Simone Weil
Eva Hesse
The writer Simone Weil died in 1943 at the age of 34. In spite of her short life, her legacy is a rich one, spanning a variety of métiers including philosophy, Christianity, theology, social justice, mysticism. And even though her life’s work was from her point of view of a god-centered believer, the atheist icon Albert Camus described her as “the only great spirit of our times.”
Another young German woman, the artist Eva Hesse, also died at the age of 34. Like Weil, her short life had more than its fair share of difficulty and suffering. Also similar is the world’s steadily increasing interest in her body of work. With only a ten year career, Hesse was influential in the move from Minimalism to Postminimalism. Writing about a recent retrospective of her work, art historian Arthur Danto addressed “the discolorations, the slackness in the membrane-like latex, the palpable aging of the material…Yet, somehow the work does not feel tragic. Instead it is full of life, of eros, even of comedy…Each piece in the show vibrates with originality and mischief.”
I am amazed by the legacy of both of these women even though their work is not similar in nature or outlook. Each achieved extraordinary depth during lives that were improbably and tragically shortened. Spending time with either body of work is a sober reminder that suffering is perennial and life is short. That what you do each day is what matters most.
“It is necessary to have had a revelation of reality through joy in order to find reality through suffering,” Weil wrote.
Christian Wiman, also an admirer of Weil, responded to this statement in his essay Love Bade Me Welcome:
I don’t really think it’s possible for humans to be at the same time conscious and comfortable…I would qualify Weil’s statement somewhat, then, by saying that reality, be it of this world or another, is not something one finds and then retains for good. It must be newly discovered daily, and newly lost.
That last line is a Taoist-like insight: the need, every day, to break ourselves apart and start fresh. That is a concept that speaks to me deeply.
But is it true, as Wiman claims, that it is not possible to be conscious and comfortable? Maybe it is the word comfortable that leaves me looking for some wiggle room. What about being conscious and accepting, in the spirit of Wendell Berry‘s admonishment to “be joyful though we have considered all the facts.” Still finding my way through that one.
Note: This post first appeared on Slow Muse in 2012.
Like other saints, Weill can’t be imitated, she is too searingly herself. Yet her life and words are richly generative. Like any koan, she cannot be reduced to logic or consistent statement, and seems maddeningly wrong and right at once.
I particularly like the way you start with “Like other saints…” to describe Weil. She is, truly, “searingly” herself. You were one of the people who really brought her to my attention, so I owe you a thank you for that. She is unmatched.
“Be joyful though we have considered all the facts.” What a beautiful, and beautifully expressed, idea. I don’t always agree with Wendell Berry, but that’s wonderful. Thanks, Deborah, for passing it on.
Thanks for your comment Michael. It is a powerful notion for me, being conscious AND accepting.
What a wonderful thought piece to fill all the pauses in my day. I personally identify with describing a truly insightful state as “conscious and accepting”. I’d imagine the Tao-ist saying “that which can be discovered daily and newly lost” is not the eternal Tao. Alas, just words though…