By Tim Hazell
Divergent cultures and civilizations developed out of a nucleus that is common to aggregates of people who form settlements, achieving social stratification. These include a trinity of things, persons, and ideas. Through trial and error, basic elements must become integrated and adapt to one another, or a community will be unsuccessful in establishing and propagating itself. More than an assemblage of persons who are interdependent on talent and the labor pool of a cooperative for survival and quality of life, traditions imply connected systems. A human working apparatus that innovates through the productive exchange of information engenders material objects and intellectual property of aesthetic value. Art and science represent ideas as well as commodities that germinate from an intuition.
We see ourselves as “beleaguered actors” at times—the emotive centers of the world surrounding us, moving freely and yet remaining the centers of that world. Eccentric people and objects surround us without consequence, leaving us to our own contemplations. Art is by consequence affected by our reinterpretation of its narratives and values. Conversely, the opus itself can create its own powerful vortex of energy and shape, oblivious of the viewers who are left to struggle on their own without an interpretation or translation to guide them. Fascinated and helpless, they are drawn inexorably towards the center, oblivious of their own well-being.
In aboriginal societies, communication through mimetic gesture, sign systems, and “language” developed from the premise that there were invariant principles, representing a kind of unity and infinite choices, a form of variety that determined how any system of information exchange could function. Animals exclusively, and humans under conditions of stress, use holophrastic “utterance” as a means to convey states such as fear, hunger, and surprise, usually with a single exclamation or cry. These sounds must invoke many levels of meaning at once. When the intent is to convey non-verbal states of feeling, color or scent may perform similar roles. Among birds, fish, and insects, certain colors initiate courtship, while others pinpoint sources of food.
Color and scent play important roles in culinary arts, engaging our senses while invoking special memories. Enjoy this cosmopolitan fruit salad with friends on a sultry afternoon.
Fruit Salad with Lemon Sesame Seed Dressing
1/4 cup sugar or to taste
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tbsp. diced onion
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tbsp. black sesame seeds
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup raisins
1 apple – peeled, cored and diced
1 pear – peeled, cored and diced
In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt.
Process until well blended. With machine still running, add oil in a slow steady stream
until mixture is thickened and smooth. Add poppy seeds and process a few seconds more.
In a large serving bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, cheese, cashews, raisins, apple, and pear. Pour the dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat.