sparks of the week: nostalgia, economics, and unsettling art
nostalgia, economics, and art collide in unexpected ways
hi my loves,
you ever have those moments when a song, a book, or a piece of art just hits you right in the gut? when it feels like the universe is reaching out, tapping you on the shoulder, and saying "hey, pay attention to this"?
well, buckle up - because this week's sparks are coming in hot, ready to light up your world like the fourth of july (but with less potential for finger loss).
past sparks of the week: [sparks #1] - [sparks #2] - [sparks #3] - [all the sparks of the week]
#1: revisiting “chariot” 20 years later
first up, we're taking a trip down memory lane with a musical gem that's about to get a shiny new polish. gavin degraw is re-recording his iconic album "chariot" for its 20th anniversary, set to drop in september 27th of this year (according to his instagram).
the first single, a fresh take on the title track "chariot," is out now and let me tell you, it's like reuniting with an old friend who's gotten a fancy new haircut.
this album was my constant companion during some of the most formative years of my life. hearing these songs again, reimagined by an older, wiser gavin, is like looking at my own journey through a funhouse mirror - familiar, yet delightfully distorted.
it's a beautiful reminder of how far we've all come, and how some things (like a damn good melody) never really change.
#2: a book by kyla scanlon on the economy
speaking of change… it’s election time, and everyone’s talking about the economy. kyla scanlon's "in this economy? how money and markets really work" is the book equivalent of having your smartest, funniest friend explain the stock market over a couple of margaritas. it's a refreshingly accessible deep dive into the often murky waters of the u.s. economy.
scanlon breaks down complex concepts with the ease of someone explaining the plot of their favorite rom-com, making economics not just digestible, but downright entertaining. who knew inflation could be actually interesting?
of special note are all the hand drawn doodles and drawings that kyla uses throughout the book. it’s made economics fun to learn, tbh!
#3: a disturbing, impactful piece of art
in 1963, italian painter and writer dino buzzati painted the morning visitor (it. il visitatore del mattino). this deeply unsettling piece is split into eight smaller paintings comprising a continuous narrative. it depicts the story of a young woman named daniela who wakes up in the morning and is cleaning her house when an intruder, depicted as a surreal spiky shape, enters her house. the last three panels of the painting show the shape grabbing and entering the woman as she screams, leaving her body deformed after the shape. pool of blood on the floor.
the story goes: "daniela was cleaning the house when a strange person arrived. he grabbed her, used violence against her, and literally entered her, leaving her deformed."
the story behind the painting and what it represents may be too triggering for me to talk about here. i’ll let you do a deeper dive if you so wish. it’s painful, it’s hard.
sometimes, art like this challenges us, makes us confront discomfort, and ultimately helps us grow. while "the morning visitor" might haunt your thoughts, remember that art has the power to heal and transform us. it's in these moments of raw emotion that we often find the most profound beauty and truth.
so there you have it, folks. a nostalgic bop, a laugh-out-loud econ lesson, and a deeply moving piece of art.
as you navigate through your week, let these sparks ignite new perspectives and emotions within you. embrace the full spectrum of experiences, from joy to sorrow, and let them shape your journey.
pain in art is a reminder that we are alive, feeling, and capable of immense empathy. may we all find a piece of that empathy in the art we encounter.
until next time, keep your playlists fresh, your mind open, and your heart ready for all the beauty the world has to offer.
cuidate,
edgard 🧡