Adventure or a Pilgrimage? Attention: Brian Swimme fans
Without invitation, this post took control and went barreling off in an unplanned direction ... (Also ... see PS for free book)
The beginning months of this year, were spent lusting after adventure, reading and thinking about vagabonding through Mexico, a country I love. However, week after week, I kept putting off booking the details until the whole idea washed away with the tides, leaving me a bit befuddled about why.
Thinking I might be done with travel, I went on about my days, until a book I read last year resurfaced: Cosmogenesis by Brian Swimme. It’s a scientifically simplified story, which I’ve boiled down to : humanity plays an active and evolving role as part of an evolving Universe.
My mind was boggled last year and even more so with this reading. I wanted more. I was delighted and tossed into action when I learned that Swimme was part of a program that would take place in September at Chartres. Within days I had registered. (As far as I know, there are still places available … would be fun to meet some Substackers there. Click here or below for details. I have no financial ties to this event.)
And this is when things got interesting. A friend remarked that if I were making that long flight over there, I might as well stay awhile. Plus, while doing research about the program, I began reading Phil Cousineau’s book, The Art of Pilgrimage, and asking myself what or to where would I like to make a pilgrimage? What is calling me?
Perhaps the Mexico thing had dulled my senses but little seemed compelling. I thought spending a few extra days in Chartres would be fun and, since it’s only about an hour from Paris, I might do a couple of day trips there.
Then, a piece of art I made years ago popped up … plus the upcoming Daily Inspiration flipbook for June focuses on Paul Klee … together they seemed to join together and insist on my rethinking the whole idea of a pilgrimage/adventure.
What if I spent time in the same place where so many of the artists I admire grew into being the legends we know of today? How would that change me?
Just making the remembered piece of art had changed me. Calle Arteaga began as a street scene that spoke to me while I was visiting Jiquilpan, a Pueblo Mágico in the state of Michoacan. The photo reminded me of walking through an art gallery and eventually I began to play with the idea and wound up overlaying the work of 13 modern artists onto the scene. Here’s the original photo:
And, here’s where it wound up:
There is something about movement … when one thing is set in motion, it often takes off in an unexpected direction, as if it had a mind of it’s own.
I had a plan. I was going to create a flipbook to unpack the artists that made up Calle Arteaga. It seemed like a good idea but it … or I … was running out of steam.
Blame it on Fiona Rae and her pandas.
Seven years ago, when I was creating Calle Arteaga, I did some research to find more current modern artists to add to the “street gallery” and discovered Fiona Rae and her delightful work, which wound up in a tiny, barely seeable corner of the gallery. While I was putting her flipbook page together, her spirit took over completely and shocked me out of my boredom and converted me into a full-blown fan, something I wasn’t expecting from an artist designated as a YBA (Young British Artist) by the Royal Academy of Artists. Looking for the right image for the flipbook, I just kept finding more and more of her work that delighted me.
For a better idea of who Fiona Rae is, here’s a six minute video … but beware the pandas! Click here or on the image below to watch.
Fiona’s work and fresh voice made me smile often during this short video … here are just a couple of quotes: “I go in and out of darker visions.” “I always use brushes not according to the instructions.” I think I’m not done seeing her work yet.
For any of you who might want to know all the artists represented in Calle Arteaga, the list is available on this blog post.
And, on another note, I have now decided that my spirit animal (who has been hiding from me for several decades) is the panda … a cuddly, playful spirit who makes you wonder if she would ever be able to survive in the wild. WWPD forever!
P.S. Free Book. I wound up with an extra, brand new copy of The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau … if you would like to win this copy, LEAVE A COMMENT about where you would like to go on a pilgrimage (secular or sacred) … AND a number between 1 and 100. Deadline: noon Pacific. June 1. Winner will be the person closest to the random number I just generated and will post at noon and announce the winner.
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And … coming in 3 days … June, thoughts of summer, and inspiration with 30 Days of Paul Klee.
What fanciful, magnificent posts you create. Your closet is full of fashionable and interchangeable ideas. (Pushing another image,) reading your post is like taking my morning vitamin and mineral supplements.
You are going to Chartres, France? The Chartres Cathedral? And this is your first in-person experience with this magical, historic place? Go with your gut on this and the answer is yes. Take the time you have remaining in your life to go deep into the area, the culture, the connections with who you are. Go to the next country, when done in Chartres, Paris and other neighborhoods where artists preferred to anchor. I doubt if anything will change you, but you sure can dial it up a few notches.