It is not easy to categorize “Varitan’s Illustrated Greek Myths.” The visually appealing book, early 20th century in its appearance, is a modern reinterpretation and reinvention of 22 popular stories of Greek mythology. The title is the first imprint from Orphiflamme Press, the new publishing venture of Boulder’s Blue Mountain Arts.
The publisher and editor, Jorian Polis Schutz, met author Yonah Ignacio Varitan on a yoga retreat where Varitan talked of his literary mission: making the Greek myths come alive for contemporary readers.
The conversations between author and editor, and the third member of the team, Argentine-born illustrator Federico Ulises Parolo, led to this unique creation. Sadly, Varitan died in an accident before the book was published.
We chatted with Schutz, 27, brother of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis and son of Susan Polis Schutz and Steven Schutz, founders of Blue Mountain, about why a company best known for its artful line of greeting cards would move into the book world.
Q: What would Zeus think of Boulder?
A: He’d be very pleased with some aspects and very displeased with others. I think he would be very pleased with how so many Boulderites hike trails and climb steep mountains. But once they reach the top they’re not singing out praises to the gods or to God.
I hike a lot around Boulder and Colorado. I listen to many of the conversations, and a lot of people are just talking about business. In Boulder it’s a lot of high-tech talk. Many don’t recognize the beauty around them.
Q: Why would Blue Mountain take on Greek myths?
A: The wisdom of the ancient Greeks has always been present for me in some way. When I first encountered this project, I wanted the opportunity to make his project my own mission, as well.
Q: Talk about Yonah Ignacio Varitan.
A: Yonah continues to be an important spirit in my life. Though he had Judaism and Christianity in his upbringing, he was struggling to unite the religious traditions he grew up with with his sense of spirituality. An ardent yoga practitioner, he found that yoga enabled him to also open up to the Greek myths in new and unexpected ways.
Q: Is Greek mythology still relevant?
A: The study of the ancient Greeks is one way of exploring archaeology, sciences and spirituality. Humans have always struggled with forces that turn us to stone.
By reinterpreting the Greek myths, we can bring what is important to us into our time so we can better see our world.
Q: Let’s pick one of Varitan’s interpretations. Talk about Poseidon.
A: There are many interpretations of myth. In this interpretation, when we allow the ocean a voice, it is a kind of radical thing. If we sit by the ocean and respect it enough to allow it to emerge as a voice within us, however we interpret that voice, we are being instructed in an ancient mythical manner.
By listening to those voices, it is an antidote to a lot of the seduction we are currently seeing in politics or the media or popular personalities.
Q: This is the first book of Orphiflamme Press. Where do you see the effort going?A: Blue Mountain Arts has been making beautiful products for 40 years. They have a loyal following. People collect the cards and treasure them. I would love to find a niche and to find a following of people who are nurtured by our books and to establish a little constituency. I think we will begin to release more titles and to have a spirit develop to Orphiflamme Press and to have it resonate.
Q: How do you define the role of a specialty publisher such as Orphiflamme?
A: Small publishers are more devoted to the project; they don’t just see it as a business. I also think there are bookstores that really put a value on representing small publishers.
As a publisher, I am very interested in marrying spiritual and critical social thought and intellectual vision with a line of beautiful products that resonate with a small group of loyal readers.
