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Ensō
A book of writings, including poetry and memoir, and photography by artist and writer Shin Yu Pai concerning her projects and her relationship to art and space over time.
- GenresPoetry
160 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2023
One of the most pleasurable ways to read is to feel you are in conversation with the author. In Ensō, I had this very rare, very special experience.
I'd bought the book at AWP because Pai is a local author, because the book looked beautiful, and because I thought I could share it with my artist husband. In reading it, though, I found the types of synchronicities you feel with an old friend. Pai is around my age, has a background in visual arts, enjoys experimenting with form, has a child two years older than mine, and is making her way as a writer in this city. As I contemplated harvesting our apples, I read about her trip to an orchard we've frequented. As I looked over her "Same Cloth," I thought of the canvases I once embroidered. And in reading lines like "money paid to you for what you gave up / in yourself to be a part of that world," I found Pai named something in me that I've been thinking deeply about.
It's a beautiful book (visually and writing-wise) and I very much enjoyed learning about Pai's process, especially because she writes so openly that it's easy to take each page as a beginning.
I'd bought the book at AWP because Pai is a local author, because the book looked beautiful, and because I thought I could share it with my artist husband. In reading it, though, I found the types of synchronicities you feel with an old friend. Pai is around my age, has a background in visual arts, enjoys experimenting with form, has a child two years older than mine, and is making her way as a writer in this city. As I contemplated harvesting our apples, I read about her trip to an orchard we've frequented. As I looked over her "Same Cloth," I thought of the canvases I once embroidered. And in reading lines like "money paid to you for what you gave up / in yourself to be a part of that world," I found Pai named something in me that I've been thinking deeply about.
It's a beautiful book (visually and writing-wise) and I very much enjoyed learning about Pai's process, especially because she writes so openly that it's easy to take each page as a beginning.
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October 24, 2020gonna learn how to make chlorophyll prints now
December 1, 2020
A gorgeous production to complement the elegant poise of Shin Yu Pai's writing. The variety of creative modalities to bring her poetry—earthy, historical, grounded, soulful, calm, tactile—into the visual world, is made more striking by reading her essays which explain her processes, musings, inspiration, and emotions behind her choices. Highly recommended.
January 1, 2020
An outstanding and astounding collection of reflections on the artist's life. Considers how we relate to objects, space, and humans (including ourselves) and where we might influence systems to support our identities and beliefs.
March 19, 2021
This is a staggering work of profundity. A life, many lives, an art, many arts, coming together and staying distinct, speaking in their varied voices.
"you are the energy
that breaks from
building wax houses"
"in lieu of the art historical,
the imagination recomposes
the scene,"
"you are the energy
that breaks from
building wax houses"
"in lieu of the art historical,
the imagination recomposes
the scene,"
Read
January 6, 2021Beautiful poems, photos, art in general -- proud to know author..!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews