The Un-biography Of Nathan Smith:
This is not a biography. It is an un-biography.
What is an "un-biography"? Well, if a biography is serious, factual and finished -nothing new to be added, then an un-biography is light-hearted, playful and ever-evolving. Given that the subject of this bit of exposition is one John Nathan Smith, known to loved ones the world over as Nathan, you see it really does have to be unique. Nathan was, above all, a staunch individualist. But he was also warm, and famously, exceedingly generous. And so, even though grim days were so recent, even though an accident took our Nathan away from us, and so many people are heart-broken, let us show our generosity just this once by not speaking of him too sadly, or too seriously. Nathan would surely disapprove of that. And so, for Nathan, a smile and an un-biography. Let's begin shall we?
An un-biography should start at the end. Well, if there was an end, we'd start there. Trouble is, the changes that Nathan began in the world are still beginning to begin. That's kind of how we ended up with a Nathan Smith Foundation. Gathered around Nathan's hurt body, quietly at first, then with growing wonder which gave way to small laughter and open astonishment, story after story was heard about kindnesses that Nathan showed. Acts of deep caring, money he gave, ways he helped, gifts he gave freely. One wonders how he managed to do all this for us, and still have time for anything else! He made more gifts, and performed more acts of love in his almost 32 years than most do in a lifetime. These words of loving appreciation for Nathan from his many friends and family rose like incense and surrounded him in his last moments, sweetening the air and tempering our pain somewhat, our disbelief at having to hear such hard news, and realize that it was true.
Nathan Smith. To the world, a life lived as a particularly unique contribution. Which suggests the possibility for a quite unique response. If we look over the bare facts, what do we see? A boy born in Visalia, California who was already a little different than most. Gifted, gentle and creative, he seemed destined for art school, and that destiny was fuffilled. But he was different even for art school, and art hanging on the wall to be stared at and then walked away from with no more thought given, seemed limited to him. He wanted the work to do more, to be more inter active, to challenge more and be a total experience. Could a work of art inspire the forming of a spontaneous community? His senior thesis answered a resounding yes.
Ideas of community and approachable art endured as he travelled from Portland to Boston. Continuing to add new people to his own community, he experimented with making his life his inter active artistic statement. Love or hate his decisions, say what you want about them, his life was his. Given the bi-coastal wave of love and concern for him in his last moments, his own life may have been his most potent, thought-provoking and challenging work of all. He was, simply, so loved. If Nathan's life was his ultimate artistic statement, what can we interpret or read from it? It seems to imply that the story is not over, but merely just beginning. Looking for him was not passive but active, calling us to act. His life-as-art seems to say; Help Someone Now, Work A Little Harder To Make An Impact, Don't Just Make Art: Make Community, Inspire Love, Push Thought Forward.
The Nathan Smith Foudation will take these lessons, and apply them meaningfully for the betterment of working artists. Mmm, yes there are lofty goals and lots to do. So we will make a to do list (very Nathan). And get ready for some hard work (very very Nathan).
But before we begin, let's have a smoke break and a Mexican Coffee, shall we?
~MEXICAN COFFEE~
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Sometimes referred to as Spanish Coffee or Moroccan Coffee
(Recipe by MR. NATHAN SMITH, spelling corrections by Troy ;)
6 oz. high quality Rum
2 oz. Bailey's Irish Creme
1 mug of coffee
Whipped cream
Nutmeg to taste
Cinnamon to taste
1 match
Sugar the rim of a heat-resistant pint glass. Add rum, and coffee. Add Bailey's Irish Creme. Light with match to crystalize the sugar rim. Add whipped cream, dash nutmeg or cinnamon to taste.
AH. That's better. To conclude, we at the Nathan Smith Foundation are going to work very hard at making sure that Nathan's spirit of generosity thrives, that his name continues to be said in the world by artists who continue to profess art into existence. His aesthetic principles should be taught and progressed in the world, in the laid-back yet dignified manner he so personified. This can all be done and indeed why shouldn't it be? Our backs are strong and though we are aware of our loss and have been made fragile by it, we are also determined, following his vivid example.
Oh, and why an "un-biography"? Well. Why clogs in the winter? Why a mini-disc player instead of an MP3? Why hand-made Valentines for fifty people? Why try to make your own lotion on your stovetop ... Why six-hour spaghetti ... glasses that look like they are upside down ... walk instead of drive ...?
Sometimes you just gotta be an individual. Cheers!
-TYS
