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Indulging in another person's talent, passion and form of expression

artists

13 November 2009

I was at yoga the other day and Nancy (Tsou Nan Chien), who is a fellow yogi (one who practices yoga), mentioned that she had read the article about walk-to-art in "The Australian" (July 2009) and wondered if I was interested in popping around to her house on Sunday 8 November 2009.

At 5pm I arrived at Nancy's house and was ushered into the front room. A senior man and a 25-year-old boy were also there. Nancy entered and sat at the Steinway grand piano. Without any words or explanations she began to play. I was in a room with two others, who I had not met before, and, for one hour, I was in bliss, I had forgotten that it was 35 degrees outside and I was transformed into a mediative space.

When Nancy stopped playing, the senior man lifted his head, opened his eyes and said "what now... where does one possibly go now". "Nancy feels an affinity with Chopin, and the notion of affinity plays a considerable part in her general understanding. But affinities are delicate, and Nancy believes, as did Chopin, that the salon is the venue for his music and not the concert hall. In the same way the Pleyel is a better instrument for this music than a Steinway."

How fortunate was I to be invited to listen, to share and to indulge in another person's talent, passion and form of expression. Nancy, like many creative makers, works alone. The interaction of others, fresh ears, fresh eyes are essential. We all struggle with the fact that our love of creating is so consuming, challenging and mentally demanding. Regardless of what medium we work in, we have the same story, the same journey and the same addiction.

It is moments like these that I remember why I created walk-to-art!

The next recital at Nancy's residence will be on Sunday 6 December 2009 at 5pm. Please contact walk-to-art if you are interested in attending.