Andromeda*

PROFILE UNDER RECONSTRUCTION:COLLAGES WILL BE DELETED AS THE VEIL BETWEEN THE WORLDS THINS.....
..
In our modern world advanced by technology, experience of the real is often mediated by the virtual: television, movies or email. With the globalization of economies, widespread and ferocious industrialization, rapidity of communication and commerce and the shift to hypo-real lifestyles, the very nature of our lives have changed. Work entails the exchange of information. Leisure is often sedentary and indoor. And agriculture is managed by a distant corporation. Nature has become an abstract concept; something that we see through a car window, passing at 55 mph...
We all know the TRUTH we just need to have faith in ourselves to SPEAK it, and give ourselves time to LISTEN to the PURE sounds of the EARTH, which breathe LIFE into our SOULS. Its never to late!..
..
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson..
..
I would define my work within the bracket of a type of ‘Ecological art’ where by the artist seeks to explore, address and heal the relationship to Nature. I believe that art work has an agenda; it is activist and can hopefully make a difference. By using a spectrum of artistic tools, media and materials to bridge community and collaborate with non artist partners. Artwork that remediates polluted sites, creates awareness of regional and global crises, engages local citizens in community issues, protects fragile ecologies and encourages a change of behaviour and promotes a Gaia consciousness..
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
As an environmentally concerned artist, my enquiry has been driven for many years by the universal need to reframe contemporary world views and my belief in the role that the artist can play in representing a new philosophical framework around the land. I have researched how other cultures, past and present, describe the land as a sacred place through their myths and stories.As an artist and performer; through the use of signs and symbols, costume and script; a sacred union between the artwork and audience can be reestablished with the land...
"Theater" comes from the same Greek word as "theology" - theos, or "god". In traditional cultures, masks, drama and dance are about contacting the divine, and refreshing the mythologies that inform their cultures...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
...
..
Rather than survey the land from the renaissance model of the fixed point, I became interested in a more schematic view, and how, through the use of signs and symbols, a story could be told about the land...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
Our society now seems very disconnected from Nature—the very source of life. The ecosystem that we rely upon for our survival, we poison without second thought. As cultural disconnection from Nature continues to develop, it has become imperative that Nature in art and art in Nature provide a connection to the power and meaning of life...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor ..
By re-instilling a respect for all life (which does not necessitate an avoidance of death, but an honouring of all life that we consume) and respect for the earth’s resources (which means using fully that which we take and not taking more than we need), we can re-establish a harmonious relationship to Nature and enjoy lives of greater significance, peace and health...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
'Inovation, inspiration and Impact.By bringing together environmentalists, artistes, human rights campaigners, educationalists and community activists (well you in fact...everyone) to create innovative projects driven by the need for social and ecological justice. This interdisciplinary approach combines the transformatory power of 'art' with the tangible goals of campaigning, the rigour of in-depth research and the vision to promote an alternative future.'www.platformlondon.org (kindred spirit)...
"Life is like a theater. We live and our lives take shape as if we were characters inside a play. Sometimes we're aware of what goes on and act as if we were playing our part. It's bizarre. We play ourselves in our script. As Nietzsche used to say, life becomes art."—Eugene Ionesco, Fragments of a Journal. (1966)..
During the performances…the group itself becomes a strong container; it generates energy that flows to the audience and beyond, an expanding circle with no end. "Circularity" is the essence of theatre devoted to the Goddess, to Mother Earth. The wheels of the elements, of the year, circulate. Water and wind move across the landscape like a sinuous snake, all things circle, wind and spiral. So does our creativity...
Behind the Mask.....
..
A mask of plastic happiness often covers the sadness of the soul Her truth hidden from most Afraid sometimes, but willing to face the unknown Wondering where her place is in this time She has come close to sharing herself Never completely revealing her oneness Feelings of invisible chains corner her When she dreams, reality shatters before her very eyes Accomplishments she strives for just at hands grasp She feels lost sometimes, not yet finding her notch in this world At times the glimmer in her calm eyes slowly disappears But within her heart a silent flame burns She roams day by day, playing roles Strength unknowingly resides in her History repeats itself once again The translucent veil she so proudly wears Has slipped, seen by the one who reads between the lines Little by little the answers will surely come, pushing it aside One day there will be no more mask for her to wear In time her beliefs will be held so high Her names will unite in faith, in truth The ones who stand with her will stand so tall In the Knowing, of the different sides of the same wall...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
Dedicated to Chad and his Mom...with LOVE+..
Walking a fine line between Pagan and Christian. We maybe Human...but we are still Animals.....
steve via
..
To me an artist’s role is akin to that of shaman…"Shamanism is not a religion but rather a grammar of the mind, a world view connecting art, culture, ecology and economy."The central idea behind shamanism is the contact with the supernatural world by the ecstatic experience of the shaman. There are four important constituents of shamanism: (1) Assuming an ideological premise of the supernatural world and contact with it; (2) Regarding shaman as an intermediary on behalf of a human group, (3) Pertaining inspiration granted him by his helping spirits; and (4) Along with the extraordinary, ecstatic/trance experiences of the shaman...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
Whilst performing rituals, the shaman uses different objects; some are natural, such as precious herbs, stones, teeth and claws of animals (and so ready-mades?’). Then, there are man-made amulets (sculptures), which include medallions, small figurines, and various carved knives/implements, drums/instruments of all sounds, wheels and masks. These serve as objects for invocation, divination and healing. Since shamanism uses diagrams to establish cosmological renditions of the universe, one could think of these diagrams as aesthetic materials. My point is that in our secular societies of the West, art can be seen as a symbolic condensation of our environment, a way to depict and evaluate our milieu. Artists produce objects that have an aesthetic function for a receiving audience. Think of the parallel between the altar and the artist's studio (or the white cube for that matter) as places of art-convocation...
..
Throughout the history of art we have encountered images of blood, from the representations of wounded animals in the cave paintings of Lascaux through century after century of brutal Biblical images, through history paintings depicting scenes of battle, up through the many films of war, horror, and violence. Blood is now off the canvas, off the screen and sometimes literally in your face. It is no coincidence that this substance has intrigued artists throughout history. Blood is fascinating; it simultaneously represents purity and impurity, the sacred and the profane, life and death...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
This series of work began with collected blood...provided mostly by my local butchers...from animals provided by our local farmers...this blood was used to produce several paintings (apart from use of the base primer these paintings are completely organic paintings...blood…charcoal…chalk)..
...which were later returned to the butchers and dissected on Maundy Thursday 2007 ( my work supports a strong ecological ethos...all my painting artwork, performance pieces, costumes…are composed of the residues of previous work of collections from a previous art sites...a continuation of my recycling process and belief that there is no such thing as garbage)...
As I have been a vegetarian for many years...I chose to readdress issues and concerns surrounding sacrifice and sacredness...as an artist working mainly to save, heal and protect the world and its inhabitants...the saying 'know thyself' is I feel...the key...that is to know both our potential for lightness and dark...
..
At what point does an animal or any living thing become sacred ...then at what point does it become meat...the controversial performance artist Herman Nitsch believed that humankind’s aggressive instincts had been repressed and muted through the media. Even the ritual of killing animals, so natural to primitive man, had been removed from modern day-experience. These ritualized acts were a means of releasing that repressed energy as well as an act of purification and redemption through suffering...
..
Belonging to a family proud of its multi-cultural and religious diversity…the presence of certain animals has been fundamental to our livelihoods, our spirituality and friendships…in particular the horse…The Horse (so'-qui-li).....Mighty horse...power to run Across the open plains, Or to bring the vision of the shields Dancing in purple dream rain.....
My beloved sweet Epona, hear my words, Guardian goddess of the wild herds, Creature of dreams, magnificent steed, Of galloping hooves and equine speed. Protect all horses, far and near; Guard them from cruelty, pain and fear: Give them instead lush grass to eat, Shelter and warmth, hay at their feet. If they must be in service let their owner be true, Bringing kind words, caresses and devotion too. If sadly neglected may freedom be found: Let them gallop away, on legs strong and sound. To horses the world over, both captive and free' I offer my love and great thanks to thee. Goddess Epona, hear now this spell, Let all kindred be happy, healthy and well...
As your spirit pulses through our veins…may your kind blessings be at one with our tribe…us all…and respect to Uncle the Horse whisperer...
Photo Collage by Dundoo - MySpace Editor..
(Sister sites now active...click on Andraste Heightz (tree shrine) in friends or Eleanor Hecate Heightz.)..