1.29.2020

Show of animation work at Upstream Gallery


The show runs from Jan 30 - Feb 23 (Thur-Sun 12:30-5:30) at the Upstream Gallery

As described in recent posts on this blog, my current digital photo-composite series Forest Gods and Jungle Spirits (2018-2020) continues an ongoing visual investigation of the flow of divine energies 'hidden in plain sight' in the world around us. The faces and forms of our own shared, yet dimly recalled, lineage ancestors and protective totem spirits are discernible within the leafy canopy of the old growth forest or within the darkly camouflaged jungle understory.

For this gallery show, I have loaded a digital frame with a collection of short 10-20 second animations based upon the Forest Gods and Jungle Spirits compositions, adding sound and motion to embody the ebb-and-flow of our connection to these hidden energies surrounding us. I've also utilized a range of ‘glitch’ image tools to help evoke the sensation of our too often ‘noisy’ connection with such ancestral beings/energies.




CHAOS & CALM: ENVISIONING ORDER
Photography 2020, a national juried exhibit





Jungle Spirits Revealed

As described in a previous set of postings (Hidden Nature,  Hidden Nature #3) I created a panoramic jungle screen within which to place / hide totem spirits and ancestral figures. At the time I wrote that the adjacent and overlapping leaf patterns are perceived as 'symmetrical totemic / figurative forms.  The impact [is] similar to Rorschach inkblots. If you look carefully (in the enlarged images) you may begin to resolve images of figures and animals concealed in the jungle.'

I noticed that uncovering the hidden figures within shared digital reproductions (e.g.; smaller JPG files) was difficult for many viewers... That figure-ground issues challenging the viewer was fundamental to the work, after all. This could be understood as a metaphor for ongoing 'search & discovery' underlying shamanic and meditational practices.

In the back of my head ever since the Jungle Panoramas were completed, I've envisioned them as coming to life in a way that would shift focus between concealing and revealing the various underlying figurative elements. Of course, hopefully not 'over revealing' so as to maintain some of the mystery.














Hidden Panthers Redux


Here are some new Rorschach panther totem visions. These animations came about as I played around with adding motion via animation to my previous Jungle Panoramas - as described in post above. (Previous Panther visions here.)








1.14.2020

Enlightenment According to Robert Anton Wilson


From The Psychedelic Salon podcast #289 "The Lost Studio Session"

RAW is referring to the nembutsu, Shin Buddhism’s central practice. The nembutsu is a short chant—Namu Amida Butsu—that means “I entrust myself to the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life.” The attributes of light and life are understood as standing for great wisdom and compassion, which are embodied in Amida Butsu (Sanskrit, Amitabha Buddha). In the traditional sutras ascribed to the historical Buddha, Amida is described as existing in a Pure Land, a realm of bliss that is very close to nirvana, or complete liberation.

Quoted from: Tricycle Magazine SPRING 2009, "The Buddha of Infinite Light and Life," by Jeff Wilson