The Gift, The Gift Gift

"And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space." - Khalil Gibran, from poem Giving

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"Originally published in 1983, The Gift is an inquiry into the place of creativity in our market-oriented society. Starting with the premise that the work of art is a gift and not a commodity, Lewis Hyde's revolutionary book ranges across anthropology, literature, economics, and psychology to show how the "commerce of the creative spirit" functions in the lives of artists and in the culture as a whole."

I was already thinking along the lines of this little book when I read the first few chapters this summer. Tara Hunt gifted it to me (Tara's two cents on The Gift).

This book tends to be more scholarly and philosophically denser than spritely visual poetry of graphic novels that capture my lilting lyrical life these days. However, I dare anyone to say the chapter on Walt Whitman and his gift wasn't pure magic. The book itself was  written by a poet exploring the themes of how an artist thrives in a world that takes priceless to mean worth zilch at the market stall. So it's close to home, for Lewis Hyde himself.

Does art flow through you like a gift? Yet it doesn't feel like other things, including money, are flowing in?

If you've ever wondered if there could be a "better" way than the current set-up to share your gifts with the world without compromising the inspiration plus keep a roof over your head, this book is a good foundation to have that kind of conversation that results in direct action in the world. Nigh, a revolution in the world.

On 7/13/07, the day I received "The Gift" I wrote a conspirator (conspire: inspiring each other):

"We get to create a parallel universe that coexists w/ the service to me mine my economy... until the latter collapses like berlin wall. A velvet revolution. or vermilion. the art currency is just the entryway to temple of future now."

I believe the lines between artist and patron have blurred altogether. I believe we are in dire short supply of either these days.

In this day in age, we're all the Medicis. No matter if you envision yourself as the prototypical starving artist. Yes, you too. Me too. So, I'm sending "The Gift" to artists creating the next Renaissance. For every dollar you contribute, I'll contribute a dollar to buy and ship the book out up through a grand collaborative total of $1110.00, or Christmas Day, whichever comes first. 

I've never one to mix giving with Christmas before - foregoing the exchange of presents as prescribed, obligatory event, this includes Valentine's Day and birthdays - but this year is an exception. If you would like a copy of The Gift sent to you, please include your Twitter account below in the comments or direct message me via Twitter, and I'll get back to you for your full mailing address. Please don't email - if you email me, it's more than likely lost in the avalanche and in the spam.

How It Works: There are no strings attached. No quid pro quo expected. No thank you notes necessitated. There is no catch. The criteria is that you must write your request in comments on this post before Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25th; and you must supply US address; and I'm limiting the absolute total USD to a matching gift challenge so that the giving cycle engages many more people than just the two of us.

Only one book per person, or per USA mailing address (share). (That ought to go without saying, and I trust my regular readers, but this is  public after all. If you're even fluttering a thought about gaming or finding loopholes just remember I'm an artist too; this will thoroughly stretch the bank for December as it is...$555's more than my rent.) The book may or may not arrive by Christmas Day (it will be ordered by Christmas Day) depending on when you asked the universe.

Chip in for the matching gift fund here. Nutcracker Suite nutshell: So, if you chip in $15, then I'll match another $15, and so forth up to $555 in matches.

Enjoy all your gifts this season!

p.s. Does this mean you need a Twitter account? So far, yes. (It's free.) I might extend the offer later to non-Twitteristas, but this is my sneaky way of getting you to join. I'll be using Twitter to spread the actionable part of the The Gift ideas further in 2008 more so than this blog, so that's the plot if you're wondering. I'm over at twitter.com/eve11, btw.

Art credits. Why it's from the fresco cycle in the Medicis' Magi chapel, of course. Lorenzo was a fine supporter of the arts, and a poet himself. A detail from the "Journey of the Magi Cycle"...that magi trio being another fine set of givers.

(I have to wonder if we'd have Michelangelo works at all in this day and age without Lorenzo's support. Hmmm....)

Next, "Figures of Peace and Music" from the Salon of the Muses in the Villa Medici in Florence.

Comments

[Nancy Boyd]

What a neat idea! I love this. And I am requesting a copy for a client gift. Here's my twitter address: http://twitter.com/brightwings

Let me know what else you need. I will also contribute to your gift fund Just Because :-)

May your own gifts overflow with goodness!

[Ali]

This sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm off to donate right away. Can I request a copy for a friend of mine as a surprise, rather than asking for a copy for myself? I'll just need to weasel his mailing address out of him without him catching on... ;)

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

Thanks everyone. It's not showing up the total yet, but there is $50 in matching gifts for a grand collaborative of $100.

Nancy, What a great idea to give this to a friend as a gift. You're on to the idea of circulation. No doubt a copy of "The Gift" shall find its way in your hands from another.

Ali, Thank you. If you can't gracefully extract a mailing address, then I can just ship to you and you can give to him (if he's in vicinity that is). No rush. There is enough in the piggy bank now for about 8 copies, or so, to be circulated out.

BTW, twitter.com/brightwings and twitter.com/aortography respecitively above if you want to follow Nancy and Ali.

[Rob La Gesse]

@Evelyn. kr8tr on Twitter. But I don't want a free book either. Send one to a library for me (or a school, or whatever). I'll make a donation now.

Rob

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

This has been actually fun. Three books out tonight. Grand collaborative total of $300 (matching gifts were $150) as I write this. This covers about 10-11 books, including shipping.

Tomorrow: Pending fourth address from another. Then I'll make sure that I send one to Alvar Public Library on anonymous behalf of Rob (twitter.com/kr8tr).

Thanks all!

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

"The gift must always move." Ever notice clouds, rain, streams, torrents, currents, rivers, sea, mist -> cloud? You can also get a free book "The Gift" from publisher if you act before Dec 15th here. They also tout Dec 15th as Gift Day: www.giftday.org.uk/?p=1

Where is my math? Duh, there's enough in kitty for about 22 books. More names and addresses please. Receiving is sweet part of the cycle too.

[Marilyn]

E - No need to send one to me...but if you'd like to circulate one on my behalf once you reach the Crescent City, that would be lovely. :)

[Beth Dunn]

Great idea! I'm all over twitter at http://twitter.com/bethdunn - and I'd love a copy to share in my part of the world!

[ari]

It would be great to get a copy. I'm http://twitter.com/tigerbeat

Jonathan Lethem writes a bit about the influence of the Gift here

http://www.jonathanlethem.com/promiscuous_materials.html

[Rhoda]

Okey dokey, I'm in. Would love a free copy. Thanks!

(Would like to request that none of my details get passed on to third parties though... definitely want to avoid further accumulation of junk mail)

Rhoda

[Lisa Guest]

I'd like to receive the book. I'm in Long Beach, California. I just signed up for twitter, as journalisa, but can't seem to connect up with you there. My email is [email protected]. Thank you for this. Dennis Gallagher shared your info with me months ago and I've enjoyed your blog immensely.

Lisa

[Rita Patel]

Love this idea. My twitter account is twitter.com/ritagpatel
Thank you! (can't wait to share it)

[Jeff]

Thank you Evelyn for lighting the way.

[vardera]

I would love to receive a copy of "The Gift" with the full intention of passing it on. This is a wonderful idea. It gives me a renewed sense of possiblity about the world and participating in it. I came across your website by chance while researching another topic-- seems to be a timely/synchronistic discovery. I am enjoying your writing and of course, the art! A very heartfelt thanks to you and your contributers. I've signed on with Twitter-- twitter.com/vardera.

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

Everyone thus far should have received an email or Twitter direct message from me by now asking for your address. If I haven't contacted you, please let me know. The first of the slew have been shipped - the majority will be shipped tonight, Dec 17th.

The fund and the offer are still good through December 25th. Spread the good cheer!

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

Everyone that gave me their address so far by stroke of midnight, Monday Dec 17th, will receive "The Gift" by Lewis Hyde (except the Hawaii order) by December 21st. Please make sure you give me your address if you've not so far.

There is more good cheer to spread! Please go ahead and tell your friends - this offer good through December 25th. There is no worry about "running out" before then. Where there is a will, there is a way. Rush forward with your hearts and you will shall see the infinitude we've so often veiled with our concept of limits and boundaries.

[jose gomez]

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