“To perceive the world through other senses is to find splendor in familiarity, and the sacred in the mundane.”
-Ed Yong, An Immense World: How Animal Sense Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
The world around us is not what we think it is. We see things through the lens of our own human senses, which – it must be said – limits our understanding. There are vast depths to which we are not privy simply because we can not perceive them. We can’t know the world from the perspective of an insect crawling along the forest floor. And we aren’t able to understand what hummingbirds see, with their broader color spectrum. To stop and think for a moment about how limited our grasp of this vast planet really is can be a humbling experience. But it is an important one if we are to remember our place and feel the urgency to protect this home we share with so many other creatures.
Emma McMillan joined us in late April to talk about Madame Butterfly, her exhibition of paintings that ran until April 19 at Sebastian Gladstone Gallery. The title is a bit of purposeful misdirection intended to invoke the idea of maturity with the use of the title madame. For McMillan, who is at a point in her life when she is considering motherhood and the transformation of the female body during pregnancy, this theme is very personal. To learn more about the exhibition and the work, listen to the complete interview.
Fanny Allié talked with us about two shows – one at Kaliner Gallery, titled A Longing, that ran until April 12. The other, The Night the Wind Learned to Dance, is on view at Giovanni Bonelli Gallery in Milan, Italy. Allié works in mixed media, using fabric to create her dynamic works, never afraid of what accidents may add to each piece. To hear more about her process and portfolio, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.
Do not forget we are but one species of so many on a small planet.
Outings.
Join me in Manhattan for a few openings
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.
More Books to Read.
Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Chris G. is reading the Dune series by Frank Herbert.
Opportunities.
Cuttyhunk Island Artist Residency 2025 Fall Residencies offer artists focused creative time, inspiration from Cuttyhunk Island, and community through shared living, expert mentorship, and immersive experiences in a stunning coastal setting. Learn more at the website. Deadline for applications is May 15.