Attila Csörgő is an artist from Hungary who has had a strong and prolific career. Showing in places such as the Biennials of Venice, Sao Paulo, Sydney and Instanbul, as well as in dOCUMENTA(13), Csörgő's work has been seen across the globe as breaking the boundaries between art and science.

Csörgő studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hungary from 1988 to 1994, and then at the Beeldende Rijksakademie van Kunsten in Amsterdam. He has received various awards such as the Janos Smohay Award 1998, the Mihaly Munkacsy Award 2001, and the Nam June Paik Award 2008. (Attila Csörgő Artist Website, Feb 2, 2013)

Attila Csörgő's work is playful, and yet ultimately rooted in science and technology.Through kinetic sculpture, photography and sketches, his work shows a spirit of investigation and engineering, with an obvious component of preparation and experimentation. Rooted intensely in research, the aim of his work seems to be to give the audience a new lens by which to look at the world, by creating visual experiences that change one's perception of how the world fits together. (dOCUMENTA(13) guidebook, Pg 248) 

In Platonic Love: Tetrahedron + Cube + Octahedron, the artist begins with a notion, which he then forms into an equation, which he then expresses in a kinetic work. Through research and experimentation, the artist comes to an aesthetically pleasing expression of his findings.

He bases this project off of the writings of Plato, which state that there are only five regular solids in the universe: tetrahedron, cube, octahedron and icosahedron. All of these shapes can be placed neatly within a sphere, and in each shape all of the planes, edges and vertices are the same size. 

"Platonic Love is based on particular aspects of geometrical correspondence between the first two of five solids, which I discovered by performing a simple mathematical equation: I counted the number of edges in a tetrahedron and in a cube. I found that a tetrahedron has exactly half as many edges as a cube, I therefore established the equation that 1 tetrahedron + 1 tetrahedron = 1 cube, as an experimental geometrical formula.

In order to create a visual representation, I constructed a moving model. The symmetrically positioned tetrahedra slowly unite into a cube, then the cube splits into two tetrahedra again. The duration of the restructuring between the two end stages is significantly longer than the moment in which the solids appear as distinct forms. This intermediate stage appears relatively unstructured, in that it displays a character which is difficult to define. If the motion were to be frozen in this intermediate stage, there would be little to suggest that the jumble of edges had any connection with a regular solid."
                                                              Attila Csörgő (Platonic Love & The Studio, Stephanie Cardon)

In this piece there are bits of shapes on a worktable that are made out of sticks and connected by wires. Throughout time, the pieces slowly break apart and comes together, forming the various solids out of pieces of other solids. Csörgő states that this piece ultimately represents temporality and metamorphosis. Through calculated motion, this piece creates a directional transformation, with two complete forms at its end stages. (Platonic Love & The Studio, Stephanie Cardon) 

One constant concept through all of of Csörgő's work, is his beautiful mathematical viewpoint of the world. In How To Construct an Orange the artist again brings his mathematical concepts into the creation of a sphere. He began with forms that could be inscribed within a sphere, such as regular and semi regular solids. At the same time, he approached the sphere from the point of view of a spiral, like skinning an orange. In this work, he tried to combine these two seemingly incompatible systems: solid geometry and plane geometry. It is an abstract problem which Csörgő attempted to resolve by making several spherical forms out of glued paper. His attempt results in several imperfect approximations.

Along with this concept, Csörgő was also working on the idea that a perfect sphere would float motionlessly above an electric fan. When he places his own spheres above the fans however, their imperfect facets and faces are set in motion, resulting in a variety of movements. Each different sphere rotates, bounces or floats according to their own irregular structure. (Attila Csörgő Portfollio, Galerija Gregor Podnar, Feb 22, 2013) 

In Mobius Space Camera, Csörgő again combines a mathematical concept with an experiment, that results in a stunning aesthetic image. In this piece he works with the idea of a Mobius Strip. The Mobius Strip was discovered by mathematicians August Ferdinand Mobius and Johann Benedict Listing in 1858. It has the mathematical property of being non-orientable, as it is a surface with only one side and only one boundary component. (Pickover, The Mobius Strip, 2005)

In this piece the artist invents a camera to mimic the idea of the Mobius Strip. It is a slit camera that moves in a circle while turning upside down. The result is a one sided panorama that is twisted into a transparent Mobius Strip.

"[Mobius Space Camera has] no beginning, no end, and countless perspectives. It does not capture a snapshot of one moment, but a single image of a series of moments. Again Csörgő endows a complex form with an easily comprehensible image. In doing so, he reminds us that mathematics is far too beautiful and disquieting to leave to the mathematicians."
                                                                                      Daniel Boese (Attila Csörgő, Artform Inc, 2009)

Indeed, the beauty of mathematics is not something one often considers when walking through a gallery. But Attila Csörgő's work approaches complex mathematical concepts in such a visually stimulating way that the viewer cannot help but be engaged. (Attila Csörgő, The Archimeddean Point, Feb 22, 2013)This artists explores the boundary between art and science through accessible research and beautiful aesthetic content. By creating experiments with precise machines and optical apparatuses, Csörgő creates stunning work that plays, invents and invites us to participate in his beautiful world of math. 

Other Works of Attila Csörgő:

Orange Space

Spherical Vortex III

Semi Space

Slanting Water

Clock Work

Bibliography

Boese, Daniel. "Attila Csörgő," Artform Inc. Proquest-CSA, LCC, 2009.

Cardon, Stephanie. "Attila Csörgő's Platonic Love & the Studio," Desmots Presses. February 22, 2013. Web.

Christov- Bakargiev, Carolyn. "Attila Csörgő," Documenta 13: Catalog 3, The Guidebook. Hatje Cantz, 2012.

Csörgő, Attila. "Attila Csörgő Portfollio," Galerija Gregor Podnar. February 22, 2013. Web.

Csörgő, Attila. "Biography," Official Artist Website. February 22, 2013. Web.

Pickover, Clifford A. "The Mobius Strip: Dr. August Mobius's Marvelous Band in Mathmatics, Games, Literature, Art Technology and Cosmology." Thunder's Mouth Press, 2005.

Podnar, Gregor and Simon, Kati. "Attila Csörgő, The Archimeddean Point," Gurgur Editions, 2010.

Looking for something new that you can groove out to? You should probably check out these guys. Fun, summery, and currently running for the CBC best new artist award. You should probably love them as much as I do and go vote for them here. 'Cause supporting friends is awesome. :)

tofustravinsky.com

Jodi Sharp
2013
Performance

It is easy to get hung up on expectations about how an interaction should be or what certain relationships should look like. It is a common experience for human beings to expect things from other people, and be disappointed when their desires aren't always met.

In this piece the artist creates a ritual to allow her to release some of her own presumptions, and come to a place of contentment and acceptance of what is real.

Focusing on a specific relationship that she wanted to change her sense of attachment to, the artist writes down every bit of correspondence between herself and the individual. These pieces of paper are then sewn into a costume that the artist puts on her body.

Desiring to come to a place of release and acceptance, the artist wears the paper suit into her bathtub, and watches as the words dissolve and fall away, bringing her back to the present and to what is real.

For in process, see here.

Written about by Stella Lawless on her blog Stella The Good Witch

What I'm listening to today-

Today I finally did a performance I have been braining about for a while.

In my life I have a lot of relationships. Some are awesome, some a good, and some are, well, difficult. I learned long ago however, that no matter how frustrating a relationship is, the only thing I can ever hope to change is myself and my own actions.

The thing that I always get hung up on is my own expectations about how an interaction should be or what certain relationships should look like. When I'm expecting something, and then it doesn't turn out that way, I am inevitably disappointed. 

I created this piece hoping for a ritual that would allow me to release some of those expectations, and come to a place of contentment and acceptance. 

I started by focusing on a specific relationship that I wanted to change my expectations of. I wrote down every bit of correspondence that myself and this person had. Then I sewed it into an outfit that I could wear. 

I chose to use words for this piece because it is the most visually tangible form of a relationship, and yet often the most misconstrued. I constantly find myself reading into emails or texts, even if someone isn't saying that thing to me at all. I often go back to written words as well, to try and understand where someone is coming from now, rather than just being present and fully communicating. These things I want to change.

For the performance I get into my bathtub, wearing my paper suit made of words, and then pour water into the tub. The paper gradually breaks up and falls away, bringing me back to the present and what is real. 

Performance images will come later!

What I'm listening to as I work today-

 Stain glass you are so pretty, but stain glass you take so LONG.

Currently working on a large stain glass window piece to go in the room environment that will house the stain glass box that I am making- see that here. Soon I wil upload plans for the room, but for now I thought I'd show you the window I'm completing, It's 23x46 inches, and has the same motif of the family crest that I made, which I'm also tattooing on my back. ( My next appointment this Saturday!!)

And what I listen to as I work-

Over the weekend I had a really incredible experience with a group of my friends. We decided to accept the Blue Sunshine Bloody Valentines Day Challenge. With this challenge you draw a theme for a horror film, and then you have 48 hours to write, film and edit it. Our theme was a gothic slasher.

I am not into horror, but the experience of creating something collaboratively with an extreme time limit was absolutely incredible. I edited, helped film and also did some acting.

I've done collaborative work before, mostly with event organization, but I've never before worked on such a short, intense project with a group of people who were so dedicated. It was such an amazing experience to have people sleeping in shifts on the floor while everyone just hammered something out. It was also nice just to make something and let it go even with its faults. Normally I'm so finicky that I have to perfect something before I'll let anyone see it, but to have a deadline like this and just accept that it was still pretty darn good for a 48 hour limit was kind of a relief. Also a rush.
It was just so great to be able to see all my friends in action and watch how incredible everyone one could be when pushed into the creative trenches.

As stated by Alex Wintschel, who played the protagonist of our film-
"One could not find a greater example of fulfillment through cooperation. It was a domino trust exercise during which we all fell and then caught each other. The process: from that first push; everything falling into place. The end result: satisfying on a deeper level. As musicians harmonize, or as bobsledders, huddled close, lean and push with each other as they race together towards a goal - This teamwork allowed us to really observe how we were shaped individually and how others shaped themselves around us. This, in effect, was real acceptance of each other. We could clearly see each other in their talents and skills, un-fazed by this in that were working together towards what was a fantastic production showcasing each and all of us together for all to see."

Here's the incredible team that I worked with-

Writers-
Asha Courtland- Circus gal and co-founder of L' Antre d'Auguste
Jeremy Bunyaner- Musician and co-founder of Mount Olympus Productions
Hannah Rackow- co-founder of Mount Olympus Productions
Rebecca Smyth- Artist and co-founder of Mount Olympus Productions
Mitchell Bundy- Web Developer and producer of Cirquantique, co-founder of Mount Olympus Productions
Alex Wintschel- editor and actor, owner of Dimmy Waywes

Sound Editors-
Dylan Davies- Owner of La Terrace recording studio
Aaron Ball- DJ, Music Producer and Game Writer
Jeremy Bunyaner- (see above)

Film Editors-
Jodi Sharp- Artist
Mitchell Bundy- (see above)

Actors-
Alex Wintschel- also acted in productions in Vancouver such as REALLY COOKING WITH CHEF B'NERO
Dylan Davies- (see above)
Celestine Rioux- Model
Hannah Rackow- (see above)
Jodi Sharp- (see above)

Blood Effects-
Rebecca Smyth- (see above)
Jason Roussel

With special thanks to Simon Amar and Jessica Noriega for their equipment and space.

Divine Mercy from Mitchell Bundy on Vimeo.

Don't forget to stay and watch the sweet rap Alex wrote at the end...

A Very Private Life 

                                                           Michael Frayn

                                                           (Faber and Faber Fiction,

                                                           2009)

"Though it depicts a future dystopia, A Very Private Life is actually less a science fiction novel and more a futurist fairy tale. The young female protagonist Uncumber lives in a sterile underground world in which personal privacy is paramount, being a cultural reaction against the invasions of privacy that began in the 20th century. Emotions must be drug-induced to be acceptable, babies are made at the factory when you provide the ingredients, and dark glasses are the only item of clothing because they help keep your feelings to yourself. But, being a bit of a rebel, Uncumber looks for something more tactile and goes on her way to the outside world in search of Noli, a surface-living man she accidentally encountered on her holovision TV. He turns out to be a selfish low class polygamist among other things, and her situation get worse from there." Pete Young

"The protagonist (Uncumber) begins life in a privileged home where she is estranged from her family by their reliance on drugs to regulate their emotions and social interactions. She leaves them in order to pursue a man (Noli) that she falls in love with on first sight despite a language barrier existing between them, which stops her from forming any relationships with him or his family. Noli unlike Uncumber is from the working class and she finally abandons him when he insists on using the drugs which she abhors in their love making. She finally makes it full circle when she is picked up shortly afterwards by the police and imprisoned in a room remarkably similar to the one in which she began and is eventually reconciled to the medicated life where every emotion exists on tap and the most intimate experience is sex which has been replaced by lying next to your lover experiencing entirely private and separate hallucinations." Wikipedia

WHAT IS UP? | a sitespecific virtual theatre | trailer from urbanscreen on Vimeo.

A Very Private Life was a short and beautiful novel that reminded me a lot of three artists that I have blogged before. All of these artists capture a sense of desolation and loneliness without resolution that I felt in this novel.

Chantal Michel

Alex Stoddard

Elene Usdin

I really enjoyed this novel. It was simple and beautiful, and although it was frustrating that there was no resolution, the ending felt true to life. Another book it reminded me of was Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith. 

What I'm listening to as I work today-

What I'm studying today-

Tony Bennett: The Politics of Display- Museums, Science, Culture

Playing with streamers and a lovely set of mannequin heads two of my friends brought over for the Valentines formal slow dance we had at my house this week. I thought this shoot fit the theme.

period sex

i would really like to get fucked tonight
but the problem with this is
i am on my period
and as my friend justin knows,
that is one thing that I am not into
the other thing?
fisting
the idea makes me nauseous
period sex
i can only do it
with someone i really love
or
someone from out of town
because we have no other choice
the best lover of 2007
once
put his finger in a pool of
my blood that was on the bed
and then put it into his mouth
later he said it was to impress me
and it did
impress me
after he left, i had to throw out
my sheets
it looked like someone had been
murdered in my room
we agreed it was appropriate
because when we talked on the phone
we so often talked about removing
each other’s skin
it’s more romantic than it sounds
just trust me
but anyways,
i don’t even know who i would call
tonight, for sex
because i don’t feel like trying hard
or listening to anyone talk about themselves
which is a courtesy you must provide
if you are about to use them
for their body
oh wait – there is a third thing
animal costumes

Kendra Grant Malone
(Chasing Pigeons Makes Me Feel Powerful)

Valentines day is (as is any other time) a time for great music. Thought I share this mix with you from a great friend of mine. I've been grooving out to it all evening. 

Also check out the awesome yearly Valentines mix from Hudson Mohawke-

Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès, was a French illusionist and filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. Méliès, a prolific innovator in the use of special effects, accidentally discovered the substitutionstop trick in 1896, and was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, and hand-painted color in his work. Because of his ability to seemingly manipulate and transform reality through cinematography, Méliès is sometimes referred to as the first "Cinemagician". -Wikipedia

And, on the theme of impossible strange worlds, and just in case you needed a movie to watch this evening- 

Guy Madden, Twilight Of The Ice Nymphs

Judith Schaechter has been one of my all time favorite artists ever since I saw her show at the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. It's hard to show pictures of her work, because the images appear like brightly colored drawings. What Schaechter actually makes are stain glass works, which are multilayered, intricately etched and incredibly piece-worked. If I could own any piece of artwork in the world, it would be one of hers. 

"Judith Schaechter, for one, knows exactly what she does-she makes stained glass. That's all she makes. She has made stained glass since college. She has not dabbled in painting or used ceramics techniques in her stained glass work or worked partly in gouache. In a time when artists and makers alike are changing their mediums as fast as they change their Facebook page, she is the constant, unchanging glass star. Why? "It bothers me that people change media all the time," she says. "It's like getting divorced before you've even met the person. Having a really intimate relationship with a material, you don't just leave it." She is hopelessly devoted to glass, in other words, chained to it and liberated by it. "Stained glass made itself known to me like no other medium and stained glass requires not a learning curve but fluency that I haven't gotten to yet. And, in a way, I'm stuck with this. For better or worse. And it is very much like a marriage."" -craftcouncil.org

As someone who just started working in stain glass, I can't think about her too often, or I will never be able to look at my own work with satisfaction. She's so amazing!

www.judithschaechter.com

What I'm listening to today-

 What I'm studying today-

"Destination Culture: Tourism, Museums and Heritage" 

                                            Barbara Krishenblatt- Gimblett

I had an adorable incident with my three year old niece the other weekend when her parents were driving us to the ferry. She was really excited about seeing the ferry, and we all thought she was wanting to see the great big boat. Then suddenly she asks a question about the tooth FAIRY and we all realize that she thinks we're going to go see a flying mythological creature. CUTE.

So, these are my attempts at making the BC fairy, although I do think they're a little silly.

What I'm listening today as I work-

What I'm studying today-

First hand testimony from a dancer who gets initiated into the Vodoun religion

Here’s what our parents never taught us:

You will stay up on your rooftop until sunlight peels away the husk of the moon,
chainsmoking cigarettes and reading Baudelaire, and
you will learn that you only ever want to fall in love with someone
who will stay up to watch the sun rise with you.

You will fall in love with train rides, and sooner or later you will
realize that nowhere seems like home anymore.

A woman will kiss you and you’ll think her lips are two petals
rubbing against your mouth.

You will not tell anyone that you liked it.
It’s okay.
It is beautiful to love humans in a world where love is a metaphor for lust.

You can leave if you want, with only your skin as a carry-on.

All you need is a twenty in your pocket and a bus ticket.
All you need is someone on the other end of the map, thinking about the supple
curves of your body, to guide you to a home that stretches out for miles
and miles on end.

You will lie to everyone you love.
They will love you anyways.

One day you’ll wake up and realize that you are too big for your own skin.

Molt.
Don’t be afraid.

Your body is a house where the shutters blow in and out
against the windowpane.

You are a hurricane-prone area.
The glass will break through often.

But it’s okay. I promise.

Remember,
a stranger once told you that the breeze
here is something worth writing poems about.

-Shinji Moon

Unfortunately in the world of art,  I do not currently live in a system where I can just magically apply to be an artist and have financial support to practice my craft on a daily basis. It's really rare in this word to be able to be a full time artist and still support yourself, and artists like me are often left with only a few options. 

1. Government grants (although the Canadian system is one of the only ones like it in the world, they're still super hard to get.) 

2. Find a job other than your craft. 

3. Teach your craft. 

4. Make artistically based product that you can sell.

I, currently, do all of these things. I have some grants, I help teach a class and I also work at an adorable coffee shop. This last year however, my product line has been a little lacking, and one of my goals has been to boost it up so that I can vend in the summer. 

My friend Christopher Ayling, who blogs thedailybetter.com, made this video this week, and I decided to accept his challenge of doing the thing that I want to get better at (producing product), every day.

The things that I will start producing are these microscope slide necklaces, which started, interestingly enough, with me making this pendant out of the sample that Christopher Ayling gave me for my family project. I get comments on it all the time, and I love that almost anything you want can go on that slide.

Eventually I will make custom ones, where people can send in whatever they want to be on the slide, like the biology of your loved humans or animal companions, earth from where you grew up, fabric from your favorite shirt that's now destroyed, a piece of a letter from your lover, paint chips from that apartment that you loved, etc, etc, etc. 

But for now I will make some slides with things like plants, earth, water, and other beautiful things that you want to see on a slide. My goal is to focus on product for at least 30 minutes each day, six days a week, with the intention of having enough product for the summer, so that I can vend and possibly made custom product on site at some festivals.

Yesterday I made this pendant that incorporates a broken labradorite stone I got in India, and a curl of hair from my grandmother in between the glass in the top. 

So thanks Christopher, for the push to get my butt in gear, and I see how I'll do!

What I'm listening to today as I work-

Siddhartha

                                                       Herman Hesse

                                                       (Bantam Classsic, Reissue 1981)

Siddartha, a title made up of two words in the Sanskrit language, siddah (achieved) and artha (meaning or wealth), which together mean "he who has found meaning (of existence)" or "he who has attained his goals", is a story of a man searching to understand the meaning of life. 

Set during the time of the Buddha, Siddartha, the son of a Brahman, sets out to explore the three pathways of life in order to achieve personal peace. The first is a strict contemplative life, the second a life of the flesh, and the third is a balance between the two. A timeless tale, this simple story speaks to the age old search for the unique and individual practice of achieving balance and personal peace.

"The story takes place in ancient India around the time of Gotma Buddha (likely between the fourth and seventh centuriesBC). Siddhartha, the son of a Brahmin, decides to leave behind his home in the hopes of gaining spiritual illumination by becoming an ascetic wandering beggar of the Samanas. Joined by his best friend Govinda, Siddhartha fasts, becomes homeless, renounces all personal possessions, and intensely meditates, eventually seeking and personally speaking with Gotama, the famous Buddha, or Enlightened One. Afterward, both Siddhartha and Govinda acknowledge the elegance of the Buddha's teachings. Although Govinda hastily joins the Buddha's order, Siddhartha does not follow, claiming that the Buddha's philosophy, however supremely wise, does not account for the necessarily distinct experiences of each person. He argues that the individual seeks an absolutely unique and personal meaning that cannot be presented to him by a teacher; he thus resolves to carry on his quest alone.

Siddhartha crosses a river and the generous ferryman, who Siddhartha is unable to pay, merrily predicts that Siddhartha will return to the river later to compensate him in some way. Venturing onward toward city life, Siddhartha discovers Kamala, the most beautiful woman he has yet seen. Kamala, a courtesan of affluent men, notes Siddhartha's handsome appearance and fast wit, telling him that he must become wealthy to win her affections so that she may teach him the art of love. Although Siddhartha despised materialistic pursuits as a Samana, he agrees now to Kamala's suggestions. She directs him to the employ of Kamaswami, a local businessman, and insists that he have Kamaswami treat him as an equal rather than an underling. Siddhartha easily succeeds, providing a voice of patience and tranquility against Kamaswami's fits of passion, which Siddhartha learned from his days as an ascetic. Thus, Siddhartha becomes a rich man and Kamala's lover, though in his middle years realizes that the luxurious lifestyle he has chosen is merely a game, empty of spiritual fulfillment. Leaving the fast-paced bustle of the city, Siddhartha returns to the river and thinks of killing himself. He is saved only by an internal experience of the holy word, Om. The very next morning Siddhartha briefly reconnects with Govinda, who is passing through the area and remains a wandering Buddhist.

Siddhartha decides to live out the rest of his life in the presence of the spiritually inspirational river. Siddhartha thus reunites with the ferryman, named Vasudeva, with whom he begins a humbler way of life. Although Vasudeva is a simple man, he understands and relates that the river has many voices and significant messages to divulge to any who might listen.

Some years later, Kamala, now a Buddhist convert, is travelling to see the Buddha at his deathbed, escorted reluctantly by her young son, when she is bitten by a venomous snake near Siddhartha's river. Siddhartha recognizes her and realizes that the boy is his own child. After Kamala's death, Siddhartha attempts to console and raise the furiously resistant boy, until one day the child flees altogether. Although Siddhartha is desperate to find his runaway son, Vasudeva urges him to let the boy find his own path, much like Siddhartha did himself in his youth. Listening to the river with Vasudeva, Siddhartha realizes that time is an illusion and that all of his feelings and experiences, even those of suffering, are part of a great and ultimately jubilant fellowship of all things connected in the cyclical unity of nature. With Siddhartha's moment of illumination, Vasudeva claims that his work is done and he must depart into the woods, leaving Siddhartha peacefully fulfilled and alone once more.

Toward the end of his life, Govinda hears about an enlightened ferryman and travels to Siddhartha, not initially recognizing him as his old childhood friend. Govinda asks the now-elderly Siddhartha to relate his wisdom and Siddhartha replies that for every true statement there is an opposite one that is also true; that language and the confines of time lead people to adhere to one fixed belief that does not account for the fullness of the truth. Because nature works in a self-sustaining cycle, every entity carries in it the potential for its opposite and so the world must always be considered complete. Siddhartha simply urges people to identify and love the world in its completeness. Siddhartha then oddly requests that Govinda kiss his forehead and, when he does, Govinda experiences the visions of timelessness that Siddhartha himself saw with Vasudeva by the river. Govinda bows to his wise friend and Siddhartha smiles radiantly, having found enlightenment." -Wikipedia

Duane Michals

This book really reminded me of the work of Duane Michals- the ideas of process and self discovery, as well as self reflection, one that is often warped. 

Another artist this book reminded me of is the work of Tony Orrico, a performance artist who makes beautiful patterns by leaving his body in one place and making repeated marks. His practice really spoke to me of the rhythm of life, where you can't see what you're making when you're up close, you just do things again and again. It's only when you step back and look at what it all makes together that you see the beauty.

Tony Orrico, Penwald: 15: fourths and quarters from Tony Orrico on Vimeo.

This book was short, beautiful, and definitely worth a read. Although it was a common story of achieving the balance of a healthy life, it treated it in a way that was incredibly profound. 

If you liked this book and wanted more like it, two books that I found dealt with the similar concept of finding a balance between "fleshly" and "spiritual" paths were The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho and Eat Pray Love by Elisabeth Gilbert. Another book that I would recommend to every single individual on the face of the planet, that had a similar type of profundity to Siddhartha is Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. 

And what I'm listening to today:

Question:

Did you have any dreams?

What did you want to be?

What I wanted to be? There's a 

question. I was a cover girl

once, a fashion model; for a while

I thought I'd died and gone to my next life,

but then I got high, started losing

weight, I got too skinny for what they wanted

me to be. The last shots they took

I'm wearing gloves up to my elbows

to hide the tracks. White gloves,

soft as cotton balls, but I don't mind

the change, the fast life

goes by even quicker around here.

The runway, the alleyway, it's all 

the same. Sex, drugs, money- the same.

It's got the same look, the same hook,

the same old same. For a while after I quit

selling my body I felt like I was living

on borrowed time and anything I couldn't borrow

I would steal. Anything to get high. To stay

high. I wanted to eat this mother up, suck 

every last bit of marrow from the bone of life.

Susan Musgrave

(Origami Dove

McCelland and Stewart Ltd

2011)

http://lauramakabresku.blogspot.ca/

What I'm listening to today-

Because now we know that geek chic is a thing,  I guess we need sexy stuff for our geeks.

Meet my friend, Jesse Herbert, who makes totally awesome stuff that rocks my socks.

Becoming well known for his clever leather ideas like how to carry wine on your bicycle, how to hold your pants up (with his awesome belts and suspenders), or clever holders for your iphone, he's now come up with a new thing that I absolutely love!

My new favorite thing of his- a beautiful leather bracelet with a built in USB key that is fashionable, and super functional. Yay.

http://oopsmark.ca/

And what I'm listening to today-

Can't sleep, can you?

My situational photographs for today-

Through Rose Colored Glasses- when someone thinks about, or looks at a situation as more pleasant than it actually is. 

I remember these glasses from when I was a kid. They're different now. Smaller, the light through them too dark, dense.

Once, when I was young, I remember hearing someone on the radio say "looking at the world through rose colored glasses". I had no idea what that meant, but I have a vivid memory of sitting with these very glasses and staring through them for a long time. The light that came through them was so vibrant, so intense, but I really couldn't see the world very well. 

What I listen to today-