The Tree

This piece was created during the 2012 Holiday Season--signed and dated 12-12-'12. The original image in mind was that of a Christmas tree.

The symbolic meaning of Christmas trees originates in pagan culture where the evergreen represents life, rebirth, and the stamina needed to endure the winter months. Scandinavian and Norse traditions honored the winter solstice by decorating evergreens. At this time fir trees were also burned to commemorate the life that stirs even in the most frigid grips of winter. These traditions also marked the end of the old year and the beginning of a new year.

It was believed evil spirits were at their strongest during some of the coldest days of the year--the time between the winter solstice and early-mid January. To thwart the nasties, evergreens were brought into the home as symbols of protection. These evergreens were alight with candles, the idea was to “light up” the darkest, coldest conditions and thereby shoo away naughty spirits.

In terms of Christianity, Martin Luther is credited with being inspired by the starry heavens one night, and expressing his feelings to his family by bringing a fir tree into his home, and attaching lighted candles to its branches. Fir meant fire, and fire is an ancient symbol for spirit. The tree also pointed toward the heavens and tells the story of a cosmic event--a mystery. In personal celebrations of Christmas the tree begins its use in the 16th century, and is later brought to America by German immigrants.

This piece--The Tree--symbolizes Humanity's choice to let go of our cold, fear-based perspectives--in favor of embracing the available warmth of the collective and evergreen soul. The Tree represents life, rebirth, and the stamina needed for Humanity to collectively confess war, domination, abuse, greed, neglect, and devastation (the nasties) can never warm the frigid attitudes of individualism and consumerism that now dominate humanity. Our shared soul--which enlivens us all--must collectively burn with the fire that transforms these "naughty spirits" into love, joy, and peace. The Tree beckons us to remember that the advent of love, joy, and peace--the advent of salvation--is bestowed upon Humanity--not just a portion of the whole. The Tree symbolically proclaims peace on earth via goodwill among mankind. So be it, truly.

---hhw12Dec2012

Discover more photos and information relating to The Tree

Creativity & Life

James Lovelock provides a compilation of scientific definitions of Life in the glossary of his book The Vanishing Face of Gaia(Basic Books, 2009). I’ve taken the liberty of including it here.

Life. Life exists simultaneously but separately in the realms of physics, chemistry, and biology and consequently has no decent scientific definition. Physicists might define it as something that exists within bounds, that spontaneously reduces its entropy (disorder) while excreting disorder to the environment. Chemists would say that it is composed of macromolecules coming mainly from the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and lesser but required proportions of sulphur, phosphorus, and iron, together with a suite of trace elements that includes selenium, iodine, cobalt, and others. Biochemists and physiologists would see life as always existing within cellular boundaries that hold an aqueous environment with a tightly regulated composition of ionic species, including the elements sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorine. Each of the cells carries a complete specification and instruction set written as a code on long, linear molecules of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). Biologists would define it as a dynamic state of matter that can replicate itself; the individual components will evolve by natural selection. Life can be observed, dissected, and analyzed but it is an emergent phenomenon and may never be capable of rational explanation. 

A more right-brained person might consider Life as being the burst of creativity which enlivens each individual—and simultaneously all of humanity. Life can be thought of as the sojourn each individual has to create something new in our observable universe—be it progeny, art, scientific discovery, and community; or avarice, genocide, vice, and self-indulgence. Every being now alive--and that has ever lived--contributes their unique fingerprint as a legacy to subsequent life.

Life, as Lovelock says, may never be capable of rational explanation, but perhaps we’re wise to responsibly consider our form of creative expression--the fingerprint we leave behind.

Creativity, Science & Religion

The objective of this blog is to discuss the diversity and potential of creative expression—a concept that remains within the purview of both science and religion. Science considers that which can be empirically observed and analyzed. Religion entails allegiance to archaic human interpretations of the transcendent. Science and religion remain antagonists in terms of significant phenomena such as creativity, origins of life, life and death, and love.

Given our discoveries of Black Matter, Black Energy, quantum physics, and the existence of more than four dimensions, can science not consider the possibility of phenomena extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience? Given scientific discoveries that illuminate preexisting religious dogma—e.g., the age of our universe—can religion not rely upon the scientific method?

Given the undisputed existence of creative expression*—and the direct correlation between 1) the emergence of new art styles/periods and 2) significant scientific discoveries**—can we not recognize (at least consider) the transcendent nature of creative expression?

I’m not a lone voice in the wilderness. Indeed, the topics of this blog are evident in the writings and blogs of other artists—and of some scientists and progressive clergy. Let’s come together and learn to benefit from each other’s perspectives. You can begin by contributing your thoughts to this post.

Notes:
*  See Premise (specific link to www.e-hhw.com)
** Changes in art styles always precede significant scientific discoveries – see 2^nd post

The Well & Creativity

There is a well—cool and deep;
requiring no effort to partake.

The well’s essential—ours to keep;
mindfulness precludes the one mistake.

Our inclination’s to forsake;
the enlivening waters—free to reap.

So even though it seems opaque;
use the Big Dipper—make the leap. 

http://www.e-hhw.com/, 19 June 2012

Creativity & Cross-Training

Shortly after my previous post (March 1^st), I decided to quit posting. Instead, I would use the time to complete some pieces I’m showing locally (premiered March 16^th).

Since that time, I’ve obviously not posted—but I’ve also not had a bumper crop in terms of my art. It seems that creating blog postings correlates strongly with progress in other areas of my creative expression. What’s the connection? It could be that writer’s block effects all one’s creative expression, but I’m seriously considering another possibility.

Our USA Olympians are familiar with cross-training—artists may not be as familiar with the concept and its practice. Running has been a part of my life for almost 40 years—and I recognize the benefit occasional cycling has on my running. I intend to entertain the possibility that blogging may enhance other areas of my creative expression.

The point is you’ll see more frequent postings on this blog—the approach being one of creative cross-training.

Responding to these postings may or may not effect your creative expression—either way, I’m sharing in order to receive.

Tolstoy, Gandhi & Creativity

Leo Tolstoy, a renowned author and quasi philosopher, and Mohandas Gandhi, a notorious cultural and political activist, both expressed their creativity exceptionally well and with conviction. Both found their basis, passion, and motivation in religious convictions. Both relinquished their inherited status and wealth, chose to live frugally, and vigilantly pursued the common good of mankind. They both believed something greater than our physical being is the essence of truth and life, the basis of all progress, and the ultimate source of creative expression. Both men’s aspirations confronted social considerations of their times. Both men made significant contributions to humanity.

Still, both these men perceived their existence through a mirror dimly—as do all humans—and suffered because of their beliefs.

Tolstoy’s and Gandhi’s families also suffered severely—not because of the truth they wisely discerned and espoused, but because their interpretations of this truth was obscured by their biased religious convictions. The evidence of this obscurity is the devastating effect on their families—those closest to them.

Suffering always occurs when conventional beliefs are challenged—clear examples are Galileo and Darwin. The distinction between the interpretations of these men and those of Tolstoy and Gandhi is that the former debunked contemporary beliefs with empirical evidence and recorded it—while the latter recognized truth but espoused an application based upon their biased religious beliefs which resulted in unnecessary suffering.

Let’s learn from history that our current aspirations may be obscured by commonly accepted beliefs—i.e., traditions and conventions with no empirical basis—and can cause unnecessary suffering for those closest to us. Perhaps bias can eventually be removed as a factor in human suffering. This must be our desire of our hearts.

My intent is for this blog to be based in empirical truth. Please point out any possible bias contained in this or previous postings. We must become aware of of our own bias.

Resources

Refer to previous posts for further reference and supporting concepts.
http://www.e-hhw.com/

Contrition & Creativity

Mardi Gras is over—and religious tradition would have us enter a season of abstinence. One day we’re self-indulgent—the next, contrite. I claim no conventional religion, but recognize the symbolism of this liturgical rite. It’s probably the basis for religion’s existence in the first place. When we’re bad (whatever that means in our particular culture) we feel remorseful and want to feel good again. Religions proclaim the fix for this most basic human dilemma.

So what does this have to do with creativity, you’re sure to be asking? Consider my premise…

Mardi Gras & Creativity

I once had a soul mate from whom I learned the essence of life—celebration. This invigorated soul revered life and took every opportunity to celebrate all its aspects—both pleasant and unpleasant. I learned that celebration—another form of creativity—has its place in happiness as well as in sorrow.

Mardi Gras and similar celebrations have for centuries preceded a time of contrition. Both are part of life’s cycle—as are a time to be born and a time to die.

My advice is to celebrate today via your preference of sensual delights. Today’s designated as a day of indulgence. Don’t worry; its balancing offset will certainly arrive soon enough. Embrace both!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Celebration

Birthdays and anniversaries are designated times to celebrate life—and, to consider and reevaluate our circumstances. I recently experienced one of these landmark days.

As I take this opportunity to consider and reevaluate my circumstances, it occurs to me that I, perhaps, already consider and reevaluate much more than necessary—and certainly more than I celebrate. This particular consideration concerns me—and warrants further consideration…

So…I’m celebrating for awhile—and for the same while, letting go of the obsessive consideration-and-reevaluation part. For awhile, I’m getting with friends, having second glasses of wine, taking time to enjoy my meals, and generally getting out of my routines.

I wonder if this will result in a net gain in demeanor—and situation.


Resources

Refer to previous posts for further reference and supporting concepts.
http://www.e-hhw.com/