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“For want of having ruled his life reasonably, (Shintao) eventually decided the best consisted in trusting the impressions that rule our imagining : therefore, why should sensitiveness –and even sensuality- be kept at bay when making up for the deficiencies of reason is required ? Not far, in that, from the Tao faithful, and for all his being convinced that appearances are deceitful, he is well assured that our senses are no negligible guides. They are the surest vehicles of enthusiasm, a condition allowing communication, all intellection apart, with the vast mystery of the world. They are our reminders of the fact that reality, to the wise man, will be like a feast to be enjoyed, that the world is meant to be relished, that art is nothing else than the hidden taste of things exalted.” (In “Shitao, the taste of the world”, by) François Cheng (who) exclaimed, after visiting my studio : “Your sculpture is melodic, Mr Coste, it is a happy sculpture.”

“Release to me lieth not in giving up. I can feel the grasp of liberty in a million of binding delights. Exceedingly filling this cup of clay, thou endlessly pourest for me the cool flow of thy many-coloured and -fragrant wine. From thy flame shall my universe light its hundred of varied lamps, and before the altar of thy temple shall it arrange them. Nay ! Never shall I shut thee out of my senses ! The delights of seeing, of hearing and touching shall thy delight bear. Aye! My illusions shall all burn away in an outbreak of enlightening joy and my desires shall all ripen into fruits of love.” (Tagore, The Lyrical Offer, 73)
(Translated from French by Michèle Bustros)

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l'adret
marbre L.40cm 00