Glaner: In Memory of Agnes Varda (30 May 1928 – 29 March 2019)
Thursday, April 04, 2019
GLANER MEANS 'TO GLEAN'
by Kristi Espinasse
In the dramatic opening scene of her memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls is riding in the back of a New York taxi, wondering whether she has overdressed for the party to which she is headed, when she sees something that knocks the wind right out of her Park Avenue sails.
Out there on the curbside, an older woman wearing rags is rooting through a dumpster. On closer look, the garbage picker is Jeannette's own mother!
As I read the page-turner memoir, I could only imagine how a daughter's heart seized up on seeing her intelligent, artistic, and once athletic mother rooting through the trash. What had brought her to this? And, more curiously, why was the waste picker smiling?
It wasn't until I saw the fascinating documentary, The Gleaners and I (Les glaneurs et la glaneuse), by French filmmaker Agnès Varda, that I began to see this touching scene quite differently, and even to recall a few gleaning episodes of my own. Before writing about those, I will share some of the eloquent descriptions I gathered from viewers' reactions to The Gleaners:
... a wonderful documentary that reminds us of how much we produce and waste in the world and how the disenfranchised (and artistic) make use of that waste to survive... The characters Varda encounters are equally compelling and interestingly are not portrayed as whiny or blameful of others for their situations: they simply state how they live and we are left impressed with their ingenuity. (anonymous)
One of my favorite scenes in the film is when we are introduced to a wizened Chinese man in Paris living at home among a heap of dumpster gleanings. He has taken in a boarder—a happy-go-lucky black man who hunts the day long for discarded food and items that he himself will repair and give away to those less fortunate than himself. "Somebody might need this," the ragpicker says. Evenings, the Chinese man will cook up the dumpster chicken in one of the ovens that his resourceful roommate has brought home. As the men prepare to dine together, seated on crooked chairs and ever amazed by their "fortune", I have to reach over and hit the pause button. Have you ever seen such sweet faces, such sparkling eyes, than on these two lovely men who care for one another and for others?
In another scene, we observe a clean-cut wiry man stooping here and there as he scours the market stalls in Paris at the end of market day. Here and there he pops a broken piece of celery or apple or lettuce into his mouth... "Beta carotene! Vitamin K! I'm a biology major," he explains, adding that though he earns a salary, he still needs to eat and by the way, he's vegetarian! He admits that cheese is a little more difficult to find, but there's plenty of tossed out bread. We later learn that though he holds a scientific diploma, this biologist chooses to sell papers outside the train station. In a touching "who'd have thunk it?" scene, we see the same garbage picker volunteering his time, each evening, to teach refugees English. His carefully illustrated blackboards featuring, among other objects, a hand-drawn bike and its phonetic word equivalent, attest as much to his selfless and caring soul as to his professionalism and skill.
There are several other heart-awakening moments in which Agnès Varda steadies her lens on the outcasts who in turn teach us more about the art of living than we will ever glean from the pages of any New York Times bestseller on the subject. The rag-wearing, sometimes toothless characters could write volumes on the subject. Meantime, they have more meaningful pursuits: getting by, while managing to smile at life.
As for my own dumpster days as a child—I'd root unselfconsciously through the trash bin (one we shared with the neighbor in the trailer next door), ever amazed at the ongoing source of riches (in this case--cans of Hamm's beer which could be recycled for cash after stomping the cans flat!). Our neighbor, a single, middle-aged woman, regularly replenished the trash bin with this blatantly underestimated source of income! I began to feel sorry about her loss, which to me related to her pocket book and not her liver health (I had no idea that all those cans equalled addiction).
I regret losing the desire to salvage things (publicly, at least), though the occasional foray through a stranger's trash still happens, but I am grateful to live here in France--where gleaning is alive and well and rooted deeply in the culture! How many times during family outings has an uncle or a cousin or a grandma stooped to pick up a tumbled down apricot or a chestnut, or paused to uproot a lonely asparagus or a bunch of herbs from the edge of a neighbor's yard. "Have you seen what they charge for this at the markets?" my in-laws shake their heads. Soon they'll make up a fresh batch of herbs de Provence--more fragrant and delicious than can be found on any supermarket aisle.
When my husband returned from the States after his multi-city wine tour, he brought me an unexpected surprise: two charming rush-bottom chairs!
"I found them in the airport parking lot," Jean-Marc explained, "beside the dumpster." I admit, if he had brought those home 15 years ago--as a consolation gift for his two week absence, I might have been hugely disappointed! Nowadays, I don't want the ill-fitting T-shirt (quickly rung up at a pricy airport gift shop). I'd rather have a couple of bars of chocolate, or, in this case, some adorable chairs!)
Each time I look at the chairs, I feel the same kind of affection one feels when looking at some of the characters in Agnès Varda's documentary. They are quirky. They are imperfect. They are charming. They are lovely. And, as one of the men in the film said, "they are needed."
Adieu, Agnès Varda. Thank you for the stories, for your precious gleanings on humanity.
***
See it tonight. This film is available for rental, on Amazon, click here.
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What a beautiful column, Kristin! I think I will rent that video soon. Gleaning is alive and well in Texas. Here in Houston, we have household junk pick up once every other month, where you can place your junk on the curb and the city will come and pick it up. The weekend before the pick-up, we have trucks and cars driving through neighborhoods picking up other people's discarded household items. I've even done this myself, you can score some good things! In my old suburban Houston neighborhood, junk waste was every Friday. Every Friday! Let that sink in! And the curbs were always full of good things, it was quite affluent and people bought and got rid of so much stuff. The pickers loved that neighborhood!
I'm with you, no t-shirt can make me as happy as a pair of chairs would!
Pickers Unite! (and let us all think about what we buy and discard!
Posted by: Maggie Grace | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 02:30 PM
Thank you for this very informative post, Kristi! I had never hears of Agnes Varda, and can't wait to see her movie! Coincidentally, The Glass Castle is one of our favorite books ever, Lily has read it at least 4 times, and I've read it twice.
Charlie and I have been dumpster diving, and alley-scouring for 4 decades, most of our early artworks had found objects as a base, and it's amazing what you can do with an old window or spool of crushed wire...
We are definitely a world of discarders, and fortunately. others can be happy and helpful living on what some people toss out.
Posted by: Suzanne Codi | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 02:40 PM
Well written, dear Kristi. I remember seeing a trunk I thought would make a nice dual purpose cocktail table and a perfectly good small table top black metal wine rack on the sidewalk in NYC when I lived there. Embarrassed to be seen picking them up, I passed them by, planning to return for them at dark. Of course, they were gone. Enjoyed by someone less concerned about what others might think. Here in Florida it's very popular to put out items and no shame in picking them up. Internationally (I think), there is also freecycle (online, but neighborhood groups); I've used it in both offer and wanted categories. (BTW, if the NYTimes best seller you were referring to is the memoir The Glass House, it's an excellent read, though not particularly about gleaning.)
Posted by: Trina in Florida, USA | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 02:51 PM
Hi Kristi,
I loved The Glass Castle and read it a few years ago. I haven't seen the documentary by Agnes Varda but will watch it maybe tonight! It just reminds us to be so thankful for what we have doesn't it? I remember when we lived in Germany, there was a day that we called "junking" but I can't remember what the Germans called it. Everyone would put things out on the curb on a Saturday and then we would get a coffee and just walk the village looking through all the cool stuff. I think I picked up a couple of chairs also. It's different to do that type of gleaning...not so desperate and I feel so sorry for the people who have to look through discarded items and food as a way of life.
Posted by: Eileen | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:03 PM
Agnès Varda was such a hero of mine, such an inspiration. I hadn't realized she had died. Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse is one of my favorite films. She made dozens more--each unique in it's style and subject, always imaginative and bold.
Adieu et merci, Agnès Varda.
Posted by: Leslie NYC | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:10 PM
I have a discarded garden trellis as my headboard that I found sitting next to the dumpster in my car port. Yes, to dumpster diving.
Posted by: Jennie | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:12 PM
Kristi, this reminds me of friends from the Seattle area that I met in Haiti. They had done French study in Brussels before working in Burundi in the 70’s. One Saturday, they gleaned a wonderful, framed painting which they took home, enjoyed the rest of the student year, and took with them to Burundi. In March of 84, we visited them in Port-au-Prince (we already knew we were going to Rwanda in September) and I off the cuff said that if we got to Burundi is there anything they would like us to bring back of their stuff (abandoned quickly in political times of the 70’s). They both said No.....and then “the painting”! They described it to me and that year in December we had occasion to be visiting the rural compound where they had worked near Gitega! We had mentioned the painting to everyone we thought would have known them. All of them knew the painting. Finally, at their work place, someone took us to a depot! We knew that it might have been too big for a barrel! And so we looked up...and there it was, upside down, on top of a pile of barrels. The only thing there that belonged to these friends! We took it to them in Haiti in the fall of 1986 having enjoyed it on our dining room wall for two years in rural Rwanda.
Posted by: Muriel | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:18 PM
Thanks for the lovely reminder that your story gave me. I have copied it and put it in my life journal that I am trying to put together.
Posted by: Muriel | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:20 PM
Wonderful story! Thanks, Muriel.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:30 PM
I likely recommend Faces Places (Visages Villages en français), her last film that she made with a much younger artist. It celebrates rural France and ordinary people in a unique way. And she is in the film so you get to experience her wit and style.
Posted by: gary | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:43 PM
Dumpster diving is upcycling! Thank you for promoting it. One of the most gorgeous homes I’ve ever have the privilege of sitting in belongs to a friend of mine whose husband is a physician. Everything in her magazine photo worthy home is second hand. The Glass Castle has been a favorite read. It is fascinating! Especially since a portion of the time they live here in Phoenix. I didn’t realize the movie was available to watch! Thank you for recommending Agnes Varda. I’m excited to learn all about her. The quotes and items you mention from The Gleaners are so very true. Perspective plays such a big part in life and too often I don’t stop and think about that. Muriel thank you for the idea of a life journal. Fabulous! 😃 Thank you all and I hope your day is just lovely!
Posted by: Gail in AZ | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 03:49 PM
Bonjour, Kristin, I especially liked the part about the gentleman with the scientific diploma who teaches English to refugees at night. Such an example of beautiful humanitarian aid. It is good of you to share this filmmaker with your readers.
Posted by: Joanne | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 04:44 PM
Goddard and Trauffaut get all the credit as the geniuses behind the French "new wave" film movement but Varda was really the first and hugely influenced the others.
Posted by: Keith Van Sickle | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 04:55 PM
Thank you for this suggestion!
Posted by: Patricia Sands | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 05:38 PM
A beautiful post for a woman with a magnificent spirit. Thank you! I think we will have a Varda filmiest this weekend.
Posted by: Patricia Sands | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 05:40 PM
I am going to have to see this movie. We are alive with garage sales around here(not quite the same). But often you will see something sitting out in front of a house that has a little sign on it that says "FREE". We are a wasteful nation. As i look around my house I see the lovely set of French plates(3 sizes), bowls, serving dishes for 8 that i got for $15 at a sale. Or the mismatched silver forks that were free. In every room there is something that once belonged to someone else that became my treasure. In certain areas grocery stores are working more on getting pulled produce and other staples to those that need it. If something has a bruise on it it never gets to the shelf, but is perfectly good. Much more needs to be done about this wastefulness.
Posted by: joie | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 05:46 PM
Dear Kristi,
What a remarkable woman Agnes Varda was! She certainly was ahead of her time in many ways.
It must be part of human nature to glean, reuse, repurpose, depending on the “times” and one’s circumstances or creativity. I am reminded of Jean Francois Millet’s painting, The Gleaners. It has always been a favorite...
Posted by: Chris Allin | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 06:46 PM
Kristin,
you managed to present a book(well, to me at least :)), explain a concept, mix it with references to our daily lives - well, paint a picture which will surely flash back next time I see gleaning.
Thank you.
Posted by: juan | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 07:37 PM
Thank you, Juan.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 07:48 PM
Reading your tribute to Agnès Varda and the replies from your readers made my morning happier. Loved “Faces Places” with JR and Varda! It also reminded me of my own gleaning of colorful tiles from a dumpster in Lisbon, as well as a tile discarded on a street in Montmartre. In New Mexico people leave items by the curb for whomever wants them on a regular basis, which is how I now have patio chairs. Thank you to all for your stories!
Posted by: Tanya Field | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 07:49 PM
I love this post. A beautiful, well educated young lady slept in a cardboard dumpster behind our local lock smith shop. My daughter was the aquatic supervisor at the local pool and let her in every morning to use the shower.
We later learned that she had a minimum wage job but didn’t want to live in the homeless shelter.
I talked to her often but she was too proud to take any help I offered.
One day she was gone and I often wished I could have help in some way.
Posted by: Jerry Wood | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 09:35 PM
Oops, I meant The Glass Castle.
Posted by: Trina in Florida, USA | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 09:59 PM
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful,thought provoking post today.
You make us not only give thanks for the many blessings in our own lives,but also to have empathy for the so many who are less fortunate.
Agnes Varda's talent is powerful.
Thank you for bringing this--and her--to our attention.
Love
Natalia. Xo
Posted by: natalia | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 10:42 PM
Did you know that Agnes Varda knew Jim Morrison during his stay in Paris and he is recorded as having said that she was the only person that he trusted in the city.
Varda was also one of only six people who attended his funeral at Père Lachaise.
She was a true artist and she will be missed.
Posted by: Christopher | Thursday, April 04, 2019 at 10:46 PM
Kristi,
What a beautiful writing and sharing - a wonderful tribute to Ms Varda and the gleaners of this world! I'm anxious to see the movie and it looks like the book “The Glass Castle” needs to move up on my “must read” list! Thank you, you are a wise and gentle soul! Judi
Posted by: Judi in Lake Balboa | Friday, April 05, 2019 at 06:34 AM
Oh, to be once again browsing in the back alleys of Beverly Hills! You cannot IMAGINE we found there many years ago. And the thrift shops of Pasadena. Most of what I love and possess belonged to others at some point. And I had a business called Tarnished Angel with a friend and we spent joyful days buying old boucle dresses from the 30s and 40s and remaking them into modern, often very slinky and chic numbers. We sold to Holly's Harp in Bev Hills. A great time and I still can't pass up a vide grenier.
Posted by: Suzanne Dunaway | Friday, April 05, 2019 at 05:24 PM
M’y curiosity is getting to me....How did Jean-Marc pack those chairs to take on an airplane!?
Posted by: Muriel | Friday, April 05, 2019 at 06:30 PM
I am not usually a dumpster diver. Once my husband and I were going to put something or other (maybe cardboard boxes) into the dumpster for our apartment complex. When we got there, I saw a wooden two-drawer file cabinet and a heavy-duty plastic hanger. The hanger was cracked, but we took it home, washed it, and mended it with tape. Th front of the file cabinet was about to fall off, but it was otherwise perfect. We took it home, wiped it off (it really was clean to start with), and glued the front back onto the rest of the cabinet. Maybe someone tossed it because they didn't want to make the effort to fix it. I used that cabinet for years. I've found that folks seem too ready to throw things away, from cookie tins to Christmas (cloth) ribbon to all kinds of other things that still have life in them. I'll keep the book and movie in mind.
Posted by: Marianne Rankin | Sunday, April 07, 2019 at 06:54 AM
what a wonderful piece. i knew and admired agnès varda. she would have LOVED your insight into her work, dear kristin.
www.peterstephanjungk.com
Posted by: peter stephan jungk | Monday, April 22, 2019 at 10:12 AM