No. 56: Mona Esser Pennock
Loïe Fuller, jasmine in Kerala, Sky Ting, The Hero's Journey Dream Oracle, Elizabeth Street Garden, Hojicha and more.
Mona Esser Pennock is the Brooklyn-based founder of be-shen and creative director of Gemsun. Born in Germany and raised in Tunisia and Portugal, Mona spent the next 10 years at holiday resorts where her father managed the hotel and her mother curated the boutique and entertainment. Hospitality and joy were at the core of her upbringing – living among locals and travelers nurtured her open heart and deep appreciation for food, culture, language, and the beach. Mona’s palpable openness and desire to help others awaken their inner glow led her to create be-shen, a practice incorporating face reading, astrology, human design, numerology, and intuitive channeling. Her energy and creative spirit also flows into Gemsun, a brand she created with her best friend of 20 years, Lisa Marie Schmidt, where they craft handmade hats, bags, and belts from biodegradable recycled materials alongside a carefully curated clothing collection. From Mona –
I. a show
The whimsical glory of Loïe Fuller, the serpent dancer, has influenced an infinite amount of people including me. From the first time I saw the stills of Loïe’s movement with voluptuous customs moving like the wind, I was taken by her magic. She presents both the fine, gentle, delicate feminine as well as the darker, wilder, and louder (less rule-oriented) feminine. I see her as an embodiment of heaven and earth. Cosmic and 3D real at the same time. I could watch her work and work made about her all day long. She is the original goddess and higher priestess of self-expression. I see her serpent dance as a metaphor for our own energy field - constantly moving, shape-shifting, and expanding.
II. a flower wrapped in banana leaves
In India, it is common for women to wear fresh beaded and knotted jasmine in their hair. The white powdery and elevating flower scrunchie blesses your day with a heavenly scent. When I visited Kerala (in the south of India) this year, we enjoyed getting fresh jasmine delivered to our hut every day in newspapers or wrapped in banana leaves - a reminder of how little things in life can make our everyday experience more beautiful. It is humbling to use nature's resources to decorate our lives. Fresh jasmine essence in my hair every day made me feel protected. Delicious. I honor this simplicity. Delicate, gentle beauty.
III. a set of cards that guides you into your true colors
Working as a spiritual guide is the biggest pleasure of my life. I love the esoteric and opening portals with my clients and in group ceremonies. The Hero's Journey Dream Oracle has been a companion through the years of building my practice be-shen and growing deeper into womanhood myself. The artwork is painted by Iranian artist Roussoli. I can't describe in words how vibrant and magical the union of the art and the message of these cards is. Every single card pull is so on point and filled with an invaluable amount of life guidance. Most cards have a goddess figure exulting in cosmic colors or moon shapes that allow you to get into a state of trust, joy, and acceptance. I hold this work of art as sacred. Everyone who is close to me knows how much this creation means to me. It inspires me on an aesthetically, emotionally, and spiritually level. Full energy activation!
IV. a few places that fill my vessel
Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery’s A Room is an Archive of Touch was the only show I saw twice this year
The Row in Amagansett to get a Happier juice and dream big after a swim in the bay
Sky Ting goddess temple once a week for Bonnie’s Fascia Yoga and to hang with angel beings
Elizabeth Street Garden once a week at least to see the flowers bloom and figs ripen
V. a matcha alternative
Ceremonial matcha drinks are a beautiful ritual of my mornings. Especially because I grew up in a coffee household where I was the only one not liking the taste of it at all. I was happy when years ago matcha popped up in cafes all around. Since last year I have found a more earthy version. Hojicha. Hoji is the sister of matcha. It’s roasted green tea leaves with the same powder form as its sibling. I love preparing it for myself at home: iced with cashew milk. But when I am floating somewhere outside I recommend trying a hoji latte with pistachio milk at acre. Over the summer they had a special mango matcha and berry hoji. I love the warm hojicha at Kettl. And iced coconut hoji without boba at boba guys. This Japanese drink is delightful. Happy hojiing!
BULLETIN
Los Angeles
On view: Home Again, a two person show with John Divola and Megan Plunkett, at Timeshare. Jane Dickson’s Are We There Yet? at Karma. Olafur Eliasson: OPEN at MOCA. Charles Arnoldi 2018-2024 at Half Gallery. Nicholas Bierk’s The Beauty and the Horror at Overduin & Co. Koji Nakano Exhibition, new work by Koji Nakano, opens Saturday at CASTLE. Duncan Hannah’s Flesh and Fantasy at The Journal Gallery. Jenna Gribbon’s Like Looking in a Mirror and Fred Eversley’s Cylindrical Lenses at David Kordanky. Caitlin MacQueen’s Fascination at Hannah Hoffman. Aria Dean’s Facts Worth Knowing at Château Shatto. Group show L.A. Story at Hauser & Wirth featuring Ed Ruscha, Florian-Maier-Aichen, David Hockney, and more (curated by Steve Martin). Tahnee Lonsdale’s A Billion Tiny Moons at Night. At Home: Alice Neel in Queer World and Nate Lowman’s Parking at David Zwirner. Willa Nasatir’s solo exhibition at Sea View. Eddie Martinez’s Homework at Blum. Objects for a Heavenly Cave at Marta featuring Lily Clark, Valentina Cameranesi Sgroi, Mr. Liz Hopkins and many more. Ed Ruscha’s Now Then at LACMA.
New York
On view: Blair Whiteford’s Garden of Infinite Foundation at Matthew Brown. Vince Skelly’s Play Sculptures at TIWA. Dike Blair and Manoucher Yektai’s Landscapes at Karma. Nan Goldin: You Never Did Anything Wrong at Gagosian. Mitch Epstein’s Old Growth at Yancey Richardson. July Guzman’s Along the Line and Catherine Repko’s Hark at 1969 Gallery. Group show The Superfluity of Things at James Cohan Gallery. Sophia Heymans’ Everything Dancing and Vincent Pocsik’s Paradise Never Bends at Shrine. Eli Ping’s Stamina at Clearing. Judith Eisler’s Dreams, Jokes, Mistakes at Casey Kaplan. Soumya Netrabile’s Holding Current at Rachel Uffner. Hilary Pecis’ Warm Rhythm at David Kordansky. Group show Across the Pond: Contemporary Painting in London featuring Max Wade, Emma Fineman, and more at Eric Firestone Gallery. Maris Van Vlack’s Time Warp at Superhouse. Group show Works on Paper featuring Joan Snyder, Mimi Lauter, Lily Ludlow, and Xylor Jane at Canada. Shara Mays’ Where We Walked, Who We Remembered at Hunter Dunbar. Mercedes Llanos’ Te Soñe Primero at Amanita.
Friday - Sunday: Brooke Callahan pop up at BOMI.
Affection Archives is a weekly look into the archives of yours truly (Arielle Eshel) and people I admire. Follow on Instagram @AffectionArchives.
<3
Hojicha date soon please