curiosities #4

10 finds I'm glad I found

I’m Tuğba, a Turkish-Greek artist living in Berlin - as slow as possible is a newsletter exploring the in-between spaces of our lives that we see but often do not notice. Interested in reading more of my work?

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Hey friend,

I've decided to jazz up my curiosities.

It's been a whirlwind summer filled with countless beautiful new experiences. Would you believe it's nearly October already?

Lately, I've been captivated by Janice MacDonald's mesmerising collage works. Her daily collage art practice went viral after she shared a video of her notebook on Instagram and she has become widely recognised for her incredible talent. Intrigued, I decided to give her 15-minute collage sessions a try. I even recorded a video to document my creative process and I highly recommend subscribing to Colle's daily newsletter, which features a diverse array of collage artists. Great inspiration!

My friend

Caoilainn

shared her experiment with avoiding ultra-processed foods (UPFs) for a month and I was very intrigued. I immediately added Chris van Tulleken's “Ultra Processed People” book to my reading list.

Leyla Kazim

mentioned that the book was her favourite read last year! When it comes to food, you can’t go wrong listening to Leyla, right? 

I've also begun using two new great apps: "good on you" which reveals the sustainability ratings of fashion brands and another app called “code check” allowing you to scan products in the supermarket to check for toxic ingredients. It's astonishing how many products contain toxic elements! It seems impossible to completely avoid them but I'm determined to be more conscious about the brands I support.

I recently stumbled upon a captivating post by Katherine Esty. The headline: "My Outlook on the Future as I Turn 90" immediately grabbed my attention. This post truly made me contemplate my own perceptions of ageing. It challenged me in such a positive way!

When it comes to books, I simply can't get enough. My cosy little flat seems to be bulging at the seams with books these days. I do have a Kindle but there's something about the feel and smell of a printed book that is irresistible! Most of my printed books are art books, which I absolutely adore. Recently, I came across

Emma Gannon

’s Bookshop list “Books on Burnout” and ended up ordering a few titles from World of Books. World of Books is a gem for second-hand books; the prices are affordable and there's a certain charm in giving pre-loved books a new home.

During my recent meditation retreat in August, I stumbled upon a weathered second-hand book by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu titled “The Handbook for Mankind”. Among its pages, I found myself captivated by the chapter on "Grasping and Clinging". Attachment has always been a topic close to my heart and the book eloquently delves into four types of attachment: sensual attachment, attachment to opinions, attachment to rites and rituals and attachment to the idea of selfhood.

One particular passage resonated deeply with me: 

“The most efficacious way of dealing with attachment is to recognise it whenever it is present. This applies most particularly to attachment to the idea of selfhood, which is the very basis of life. It is something that comes into existence of its own accord, establishing itself in us without our needing to be taught it. It is present as an instinct in children and the small offspring of animals right from birth.”

This summer, I got a membership at a nearby ceramic studio. It was my first time doing an open studio, meaning I worked independently without a teacher. I placed a large order with Mudtools, and I'm obsessed with their mudsponges. I use them to smooth out the surface of my ceramics. They fit perfectly in my hand, and I find it easier to smooth out clay than using the usual hard scrapers provided in the studio.

Before we part, I urge you to watch the movie "Perfect Days" if you haven't already. It’s beautiful! After stumbling upon

Stephan Kunze

’s post “10 Life Lessons from Perfect Days”, I finally watched it and it captured my heart. I yearn to infuse more analogue moments into my life.

Take care!

Your friend Tuğba