Ali Smith is, in my opinion, one of our greatest living writers. She understands and transmutes creativity in its broadest sense through her books, both through what she writes about and how she writes about it. She draws so much from art. Takes art out of the gallery, brings it to life by bringing it into life.
Hello Claire, thank you for such a wonderful piece. I love your writing and I am also a huge Ali Smith fan - you have nailed exactly what I most admire - she is beyond clever yet “wears it so lightly”. So much to explore from your essay above and I can’t wait to follow all the links. Much like when reading the seasonal quartet - I would have 20 tabs open to research after even just a chapter sometimes! The frescoes on the walls in Europe, especially Italy, were one of the key things that fascinated me as a wide eyed Aussie backpacker in the 90’s. I am equally enthralled these days by modern wall art & murals, graffitied or otherwise. Perhaps these artists are giving us the new style frescoes! In regional Australia they have started commissioning artists to paint the giant silos that dot the landscape and they are also beautiful. Anyhow, I digress. Thanks again for a lovely and interesting read.
Sam! I’ve just noticed that I didn’t post this response to your comment as a reply, so you probably didn’t see it! 🤦🏼♀️ I’m so sorry! Your comment made my day. Here’s my reply ...
Oh Sam, thank you! Your response to my newsletter has blown me away. And I love that so much resonated with you. And I especially love the thought of all the open tabs. Ali Smith is just a dream for a lover of interconnectedness 💫 And I love letting myself go with that flow in my Substack writing too.
Graffiti as the new fresco ... love it! There’s a new interconnection for me to ponder on today. I have a friend in Sydney and I know there are so many murals and bold wall paintings everywhere (and in Melbourne), but the painted silos in a rural landscape ... I absolutely love that idea. Wow!
Gosh Claire, you have put so much work into this piece. It wouldn't be out of place in any of the broadsheets.. 🌻🌺 And yes, Being Boring is such a great song, the album Yes is one of my favourites (Being Boring isn't on it though) but the wonderful Beautiful People is!
Thank you so much, Sharon. That response actually made me well up! I loved putting this one together, and I'm so grateful that you can see the work that's gone into it <3 And I'm also grateful for a new thing to go searching for ... I don't know Beautiful People. I was truly wowed when I started reading the lyrics for Being Boring––it's a beautiful poem, really.
Claire this is such a fabulous post, and like a fresco it is so rich and light at the same time. Such fascinating interconnections and reading through it we also get a glimpse into your own version of 'how to be both' . I have not ever read Ali Smith and most definitely will now, and of course must go to Ferrara to see for myself now too! It's been so long since reading The English Patient and I wonder if that's when I became obsessed with Caravaggio? I would still totally prefer to go on a date with Colin or Kenneth to be sure...must read A Month in the Country!
Oh Michelle, thank you! What a brilliant response to the newsletter and it’s (many!) tangents 💫 Not at all sorry to add two new reads and a reread to your list! I was really hoping you’d see this because Italy plays such a big part here. And if you get to the Palazzo Schifanoia I will need ALL the photos! 🤩 The Month in the Country is beautiful, a real favourite 💚
Claire, fantastic that you're getting on with the novel. Just out of interest, what software do u use? I am intending to try Scrivener again when I have a couple of hours spare
Thanks Terry, it feels really good to restart. And yes, I use Scrivener! I’m not remotely techy and haven’t scratched the surface of what it can do, but like how it stores projects parts altogether.
Thank you for this really informative piece. I then went and listened to the podcast (while cooking lasagne and nearly setting fire to my headphones) and learned a lot about artists I didn't know. Ali Smith is such a wonderful writer and I'd never heard her speak before. She was so erudite and full of enthusiasm. Now I have to go and find the artists she mentioned. So you have started off a great chain of new things for me to explore. Brilliant.
Oh Emma this has made me so happy!! (Well apart from the threat of peril to your headphones!) It's a really wonderful podcast episode. I listened to it twice this week, walking up and down by the canal in my village. Do you see what I mean about her wearing her intelligence lightly? She's an interested and interesting person, but not at all trying to show off how clever she is, just incredibly enthusiastic, like you say. And that's contagious! I'm so glad you're going down the rabbit hole of those artists next. I'm desperate to visit Hepworth's garden and see the man topping up the rain sculpture! <3
This is brilliant, Claire. I love all of your connections and the way one thread leads to another. I must read A Month in the Country. Also, you've made me want to watch The English Patient again xx
Thank you, Claire! I LOVED putting this one together and it led me off to some brilliant reading experiences too. A Month in the Country is SO good, I hope you get to it in the summer. And yes, I’ll be rewatching The English Patient too. I remember it being so cinematic (the parachute, the sand dunes) and the book blew me away because I’d remembered so much visually, rather than the beauty of the words (if that makes any sense! 😂) xx
Hello Claire, thank you for such a wonderful piece. I love your writing and I am also a huge Ali Smith fan - you have nailed exactly what I most admire - she is beyond clever yet “wears it so lightly”. So much to explore from your essay above and I can’t wait to follow all the links. Much like when reading the seasonal quartet - I would have 20 tabs open to research after even just a chapter sometimes! The frescoes on the walls in Europe, especially Italy, were one of the key things that fascinated me as a wide eyed Aussie backpacker in the 90’s. I am equally enthralled these days by modern wall art & murals, graffitied or otherwise. Perhaps these artists are giving us the new style frescoes! In regional Australia they have started commissioning artists to paint the giant silos that dot the landscape and they are also beautiful. Anyhow, I digress. Thanks again for a lovely and interesting read.
Sam! I’ve just noticed that I didn’t post this response to your comment as a reply, so you probably didn’t see it! 🤦🏼♀️ I’m so sorry! Your comment made my day. Here’s my reply ...
Oh Sam, thank you! Your response to my newsletter has blown me away. And I love that so much resonated with you. And I especially love the thought of all the open tabs. Ali Smith is just a dream for a lover of interconnectedness 💫 And I love letting myself go with that flow in my Substack writing too.
Graffiti as the new fresco ... love it! There’s a new interconnection for me to ponder on today. I have a friend in Sydney and I know there are so many murals and bold wall paintings everywhere (and in Melbourne), but the painted silos in a rural landscape ... I absolutely love that idea. Wow!
Thanks again for your wonderful response ❤️
Thanks Claire 🙏
Gosh Claire, you have put so much work into this piece. It wouldn't be out of place in any of the broadsheets.. 🌻🌺 And yes, Being Boring is such a great song, the album Yes is one of my favourites (Being Boring isn't on it though) but the wonderful Beautiful People is!
Thank you so much, Sharon. That response actually made me well up! I loved putting this one together, and I'm so grateful that you can see the work that's gone into it <3 And I'm also grateful for a new thing to go searching for ... I don't know Beautiful People. I was truly wowed when I started reading the lyrics for Being Boring––it's a beautiful poem, really.
Oh do go and check it out, it’s such a feel good song 🌷😀
Love it! 💕 Thank you again. Happy new song Friday to me!
Claire this is such a fabulous post, and like a fresco it is so rich and light at the same time. Such fascinating interconnections and reading through it we also get a glimpse into your own version of 'how to be both' . I have not ever read Ali Smith and most definitely will now, and of course must go to Ferrara to see for myself now too! It's been so long since reading The English Patient and I wonder if that's when I became obsessed with Caravaggio? I would still totally prefer to go on a date with Colin or Kenneth to be sure...must read A Month in the Country!
Oh Michelle, thank you! What a brilliant response to the newsletter and it’s (many!) tangents 💫 Not at all sorry to add two new reads and a reread to your list! I was really hoping you’d see this because Italy plays such a big part here. And if you get to the Palazzo Schifanoia I will need ALL the photos! 🤩 The Month in the Country is beautiful, a real favourite 💚
I promise to take all the photos for you!
Claire, fantastic that you're getting on with the novel. Just out of interest, what software do u use? I am intending to try Scrivener again when I have a couple of hours spare
Thanks Terry, it feels really good to restart. And yes, I use Scrivener! I’m not remotely techy and haven’t scratched the surface of what it can do, but like how it stores projects parts altogether.
Thank you for this really informative piece. I then went and listened to the podcast (while cooking lasagne and nearly setting fire to my headphones) and learned a lot about artists I didn't know. Ali Smith is such a wonderful writer and I'd never heard her speak before. She was so erudite and full of enthusiasm. Now I have to go and find the artists she mentioned. So you have started off a great chain of new things for me to explore. Brilliant.
Oh Emma this has made me so happy!! (Well apart from the threat of peril to your headphones!) It's a really wonderful podcast episode. I listened to it twice this week, walking up and down by the canal in my village. Do you see what I mean about her wearing her intelligence lightly? She's an interested and interesting person, but not at all trying to show off how clever she is, just incredibly enthusiastic, like you say. And that's contagious! I'm so glad you're going down the rabbit hole of those artists next. I'm desperate to visit Hepworth's garden and see the man topping up the rain sculpture! <3
This is brilliant, Claire. I love all of your connections and the way one thread leads to another. I must read A Month in the Country. Also, you've made me want to watch The English Patient again xx
Thank you, Claire! I LOVED putting this one together and it led me off to some brilliant reading experiences too. A Month in the Country is SO good, I hope you get to it in the summer. And yes, I’ll be rewatching The English Patient too. I remember it being so cinematic (the parachute, the sand dunes) and the book blew me away because I’d remembered so much visually, rather than the beauty of the words (if that makes any sense! 😂) xx
Oh Luisa, what a wonderful gift! That's just beautiful <3