Aesthetically Pleasing

Yesterday morning I got up unusually early for a little adventure in D.C. As part of an assignment my art theory professor instructed us to visit the Newman and Kelly collection in exhibition at the National Gallery of Art and Friday was a perfect day to do just that. I’m an enthusiast for all kinds of art so there was no doubt that I would have an enjoyable time at the Gallery; the 30 minute metro ride was definitely worth it. To my surprise the gallery showcases an array of contemporary/modern art unlike the classic/traditional art I’ve seen from past visits. It was an invigorating sensation seeing something fresh, different, and oddly familiar. From hyper realism to abstraction each piece made me fall in love with art all over again. Hope you all enjoy the pictures. 

x Genesis x

The worst part about taking a Spanish Literature class is having to translate long drawn out plays and novels in an antique language so confusing it rivals Shakespeare and Hieroglyphics. But every now and then the course sheds light on what is the beauty of the Spanish poetry. 

I came across this fascinating love poem in my research today by the well known Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. 

Soneto XVII

No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio 
o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego: 
te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, 
secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma. 

Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva 
dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores, 
y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo 
el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra. 

Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde, 
te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo: 
así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera, 

sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres, 
tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía, 
tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño.

Pablo Neruda

English Translation

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. 

-Anna 

In my quest to become trilingual, I’ve taken up multiple language classes this semester. I’ve got two Spanish classes- one in grammar and the other in literature- and my first Portuguese class. If you visit this blog often, you will have already picked up on the fact that Genesis and I have been lusting over the language and culture of Brazil for the longest time, with our frequent posts of beautiful photographs of the country’s landscape or music posts in Portuguese. It’s somewhat an obsession -or, for lack of a less crazy sounding word, admiration - for the land of culture, diversity, beaches, and beautiful people.

There are a few native speakers in my class, all from Brazil, who I envy for their flawless accents and nostalgic stories of their home country. At the end of today’s class one Brasilera gifted to the class Fitinhas do Bonfim, “Brazilian Wish bracelets.” These colorful ribbons, of which she had multiple already on her wrist, are apparently a part of a tradition from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. You tie the ribbon around your wrist with three knots and make a wish for each knot. When the knots naturally become untied after wearing the bracelet for some time, then the wish is supposed to come true.

They come in multiple colors; They aren’t super fancy or anything, but the message and purpose make them attractive. She had billions of them in class so, as I have a natural gravitational pull towards all things colorful and Free,  I helped myself to six of them.

Inscribed on each one is “Lembrança do Senhor Bonfim da Bahia” (remembrance of our lord of the good end- more or less). Of course, curious minds googled the terms to find more information and there is apparently an aspect less commonly known that correlates the colors of the bands to Yoruba gods and goddesses that enhance the meaning of each bracelet.

But of course like everything else materialistic, many have branded the bands and overpriced them- changing meanings in the process to appeal to tourists.

But, in the meantime, I was delighted to be enlightened to yet another aspect of Brazil’s vast culture and will wear my Fitinha do Bonfim in hopes of granted wishes!

- Anna

Any other Portuguese speakers/learners in the house? Have you ever heard of a Fitinha do Bonfim? What would you wish for?