As We Grow Older Details Become Memories
A mother's smile, a mother's joy
Do you at times find yourself transported back in time when
a certain inherent detail of your life presents itself and reminds you of
something or someone? Do you recognize that moment as a significant junction
between remembrance and the here and now?
A father's necktie, the way he dressed
The other day while driving and listening to some beautiful
introspective music by the New Age composer Cleveland Wehle, I found myself
visualizing small details of my life. The name of his CD is Relax Deeply – The
Music, and the inspiring track that prompted me to compose this post is
entitled Anne’s Pleasure. What I visualized while listening were small
fragments or details that were components of a larger picture. Those images symbolized
in part the relationship I have had with time and memory—my life, my time here
on planet earth, my memories.
A photograph, a loving memory, a mother's wedding
Details become memories….
It seems that as we grow older, our lives manifest a
deeper sense of reflection. It is at times … like the feeling of Déjà vu, when
something ignites our connection to the past. The smallest detail infuses
itself into our mindset. We feel and
remember things hard to describe in words, but intuitively understand their
meaning.
A daughter's beauty throughout the years
One of the objectives of my work as an artist has been to
bridge the past with the present. In
this post, I take small visual details of the past, and present them as memory
fragments. Those fragments reflect my relationship with my mother, father,
daughter, sister and family.
A sister's handwriting, so distinct
There are a host of details from our past, about our lives, just
waiting to present themselves unexpectedly—changing the way we remember. We all share in our own unique way this
experience. Let’s look back and celebrate.
A memory of my family's elegance, so timely
http://youtu.be/IKMDy_elBK8 – Cleveland Wehle – Song for Mary Clare – Video by David Flood
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It
is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a
stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good
as dead: his eyes are closed. … Albert Einstein
What do you think? What small details that surround your
life bring back memories of beautiful times gone by?
Just Felt Like Posting a Work of Art / a tribute to my daughter
My daughter the model and the world behind you
A photograph of my daughter who as a teen did some modeling. This was around the time I was visiting Europe and Barbados. I wanted to post something, hence the title “Just Felt Like Posting a Work of Art”, and the first thing to come to mind was my daughter. Lady, as she was affectionately known, remains in my thoughts. I wake to her, and I fall to sleep with a dream of her. The title of the piece is “The World Behind You”. She certainly had a world full of life, beauty, and wonder in which she embraced with joy.
Rest in Peace my Lovely Daughter….
The Silence of Liberation
Toward the love within….
Silence
Silence 02
It is after 12 a.m. and I have just read a wonderful post by
fellow blogger Elizabeth—the author of the blog Mirth and Motivation on
Wordpress.com. I was so inspired by her thoughts and comments on the recent
tragedies in Norway, China and the death of Amy Winehouse, that I felt compelled
to create a post on her theme i.e. the need for silence, for understanding,
compassion and healing.
Silence 03
Silence 04
I am not going to say much about the events that occurred here
in this post, (the struggles of mankind as a community and we as individuals
speak for themselves) however, I would like to express my feelings, my
compassion, and the love of healing through
silence via my art.
Silence 05
Silence 06
Silence is a powerful tool. When we cultivate our inward
journey through meditation, contemplative thought and positive action, we
harness the energy to change ourselves and the world around us. For me, these
moments tonight of creative insight and sharing, in connection with my art and
the desire to send forth compassionate energy is liberating in of itself. I can feel the hurt that so many in our
communities are experiencing and my desire for their liberation and the end of
suffering goes out to a world in need.
In Buddhism we learn the need for Nirvana: the cessation of
unsatisfactory conditions and their causes.
Silence 07
Silence 08
I hope the images I have created and the music I selected
for this post help to bring some peace and positive recollection to our hearts
and minds.
http://youtu.be/K8-iTakhFrs — The Disintegration Loops III — William Basinski — Video by Bodyheaven
We are of one Source Energy, and one Spirit.
The Silence of Liberation and the Silence Within
Weekly Photo Challenge: Colorful 02
The Brooklyn Bridge in NYC
Continuing the theme for this week’s photo challenge: colorful, is again an early digital work. This piece is one of the first to incorporate photography and digital manipulation. I am combining marble paper digitally altered and a photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. This piece was created in 1987.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Colorful
To be wrong I could be right
I thought that since this challenge was about things that are colorful, I would revisit some early digital work. Most of my early work were digital drawings using DigiPaint software. All of the work from this period could be seen as highly colorful and opague in its composition. This piece entitled “To be Wrong I could be Right” is the very first digital drawing I ever did. It was created in 1985.
Body Sequence of ‘Go Out and See’ 02 / Caving into the absolute darkness
An unearthed prehistoric stonewall some six feet high, built of rocks of
various sizes, is evidence that the cave was likely inhabited by aboriginal
people. It is unknown when the first settler entered Morril’s Cave, although it
has been written that settlers surely would have encountered the cave by the
beginning of the 1800’s. Nothing is known of the cave until it became the
property of Elias S. Worley. Locally, the cavern is often still referred to as
Worley Cave. A large amount of saltpeter was mined from the cave early in the
Civil War. A mill was operated in the early 1900’s where the stream exits at
the lower entrance of the cave. It was said that the stream’s volume was
“sufficient, even in severest drought, to turn the undershot wheel of a
large mill.”
Our journey begins on a very hot day, where the temperature outside the
cave is in the mid 90’s, however, inside the cave the temperature will stay all
year round at about 57 degrees. One of the first things we discover as we
proceed further into the cave are the beautiful rock formations and the
cloudburst that greets us as the contrasting air molecules meet and merge. There
are moments of intrepidity and excitement as we approach the day’s first big
challenge i.e. the 30 foot crawl between two rock formations. Not everyone was
willing to do it, however I jumped at the opportunity—or should I say crawled.
I love a physical challenge and the cave provided many opportunties. During the
course of our 3.5 hour journey we crawled, tunneled, climbed, waded through
water, descended and ascended nearly 180 feet while hiking 1.5 miles. We also
sat in absolute darkness. Sitting in absolute darkness with only the slight
sound of water drops was fascinating. It was quite the meditative moment. Our guide
informed us, that if you remained in this kind of darkness for 72 hours you
would become completely disoriented. After being in this kind of sensory
deprived environment for such a long time one would soon begin to hallucinate.
However, I must say that if you are a practitioner of meditation this is the
perfect setting for deep contemplation.
It was an enjoyable day for all of us on the tour. And if you are
physically able and daring, I highly recommend you try this. What do you think?
Does this sound like something you would do? Are there other challenges or
activities that you would like to conquer?
Our natural resources can provide the excitement and challenges that can
sustain the mind, body and Spirit. Go Out and See.
Opening Sequence of ‘Go Out and See’ 02 / Caving Into the Absolute Darkness
The Cave
Morril’s Cave (Worley’s Cave) is a class II natural-scientific state natural area located in Sullivan County Tennessee. It has more than 37,000 feet of mapped passages. Morril’s Cave is commonly called Worley’s Cave locally and is known for its voluminous size with rooms more than 75 feet wide and 250 feet long with high ceilings that often exceed 100 feet. It is known for its beautiful formations within its eight to ten miles of passages. The lower level of the cave contains a perennial creek filled complete with various fish, white crayfish, and salamanders.
Andy our guide gives instructions
Earth and River Adventures located in Boone, North Carolina provided us with an excellent guide named Andy. Here he is at the beginning of our journey giving instructions on safety and caving etiquette.
Contemplating the journey ahead
A moment of contemplation for me, as our group of six participants prepare for the journey into absolute darkness.
Up next in the following post the trek begins….
Art for Summer Vacations
- Art for Vacations / to journey without moving
Art for Summer Vacations
It is that time of the year when we vacation or if we have
the opportunity we “Get Out and See”. Summer
is here, and the temperature is rising. We search for that place to cool our
days and excite our senses. If we are lucky we travel to far off places and
discover ourselves anew while basking in the view of a beautiful sunrise or
sunset. We spend our afternoons lazily browsing small vintage shops, historical
sites, museums, gardens of beauty and restaurants of epicurean delights. I have
not travelled much abroad, but I am grateful to have visited both The
Netherlands and France during my 1990 group art exhibition in Deventer Holland.
These locales are wonderful places indeed, and I will never forget the
hospitality and kindness that I received throughout my journey. It is the
people that make a journey abroad so special.
Here in the states, I often carve out a weekend adventure
here or there. I enjoy outdoor activities that test my physical being, and challenge
my sense of adventure. I also like to seek out places that provide emotional
recovery through meditative contemplation and recollection. This is vital for restoration.
I feel a great vacation should always provide moments of excitement and serenity….
What do you think? Where are some of your favorite places to
vacation? What do you seek out most when planning a vacation? Is it to find
adventure or is it to just relax? Do you prefer travels abroad or weekends
close to home? Please share your thoughts.
The art work that I have included in this post, are expressions
of the theme I call “Art for Summer Vacations”. The first piece “Vacation / a
journey without moving” is a collage of photographs I took as I travelled to the
city of Amsterdam, the town of Deventer (both in The Netherlands), the shores
of Cape Cod and Nantucket, and the mountains of North Carolina. The second
image entitled “Summer and its Warm Embrace” is a journey through mountains,
lakes and trails in NC, SC and TN during
personal hikes and an artist residency provided by the South Carolina State
Parks.
- Summer and its Warm Embrace
The Fun House @ Highwire Gallery: 1991 / Dreaming in Future Tense / a 2011 remix
“Sometimes we turn the pages in the Book of Memories and come to remember the children who dream in future tense”…..
The Highwire Gallery production of The Fun House
workshop began in March 1991 at the Sayre Morris Community Center in West
Philadelphia and concluded with a performance in May. Funded by the PA Council
on the Arts, the goal was to bring together a group of children and introduce
them to the arts. Our focus would be on dance, performance, music and the visual
arts. Another important part of the workshop was for it to be a community
service, which merged different ethnic backgrounds and communities. For the
eleven girls who participated in the workshop, the hope was to inspire personal
challenges and the pursuit of their dreams. Everyone involved, the artists of
Highwire Gallery, the kids, Empress our musical director, Sandra Lynn our choreographer,
and “DADA” (Dancers Against Drug Abuse) met the challenge and worked hard to
make the program a huge success.
How do we encourage our children to dream, a dream that
inspires, enriches and motivates them to reach for the sky, and to touch just one of the millions of snowflakes that
can be found in the realm of possibilities? How do we lead them by the hand,
through the garden of hopes and dreams?
The Kids at Sandy Beach 2011
I think we do it one child at a time, one school at a time, one
project at a time, and as one community. Children love to discover, and be creative.
I strongly believe that the arts will provide them with the tools they will need for exploring their
imagination and giving birth to their dreams.
What do you feel is our children’s greatest need? What resources in our society would you like to see be provided for the well being and growth of our children? Do you believe that the arts, especially at a young age, is a vital tool for encouraging creative thinking and problem solving?
What do you think?
Select the link below for a dream-like journey into a contemporary child’s lullaby.
Winter Poem by Nikki Giovanni
once a snowflake fell
on my brow and i loved
it so much and i kissed
it and it was happy and called its cousins
and brothers and a web
of snow engulfed me then
i reached to love them all
and i squeezed them and they became
a spring rain and i stood perfectly
still and was a flower
— Author and poet Nikki Giovanni
From “The Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni”
And last but not least in this journey of dreams…a short animation.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sky 3
Sky and Dock in Charleston SC
Sky and dock in Charleston, SC from “The Memories Behind You” series.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sky 2
Deep Blue Sky and Trees
A photograph taken from the ground of the deep blue sky and trees from the “Go Out and See” series.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sky
Sky and mountain in dark contrast
From my “Go Out and See” series … “Sky and Mountain in Dark Contrast”
Out Tonight 1989 / 2009 remix
Out Tonight / video still / digital collage 2011
Bonus song: The Smiths – There is a light that never goes out
Out Tonight, the video, was first created in 1989 and mixed with the music of The Smiths and the song “There is a Light that Never Goes Out”. The video was originally conceived as a reflection of 80’s New Wave music, the club scene, and chillin out. But I wanted to add something more, and therefore centered its theme on the possible controversy, yet beauty of interracial dating. The texts used in the video, I thought I knew what would make you smile tonight ask the question of devotion, and statements after an arrest under the immorality act reveals the possible (most notably in the past) consequence. I was inspired to produce this video after seeing the play entitled “Statements after an Arrest under the Immorality Act” by South African playwright Athol Fugard. In the play, Fugard examined with a visceral intensity the consequences of interracial love during apartheid in South Africa. I believe that it is extremely important that we reach out and lead by example, demonstrating that love is universal and that we are all of one race i.e. the human race—diverse, complex, and beautiful.
Love has no boundaries.
The video was created using an Amiga 1000 computer with a Digital Creations’ Super Gen video mixer. Way ahead of its time, the Amiga 1000, which was first introduced to the public in 1985, was an extraordinary machine equipped with music, video and graphic cards. The 2009 version of Out Tonight is remixed with music by Nine Inch Nails.
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 15
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 15 asks the question what is “a song that best describes you”?
http://youtu.be/Fh0AaTOfkIc Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Moon
A bonus song that reinforces the theme as well…
http://youtu.be/OJORJFSWE1I Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Berlin
I have been listening for some time to the musical duo of Alva Noto and Ryuichi
Sakamoto. This collaboration has produced many ingenious works. Here are two entitled
“Moon” and “Berlin”. I think these songs best describes me because of their contrast
between the beautiful, seductive, melodies produced by pianist Sakamoto and the
pulsating beats and glitch from sound designer Noto. The sounds they produce seem at odds with
each other, however they are not. They are distinctly different but combined in such a way that it is
pure pleasure. I would like to think that this contrast is symbolic of how I
create art i.e. I am always searching for various source materials to bring together in a compelling work of art.
Maybe Tomorrow a Better Possibility / Resolution and Redemption
Maybe Tomorrow a Better Possibility / Resolution and Redemption was first conceived as a collaborative project with video artist Walter Smith and fellow artist / singer / actor and friend, Ronald Freeman in 1994. The emotional impetus for the project was the ever increasing urban decay surrounding us in Philadelphia. Through substance abuse, drug warfare, and a rapid deterioration of its infrastructure, we came to see our beloved city in a struggle for survival. The original song, Hunger for Holiness, which accompanied the original video was written and sang by Ronald. The composition sought to give insight to the problems and plight of the urban construct and hope for a better tomorrow. In this remixed version, a dreamlike jazzy trance score replaces the composition to create an otherworldly sense of ambiguity, but again hope.
Maybe Tomorrow a Better Possibility / A Self Portrait of Resolution and Redemption
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 14
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 14 asks the question what is “a song that no one would expect you to love”?
The song that inspired this post. Read the summary first, then view the video.
http://youtu.be/P237zpWbPRM The Waterboys – Bang on the Ear 1988
Okay, you have to visualize this
true story to absorb the moment.
It is 1989 in the urban landscape
which is West Philadelphia. The streets are lined with row homes, some occupied,
others abandoned. The row homes cast deep, long, shadows onto the pavements
where the trees have long since been cut down. The shadows are created from the
orange florescent-crime prevention lights hanging ominously from above. I
remember distinctly when Philadelphia changed from ordinary street lamps to
these supposedly crime preventing monoliths. There is an eerie glow and a surreal feeling
as I drive my 1987 Toyota MR2 towards the corner of 52nd and
Catherine Street.
It is the middle of summer and the
temperatures are in the low 8o’s at 2:30 a.m. It is hot and humid. There are
some young kids out playing in the streets, and I wonder why they aren’t in
bed. But this is Philly, and there is a never sleep embodiment that pervades.
There is also a contrasting sense of culture that sometimes invades places
unknown….
I am listening to the cassette
tape of The Waterboys and the song “Bang on the Ear”. My windows are down and
the volume is up. I approach the intersection and on my left a teen, dressed in
true urban, black, hip-hop gear, is standing smoking a joint. Our eyes connect
for a moment. I am waiting for the traffic light to change. It’s taking its
time, when all of a sudden the youth in rebellion jumps into a country square
dance. “Whoa”, I say to myself, “he is so cool and down by law”, as his arms and
legs move in perfect rhythm to the beat of the Waterboys pumping from my car.
It is a surreal moment indeed as
time stands still. I watch him, watching me, as he performs specifically for
me. The light changes, I smile, give him a thumb up and slowly pull off.
I will never forget that
encounter. It reminds me of how art and music transcends, transforms and
connects our different cultural backgrounds. In a moments’ notice we can be
swept away by something new, different and exciting.
Enjoy the song. It has the beat of life 🙂
p.s. “down by law” means “one who has authority” in urban slang.
Bonus Song
Billy Bragg – You Woke Up My Neighborhood 1991
You Woke Up my Neighborhood
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 13
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 13 asks the question what is “a song that is a guilty pleasure”?
http://youtu.be/xrPQKH9n0bk Miles Davis – Live
Without a doubt a guilty pleasure is Miles Davis. I am not
sure what the guilty part of this represents Miles, however any excuse to add
him to this challenge is fine by me. What’s not to love about the Black Prince,
Miles Davis? Yes he has lived a controversial life (doing it his own way, and his
not so good relationships with women) but still he is the man who owns the
trumpet. And I do mean own the trumpet. Whether or not it was with his famous
bands of the 50’s or 60’s, both acoustic and electric, Miles was the leader
that changed Jazz forever. He brought together some of the most talented
musicians in the world, like Coltrane, Chick, Jack and Herbie to name a few, to
create a myriad of traditional and experimental compositions, that have stood
the test of time.
Miles remains to be one of my favorite musicians. He
has been a great influence on my musical taste, art and life style.
Enjoy the guilty pleasure….
Miles – Live 1971
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 12
Day 12 of the 30-Day Song Challenge asks the question what is “a song from a band that you hate”?
http://youtu.be/ZDycnxd1Mko Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love
What can I say except I really do not like this band or any song they ever played.
Peace Out……
day 01 – your favorite song – Stars of the Lid’s “Don’t Bother They’re Here”
day 02 – your least favorite song – Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”
day 03 – a song that makes you happy – Ivy’s – Edge of the Ocean
day 04 – a song that makes you sad – Trespassers Williams – Love You More
day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone – Trespassers Williams – Lie in the Sound
day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere – Isabelle Aubret – La Fanette
day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event – William Baskinski – The Disintegration Loops 1
day 08 – a song that you know all the words to – Philip Glass – Knee Play 1
day 09 – a song that you can dance to – Ror-Shak featuring Julee Cruise – Fate or Faith
day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep – Brian Eno – Thursday Afternoon
day 11 – a song from your favorite band– Stars of the Lid’s – The Evil that Never Arrives
day 12 – a song from a band you hate
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 11
Day 11 of the 30-Day Song Challenge asks the question what is “a song from your favorite band”?
http://youtu.be/7I3rV4uq-rE Stars of the Lid – The Evil that Never Arrives
I guess the answer to the question what is “a song from your
favorite band” is significant in a sense that it makes me ponder what band for
me stands apart. I could perhaps go back in time to many possibilities (The Smiths in the 80’s,
Tangerine Dream in the 70’s, or the Miles Davis’ quartets of the 60’s). But recently
over the past 3 years no band has consistently produced astonishing music with
such harmonic beauty as Stars of the Lid.
The Austin, Texas duo of Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie are Stars of the Lid. In 2007 they
produced the phenomenal double CD entitled “And the Refinement after the
Decline”. The song “The Evil that Never Arrives” is my selection for this Day
11 challenge.
This is micro-minimalism at its best. There is an obsession here
with drones fading in and out from strings sections, solo cello, harp, trumpet
and even a children’s choir. Acoustic instruments and electronics are
manipulated and sustained to create at times, single notes that float endlessly
in an ether of dreams and imagination.
This is music of great quiet, yet produces a devastating power of momentous
silence that can invade any space.
It is 2011 and my favorite band is Stars of the Lid.
day 01 – your favorite song – Stars of the Lid’s “Don’t Bother They’re Here”
day 02 – your least favorite song – Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”
day 03 – a song that makes you happy – Ivy’s – Edge of the Ocean
day 04 – a song that makes you sad – Trespassers Williams – Love You More
day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone – Trespassers Williams – Lie in the Sound
day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere – Isabelle Aubret – La Fanette
day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event – William Baskinski – The Disintegration Loops 1
day 08 – a song that you know all the words to – Philip Glass – Knee Play 1
day 09 – a song that you can dance to – Ror-Shak featuring Julee Cruise – Fate or Faith
day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep – Brian Eno – Thursday Afternoon
day 11 – a song from your favorite band
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 10
Day 10 of the 30-Day Song Challenge asks the question what is “a song that makes you fall asleep?
Brian Eno is considered to be the father of Ambient Music. I first discovered him in 1977 when I heard what I consider to be his best ambient album entitled Discreet Music. Most people are familiar with Music for Airports which is the album that set the standard for the genre. For this post and the challenge, what is a song that makes you fall asleep; I found it difficult to decide between 2 works. Both are slightly over an hour in length: Neroli and Thursday Afternoon. But in the end it is (drum roll!!) Thursday Afternoon. This is a 5 minute version of the song, which in my opinion does not convey the entire essence of the piece. As the song progresses there is an ever increasing simmering of sound in the latter minutes as if on a hot paved road in the desert sun. This is the perfect song for that afternoon nap on a beautiful day.
day 01 – your favorite song – Stars of the Lid’s “Don’t Bother They’re Here”
day 02 – your least favorite song – Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”
day 03 – a song that makes you happy – Ivy’s – Edge of the Ocean
day 04 – a song that makes you sad – Trespassers Williams – Love You More
day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone – Trespassers Williams – Lie in the Sound
day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere – Isabelle Aubret – La Fanette
day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event – William Baskinski – The Disintegration Loops 1
day 08 – a song that you know all the words to – Philip Glass – Knee Play 1
day 09 – a song that you can dance to – Ror-Shak featuring Julee Cruise – Fate or Faith
day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 09
Day 9 of the 30-Day Song Challenge asks the question what is “a song that you can to dance to?
http://youtu.be/25jib_XbpUg Fate or Faith – Ror-Shak featuring Julee Cruise
It has been quite a while since I have been to a dance club. Most of my clubbing days existed back in Philadelphia and NYC. The 80’s and 90’s were the highlight of those late night / all nighters at raves, triphop and trance clubs. Bands like Everything but the Girl featuring Tracey Thorn, Massive Attack and Philly’s own King Britt were leading the triphop scene. Dj’s Tiesto and Paul Van Dyke were taking charge of the trance movement. Somewhere in between there were bands like Saint Etienne, Bent and my featured band for this challenge Ror-Shak featuring Julee Cruise (you might recall her haunting voice from David Lynch’s film Blue Velvet and TV’s Twin Peaks (Floating)). Here she gets down with the beat singing Fate or Faith and asks the question…who do you follow?
Enjoy the video, and find a dance partner tonight. Now if only they would bring back the club Emerald City.
day 01 – your favorite song – Stars of the Lid’s “Don’t Bother They’re Here”
day 02 – your least favorite song – Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”
day 03 – a song that makes you happy – Ivy’s – Edge of the Ocean
day 04 – a song that makes you sad – Trespassers Williams – Love You More
day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone – Trespassers Williams – Lie in the Sound
day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere – Isabelle Aubret – La Fanette
day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event – William Baskinski – The Disintegration Loops 1
day 08 – a song that you know all the words to – Philip Glass – Knee Play 1
day 09 – a song that you can dance to
n e w d i g i t a l s c a p e s 