"Charles (Eames) was once asked how he would inspire an appreciation for the arts in a child. Would he take him or her to a lot of different museums and show them a lot of paintings? He acknowledged that all those things were important, but he also suggested a picnic. To truly involve a child in the creation of that picnic, from beginning to end and then to enjoy the pleasure of the picnic is in itself working at making art."
source: Eames Office newsletter
and so i give you a new assignment (I will be doing it myself in the coming week):
My perfect picnic would be under the pine trees in my back yard & would include......
Black bean & corn salad, ingredients from our farmer friends down the road; Cold lobster from our lobsterman buddy; Music by friends w/guitars; Chilled Sangria made by myself and Lots of Happiness donated by all!
This week a temp worker who has been working for our comany over a year is being let go because her assignment is up. She was bummed. I found your Superhero poster and printed it out for her - and now she has it hanging in her cube.
Posted by: Stephanie on August 5, 2004 04:48 PMExcellent Idea!
Posted by: AGK on August 5, 2004 09:44 AMLove the picnic idea sooo much, I have 7 (yes, read SEVEN) children coming over today for fun and it's raining. Now for the true test of creativity!
Posted by: monica lee on August 5, 2004 08:21 AMmy favourite picnic consists of
a) trashy gossip magazine
b) a punnet of cherries or strawberries
c) the russian baths
d) some essential oils
Posted by: m on August 4, 2004 11:56 AMWe're planning a cottage party for later this month. It will be very picnic-like because I don't like to make summer cooking too complicated. (Heck, I don't like to make any season's cooking too complicated. I just have a great excuse for keeping it simple in the summer.) :-) Thank you for inspiring me with your wonderful picnicky pics, Keri.
Posted by: Ann on August 3, 2004 06:09 PMWe have a deserted river beach at the end of our lane in Suffolk, England. My three grandchildren, Jordan, Lily and Henry and I are having a breakfast picnic there tomorrow. We're cooking sausages on an open fire. Mmmmmm....... do you remember the taste of black sausages cooked over driftwood? The weather forecast is not good, drizzle and grey skies, but this will be one of the best days (in a 'Swallows and Amazons' sort of way) of our summer holiday.
Posted by: GaGa on August 3, 2004 03:50 PMWhat a wonderful idea -- even if you never do the actual picnic, it could be a funky exercise in creativity -- who would you invite, living or dead to your party, etc...
Posted by: Jasmin on August 3, 2004 01:38 PMthis comes just in time! I was preparing to picnic in Central Park tomorrow evening!
The theme will be funny hats and the spread will be the usual fresh fruits, veggies, cheese and bread. Perhaps I should whip up some themed cupcakes, as cupcakes are the perfect picnicking dessert.
Posted by: ket on August 3, 2004 11:50 AMAnd I am so glad that I can SIT on my Eames again, after picniccing for two straight weeks.
Posted by: eliane on August 2, 2004 07:34 PMMy picnic would be a nice relaxed thing on a bright, sandy beach, just before sundown--- perhaps in California or Miami. I'd treat my guests - including, but not limited to, Stephen Hawking, Neil Gaiman, Siri Hustvedt, Johnny Depp et al - to gorgeous dishes cooked up by Nigella Lawson, we'd play chess and read poems by Rilke out loud, then dance to live music from The Cure, Nick Cave, Morrissey, Berliner Philharmonics... it'd be a nice party.
Posted by: j on August 2, 2004 12:15 PMHmmmm.... I'll be planning a picnic with three babies under the age of two... the menu will have to include lots of finger food, time on the swings, and bug watching/leaf collecting. ;)
Posted by: french toast girl on August 2, 2004 11:56 AMOooh! Brilliant! But, can this be imaginary? Cause I would love to invite people like Albert Einstein, or Degas...hmmmmmmm...more to follow. Thanks for the inspiration! Results to follow.
Posted by: sparkmonkey on August 2, 2004 10:28 AM