We talk of globalization in terms of market value and commodities. Yet alongside it another kind of globalization has emerged. Though less apparent, throughout the past century Eastern spiritual thought has pushed the Western norm of long cherished puritanical religious and societal beliefs to the side, making room for a more accessible understanding of life. When the Beatles made headlines in the 1960's by showing up in India to study with the Maharishi of Transcendental Meditation, it became an international "happening" sensation! They made meditating cool. This crack opened the floodgates for popular culture.
That nothing happens in a vacuum and that we are all interrelated harkens from the East and has become an integrated part of Western thinking. As we moved from sep-er-a-tion to union, from an inaccessible religious hierarchy forever in judgment of us to an understanding that all-pervasive creation emanates from each of us and unites us all, the religious and feudal caste system Europeans brought to this nascent nation has been crumbling. As a result of this epoch shift we feel a part of a fluid life force moving within and without us - interconnected and interdependent.
Interdependence is the name of the show we visited last night. It highlights the sculpture of John Mosler. His forms intertwine, becoming a metaphor for life's interconnectedness.
John Mosler opening Interdependence
John Mosler left his lucrative life of finance behind to pursue his dream of being an artist with the help of his teacher and mentor, Toshiko Takaezu. This quote from Carl Jung explains why imagining with ones hands can be so vital.
“The dynamic principle of fantasy is play, a characteristic also of the child, and as such it appears inconsistent with the principle of serious work. But without this playing with fantasy no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable. It is therefore short-sighted to treat fantasy, on account of its risky or unacceptable nature, as a thing of little worth.”
On this note of interconnectedness we discovered a strong link - John's teacher Toshiko was a close friend of a very dear friend of mine - Lenore Tawney. Although they are now both deceased, their spirit continues to play a vital role in both John’s and my life and work.
Lenore Tawney and Toshiko Takaezu - at play
Here are some links to Lenore and her work in other parts of our blog:
Lenore Tawney tapestry @ Cooper Hewitt, Lenore Tawney's loft, Lenore Tawney, LT weavings