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The daily rituals of others number one
(Research)

Research into our study of Daily Rituals.

Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami on writing: I get up at 4:00 am and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for 10km or swim for 1500m (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at 9:00 pm. I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerise myself to reach a deeper state of mind.

Haruki Murakami, jogging shot by Patrick Fraser

(1 of 3) Haruki Murakami, jogging shot by Patrick Fraser

Stefan Sagmeister

Every evening designer Stefan Sagmeister writes down three things that worked that day. He says, “it takes minimal reflection and effort, yet it can accentuate positive thinking.”

Part of an installation by Stefan Sagmeister 'Everybody Always Thinks They Are Right'

(2 of 3) Part of an installation by Stefan Sagmeister 'Everybody Always Thinks They Are Right'

Hans Ulrich Obrist

Hans Ulrich Obrist, co-director of London’s Serpentine Gallery, gets sad about the decline of rituals in modern life. His day is full of them. Every morning when he wakes at 5am he reads late French Martinican writer Édouard Glissant for 15 minutes. He started the Brutally Early Club, where he meets with friends at 6.30am. Obrist says, “everyone is so busy every day; no one has any time to meet their friends any more. The solution is simple: meet earlier…The city is very magical at half past six in the morning.”  He jogs daily, not to keep fit but because he likes the ritual of it. He also buys a new book each day. Busy man.

Hans Ulrich Obrist

(3 of 3) Hans Ulrich Obrist

Notes

Words by Dan Honey.

Series

Daily Rituals – A project about the (sometimes strange, sometimes mundane) rituals that people practice in private.

Date 26 May, 2017
Category ↳ Research
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