Sam here. Welcome to HCB’s discussion of The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World (Vintage) by Lewis Hyde. I just finished the last page of Chapter 1 yesterday and usually prefer to grasp something before going public, but I found so many worthy phrases in the first pages that I slowed my pace considerably. Consequently, I have little idea where Hyde will go next. Same goes for this conversation, so feel free to highlight what strikes you along the way.
Adventures in communal reading, eh?
Let’s start this adventure by going backwards. I said we’d start with Chapter 1 this week, but what about the Introduction? I made quite a few notes in it, and I also have to tell you where I first heard the Introduction spoken aloud.
Ooh, how about a preliminary comment about a blurb from the very opening page before we get to the Intro? (Talk about adventure!) Artist Bill Viola writes, “selflessness, not self-expression, lies at the root of all creative acts.” I rarely consider art in this way. I typically see it as self-expression. We need self-expression, of course, but at the root, where Bill points us, is something more important. Bible readers know it to be the Great Commandments: love the Other and others; love God and neighbors. No matter how we live out our creative acts (as painters, engineers, parents), we begin here with selflessness.
Okay, the Intro. Well, the intro to the Intro. I went to a retreat for artists at the Laity Lodge in April. I’m not an artist in the usual sense, so I felt a bit out of place. Acclaimed painter, Makoto Fujimura, gave his primary address by reading a good-sized portion of Hyde’s Introduction verbatim, and it didn’t strike me until days later that works of art (Mako’s focus) aren’t limited to art in the usual sense. This means that my job as a wilderness guide and a writer and an advertising critic ought to be considered works of art. If true, then I want Hyde to help me figure out how to “gift” them properly, wrapping and ribbon included. Perhaps we can help each other do the same as we read together.
Gift Box photo by Ann Voskamp, original photo here. Used with permission. Post written by Sam Van Eman
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- Let’s Read: The Gift (highcallingblogs.com)
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This Week’s Book Club Posts
LL’s Womb, Harlequin and License Plates: The Gift 1
Laura’s Some Food We Could Not Eat
Sam’s The Gift: Something from Mako Fujimura
Liz’s Give, Take or Keep?
NOTE: don’t worry if you’re trying to catch up; we’ll still be in the intro on Monday, June 15, and will start Chapter 1 for real the following week.
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I just posted on the intro and the first chapter, and must agree: so much here! Amazing to dissect this economy of giving and examine it in relation to my world. Even more amazing to find meaning in the traditions of a tribal people from another world.
This whole Kula ring thing reminds me of that commercial (is it for an insurance company? or maybe coca-cola?) where one good deed spurs another and so on.
What if we gave simply to give? To bring joy and assist those in need. Of course, we all do this in many small ways, but how it would change the world if we lived with a gift economy!
Love to imagine these Utopian ways and dream a little dream…
blessings…
Laura, I loved your post. You really got to the heart of things; also, terrific summary! I was thinking today that I ‘m so glad I’m reading this book with YOU. : )
I believe the Pay It Forward-esque commercial was for beer, Laura. Can’t remember the brand at the moment, though I got the reference.
If I were in the Kula clan, I’d definitely have the reputation for being “slow.” Once I have something valuable in my hand, I don’t want to relinquish it. Perhaps if I KNEW something valuable would replace it, I’d let go more easily.
Kinda defeats the purpose.
LL, I also enjoyed Laura’s post.
i kind of feel like i have just had a small glimpse through a crack in a door to see a flash of a bright light of eternity. and just as quickly the door slams shut and i forgot what it saw, but i was left with the feeling of shock and heartbreak, mixed with contentment in the idea of the gift being more powerful when it is destroyed. the giving of the gift going forever on and around in a circle was in inspiring idea. just the idea of giving in itself is overwhelmingly better than my selfish mind can fathom to the full meanin of what giving means.
i have not yet read the intro…
Beer? No way. Maybe why I remembered.
L.L., you make me smile. I’m honored to be a bookie with you
Nancy, wow. Did you ever capture the emotions this chapter weaves. That’s it, isn’t it? Kind of bittersweet…
Looking forward to chapter two.
Wow. My entire thought process on gift giving might have just been turned upside down. I loved everyone’s insight; certainly helpful as I tried to absorb all that was written here. I love Nancy’s comment, she captured it perfectly, and yes, “the idea of giving in itself is overwhelmingly better than my selfish mind can fathom to the full meaning of what giving means.”
Nice, Nancy.
Laura, the ad is Heineken’s “Share the Good” and it does have the circular, multi-party (pun intended) characteristic described by Hyde in Chapter 1.
While we’re talking commercials, here’s a gift-oriented spot for Coke, redeemed from the violent, self-centered Grand Theft Auto game. It’s called “Video Game”.
Liz, I’m glad for the wow. I’ve had a couple of those so far, too.
Since I ordered this book late, and it has yet to arrive, I am just an observer here… and while it seems there will be much to digest and ponder , I think that what I’m really looking forward to is this forum for thought and growth. Thanks again to all of you.
You’re welcome, Deb. Join in whenever you’d like.
I have just ordered the book. I am sorry that I am a bit behind but catching up will be no problem for me. Just hoping that they will be able to post it to Ireland. Really excited to get stuck in…
I am in the education and training sector. Although I am most often in the teaching position, I feel that I need to constantly be learning in order to meet my students where they are at and therefore I am a perpetual student.
I wrote a post on my blog about studying as a form of art. I had never seen it as this before until I wrote this post. It was an eye opener for me. I hope to grow more in this line if thinking as I read the book along with all of you.
The link to the post is: http://mylifeinapicture.blogspot.com/2009/04/lessons-from-meringues.html
Happy Wednesday!
Claire
Thanks for joining us, Claire. And don’t fret over the late start. You’ll be able to catch up.
Poetry folks, especially, I believe you’ll enjoy Claire’s link.
I don’t have my book yet, either! But now I am especially excited to get it. Wow. I can’t wait!
Pull up a chair, Erica, book or no book.