22nd Presence Almanac

PRESENCE ALMANAC

Twenty-Second Chronicle

Curated by Elliott Desai

Cover photo by Elliott Desai

Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai

FOR THE A DVA N C E M E N T OF ARTS & CULTURE When I saw the word “spiritual” as a combination of “spirit” and “ritual,” I began thinking about the actions we take to nurture our souls.

These chronicles are a signal to appreciate being alive, and they’re published in sync with the moon phases to ebb with the universe.

AKA the things we do that are not entirely aimed at our survival.

I’m choosing to focus on the visual and performing arts, but this opportunity is up to you!

Basking in the sun, reading fictional books, listening to music...

Traveling the globe, attending live events, chatting with artists...

Then slowing down, taking deep breaths, and expressing gratitude for every moment we get to experience.

These activities are how I found “presence,” and optimistic routines are how I feel like the best version of myself.

By focusing on the joy of being alive, I realized that yes — I am spiritual.

So I started thinking about “rituals for your spirit” and patterns that could increase everyone’s ability to enjoy being alive.

Thus... the Presence Almanac.

With so many distractions competing for your attention and a status quo of worrying about the future, I dreamed of introducing a habit that cultivates appreciation for this moment.

What will you do on a regular basis to nurture your soul?

Whether it’s breathwork, surfing, yoga, meditation, evening walks, inventing recipes, or starting puzzles, this Twenty-Second Chronicle is a reminder to fall in love with another day of living your life.

HOLLYWOOD I mention the location to document where I’ve been, but the artists are my true focus of this almanac.

I enjoy creating art and dedicating time to appreciating another artist’s vision, time and attention.

It’s good for my spirit and it’s the undercurrent of my life.

Throughout 2023, I’ve enjoyed a handful of shows at Steve Turner and Sean Kelly Los Angeles.

After viewing their works, consider visiting the appendix links to see more from these artists:

Robert Pokorny‘s No Running By The Pool Rose Barberat‘s I’ll Pick You Up Pablo Benzo’s Some things last a long time Anthony McCall’s New Solid Light Works and Early Drawings Shahzia Sikander’s Radiant Dissonance

Published December 19 at 10:50 AM Sincerely, Elliott Desai

H O L LY WO O D

© Robert Pokorny | After Vincent Van Gogh’s 1887 Self Portrait, 2019 No Running By The Pool

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Robert Pokorny | Bitchin’ Summer, 2023 No Running By The Pool

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Robert Pokorny | Head of a Bearded Man Smoking a J, 2022 No Running By The Pool

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Rose Barberat | I’ll Pick You Up, 2023 I’ll Pick You Up

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Rose Barberat | Louna, 2022 I’ll Pick You Up

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Pablo Benzo | Sunshine recorder, 2023 Some things last a long time

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Pablo Benzo | Acceptance, 2023 Some things last a long time

Courtesy of Steve Turner

© Shahzia Sikander | Fixed, Fluid, 2022 Radiant Dissonance

Photo by Elliott Desai Courtesy of Sean Kelly Los Angeles

© Shahzia Sikander | Infinite Woman, 2021 Radiant Dissonance

Photo by Elliott Desai Courtesy of Sean Kelly Los Angeles

© Anthony McCall | Split-Second (Mirror) III, 2022 New Solid Light Works and Early Drawings

Courtesy of Sean Kelly Los Angeles

© Anthony McCall | Split-Second (Mirror) III, 2022 New Solid Light Works and Early Drawings

Courtesy of Sean Kelly Los Angeles

HOLLYWOOD Robert Pokorny

No Running By The Pool September 16 - October 14, 2023 steveturner.la/artists/robert-pokorny

Rose Barberat

I’ll Pick You Up March 25 - April 22, 2023 steveturner.la/exhibition/rose-barberat

Pablo Benzo

I’ll Pick You Up February 18 - March 18, 2023 steveturner.la/exhibition/pablo-benzo

Steve Turner 6830 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90038 steveturner.la

HOLLYWOOD Shahzia Sikander

Radiant Dissonance November 19, 2022 - January 7, 2023 skny.com/artists/shahzia-sikander

Anthony McCall

New Solid Light Works and Early Drawings July 13 - August 25, 2023 skny.com/artists/anthony-mccall

Sean Kelly Los Angeles 1357 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 skny.com

December 19 at 10:40 AM Los Angeles, CA

© Elliott Desai

presencealmanac.com