In 1999, Warren Ellis took a piece of gum Nina Simone discarded at a concert. Two decades, he cast it into artisanal silver and white gold ingots and rings for those closest to him.
The book is about what happens next: the process of casting the gum into artisanal silver and white gold ingots and rings for those closest to him; the story of the gum becoming a main feature as part of the “Stranger Than Kindness: The Nick Cave Exhibition” in Copenhagen, Denmark; and of the effect that this small object—if only touched briefly by genius—has had on others.
My life changed after that concert. I got married, my work changed, my life got better. I became sober. I got off booze and smack. I felt like my fortunes changed. There was a lot tied up in this little piece of gum. I find it amazing how we bestow meaning on objects and experiences. To me, it’s spiritual.Yearsthat it was there. Stories like this take time to happen, to develop. It’s a metaphor for ideas. It’s like a song or a film or a book.
I have to say that the image of her hobbling out while chewing a piece of gum, while smoking, was so awesome. She was clearly not well. It was up there with any punk image you’ve seen ofdoing whatever. Knowing this woman, knowing her history, knowing what she stood for and then just seeing her at the end of her life, still absolutely defiant, standing there, meant everything to me. You just knew that you were watching the real deal.
That’s a theme that really hit home for me when reading this book. This idea about opening yourself up to ideas, to people, to creativity. Isolation is not healthy in a spiritual or creative sense. Openness—to ideas, to people, to life—is the only way forward. I don’t really know what the significance of me doing this at Simone’s childhood home was, but, for me, it felt like I made good on some promise.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nina May Owners Will Open an All-Day Restaurant and Market in Chevy ChaseNina May co-owners Danilo Simic and chef Colin McClimans will open an all-day cafe and market in Chevy Chase, Maryland in late summer or early fall.
Read more »
SF Giants set tentative timeline for Brandon Belt’s first spring training gameBelt, 33, hasn’t played a game this spring but is ‘very tentatively’ set to make his debut Monday vs. A’s.
Read more »
Ex-A’s minor leaguer led illegal sports gambling ringWhile with the A’s, Wayne Nix used his pro sports contacts to build a gambling business, developing a client list that included unnamed athletes.
Read more »
Kate Spade New York Kicks Off Fall Collection and New Coffee Table BookThe book explores celebrating big occasions as well as the unexpected moments in life.
Read more »
What April's Libra Horoscope Predictions Mean for YouApril brings sweeping changes and massive pleasure to your love life.
Read more »
Simone Biles Has a Second Engagement Ring She Wears to the GymSimone Biles just made life so much easier for people who wear engagement and wedding rings while working out.
Read more »