7.27.2009

Bohemian

"...Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits, with few permanent ties. Bohemians can be wanderers, adventurers or vagabonds. The term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the non-traditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities. Bohemians were associated with unorthodox or anti-establishment political or social viewpoints, which were often expressed through free love, frugality, and/or voluntary poverty.." From Wikipedia.

Maybe I did want to be a hippie after all? But I like the word bohemian better? Because there's something about the bohemian lifestyle that intrigues me. The wanderer part, the unconventional part, the artist part. And we're kind of impoverished right now, but not by choice ;)

My favorite poet, Mina Loy. She was an artist, playwright, Futurist, and leading member of the Greenwich Village bohemian circuit. Must read, The Lost Lunar Baedeker.
Funny that bohemian implies poor, poor artist, and unconventional, but the whole "boho chic" movement is meant for the not-so-poor (think Anthropologie), and has become more and more conventional. But I still love the whole feel of the bohemian fashion and design movement. It inspires me...

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