Pentimento, Kintsugi and The Art of Figure Skating

I am a huge fan of CBS Sunday Morning. I have been watching it for decades. I've found their stories wonderfully informative, entertaining and thought-provoking. This morning, however, watching a piece by Faith Salie on "How Art Can Help Shape Your New Year's Resolutions," I had an epiphany, of sorts. 

First, let me say that I have a mostly-unused university minor in art history. I say "unused" the same way I say "algebra." While I served as a trustee of our Fine Arts Center with great reverence and pride for three years, it required me to use my knowledge of art about as much as I use algebra.

Anyway, in her piece on New Year's Resolutions, Ms. Salie used art to make a very good point; one that was not lost on me as I start to pack my bags and get ready to head to San Jose for the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships where our new Olympic Team will be named. From the depths of my schooling, Ms. Salie reminded me about two of my favorite things in the art world: Pentimento and Kintsugi. 

A Matisse drawing with erasure marks.

CBS NEWS

Using her words, here is the definition of Pentimento:

"This past year, I learned two life-changing ideas from the world of art.One is "pentimento," which I first encountered when I saw a drawing by the artist Henri Matisse. 

As I got closer, I could see that Matisse had sketched over and over and didn't entirely erase his scribbles.

A friend explained this is called pentimento, which is Italian for "repent" -- to regret, to change your mind. Matisse, a master, left his stumbles for us to see, and the ghosts of his mistakes inspire us to strive not for perfection, but for creation."

Mind blown. A master left his stumbles for us to see, and the ghosts of his mistakes inspire us to strive not for perfection, but for creation. Hmm..

Then there was this from Ms. Salie on Kintsugi:

Kintsugi -
filling in a ceramic's cracks with gold.
C

BS NEWS

"The other notion is "kintsugi," which is the Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics with gold.

The idea is that the cracks of something are part of its history and should be kept visible, even shiny! It's the art of embracing damage while making something whole.

An object becomes more beautiful because of its flaws." 

Wait. What? Repair something broken with gold, embracing the damage while keeping it visible, and even shiny because the flaws are beautiful? 

Ms. Salie continued her piece with this observation: 

"What if we consider kintsugi and pentimento in our New Year's resolutions? The word itself, "re-solution," suggests we return to our shortcomings, chronically trying to solve ourselves again and again." 

Without even knowing it, Faith Salie just summed up everything about figure skating. The fact that only three men, three women, three dance teams and one pairs team - a GRAND TOTAL OF FOURTEEN ATHLETES - will represent our country at the XXIII Winter Olympic Games just mere weeks from now is important, but not totally the point. 

After San Jose, there will be many who will feel imperfect, cracked, flawed or perhaps broken - either in their own minds, or made to feel so by those around them - because they were not "perfect." It will take awhile for them to look at what they did, the hours they trained and the art they presented to realize that the gold they may not have collected this time, on this frozen canvas, does not mean that what they did to get there should be dismissed or discarded. Whether they  choose to continue to create, or move to another discipline in life, make no mistake about this one very important thing: What each one left us with was their personal form of art. The gold may not have been there for the crowds to see atop the podium, but it was - and will be - forever in their hearts. Despite critics; despite the crowd, these artist-athletes were chosen to exhibit their works because they earned their place in the grand gallery of San Jose. They may have left flaws for us to see, but in doing so they presented heart.  

"But we'll never be perfect, so perhaps our re-solutions can involve being humble enough to shed light on our cracks -- and brave enough to repair them visibly. Maybe that's a kind of time travel in which we make peace with past and future at the same time."

Words  for all of us to consider, to live by, and to use as part of our re-solution heading into San Jose, Ms. Salie. Thank you for helping bring clarity to our flaws. Happy New Year. 

That's What Friends are For: A Cyber Lovefest

Totally unsolicited comment from a friend of mine while we were enjoying a short lunch break the other day: "You're not REALLY going to stop blogging, are you?"

My answer was direct: "No."

Now, this friend is one who is involved in skating but is not someone who follows me on any other form of social media (at least that I know of). I have to admit, I was flattered. I've been at this since 2009 and, as you all know by now, I don't monetize my blog. My intention has always been to have it as a journal - or an open diary, if you like. I've invited you all to see my world. 

However, that started me thinking about the people on social media I admire. There are many, but four are my key "Go-To" people, not only because of their great love of figure skating, their voluminous knowledge about the sport and their passion at preserving it, but because over the years they have become great friends. I have to admit, too, that two of the four I have NEVER met in person. I know that may seem strange, but our world is small. Sometimes just trusting, respecting and eventually confiding in them is what makes friends into family.

First, there is my namesake counterpart.

Allison Manley has one of the most intelligent podcasts around. ManleyWoman Skatecast has been on the scene for awhile. As an adult competitive skater, mother of two, web wizard and incredibly intelligent all-around person, Allison and I have become close friends and confidants. If you are not familiar with her work, and if you are a true fan of skating, do yourself a HUGE favor and listen to her wonderful interviews. I was honored to be one of her early subjects. She has gone way beyond the "skate mom" interviews since then, including some of the truly GREATS in our sport.

Next is a former skater, current coach and choreographer, on-beyond prolific Tweeter and one of the most respected voices in skating, Doug Mattis. We first met in San Jose. Since then, we have been cohorts in so many wonderful causes, including Nick and Tricia LaRoche's fundraising event "An Evening on Ice," the powerful and important "Skate for Hope," and support of Audrey Weisiger's "Young Artists' Showcase" where some of the top amateur and young professional skaters show off their incredible choreographic talents in an annual, web-based competition. If you don't follow him on Twitter - DO! @DougMattis is the place to be.

Speaking of Audrey, this is a woman who has my total respect. Noted as an iconic coach, Audrey Weisiger has taken her knowledge and brought new hope into what has been called the  "dying swan" sport of skating. Never deterred by outside voices, Audrey has built her Grassroots to Champions and Young Artists' Showcase into the voice of skating where the "art and sport" become one in an understandable and unexpected way. I have had many chances to actually meet Audrey in person. I cannot believe it has not happened. I've been interviewed by her and I have even been a guest judge for YAS. But we have never met face-to-face. Perhaps this year, Audrey.

Finally, I have one friend whom I have never met but whose writing is thoughtful, intelligent, well-researched and passionate. Ryan Stevens was a competitor for Canada, a former female impersonator (check out this incredible interview by another favorite blogger/podcaster of mine, PJ Kwong) and probably one of the best chroniclers of skating history - present and past - out in the bloggisphere today. I'm not quite sure how I "met" Ryan, since we have never had the pleasure of being in the company of one another - but I can tell you we are truly kindred souls. Ryan's blog "Is That a Skate Guard in Your Pocket or are You Happy to See Me," has become a bible, of sorts, for skating interviews with an edge, as well as a research source for those who really want to know some of the lesser-known facts of our sport.

Four friends. Two I know in person; two I have never met personally. All four of whom have not only influenced my life publicly and privately, but who have been my cheerleaders over the past five years.

In a way, I guess this is a public "Thank You" card. If it were not for the four of you, I probably would not have had that friend at lunch the other day ask me if I was going to end my blog. 

Yes, Virginia, we can still believe there is a Santa Claus. Life on the Edge continues...whether I want it to or not. 
As the saying goes, "It is what it is."   

 

Things People Have to Stop Doing

After a particularly challenging week (again), I logged on to Twitter this morning and found #ThingsPeopleHaveToStopDoing trending at 6AM. Being particularly sleep deprived this week (again), it was a trend I found particularly amusing for some unknown reason. Certainly, people have to stop hating, fighting, killing. We all know that. But after observing the masses at Nationals, where we spent an inordinate amount of time at a hospital; Four Continents where I spent an undetermined amount of time watching other people’s children skate, and then this week where I spent a mind-numbing amount of time wandering the corridors and public spaces of a local hospital as another family member had surgery, I developed my personal Top 10 list of Things People Have To Stop Doing:

#10 Wearing matching outfits. Unless you are a member of the military, a member of a scouting troop or one of the Red Hat ladies, it’s truly uncalled for.

#9 Wearing baseball caps sideways with butt crack pants. If I want to see that, I’ll call my plumber.

#8 Wearing skintight pants and stilettos when you are older than J-lo – or… how about NEVER. It just isn’t a fashion statement, unless you’re leaning on a lamppost sometime after midnight and the guy you’re with is named “John.”

#7 Decorating absolutely EVERYTHING with sequins and crystals. Costumes – okay. Eye glasses a la Elton John, cell phone covers, iPads and laptops…diapers (yes, you read this correctly) – not okay. Really not okay. Even Dug the Dog in “Up” would be on “Shiny Things” overload.

#6 Big hair, especially when combined with #8, and most specifically when sitting in front of you at an event where you miss half the performance and all you want to do is whip out a pair of garden sheers to create a view plane.

#5 “Speaking in Tongues,” aka: Babbling in slightly louder than a whisper about things unrelated to the situation at hand while thoroughly annoying everyone around you – or worse – virtually shouting out intimate and occasionally graphic details of health related issues being experienced by you or a loved one where everyone around you can take notes, assuming they were even the slightest bit interested. (Unfortunately, I have resembled this remark a few times in the past three weeks and to everyone who had to tolerate my venting, I sincerely and humbly apologize).

#4 Going into large crowds – including arenas, planes, trains and buses – without proper attention to hygiene. No embellishment needed here, just a shower and some deodorant.

#3 Yelling at a crying baby like it is going to make them stop. Really?

#2 Yelling in hotel hallways late at night or very early in the morning, unless there is a fire or some other compelling reason you want me to join you.

And

#1 Talking about people in derogatory terms while within earshot of others. You never know who is sitting nearby, overhearing your conversation about their child. Certainly, you are entitled to your opinion, but so am I. That’s why I’m blogging about you now – you uneducated, narrow-minded, big-haired, 50-something, stiletto wearing, bejeweled, loudmouth with the butt-crack showing husband and the crying grandchild who was also staying down the hall from me in my hotel and rattling the walls early in the morning, and not in a good way.

There. I said it.
I feel better now. Thank you for your understanding.

Things I Also Learned in San Jose

Kim Navarro just posted an incredible blog about our skater called "Things I Learned in San Jose," one that took my breath away - not as much for her incredibly kind words as much as for what it says about skating and skaters.
Skating is a very difficult sport. In all disciplines, competitors work hours, days, months, years to be the best they can be. Some succeed; some fall short of their personal expectations. But without fail, if they stay in this crazy sport long enough they appreciate one another because, after all, we are a strange - and occasionally dysfunctional - family. What I've learned over the years is that skaters at the elite levels truly appreciate one another. The families also learn to appreciate the skills of other skaters. It is something you don't understand until you've been there. It develops over time.

  There is another thing I learned in San Jose, and that is how much support we get.
  If you don't know by now, about a minute into Jeremy's freeskate, my wonderful husband of nearly 24 years had an atrial fibrillation seizure. We were a mere 30 feet away from the ice when it happened (if you look at the stands just to the right when he is in his spin after the 3A, you can see everyone looking up away from the ice). All hell broke loose but literally within seconds we had help. A doctor and two nurses sitting close by were at our side; within a minute the HP Pavilion staff and  Paramedics were there to assist. Fortunately, sport and focus are an amazing thing. Our son was in the zone; he didn't know what happened until after he was off the ice.
  But our skating family was there to assist us. Skaters, coaches, USFS officials, IMG representatives - they all took charge with love and care. They circled the wagons. They broke barriers and rules to get us what we needed. They took care of our family as if we were their own.

  So, things I learned in San Jose: Kim Navarro - do NOT throw away your skates and know that we love you so very much. Yuki Saegusa, in the absence of our agent, we cannot thank you enough for all you and IMG did to assist getting our daughter Gwen down to meet up with Jeremy. David Raith and USFS, there are no words to express how much we love and respect everything you did for us. The medical staff, Paramedics and everyone at O'Connor Hospital, you were literally lifesavers.
  I learned the way to San Jose. The way was heart, determination, soul and a whole lot of caring.

  If I thought Vancouver was an experience I would never forget, believe me it pales by comparison.