Contemplating Water

Aryaloka Buddhist Center, Newmarket, NH

The Earth, Water, Fire Exhibit of my contemplative photography is on display at Aryaloka Buddhist Center from Oct. 5 - Nov. 14, 2012.   I will be speaking about my work at the center on Nov. 11 at 6 pm.  This post is part of a series of musings on the elements as I have expressed them in my art.

Ripple - 2007

The element water has always been a fascination of mine, possibly because I am a Scorpio, which astrologically is a fixed water sign. In the Buddhist mandala of elements, I identify with the clarity of the Vajra family, which is connected with water.   People often comment about my clarity of expression and I am known to get angry and self-righteous when I get too solid in my opinions.  Both are qualities of this family.

Fall Reflection - 2012

 
Yet water offers a wealth of other qualities.  It is the most adaptable of elements taking the shape of whatever contains it.  It can be as solid as ice or ethereal as mist, capable of great destruction in minutes as a tsunami or slow penetration as drops cutting through stone over eons.  Water cleanses and binds together solids, while keeping them flexible. Water as saliva makes taste possible.  Our body mass is 80% water, as blood and other bodily fluids.  Water energy is what facilitates communication as we speak of the flow of ideas, commerce or emotions. 

Snow,Drop,Mist - 2011

I have been fascinated with documenting the many faces of water as a photographer and videographer.  With so many moods, I find myself mesmerized by its ever changing nature.  We live near a creek and less than a half hour from the ocean, which gives me plenty of opportunity to explore natural bodies of water visually.  My husband loves to go canoeing and I will often bring my camera on our excursions.  "Loon" is an example of a single take video created from the canoe.  Guy smoothly paddled while I shot the footage.  A fellow grad student, Brian deAngelo composed the soundtrack.

The exhibit at Aryaloka shows just a small sample of the hundreds of images I have taken of water over the years.  You can see more at: www.rebekahyounger.com 

Bodhisattva Light Video

It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The world will present itself to you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet. Franz Kafka from Aphorisms
This moment of light refraction one morning begged to be recorded. Then came the question of what sound to place with it. I just purchased a H2 Handy Zoom Digital Audio Recorder and I am loving it! The wind chimes evoke the atmosphere of the space outside that caused the movement of light in the video.

I have included a still from the video for a closer look. The figure in the foreground is a life size statue of a monk I made with porcelain and other media in 1990-91. His warm presence graces our front hallway. His countenance reminds me of the compassionate heart of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva mahasattva, hence the title of this piece.
There is quite a long story with many moments of synchronicity involved in his creation. Here is an example for me of an artwork as guide for my spiritual journey. His creation was both a postcard from the trip and a road map for what lay ahead. I just love it when my artwork does that!
We had my talented niece, Gaia, staying with us this past week. At age 16, she is already an accomplished artist with a bright future ahead of her. You can see samples of her work on her blog, www.gaiaweise.blogspot.com It was great to spend a week together filled with art making and deep conversations about art and life.