Arte Dea - Musings on Art

Arte Dea - Symbolic Art, Photography & Lifestyle

WRITINGS ON ART

I hope these musings will clarify some of my intentions and attitudes on the level of my visual expression.

ON ART

A creative endeavour within the framework of art can have a therapeutic or artistic content. If it's artistic it has a direction and an intent that exceeds the boundaries of the more chaotic or undisciplined therapeutic event. In this case it becomes a problem that requires a solution, and the word "problem" thus carries positive connotations rather than negative ones (c.f. a "problem" in maths). The question then arises, can we really enjoy life without "problems"? No matter how we define "problem", the fact remains that negative issues lose their severity when made into an object of fun and even playfulness."

There's a difference between creations that are purely therapeutic and others that stand as pieces of art. Art combines spontaneity, immediacy with consideration and control in a harmonious way. Art thus combines the planned and the unplanned (conscious and subconcious). Therapeutic healing pieces are more about releasing pent up emotions and blocks and may lack a certain appeal of a universalistic kind. Good art can be a philosophical statement that touches upon the very foundations of reality and what it means to be human.

It's of no consequence whether someone thinks the same about a piece as I do. I'm making art for the people... when something arrests a person it means it stimulates something in them that needs to be awoken. That can actually help them to heal. Hm, maybe I should put this on my site? It also doesn't matter what I believe in vs what they believe in - I have a piece with a cross and Christians have to see it as a cross.... to me it's the three of life and a symbol of the human body. But both interpretations are valid and don't collide. Art tends to touch the viewer through the subconscious mind and may or may not stir some valuable associations. However, there's often a moral story in my images for the smart ones to see.

The opinion of those uneducated in the arts is sometimes more interesting, if only you can manage to fish it out of them...

INSPIRATIONAL WRITINGS ON ART

(FOR EXHIBITIONS)

Vibrations from the Dimension of Silence

(Art exhibition, 1998)

Far away from the humdrum of daily life lies an ancient site, a secret garden where reigns the deepest silence. This is where you can find the most fertile soil, water and all the prerequisites for the greatest splendour one can imagine - however, the warmth and the light is missing! As abandoned and empty as it seems, it is easy to believe that there is nothing to be found in this place. But if one of these days you are able to get loose from the toil and wear of day-to-day obligations and take the long and winding road to this place, then I am sure that you will be abundantly rewarded with floral splendour, birdsong and tasty fruits. Why? Because you are the warmth and the light. It is in the light of your consciousness that the force of life will come to being.

This is my experience of the mysterious being of silence. Silence is the soil of possibilities in which our experiences and intuitive insights are grounded. Our creative power flows out of the dimension of silence in order to manifest itself in symbolic pictures. Our rational mind is able to analyze and use these pictures in order to increase the understanding of our own development. It is from the dimension of silence that our desire to create and our will to live burst forth, all that make us co-creators of the world in which we live in. But how much do we actually use our inner potential? How much confidence do we have in our own creativity? Are we daring enough to clear the brushy path to our secret garden, or do we prefer to live our lives controlled by fear and anxiety only because this is what we are accustomed to? Do we dare to say yes to our inner development, to movement and change, to mental risk taking, to challenges and to our own intuition? Are you brave enough to listen to your inner voice and follow the vibrations to your silent and secretive homestead, and see what there is to be found?

My pictures follow the logic of dreams, where every colour and every detail owns a symbolic meaning in relation to its environment. I hope that they can be enjoyed and experienced as such, intuitively and emotionally, just like dreams and myths, but also rationally through the help of the intellect. Maybe one way of conduct does not necessarily exclude the other? I believe in a balance between polarities, and in a creative use of all the aspects and resources of our mental self! (V-M C, copyright 1998)

The Tears of Samsara

(Art exhibition, 1998)

Tears of sorrow, tears of joy... Tears rejuvenate and cleanse us. Something dies away and leaves space for change. In the dynamic chaos of transformation the creative seed of potentiality is coming into being. From the ground that has become sopping wet and painful, the tender stalk of a new plant is cautiously reaching upwards, always with the same urgent desire to be noticed and taken care of, to receive love, warmth and light. Nothing lives in complete darkness. But without the darkness, the cold and the shadows, the light and the warmth would be meaningless. In the same way it is grief that provides joy with depth and meaning.

In the worldviews of Hinduism and Buddhism, Samsara is the name of the cycle of life. Life follows death and death follows life. Constant, dynamic change characterizes the inner being of life, and this is something that goes on inside as well as outside of us. But how solid are in actual fact the boundaries between inner and outer, between life and death, between sorrow and happiness? How solid and unchangeable is the one who is residing inside this body and perceiving all this? My experience of life is that the winds of change are blowing right through me, all the time, without interruption. I have no choice but to give them the space they require. (V-M C, copyright 1998)

Encounter engenders Life

(Art Exhibition, 1999)

When I look out towards the world, the world comes to greet me. The moment I perceive myself in the vast mirror of reality, I come to being. I am able to see myself - my shape, my features, my thoughts, my feelings, and my soul. All this is being born in the interaction between me and my environment, because it is the experience of this constellation that helps me redefine myself. Books, pictures, objects, people... all these things help me see and understand myself. The encounter lends me the mirror. Without this mirror I am not able to grow, change and become whole.

Life is an encounter, a play of opposites, a breathtaking dance where we unite and pull away, in the whirlwind of life, inwards and outwards, in oneness and in separation.... Like the natural flow of breathing or the play of the waves, like the gushing power of creativity from a well of life that never dries up. Do I dare to encounter life? Do I dare to encounter you? With an open gaze and an open mind? Perhaps the answer to the riddle of life is in the open gaze in the mirror that I encounter?

Lessons of Time

(Group exhibiton on the theme of Time, 2005)

In a sense, time equals the process of change and evolution. Three dimensional objects move in relation to one another and thus cause new structures and courses of events. Most evidently, time is moving forward in the form of the cycles in nature and the physical development of creatures on Earth.

In my artwork, the lava mountain symbolizes the movement of materia in time. Substances change, melt, move, harden and simultaneously bring along pieces of nature and the remnants of human beings. New combinations of materia and formations are being created.

On an inner level, humankind has gradually developed and acquired a wider spectrum of consciousness. Through various processes of learning, humans have gained a greater understanding of life. In my image, I have envisioned some such phases of development and ensuing insight.

The nature of time is really that of being ethereal - so elusive and transient!

(Note: The image will be presented later when it has been edited)

Twists of Fate

(Art Exhibition 2009)

The exhibition deals with introspection and insights in regard to earlier traumas, as well as love relationships which often carry traits of problems that have not been solved. It’s possible to read the artwork as a story; vulnerability and fear are connected to thoughts about destiny and the wounds that one has been inflicted with during one’s life. The advice other people give often harm more than they help. The quest for love is confusing when you realize that you can’t get all that you need from a partner. Expectations, broken promises and disappointments may however in the best of cases lead to a freedom of the fear of loneliness, liberation and a greater focus on one’s own creativity as a source of satisfaction.

MY *own* QUOTES

In the following, some reflections on life and spirituality. These are closely connected to many of the themes in my artwork and I thus thought they would have a place here. For instance, the idea of the value of paradoxesis very central to my thinking and creating. I have a friend who tells me that sometimes I blurt out stuff that she calls "Vivi-isms". Well, the idea to quote myself rather than others makes sense since my memory is poor when it comes to memorizing stuff I've read. *Smiles*. These lines are not from my blogs. This is an attempt to summarize my ideals and will be updated whenever appropriate.

ON SPIRITUALITY IN EVERY DAY LIFE

By trying too hard to affirm the positive outcome of life's challenges we may in fact go counter to the natural and optimal way of things. We could thus promote the denial of challenging trials that could be pedagogic and purposeful to the soul's growth.

I think,that a lot of sleezy stuff is being said in the name of positive thinking so I'm a bit allergic to the whole concept. Perhaps it's also a question of overload. That's maybe why it's refreshing to try out new words and see what kind of connotations they bring into an "old" scenario. How about words such as intention and attitude? How and where do they sit in the whole setting that is concerned with creating a more positive life for yourself? I feel that we don't really have to force the affirmation so much as find out what we REALLYwant to do. There are times when nothing comes forth, and so be it. One can try and poke a little and see if it's deep or superficial, but most of the time it's a matter of waiting for the incentive or and then grabbing a hold of it: start the process of inention and power of focus. Then attitude becomes an object to work with, as it needs some kind of ground to grow in. But all this must be felt first. I truly believe the inner incentive and push in a direction comes from the inside before anything of real value can or should happen.

One thing that ticks me off with the New Age is a frequent assumption, or consequence of a certain way of thinking, that you're supposed to take responsibilty of your own issues only and just accept whatever crap anyone else feels the need to throw down your neck. It would be fine if both could agree but it rarely happens. The lack of commonsense and common decency, as well as a sense of responsibility for actions towards others on the net is blatant.

When more than every second person you come across makes claims to be a healer of sorts and probably reiki attuned too, it quite frankly, makes me yawn a lot of the time! Not because it's wrong but because people willing to committ to truly concrete actions and prepared to do some dirty work are needed in the world as well, not just space cadets. Although healers needed, a lot of the healing and self-hlep industry is extremely commericalized. People say you must take money for your services. I say, follow your conscience if you have one and trust the universe to guide you correctly! We also need people who are great political negotiatiors, and creative people who can come up with a new type of design for aesthetic and unartificial living that is ecologically sustainable! That to me is also a spiritual endeavour!

There's nothing wrong with an interestest in appearances. All creations reflect collective and personal ideals. It's all about communication in the end.

Don't forget: nourishment of the soul is also through the senses!

The Precarious Art of Balance - At a Knife's Edge 2008

SPIRITUALITY AND THE VALUE OF PARADOXICAL THINKING

If you don't understand the idea of paradoxes as the basic nature of reality, then you don't know the abc of life. Any talk of oneness is useless if this is the case. Try and think in terms of "both-and" rather than "either-or", and see what happens!

The point about the paradox as a rule of thumb in one's life: moderation is simply the way in which we can gain the balance between extreme ways and attitudes. When you're able to see the truth of two opposites and inhabit the space between them, you are getting somewhere! Compare this with the Hegelian idea of thesis contra anti-thesis and the birth of the third conjoint force, the antithesis. This would be applicable to any level of life.

People who live with a fundamentally dualistic worldview simply cannot concieve of a world where paradoxes are closer to the truth than an either-or constellation. This is *my teaching*, lol... It's terrible how facts can be twisted so easily, well, that's why religion is such a terribly controversial subject of course. That makes me more pessimistic than the idea of Lucifer and his gang... If only people could see that everything we do and project and attract stems from our own minds, but how do you teach people like this that sort of thing? Not that there's a lack of information, only a lack of willingness to broaden the perspective and get out of the box of conventions.

I salute those who are are open to alternatives to the conventional exchange of money. I think that's the way to go. I believe that the Universe will assist us when we help those who are less fortunate than us so excessive money hoarding is not necessary. A society that doesn't care for the weaker members is not a sane one, though people must also have a willingness to help themselves. It's a two way street no matter how we look at it. I feel strongly about this since I've had to deal with such a lot of limitations, not least poverty

ON TROUBLED ENCOUNTERS AND SPIRITUALITY

At theis point in time, some say something to the effet of "leave the damned to themselves and take care of yourself instead of wearing yourself out so you can be of some use". True, yet, nothing will keep me from being present to someone in need, though I try and stay a little detached. You know, it's about balance and not an "either-or" thing (which is dualistic). Maybe this is what the wise imply when they want to promote a change of focus from compassion to love? Seems like mere semantics to me though.

Someone did the "lame answer" trick thing on me again, not taking any responsibility for our virtual relationship. This is driving me insane, it's been going on for a couple of years now: people not wanting to sort things out. I find it very weird. If there's hell I guess it's got to be the internet, lol.... If not, it's for better or for worse definitely one enormous kindergarten for adults!

In the end the egotrippers will be slapped by life anyway so it's none of my concern. ("What others think of me is none of my concern", is a popular saying.)

In order so I wouldn't think she doesn't know that life can be tough, this one woman explained all the miserable things about her life. However, she proclaimed herself to be 'a success' for appearing to be leading a happy life, meaning that her decision to live a life 'in joy' was coming through so well that her misery didn't show! I thought it was pretty highly strung, and then wham, knife in my back. Perhaps she felt that I saw through her.

Someone pm:d me and said here's a link, take it if you resonate with it but it's all about how you turn an attitude of victimization into something else. [Though technically speaking a good and probably well meaning idea, I saw red!] So, what I see when I go to that website is: a smiling guy who sells this and that and for so and so much... I didn't even bother to look closely. Same old jargon - I am so sick of it! When there is desperation in people, the vultures come. Think what it's like during wars. It's the same phenonomenon... Plus there is this enormous trend of people wanting to abolish victimhood, sweeping it under the carpet as it were, as if it didn't exist - it's like saying Hitler was a chimera!

I find accepting other people's ignorance harder than forgiving them. Even when you see their deeds with the eyes of understanding, what they do onto you and others out of the inability to do better, it doesn't make it alright. When you have to take actions it's so hard to be stern without resorting to simple anger and frustration. We are humans, it happens. Sometimes even anger is constructive if it's focused and deeply gutfelt. But at times it's important to be brave and hopeful and try and overlook idiocy. I'm not sure why but it seems to help.

I truly believe that some people are meant to be shadow-triggerers. It means that they have a tendency through acute perception and an unwillingness to compromise their integrity to push other people's buttons. By this I mean that they bring into the open people's hidden shadow sides. Naturally, this is not appreciated and so normally the result is a defensive attack. However, if these people didn't exist to mirror the darker aspects of human beings, many would miss out on chances to grow. In the best of cases, the confrontation brings about an inner process of realialization, and thus healing. It is nothing to be ashamed of, we all have sides we are unable to see or unwilling to expose. To point fingers at people who attract such unpleasant encounters with others seems pointless, since they are probably doing the world a great favour and are by no means in an enviable position.

The more thinking and feeling a person, the more challenges there will be on the level of relationships. It's in the nature of things. But the trick is to have a good attitude about it as it often entails depth of soul and an ability to learn discernment.

Too many ex-cuses will soon make you an ex.