I come across a phrase as I flip through a text that I’ve read over and over, entitled, « La nécessité de Giacometti » (The Necessity of Giacometti), by Yves Bonnefoy: Giacometti’s intention in his art, Bonnefoy writes, was to « saisir » (seize) « la transcendance dans l’immanence » (transcendence in immanence).
Seize what can’t be seized: That was his necessity. And mine, too. A necessity of liberation.
Like that other phrase I noted: beyond, yet leaving nothing behind.
Any number of questions are raised: Beyond? Transcendent? Immanent? Behind? Nothing? Leaving? Seize? Art? Necessity? Liberation?
And now before me on my desk, a photo of Lucian Freud « At Work, Night (2005), » raises more questions: Work? Night? 2005? Lucian Freud?
I might ask, « Why was the soup green tonight? » But then spoonful to spoonful, no questions asked, I eat (green).
A necessity, spoonful to spoonful
About the Author: zenscribe
Enseignante Zen et poète, Sensei Amy “Tu es cela” Hollowell est née et a grandi à Minneapolis, aux Etats-Unis. Arrivée en France en 1981 pour étudier la littérature et l’histoire, elle y est restée, s’installant à Paris, où elle élève ses deux enfants et gagne sa vie en tant que journaliste.
The Zen teacher and poet Amy “Tu es cela” Hollowell Sensei was born and raised in Minneapolis, but came to France in 1981 to study literature and history and has lived in Paris ever since, raising her two children and making a living as a journalist.
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