"[T]he object, the love of it, the appreciation of its unique qualities and of what it took to achieve that quality, brings people into each other’s lives in ways that allow them to really see and be and communicate with each other."
Wow, geez. This is so right on.
In a lot of Surrealist play, the "rules" of each Surrealist game are shared even more gleefully than the results of the game. The intention is for others to try the game, too, to put their own spin on it and share back. You've got me thinking about how this "process over product" attitude is also a key part of the community-building.
Great post, Katy.
Thanks so much, Nate! And your comment has me thinking about the rare times when I'm able to wrangle people into playing a version of that great Surrealist game, magnificent corpse, where one person adds a line or drawing to the one that came before it, then passes it on. Sure, you might be able to create something as odd and brilliant on your own–but it wouldn't be half as fun, or revealing of the ways in which people show some unexpectedly incredible quirks.
I just wonder what we're all supposed to be doing if we leave our "thinking or feeling," as Zeller put it, not to mention material creation, to the side: drool over TikTok videos all day? Consume in general, I guess...
I am always willing to be wrangled into a Surrealist game!
Yes, I can see how technology might become akin to substance abuse, since so many of us would do a lot less thinking and feeling if we could.
I must figure out how to gather willing participants for a no-luxury anti-retreat replete with creative games and literary hijinks, including what I should have referred to as exquisite corpse, whee!