Into The Abyss
An invitation to slow down and reconnect.
I’m on my first ever creative retreat, in the dry, dusty yet beautiful desert of Joshua Tree, California. Earlier this year, at dinner with two dear friends and colleagues of mine, we dreamed about this devoted work time, each pursuing our own creative projects with plenty of room for rest, reflection, feedback and collaboration at the end of the day.
The past couple of months have been very full for me — traveling, consulting, hosting, and a schedule mostly ingrained in other people’s projects. If I’m honest, I feel anxious and resistant about this time dedicated both for and with myself. I’m scared about what may be lurking under the surface. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and it has felt easier to suppress and push it down amidst a busy season. These feelings aren’t necessarily negative, more so intimidating and powerful. Lately, I’ve been seeing my world open up in fresh ways — unfamiliar yet exciting new paths and dreams, and am stepping forward with careful optimism and hopeful ambivalence.
I stumbled across this land art installation in the photo above, titled Desert Breath. Desert Breath is in the eastern Sahara desert bordering the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt. The team of three women (!!!) behind it spent from 1995 to 1997 working and relocating 8000 square meters of sand to create this masterpiece. The curves of the two interlocking spirals are dotted with cones that create both positive and negative shapes, as some point up towards the sky while others extend below the surface. Everything radiates from its center, a vessel of water filled rim to rim.
The D.A.ST. Arteam addressed the desert as a state of mind, a landscape of the mind where one experiences infinity. The installation can be viewed in multiple ways — from above, it forms a complete visual image and breathtaking design. From the ground, it comes to life as you walk the spiral pathway and come face to face with the formation of sand cones and pits.
My goal for this retreat is to simply write. To view myself and my life from different angles, and to seek connection to what resides deeper within. We rented a peaceful modern home, each with our own bedroom, and a lovely central courtyard. So here I sit and surrender to the process, coffee beside me, writing. Tethered, flowing freely into the abyss.
Love,
Elise
NOTEWORTHY
—Remember PostSecret? I rediscovered this project and went down a rabbit hole through the (still) ongoing anonymous secrets.
—This beautiful poem titled Looking Forward by Lang Leav as a mantra for this month.
—A few special things that have been added to my wishlist recently: Salter House Bloomers, the perfect Sandy Liang socks and this fun knit RUS hat that I just had to add to cart.
PLEASURE
I’d like to move into this Parisian hotel designer’s 19th-century apartment, please.
Dan and I just binged the entire season of Jury Duty. Have you watched it yet? It’s a documentary-style comedy series that chronicles the inner workings of an American jury trial. Everyone is an actor, except for one unsuspecting juror.
I love me a good bean dish, and this One Pot Vegan Creamed Beans and Greens with Chili Oil recipe hits the spot time and time again.
CONTEMPLATING
Leave Room For The Amateur. I absolutely devoured this newsletter and truly resonate with Jordan’s words on the freedom to play and experiment in personal projects.
Why Walking Helps Us Think. I love the idea that we can actively change the pace of our thoughts by deliberately walking more briskly or by slowing down.
How Boundaries Protect Us, And Connect Us. A must-listen podcast episode recommended by Jaimi Brooks about the skill of setting boundaries.
Credits: Desert Breath is a Land Art project created by D.A.ST. Arteam: Danae Stratou (installation artist & sculptor), Alexandra Stratou (industrial designer & architect), Stella Konstantinidis (architect). Photography by Sherin El Semary.