Dear Seekers is a newsletter and podcast by Sasha Xiao, for the curious souls seeking artistic and spiritual fulfilment. If you love it, please consider sharing it with others. Here’s my About page. Any questions or feedback, you can directly hit reply to this email.
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Maira Kalman, an author, illustrator and artist based in New York. Maira has written and illustrated over 30 books, both for adults and children, and her works have appeared in a numerous of publications, such as the New Yorker, New York Times, and many more. One of her most provocative works was Sara Berman’s Closet, a memoir of her late mother Sara- who immigrated from Belarus to Tel Aviv in 1932, one day in her 60s, self edited, self reinvented and created a new identity, and since then, had never looked back and exclusively worn only white pieces. After her death, her personal garments and belongings were preserved by Maira, and eventually exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Maira is the most senior guest I’ve had on the podcast so far- she is 73, yet she is one of the most playful and dreamy people I’ve ever met. She’s acquired some rituals that she’s been practising daily for over 25 years - including reading the obituaries with a cup of coffee in the morning, and has developed a special spiritual and artistic relationship with trees and dogs.
In a quirky and fun film by her son Alex Kalman, Maira portrays Alice B. Toklas on the 143rd anniversary of the writer’s birth.
It was a great pleasure to speak with Maira and I hope you enjoyed our conversation too.
Sasha
Pod Conversation with Maira Kalman