Atelier Sey Story No.2, It Was Summer

Atelier Sey Story No.2, It Was Summer: The First Story from A Space for Summer

Long evenings, a family gathered in the living room, and the memory of fruit a mother cut and set out. Atelier Sey writes about the feeling of waiting for summer.

I filled the vase with marigolds, and the scent is lovely. In the afternoons, I like to light a candle for a little while. Sculptural Candle, Silver Moon Jar.

A longer sun meant we were allowed to get ready for bed a little later than usual.
We could stay in the yard longer, and I could buy a little more time to finish the puzzle I hoped to complete that day. (Winter took that time back, but well, for now, it was fine.)
After washing up and changing into pajamas, our whole family gathered in the living room to watch the special summer horror series.
We turned off the lights, leaving just one small lamp, and sat close together.
Looking back, the CG was ridiculous. When the heroine was overcome with rage, her eyes turned green, her voice grew deep, and she called herself 'M'.
It scared us so much that on those nights, we always climbed into bed with our siblings.
Whenever we got scared, we burrowed into Mom's arms. Whenever Dad got scared, he took another sip of beer.

Every summer, my mother made us chicken soup. In Korea, there are three days each summer when you are meant to eat it: as summer begins, at its hottest peak, and as it fades. Simmered slowly with nourishing herbs, it is a wish for a healthy season. Now I make it for my own family, every summer, without fail. Jade Bowl.

Mom prepared fruit and beer for Dad. His anju, the little dishes set out to go with a drink, was always devoured by us, but he never minded. Mom would ask him, "More anju?" And we would answer, "Yes."

When summer begins, I always think of those nights.
I still remember the taste of the watermelon, the peaches, brought out as Dad's anju but eaten by us.
I remember Mom's love in the fruit she cut into easy pieces,
and Dad, pretending to be shocked at how fast we ate, rubbing the youngest one's round belly with delight.

My version is a little different from my mother's. Watermelon and peaches, tossed with a touch of balsamic and olive oil. Jade Bowl.

Maybe that is why watermelon and peaches still make me happy.
Now I prepare fruit for my own family's summer nights.
My husband drinks his beer, and the kids devour the fruit.
"Dad's anju is all gone. Should I bring more?"
My son answers, "Yes."

Sometimes I add cheese. It is the childlike wish to have everything I love in one bite. Jade Saucer.

Anju is the Korean word for the small dishes shared over a drink. In this house, it was always fruit. Perhaps so that the children could pick at it before bed, and it would rest easy on their little stomachs.

The objects in these summer scenes

Sculptural Candle  |  Silver Moon Jar  |  Jade Bowl  |  Jade Coffee Cup & Saucer