I’ve been thinking a lot about attention. Like in both the Annie Dillard sense and the Simone Weil sense, but probably others as well. Something about these musings, Katy, remind me of the reality of attention and its familial resemblance to prayer.
As with prayer, artistic activity does involve outcomes but the success is not measurable. At least in the ways we can quantify.
Thank you so much for your excellent framing of these questions. So much to ponder.
I am late to this piece but it's wonderful. I'd quote all the resonant parts but there are so many. Thank you!
I’ve been thinking a lot about attention. Like in both the Annie Dillard sense and the Simone Weil sense, but probably others as well. Something about these musings, Katy, remind me of the reality of attention and its familial resemblance to prayer.
As with prayer, artistic activity does involve outcomes but the success is not measurable. At least in the ways we can quantify.
Thank you so much for your excellent framing of these questions. So much to ponder.
“….it still has its outposts in our heads. It lives up in here rent-free…”. Perfectly expressed. Loved this one.