"The aim of Art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." (1)
The days passed and Ioannis and I began to understand the virtue of placing artwork with the intention of telling a story. Our artwork individually encouraged the viewer to enter the invisible realms of their soul and their imagination. Ioannis in his imagery and colors, and my artwork in its relationship of the line, curve and space. Together in this new story, something else happened; an invisible energy wave called out in the spaces between. Creating another story, which invoked the viewer's inner being. The viewer was not accustomed to this subconsciously because it broke the normal pattern of relating to artwork in a gallery. It took them further by the gentleness of what they perceived into their creative world.
Our vision was successful if the comments in our guestbook were anything to go by. Many said that we had created a place where the angels came. Many found it a sanctuary of peace and sacredness. Then there was the best comment that touched our hearts. Someone referred to our exhibition as a Church of the Almighty in a Gallery. She felt she could pray there and be heard.
It was an awesome experience, where two individuals came together and surrendered to create something more. Ioannis and I came with a similar vision, a pathway to God though separate cultures. I often wonder, what would happen if we attempted to create this environment with many individuals of different philosophies and cultures through art in this way. Could we achieve a sanctuary of peace together? What story would emerge? Would we even take the challenge or just return to our separate corners? I wonder.
There is another part of the story, I feel important to share with you. Something occurred inwardly during our exhibition. I heard guidance from within during the night. It stated that I must let go of Old Bilsham Farmhouse, (my sanctuary). I was starting to identify with it being ME, instead of a place that revealed, Who I was born to BE.It had served its purpose. I struggled a while, in fact, months before I accepted its wisdom. Eventually, I dared to go deeper to know me and put it on the market. It took nearly three years before it was to sell. However, before that many adventures would happen.
SONG THAT IS ME
Across the valley of my heart
I wonder...
Where will you take me?
The distant hills of my soul
Calling...
To continue upon the journey.
My Heart burns with the longing
To go...
But fear often grips my surrender.
My body aches with the pain
Each morning...
What shall it be? Beauty or the Beast?
Then as the sun filters into the room
I know...
How to awaken to the Song that is ME.
© Ginger Gilmour
CHAPTER 87
VENICE
A NIGHT OF WONDER
Venice, a night of Wonder?... I wonder. As I sat finishing my illustrations for the book of dreams Under the Mango Tree, by Miriam Freedman, the news came to me. Pink Floyd is to do a concert in Venice, on a Barge in the Grand Canal, off St Mark's Square. I could not believe what I was hearing. Would this really be a night of Wonder? For years David, Alice and I had gone to Venice in November, to celebrate the mutual birthdays of Phil May, (singer and friend from the Pretty Things), and his daughter, Sorrel, who was Alice's Best friend at the time. His wife, Electra, came when she could. She and I were very close friends as well. Many Italian friends from Lindos often met us there. Patrizia and Enzo Molinari from Rome showed us the sights. They are still special friends with whom we share a common interest-ART. Patrizia is a painter and Enzo is a rather tall man with a gracious and generous heart who supports her talent and their family with Love.
One November, we took our small plane to Venice. We were to meet with Mary Moore, daughter of Henry Moore, the sculptor, and her husband. St Mark's Square was flooded as it usually is at that time of year. There were slatted walkways allowing the tourists to get across. We had coffee in one of the side cafés watching the pigeons flying over, waiting for a morsel to fall their way. The lapping of the water softened the edges, which we brought with us from England. We felt nurtured by the wind underneath our warm jumpers and scarves sitting there while St Mark's Square was being surrounded by the encroaching sea. The lagoon was taking over. A strange sight to observe, it felt like something out of the movie Planet of the Apes. Buildings desolate and History being left behind. We loved Venice, especially being on the water and walking instead of driving to get about. It was so romantic especially taking a gondola in the night. The pink antique glass streetlights poetically lined the canal creating reflections of the Piazzi, which rippled in moving colors as we passed. Deeper and deeper we went into the heart of the city through little hideaway passages and canals exploring, riding in a gondola.
I leant back into the velvet chair, with my hand drifting in the water listening to the songs of Venice taking me into ancient memories when it was a Republic. Free from religious fanaticism, free from tourism visiting their city, free from pollution, artistic and caring. It was night, our favorite time, for Venice was ours as a stillness cloaked the earlier presence of the tourists. The teenagers no longer were climbing on the bronze sculptures eating their McDonalds. Its beauty tiptoed out from behind the illusion of consumerism to nurture us instead.
As years passed, we all became aware of something hidden behind the mask. There is another side unbeknownst to many, knowledge of which even attempted to shatter our magical dreams about Venice. Or maybe perhaps raise further concern. At first, it was hard for me to swallow as I strolled over the footbridges. The canals may shimmer enigmatically in the sunshine, or twinkle in the moonlight, but there is a sad mystery about them trying to hide. It is becoming a challenge to live there or to visit. A challenge because the canals stink from rotting garbage and sewage that seeps out of the old Palazzi. The smell is hard to transcend within the Beauty of the buildings and the Gondolas. It is plain to see why the Venetians by the year are leaving and selling their homes, surrendering to the inevitable decay. Tourism may be lucrative and Pink Floyd in Venice may go down in history as the gig of the century, but at what cost? There's more at play than what's visible to the eye, our noses and our fantasy. Not only is it hard to be healthy there anymore but it is hard to acquire even the basics to live between the Murano glass, trinkets and masks. Tankers are eroding the seabed with their traffic. Venice is slowly sinking into the mud, which we are aware. It's also slowly being over taken by virulent nasty's including dioxin and heavy metals. Tens of thousands sewer rats scurry in the night from house to house. They are more resilient and larger than Rome and Naples.(1) Then there are the giant mosquitos plaguing you in the night. Thus, making you a regular customer at the pharmacy from the bites and allergic reactions. (Sorry to share this with you but if we truly care we must know.) Despite the decay, Venice's artistic and historical qualities of Beauty still calls beckoning us to her shores... Calling for help. But really how deep is our notion to "Save Venice?" I wonder. Its decay along with Death has been glamorized throughout the centuries. The paradox between the idolization of its Beauty and yet its Poetic loss continues to be romantic. Do we really know how valuable the role Beauty plays in our lives? Will we realize and awaken when it is gone? Will it be too late? The attraction to this aspect of romantic decay does not make the city fathers' job any easier as caretakers. As the late Italian senator and native Venetian Bruno Visentini once said, "The management of decadence is a delicate task." OMG. The Italian government has made repeated attempts ever since the great flood in 1966 to preserve the city and protect it from flooding, sinking or rotting to death; but there seems to be constant bickering while Venice sinks waiting for decisions to be made and money to be raised and spent.(1) I have joined the many with the notion of "Saving Venice." Its beauty alone has not been enough to protect it from the ravages of time or industrial pollution or politics or even Rock 'n' Roll concert
s, it seems. In a small way, I have been eating "Veneziana" pizza at Pizza Express ever since they joined the Venice in Peril Fund. They contribute ten pence with each order. In a larger way, I cherish Beauty and dedicate my life to it. However, it is not enough because the essence of this problem is bigger than Venice. It lies in our values.
I am amazed the Floyd even got permission to begin with or even wanted to do it. It usually requires 37 signatures from 24 offices, from local to national levels to get anything done. "If we decide to plant a new mooring pole,"says Giancarlo Galan, president of the Venice region, "do you know how much time it takes before the crane arrives to put it in place? Six years." (1) So how did the Floyd get permission? I wonder? Story goes that Italy's disco-dancing former foreign minister, Gianni De Michelis, under his direction, acting as the unanointed city supremo, got Venice to give the go-ahead for the concert to happen, despite public disapproval. Some called it a disaster. Some called it a Night of Wonder. Sadly, it turned St Mark's Square into a giant latrine and damaged the surrounding buildings through amp vibration. Apparently, the concert was almost cancelled a few days before, as the Superintendent of Monuments objected because of the potential risk of damaging the buildings from the vibration. However, a compromise was agreed.
The Floyd turned down the volume, but unfortunately, the damage still occurred to the marble cladding and streetlights from fans climbing on them to see. It is recorded that 250,000 people sat before them with an additional 100,000 watching in 20 countries. For whatever reason, the city authorities failed to provide facilities for the visiting fans, many of whom slept in St. Mark's Square. They left behind 300 tons of litter, which the army had to clear away. Apologies were handed out to the local residents with promises that it will never happen again. Many of the committee chose to stand down and the concert is referred to as an UNIQUE happening-a once in a lifetime happening.(1) While I watched the TV coverage of the performance, it was beyond unique. It was a once in a lifetime happening certainly. I just wonder if there is not a deeper responsibility for artists, who are given the unique ability to bring Beauty and Wonder to the world. How much do we have to think beyond the box to serve? Cecil used to say, "Look at the ripples and then decide if it is real Beauty or Illusion... One leaves a divine fragrance while the other destroys." Ultimately, each of us are responsible for the space we stand in. We do have a choice about what we create or leave behind. I ask the questions, "Why was there 300 tons of rubbish in Venice after the concert? Why is there an island of plastic floating in the South Pacific? Why are we Fracking and potentially destroying our planet? Finally, what will it take - for us to care for the planet where we live?"
"We do have a choice.
We can create or we can destroy
So what do You choose Today?
CHAPTER 88
DOORWAY TO INNER BEAUTY
I thought it important to share with you what has developed into the essence of my work, through all the experiences you have read about so far. It is the quality of Beauty. Have you ever wondered what is Beauty? I have and do. Throughout my life, I have often asked myself... What is Beauty? Why throughout the ages has mankind asked the same question? In my time, it often seems like an entrapment forced upon us, so we can be good consumers, even better lovers, maybe even rich if we drive a certain car. In fact, in our culture, especially in the current art world, Real Beauty has bad press! As a child in the United States, I fell right into the Hollywood and Disney thing. I dreamt of being a star, discovered at the local soda fountain by some director. I dreamt of being on the front page of Vogue. I dreamt of my "Prince Charming." In fact, I did become a model and owned a fashion boutique. I got a lead role in a film, three days before signing the contract... my prince charming appeared, and I left it all... for England. All of this I have shared with you already, but I had no idea at the time what all of this would lead me to discover.
As you know, time passed and I was challenged with a very deep personal Crisis - David leaving. It seemed that I was walking on a tightrope across a chasm of fire. I sought counsel from Lily with whom I had trained and worked beside. I cried and said, "Lily, I can't stand it. What should I do? How can I cope?" To many, Lily was like the ultimate Fairy Godmother. On that day, she wrapped me in her arms and said, "Child, what you must first do is to place a flower every day by your bedside, so that each morning when you awake the first thing you will see is Beauty." And so I did. It took me years to understand fully the wisdom of her words, which is what I want to share with you now.
I have come to realize that Beauty is not a lead role in a film or being on the front page of Vogue. In fact, Beauty is the essence of Life itself. It is the Invisible Key within each of us; there is a spark of Beauty - innate, waiting to be awakened. It often comes on the breath of the wind as it moves the petals of the poppies. You may suddenly turn and catch the rainbow in the sky as the rain falls from the clouds lit by the sun.
Beauty will come silently, hold you for a moment and warm your heart. You will try to capture it with a picture, but it is elusive. God made it that way to spark each of us on our journey of return. Stimulating our interest to go deeper into our hearts and then discover the Divine Spirit hidden there. One of my art teachers once said, "Beauty is a gift from God and our Gift is to use it, to BE it and Beautify Everything! It leads us to Truth." As my life journey continued, Beauty became more and more a driving force and influence. I worked more and more with the knowledge that I was born with the soul of an artist. This was my way to Beautify. In my studio, I was safe to dare to touch the depth of all my dreams. It became a place where All Dreams Come True. I created my Knight in Shining Armour- I created the Love in my Heart for my children - I created the Angels from Heaven- Most of All, I created Song of Woman, which was ME. Old Bilsham was becoming my sanctuary for the spirit. It gave me shelter, a haven to give birth to my rising vision. There I could reveal God's gift within me and manifest it within my artwork.
NO longer did it matter if people said that I was in The Land of the Fairies or that I was Old-Fashioned. - WHAT?- God?- Angels?- Beauty?- Healing?- Vegetarian?- Poor David!- They exclaimed, "Most of all, she seeks the sacred and the divine." Really? Admittedly, most of my Life I was identified with all kinds of fears, judgments and desires. I wanted to be accepted. I created many limitations for myself. I allowed images on the NEWS to be my only reality and the longing for the World of Light and Love was kept hidden deep within the Darkness. I put it away as Fantasy, as Make Believe. It was a painful time. My inner core felt torn apart. Through all of my deception, my soul beckoned.
Then little by little, like the early morning mist, Beauty crept into my Heart. Through creating my secret dream world, Beauty began to heal my hurts and sorrows. It began to give me energy, hope and purpose. My Inner Sun emerged from behind the clouds and gave warmth to everyday. Inner Happiness and Joy was no longer a fantasy or something read in a book. It was real and I was not going to go back. Another chapter was unfolding for I had chosen to discover Who I was Born to BE!You know there is a moment just when you open your eyes in the morning, if you really pay attention. It is just before all the mind chatter begins to speak to you, when you can create your day or at least influence it. A moment when you can choose whether the sun will shine inside and touch all the challenges with its wisdom, or, you can choose if you will be immersed in the Clouds all day.
With that realization, I was filled with Joy to know that I could create the day I wanted to have. I had a choice! That is when I began to play again. Joy returned and laughter. Nothing would steal it away again. I found the more I aspired towards Beauty; the more I did think Beauty; the more I felt Beauty; slowly, slowly my inner nature was transforming. Inner Beauty became my outer reality. Rest assured, it does take practice. Sometimes the littlest things captured the twinkle of heaven, twinkles of grace. One day my daughter called me, to say she was on her way to Chichester to see her accountant, which worried her. She had decided to write many Post-it no
tes with affirmations. Like Have a Joyful Day, Love and Sunshine, You are GREAT! She said that she then placed them throughout the town to uplift her day and others. "Ah, Little acts of kindness,"I said, with a smile. We did little things often.
Our culture is at an end of a cycle. We are on the edge of a great opportunity to create a more sustainable future to be reborn. AS I see it.
We are not just experiencing a Global Financial Crisis.
We are not just experiencing a Potential Ecological Disaster.
We are actually experiencing a Crisis of Beauty.
We have actually forgotten to create a world, which is Sacred and Divine.
Many feel we are at a decisive moment in the Evolution of Mankind. There is a new and finer experience awaiting us of such Beauty and Goodness. We are actually facing a re-birth, an awakening of consciousness. But to make this possible - We need to change the destructive images, which speak loudly within our Minds and Heart. We need to change the images our eyes witness in the "Spin" all around us, which we have accepted as the Truth. Most of all, we need to choose to create Beauty on all levels, both visible and invisible. Ultimately, Heaven must return to Earth. God is there wanting us to do it. Cecil Collins felt deeply that art should be the incarnating and releasing that of which a society considers to be "beautiful" and worthy of attention. All art brings a message into the world. We are guided by what is considered as the "norm,"established by the intelligentsia as being worthy of contemplation as a reflection of life. But modern society, in its fractured and traumatized state, has come to accept art in an infinitely broader sense.
Memoirs of the Brightside of the Moon Page 40