When we sat down together recently at an outdoor cafe on my corner, in Park Slope, I liked Giles Clement immediately. Though he might use one as a photographer, it was clear from his comment about the waitress that in conversation he had no filter. Just my style.
I was told weeks ago by my friend Maggie to call Giles. Maggie is the owner of the Krooked Cafe in Tannersville near my new house in the Catskill Mountains of New York, and she is a special human, mother to all. When she left me a message to "Call Giles," and gave his number, I did it, no questions asked.
It turns out, Giles Clement and I had a lot to talk about. He grew up on my street, part of the Platte Clove Bruderhof Community, a Christian communal living community. Though he left years back, as a teen, we had a common understanding of the beauty of that spot in the world.
Like me, Giles is fascinated with artists' stories. He'd told me over the phone that he was inspired by the pandemic to train his camera on random artists he encountered traveling around in his white van and to tell their story. (Check it out on Instagram @gilesclement and on his site, www.GilesClement.com). I could relate to the concept quite well:)
Giles has been living in Brooklyn of late, and I called him to grab coffee. I'm so glad I did, (and not just because of the mustache.) His perspective on the world is honest and refreshing, as clear, funny and insightful as the pictures he snaps of other people. Our conversation (some of it recorded here) lasted all morning into lunch. I love it when that happens. It makes talking to strangers seem like such a great idea! Thanks Maggie, for the introduction, and thank you Giles for your bold insights at a time when too often our conversations are hampered by political correctness. Honest dialogue is much needed.