I’ve just seen that it was Arno’s 96th birthday on Tuesday. In this photo that his son André took, there was a row of colourful candles inspired by one of his wonderful inventions: the table-palette. Such a perfect way to celebrate the long and vibrant life of this pioneering man! Because Arno has devoted more than 70 of his 96 years to the development of “le jeu de peindre”, which requires a “closlieu” room with its “table-palette” nucleus of 18 delectable colours in order for “la formulation” – the universal visual “mother-tongue” – to arise in the participants. Much like the flames on his candles, the paint colours shine a light on this neglected and endangered language. When you bring people of all ages around the table-palette, just as when you bring families and friends around a regular table to share a meal together, it strengthens a bond of trust in humanity, solidarity, of shared experience, creating memories and a brighter, more hopeful future.

Thank you once again, Arno, for bringing Painting Play into our lives! Here’s to many more happy birthdays ahead!

Copyright: Top AndreSternOfficial Instagram, bottom Arno Stern Official Facebook Page