The Shelf

In my search for a meditation to fit, evolve my state of mind, I discovered the works of Irish poet, philosopher, priest (!) John O’Donohue. He’s no longer with us, but his work (the shelf concept) is. Thankfully.

It’s early days reading it, but he pays frequent tribute to landscapes. He returned from time in Germany back to the West coast of Ireland. I’ve not yet been, but I’m imagining Banshees of Inisherin level rugged, rural beauty and community. 

The book, Four Elements, foreword speaks of the mass emigration of the Irish. (A theme Croatians can relate to. Add the Catholicism. alcohol, neighbour relations. 

What’s interesting to me is, in about my 6th or 7th year of living in Croatia, Dalmatian specifically – the only thing I could pin point that I loved about it – loved more than the ‘ease’ and security and, well – ease, I knew in Australia, was the nature; the landscapes. Now, I cultivated deeply meaningful relationships, with people I still hold dear. Learned loads. Loads! In hindsight, I should have moved much sooner, almost did, but that’s another story. While Croatia did not, does not, offer ease if you’re not born into an inherited house, for example, I did manage to work on things I loved, in places I love. Among other things, promoting a lifestyle of freedom through remote work. Basing in different parts of Croatia for a week to a month. Meeting a range of people from all over the world. Now, I’m pursuing a design-led path – with renovation. Possibly New European Bauhaus; that’s to be determined.

Still – Four Elements is a timely read. A validation, justification. I’m accepting a love for the landscape alone is enough. NB – this love now extends to other parts of the Balkans. Rivers, essential. This could be age, and my shift to hiking and a strong pull to spend more time outdoors. 

More from the foreword:

“As humans we are always trying to tame the landscape and while we are in it we are always going somewhere else”. Somewhat agree.

“Only animals seem to be totally at home in landscape.
Agree.

*

Ahead of me are three winter months, working on finishing my design quals, and finalising the design of the (first) Šibenik apartment. I’m coming across a range of AI assisted methods, which is a nice time to be alive. Still, the takeaway in all my research on the intentional content creation I am aspiring to is to document vs promote the build. Some filming started in June thanks to my good Peruvian Croatian friend, JA. I’ll be taking this time, over winter, to work out how I’ll structure sharing the build. (The first step is getting consensus in the building about plans, and a stairwell that needs repair). So, there are likely slow periods, but luckily, I know some great little stone restorations I will visit in a few months.

As for The Shelf – this is a term I heard recently on a Bill Maher podcast (Club Random). About the ‘work’ we do, and leave behind. Like a legacy, but a legacy sounds ego-driven. At least, the people I know who want to leave one. The Shelf is comprised of the works we put out. For some, it’s community service. Child-rearing. Justice seekers. Etc. As a creative person, I’ve got a few on there already. Things I am proud to have initiated, co-delivered, created. From scratch. (My usual MO). Now, I think it’s about tangible, design-led creations. (I once won a travel writing piece for a NYC textile designer… and incidentally, my first Croatian apartment is in a 16th century textile workshop… ) and weaving seems to be such a forgotten, intrinsic activity, I hope to revive in some form. Probably not rugs, but you never know. One thing Croatia taught me is never say never.

I also think I’ll convert one of the fireplace spaces (currently in the place slated as the bedroom) into a stone wall bookshelf. I’m looking forward to reading this entry in about 3 years time. Seeing – hopefully, said shelf with my future reads on there. 

Currently it’s:

* Four Elements – John O’Donohue

• Croatia – a History (robin harris)
• Helen of Troy – Bettany Hughes. A gift from the early 2000’s, and I met her in Ston, Croatia, recently. 
• Blanche d’Alpuget 
• Gay Hendricks
  and
  Audio Anne Lamott – Bird by Bird. A great writing instruction, and guide for Life.

  What’s on your shelf? Now, and 3 years from now?