Sep

Cannery Row Catalysts: John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts

by Meredith Mullins on September 1, 2014

B&W photo of Ed Ricketts at the Pacific Biological Laboratories on Cannery Row, creative inspiration for John Steinbeck.

Ed Ricketts at his lab on Cannery Row
© Pat Hathaway Collection/www.caviews.com

Creative Inspiration among Friends

We should all be so lucky to have a friend, a creative inspiration, like Ed Ricketts.

John Steinbeck said that “knowing Ed Ricketts was instant.”

After the first moment, I knew him; and for the next eighteen years I knew him better than I knew anyone.

They were best friends. They fed each other ideas. They told each other truths. The jolted each other beyond the boundaries of the ordinary. They refreshed each other.

Character and Charisma

The unique elements of Ed’s character showed up often in Steinbeck’s work. He was Doc in Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, Dr. Phillips in the short story “The Snake,” Friend Ed in Burning Bright, Doc Burton in In Dubious Battle, Jim Casy in The Grapes of Wrath, and Doctor Winter in The Moon is Down.

Ricketts wasn’t really a doctor. He had no degree. He was simply devoted and passionate about his work, as a marine biologist, philosopher, writer (Bach to Buddhism), and renaissance man.

And he was a significant catalyst for Steinbeck’s writing as well as a role model for living life to the fullest.

His mind had no horizons. He was interested in everything.

Ricketts was not a stellar businessman, but he was a workaholic who followed the tides and established a system for studying and recording marine life that is still a model today. He wasn’t just interested in where things lived but how they lived.

If you asked him to dinner at seven, he might get there at nine. On the other hand, if a good low collecting tide was at 6:53, he would be in the tide pool at 6:52.

He kept the most careful collecting notes on record, but sometimes he would not open a business letter for weeks.

Once, a cheesecake arrived in the mail. Three months later, Ed opened it.

The Pacific Biological Laboratories on Cannery Row, creative inspiration for Steinbeck and Ricketts (Photo Meredith Mullins)

The Pacific Biological Laboratories still standing on Cannery Row
© Meredith Mullins

The lab that Ricketts lived and worked in—Pacific Biological Laboratories—is still on Cannery Row in Monterey, California. When you visit, you can hear the waves crashing just outside the back door, testimony to how perfect the lab was as a setting for Ricketts’ study.

Cannery on Cannery Row, a place for creative inspiration for John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts (Photo © Meredith Mullins)

Now tourist attractions, the fish canneries were the center of life and livelihood on Cannery Row.
© Meredith Mullins

Life on Cannery Row

The street, too, was full of life. The canneries and characters were captured by Steinbeck in the novel Cannery Row.

Cannery Row is . . . a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.

After the novel Cannery Row was published in 1945, the lab (and Ed) became even more of a magnet for visitors and evenings of music, deep conversation, food and drink.

And, even though the book made Ricketts more famous (and infamous) than he ever wanted to be, he forgave Steinbeck. He found the book “exceedingly funny, with an undertone of sadness and loneliness.”

Gone Too Soon

Ed Ricketts died tragically (at age 50), his car hit by a train when it stalled on the tracks on his way to get food for the usual gathering of friends back at the lab.

Memorial to Ed Ricketts at the train tracks on Cannery Row, the place where creative inspiration bloomed for John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts (Photo © Meredith Mullins)

A memorial to Ed Ricketts at the site of the fateful train crash
© Meredith Mullins

In life and in memoriam, it was clear that his friends loved him. Steinbeck’s writing showed his exceptional character. The creative inspiration he provided to so many people was undeniable.

Doc would listen to any kind of nonsense and change it for you to a kind of wisdom. Everyone who knew him was indebted to him. And everyone who thought of him thought next, ‘I really must do something nice for Doc.’

“Oh, I See” Moments

Every description of Ricketts, for me, became an “Oh, I see” moment—lessons from life and literature. He was inspiring. A true bohemian with a generous and honest soul.

Of all the tributes, one stood out, words offered by Steinbeck in Ricketts’ eulogy—traits that were at the core of their mutual respect.

The free exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.

Steinbeck added that one of Ed’s most admirable qualities was his ability “to receive anything from anyone, to receive gracefully and thankfully, and to make the gift seem very fine.”

Thank you Ed and John. Your gifts were very fine.

Close up of Ed Ricketts memorial on Cannery Row, creative inspiration for John Steinbeck's novels. (Photo © Meredith Mullins)

Renaissance man and bohemian spirit—Ed Ricketts
© Meredith Mullins

The Steinbeck quotes are from Cannery Row and About Ed Ricketts/Sea of Cortez, with acknowledgment to Viking Press and Penguin Books.

Find more information about Monterey, CA here.

Comment on this post, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 1 Comment

Literary World/USA

Aug

Inspired by Art and Wondering Why?

by Sheron Long on August 18, 2014

Sculpture of "The Thinker" by Auguste Rodin is itself an example of inspiring art used in this article to suggest making an emotional connection to art instead of overthinking it. (Image © Robert Long )

“Le Penseur” (The Thinker) by Auguste Rodin at the Rodin Museum, Paris.
Image © Robert Long

Don’t Overthink It!

Art. It’s part of our earth and in every heart. It’s as old as time, and yet it lights up the future. It speaks to you without words.

Art began talking to me during college, not as much in my art history class as on a study abroad visit to the Rodin Musuem in Paris. Perhaps it was my age and the subject matter of “The Kiss” that caused the emotional connection, but art has been a source of inspiration ever since.

"the Kiss" sculpture by Auguste Rodin inspires and emotional connection to art. (Image © Robert Long)

“Le Baiser” (The Kiss) by Auguste Rodin.
Passion burns in a slab of stone.
Image © Robert Long

Like all those feelings you can’t explain, I wondered why. Even studied quite a bit about form and composition, line and color, representation and abstraction. While all that knowledge helps with art appreciation, I came to understand that the value in viewing art is feeling it.

Now I don’t go to museums to analyze the works but rather to be in the midst of inspiring art. It makes me marvel, and that’s a thrill.

The Brain Reaction

Evidently, there’s a biological explanation. In a 2011 study, the British neurobiologist Semir Zeki showed artwork to people as he mapped, through fMRI, the parts of the brain that responded. Those parts associated with pleasure and reward lit up.

Scientists at the University of Toronto pooled data from 15 similar studies between 2004 and 2012. They also found that viewing paintings activated brain regions related to inner thoughts and emotions.

Though this brain research is recent, people have known the joy of making and viewing art for thousands of years. The oldest art in the Louvre Museum is this lime plaster statue dating to about 7200 BCE and excavated from ‘Ain Ghazal near Amman in northwest Jordan.

9000-year-old human figure excavated from 'Ain Ghazal in Northwest Jordan inspires an emotional connection to art. (Image © Sheron Long)

This guy delighted eyes 9000 years ago and now today
in the Louvre Museum, Paris.
© Sheron Long

Look into his eyes and you can’t help but smile. This statue is one of about 25 figures believed to be the earliest large-scale representations of the human figure.

Perhaps the ‘Ain Ghazal figures started a trend, though not all the splendid statues that followed in history have eyes or even heads. The Winged Victory lost her head somewhere along the way, but the folds of her flowing garment pressed by the wind against her body show the work of a sophisticated sculptor in ancient Greece. And, oh, those magnificent wings—admire them and you can almost feel the front part of your brain light up!

"Winged Victory of Samothrace" in the Louvre Museum, Paris, illustrating how inspiring art evokes an emotional connection. (Image © Robert Long)

The “Winged Victory of Samothrace” depicting the Greek messenger goddess Victory dominates a hall
in the Louvre Museum, Paris.
© Robert Long

French Lessons

In France patrimoine, or French heritage, includes the sculptures shown here—in fact, all art in the national museums. As such, the art is protected and owned by the country’s citizens, who are charged with passing a love of art onto the next generation.

That’s why you often share the galleries in French museums with inquisitive school children, like this group of sketchers at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

School children sketching sculptures develop an emotional connection to art. (Image © Sheron Long)

Eyeing “Spoon Woman” by Alberto Giacometti gives a young girl an early start on appreciating art.
© Sheron Long

Another group recreated Alberto Giacometti’s skinny dog with pipe cleaners, literally feeling the art.

School children studying the inspiring art of Alberto Giacometti as they use pipe cleaners to recreate his bronze sculpture of a skinny dog. (Image © Sheron Long)

Culture and heritage come along with this art lesson.
© Sheron Long

Bronze dog, inspiring art by Alberto Giacometti, alongside two student creations made from pipe cleaners and illustrating an emotional connection with art. (Image © Sheron Long)

Two pipe cleaner dogs and one Giacometti bronze—
all capture the imperfect forms for which the sculptor is famous.
© Sheron Long

The French lessons are an “Oh, I see” moment: Connecting with heritage, connecting with art is a human right. The French make sure their children get the chance.

The Outdoor Museum

It’s true that most art is inside museums, so people often have to make a deliberate choice to see it. Some are put off by guides who make them feel ignorant or the stuffiness of some institutions. Communities that place art in public spaces and street artists who create so much more than graffiti are making a difference in access, however.

Boy climbing on a modern art sculpture of a large head in the Tuileries Gardens. (Image © Robert Long)

Art you can climb on!
Sculpture by Ugo Rondinone
© Robert Long

When Swiss-born sculptor Ugo Rondinone set up 12 giant heads in the Tuileries Garden for his “Sunrise East” exhibit, he added amusing interpretations of the human figure to history’s collection. He also gave museum access to the public with an open invitation to play with his inspiring art.

No one needed a guide. Most rediscovered a bit of wonder from these cast bronzes covered with silver auto paint. An emotional connection with art? For sure, and no need to overthink it.

Two adults showing an emotional connection with inspiring art as they make the same face as a funny sculpture of a giant head by Ugo Rondinone. (Image © Erick Paraiso)

Art inspires a number of emotional reactions.
© Erick Paraiso

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Sheron Long Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/France/The World's Art & Design

Jul

Cultural Encounters at a D-Day Military Camp

by Sheron Long on July 14, 2014

Reconstructed American Military Camp at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont during the D-Day 70th anniversary commemoration, giving militaria collectors a chance to share their gear and providing cultural encounters for visitors. (Image © Sheron Long)

Reconstructed American military camp at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont during
the D-Day 70th Anniversary commemoration, 2014
© Sheron Long

Preserving Great Moments in History

The Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, did no less than alter the course of the world. Seventy years later, the world still comes to the Normandy landing beaches to honor what the Allies accomplished in WWII, one of the great moments in history.

Of course, the occasion deserves the internationally-televised speeches by world leaders. But this year I chose to visit village commemorations, the ones that speak volumes about respect among ordinary people.

French woman standing at the door of her village house by the reconstruction of an American military camp to honor D-Day, a great moment in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

These village festivities, including the reconstructed American military camp in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, made me question if the merriment was suitable for the occasion. But the surprising cultural encounters I had there proved me wrong, leading to several “Oh, I see” moments.

More American than an American

With so much American memorabilia, from the tents to the uniforms to the vintage vehicles and supplies, I was sure the US government had staged the reconstruction . . . until the “soldiers” began to speak—in French!

Frenchmen, dressed like American soldiers, re-enact life in a military camp, providing a unique cultural encounter for visitors to the 70th anniversary of D-Day. (Image © Sherry Long)

Such cultural encounters are a disconnect—American to the eye, French to the ear. But, the duality stems from the fascination that most people have with great moments in history and from the passionate respect that the French have for the Allies who liberated their country.

So great is their passion that they bring a meticulous approach to recapturing the authentic life of the Allied military camps.

Kitchen in a typical American military camp during WWII with objected provided by militaria collectors. (Image © Sheron Long)

Everyday items, like those in this reconstructed army camp kitchen,
are passionately sought out by militaria collectors.
© Sheron Long

I strolled through the camp to a Glen Miller tune, taking in the American icons that were everywhere. Though the cartoon character of Betty Boop began as a French poodle and quickly morphed into the curvaceous woman she is today, it was the US soldiers in WWII who introduced her to France.

Kitchen table in a reconstructed military camp, showing Betty Boop. (image © Sheron Long)

Giving back, it was the French re-enactors from dedicated historical organizations who made sure Betty graced the table in the kitchen of this American army camp. The cultural exchange was complete.

American for a Day

Visitors to the reconstructed military camp got into the scene, too, dressing up as an admired American persona.

This man sports the mohawk worn by 13 paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day. Known as the “Filthy Thirteen,” these paratroopers were among the first to be dropped behind enemy lines with instructions to destroy key bridges and take no prisoners.

Frenchman impersonating a "Filthy Thirteen" paratrooper, visits the American military camp reconstructed for the D-Day 70th Anniversary commemoration of one of the great moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

This Frenchman chose to impersonate a “Filthy Thirteen” paratrooper.
Only four of the original thirteen survived the war.
© Sheron Long

On July 14, 1944, only 38 days after D-Day, 49 women in the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) landed in Normandy and took over the switchboards left behind by the Germans. So, naturally, the WACs appeared in the American military camp at the 70th Anniversary commemoration, too. These visitors look the part, both military and civilian.

A WAC and a civilian woman in 1940's period dress stand by vintage military vehicles as they participate in the commemoration of D-Day, one of the great moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

Military Vehicles for Posterity

When the Allies and the Germans moved through France, they left tons of military vehicles and equipment behind. Taken in by the French, the items have been passed from generation to generation or bought and sold in the many military antique fairs.

On the occasion of a military camp re-enactment, the vehicles arrive en masse much like a car meet in the US.

US military vehicles line up by the reconstruction of a WWII military camp where people commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day as one of the greatest moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

Now appearing in shows and parades, Jeeps and other vehicles
were instrumental after D-Day in the Allied advancement across northern France to Berlin.
© Sheron Long

With these privately-owned vehicles, the pride of ownership shows. But I learn from this cultural encounter that, for the owners, there’s something more—the responsibility to preserve the history related to the world’s greatest accomplishments.

Military cargo truck at a reconstructed American army camp to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, one of the greatest moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

Not all the military vehicles at the reconstructed camp were American, and one important one was not even of the period.

A post-war Soviet motorcycle based on German technology from the WWII period, shown at a reconstructed American military camp as part of a commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, one of the great moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

By now, I was used to speaking French with men in US uniforms. But when I used French to ask this man about his motorcycle, I didn’t get through. Finally, in English, he explained his story.

Born in East Germany, his father fought for the Germans in WWII. After the war, he returned home to his family in East Germany where this motorcycle became a common sight associated with how the Russians arrested citizens and kept them hostage.

Free now, the man I met cherishes his ownership of the motorcycle. He brought it to Normandy for the D-Day commemoration as a symbol of his freedom. He says:

“The Allies freed my father from Hitler and me from the Communists.”

This cultural encounter with an East German man in a US paratrooper uniform at a French re-enactment of an American military camp confirmed that celebratory festivities were, in fact, appropriate for the occasion. Certainly, freedom is cause for merriment.

Window of a Normandy house decorated with flags and ribbons for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, one of the great moments in history. (Image © Sheron Long)

D-Day events continue through 2014. For details, visit DDay-Overlord.com and the 70th-normandy.com. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association publishes dates for military vehicle meet-ups in the US.