This podcast explores different approaches to deeply experiencing art, including deep listening to music, repetitive reading of poetry, and revisiting novels and opera. The hosts discuss the importance of noticing and perception in art, as well as the value of detached observation and suspended judgment. Tune in for insightful conversations on enhancing one's artistic practice through multiple levels of engagement.
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Quick takeaways
Deep listening allows for a transformative connection and understanding of music.
Repetitive engagement with art leads to new insights and deeper appreciation.
Deep dives
The Importance of Deep Listening to Music
The podcast explores the concept of deep listening to music as a creative practice. The host and guest discuss different ways of engaging with music, from fully immersing oneself in the listening experience to multitasking while still appreciating the music. They highlight the importance of pure focus and attention to truly grasp the nuances of a piece of music. The guest also shares his personal techniques for listening deeply, including upgrading his audio system and attending live performances. Overall, they emphasize the transformative power of deep listening in connecting with and understanding music.
The Practice of Repeatedly Engaging with Art
The podcast delves into the practice of repetitively engaging with art, whether it's reading poems multiple times or attending different performances of the same opera. They discuss how repeated exposure can lead to new revelations and deeper understanding of the artwork. The host shares her experience of reading the same poem daily for a month and how it enhanced her appreciation of the nuances within the poem. They also touch on the difference between repetition in music, where interpretations can vary, and in poetry, where the words remain the same.
The Significance of Noticing and Perception
The podcast highlights the significance of detached noticing and pure perception before analysis. They discuss how our penchant for efficiency and seeking immediate understanding can hinder our ability to truly experience and appreciate art. The guest, influenced by his experience with religious doctrine and meditation, emphasizes the importance of letting the artwork reveal itself to us before applying any critical frameworks. They reference a book called 'The Art of Noticing' and encourage listeners to embrace discomfort or displeasure in art, as it can lead to rewarding experiences and deeper connections.
For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and June Thomas spotlight an idea from Rick Rubin’s latest book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, about experiencing art on multiple levels. June has experience with the daily repetition of a poem to gain a greater understanding of it, while Nate explains his methods of ‘deep listening’ with music. To have a more acute grasp of a piece of art, you sometimes have to just let it be, before returning and processing it.
Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com.
Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.