Metamorphosis

 

Monday, May 14, 2012 – Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis, or change, is the theme for the past few days.  Over the weekend, the idea of metamorphosis was inescapable.  On Saturday, I went into DC with my friend, Cindy, to see a play entitled Metamorphosis, presented by the Constellation Theatre Company.   The drama, written by Mary Zimmerman, was previously a big success on the New York stage where it was directed by the playwright.  Constellation did a superb job of conveying the essence of Ovid’s mythic tales about the transformative nature of love.  The theatre itself is a cozy black box, and the action took place in and around a pool of water, which occupied most of the stage.  Throughout the 90-minute drama, water as a natural element played an important role, with the various characters immersing themselves in the pool, disappearing under the waters, and emerging from the pool, linking the restorative powers of water to the transformative powers of love.   As usual, Constellation Theatre provided an exciting, imaginative, and thoroughly satisfying theatrical experience.    

The idea of metamorphosis, in the guise of gentrification, was also apparent on 14^th Street NW, where the theatre is located.  Until quite recently, 14^th Street had been a fairly edgy neighborhood, known for its second hand furniture stores, unique gift shops, innovative design studios, ethnic restaurants, wine bars, and affordable housing.  Granted, some of the buildings were fairly decrepit, but the street swarmed with young people in the evenings and on the weekends.  Unfortunately, developers decided it was time to take advantage of the growing popularity of this area.  They are now in the process of demolishing whole blocks and replacing the older structures with newer, more modern and more luxurious (i.e. more expensive) buildings.  Some of my favorite establishments, including Miss Pixie’s, which sold used furniture and miscellaneous stuff, were forced out of business by the wrecking crews. 

I hope Busboys and Poets, the restaurant at the corner of 14^th Street and V Street, where we stopped for lunch, will survive.  Judging from the crowd waiting for tables at noon on Saturday, their business is thriving.  The restaurant offers plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans as well as more traditional eaters.  In addition, there is an independent bookstore on the premises.  The restaurant owner, Andy Shallal, organizes programs in the evenings to foster inter-cultural dialogue and understanding.  If you’re in DC, you’d certainly enjoy spending some time on 14^th Street.  I just hope that the area can retain some of its original character, which made it such an appealing destination in the first place. 

The idea of metamorphosis continued into Sunday, which was Mother’s Day.  This was a bittersweet time for me, as I reflected on the slow, subtle, inexorable process of change that my mother is going through.  In response to her cognitive decline, I’m forced to go through a change as well.  Our relationship will never again be one of equals.  I mourn the loss of a mothering figure in my life as I assume more and more the role of her caretaker.  So much of what made her the unique, vibrant, energetic person we all knew has been lost.  But I cling to what remains:  her ability to express her love for her family, her enjoyment of exercise and good food, her devotion to her religious faith, her cheerful outlook on life.  I’ve learned so many valuable life lessons from her – not through explicit instruction, but by observing how she lived, and continues to live, her life.  I never really thought about it until recently, but I’m sure it’s because of Katie that I smile a lot.  I always saw her smiling, and I couldn’t help noticing how other people, even strangers, responded.  It was a way of reaching out to others, of making them more favorably disposed to her.  My smiling is probably automatic by now.  It makes me feel good to look out at the world with a smile on my face, and it makes me feel even better when it leads to a positive connection to someone else. 

On Sunday, Katie smiled all through our time together at Whole Foods, where we met Matt for lunch.  I’m firmly convinced that Whole Foods is the best place for us to eat out as a family.  Elliott was thrilled to get a juicy slice of prime rib, a heaping mound of mashed potatoes and a big portion of macaroni and cheese for his midday meal.  Matt considered the barbequed brisket before eventually settling on his long-time standby, cheese pizza.  My mother and I were a bit more adventurous.  We split a slice of roasted mushroom and shallot pizza and loaded up a plate with about seven or eight different salads, including a summery mango-edamame-corn mixture.  Of course, we all had to try some desserts.  The good thing about dining out in a group is that we can taste a lot of different items without having to eat large quantities of anything.  I got an assortment of small cookies (the raspberry-chocolate chip shortbread was the best) to accompany our gelato selections and coffee.  As soon as we finished eating, Katie was eager to get back to Greenspring, where she feels safest.  However, I am satisfied that she clearly enjoyed her time with us. 

The metamorphosis idea recurred at the Sunday afternoon concert I attended on the local community college campus.  The Virginia Chamber Orchestra presented two Debussy works inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphosis.  Both compositions are part of an opera, Diane au Bois, related to the tale of Eros and Diana.  Debussy began composing the opera when he was in his late teens, but it remained unfinished at the time of his death.  The VCO presented the world premiere of the Diane overture and the American premiere of an operatic scene featuring soprano and tenor soloists. 

Metamorphosis has also been going on at home as we continue transforming our house into a showcase for Elliott’s art.  (Generously, he has allocated some wall space for my art as well.)  Over the weekend, we finished selecting the works to display, and on Monday, we began the process of hanging pieces on the walls.  Since most of Elliott’s paintings are large-scale works, the installation process is both time-consuming and physically challenging.  It will take several more days before we’re finished.  Then I’ll write up a gallery guide to accompany the exhibition. 

And to conclude the metamorphosis theme for now, Elliott’s pain has subsided enough so that we were able to go to the gym for our workouts this morning.