A Handbook for Ecstatic Survival
Texts & Photography by David Earle
Edited & Designed by Michael R Caplan
The reviewer for The Dance Current said that A Handbook for Ecstatic Survival is 'an unusual and utterly engaging book … I kept picking it up, putting it down and picking it up to delve in again. When I’d made my way to the end through the abundant photographs, handwritten notes and deeply moving memories, it was clear that the book is a window to the soul of an extraordinary artist.' It certainly is that! But what's especially important to me and to House of ShAkE is David Earle's ability to speak to anyone – to, as he puts it, 'the curious, the hungry, for those wishing for another window on this Life’s possibilities.'
A few excerpts …
I began with the title Letters To A Young Dancer, hoping to describe the elements that constitute my Life in dance and perhaps offer some insights to anyone who might wish to enter that maze. But the title A Handbook For Ecstatic Survival actually predates the conception of Letters …, for I recently found it in a 1973 journal (as a title for an “erotic novel”). …
When I first envisioned this book, I imagined having some broad, general advice to share but, entering into it, I find that no generalizations are possible. As we have witnessed, generalizations can be dangerous to human Life …
For we don’t want an answer. “Answer” is an end. What we need are the questions essential to existence rephrased in ways that are meaningful for our Time. …
I call the present The Rush To Nowhere. But we do not need to settle for the meagre offerings of the visible Now – three thousand years of human expression is at our fingertips. …
Handwriting is a token and affirmation of individuality and character. …
I try to tell the truth, because nothing else seems as interesting. For many, it’s too interesting.
This book is a selection of David's original images and writings, co-produced with Dancetheatre David Earle. David, Michael English & I talked about it for a few years, and in 2016 created the limited edition Study for 'A Handbook for Ecstatic Survival'.
The 100-page full-colour Handbook came out in 2017, in hardcover & paperback, and sold out. It's now into its 2nd paperback printing.
The book is divided into 14 sections, themes from David’s journals: Ecstasy, Life, Love, Eros, the Sacred, Creation, Dance, Dancers, Watchers, Art, Teaching, Music, Me, & Martha Graham.
This project was made possible with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council’s Chalmers Awards Fellowship.
