Babel

Category: Art

  • 12/25 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

    ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ sung by Libera

    Wonderful, sweet and full of light. Loved hearing these singing angels. Beautiful!

    Dali-Sacred-HeartofJesusLibera, song: ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, album: Angel Voices 3 (1997), label: Music Club, distributor: Sony, video: TV morning show (I could find nothing else about the source of the video). Words and music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol. More about the carol at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

    Christmas day is a great day to feature this spectacular painting of Jesus Christ called ‘El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús‘ by Salvador Dalí (1962), Oil on canvas 86.5 x 61 cm, Private collection. El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús  means The Sacred Heart of Jesus. I feel power and passion emanating from this exquisite painting. It communicates ethereal yet tangible, ascending and transcending, compassion and light. Dali has always been one of my favorite painters. But I wasn’t aware of this beautiful work. Wow!

    Merry Christmas! May this Holy day bless you with abundant Hope, Joy and Faith. All is well,  God’s Divine Plan unfolds with perfection.

     

    Libera Libera is a group of boys directed by Robert Prizeman who sing like angels and often appear in white robes. They have been on TV, radio and in films. There are about 30 boys from South London, England aged seven to sixteen who make up the group. They think of themselves as an alternative boy band rather then a boy’s choir. You can read more about them see photos and video at their official website libera.org.uk  or visit this site with everything Libera boysoloist.com.

    daliandwife Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/13 White Christmas, Crosby and Reynolds

    ‘White Christmas’ Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds

    Lovely, sweet and beautiful song. A walk down memory lane, when winter included horse-drawn sleigh rides and Christmas Holidays were filled with singing carols by the fire.

    Artists: Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds, song:’ White Christmas’, movie: Holiday Inn (1942) Paramount Pictures, Songwriter: Irving Berlin.

    Domenico Veneziano. The Martyrdom of St. LucySaint Lucia or Saint Lucy of Syracuse, (Spanish: Santa Lucia) was a young Roman Christian woman who refused to marry because she wanted to dedicate her life to God. Her rejected bridegroom betrayed her and she was put to death by the Roman Emperor, Diocletian.  She is the patron saint of the blind. The root of Lucia is luc or lux, Latin for light. You can find out more about Saint Lucy at Saints & Angels.

    Christian Missionaries traveled to Scandinavia telling stories of Saint Lucy’s courage; she became known as Lucia Bride. The elders often tell stories of how Lucia Bride, dressed in white with a crown of ‘light’ ,would bring food and drink to the poor. She is seen as the ‘Light bearer’ in times of darkness.

     

    santalucia

    Santa Lucia Day or Luciadagen is celebrated December 13 in Scandinavia. The story of Saint Lucia is reenacted in many Swedish homes with the eldest daughter becoming Lucia Bride dressing in white with a crown of candles. Early in the morning she will bring her parents sweet saffron buns and coffee. Lucia celebrations are often held at the workplace and school. They have a procession with a Lucia, attendants, and starmen with pointed hats, caroling and sharing of saffron cake, ginger biscuits and drinks. One of the popular carols sung is ‘White Christmas’.

    Saint Lucia is also honored in Italy where many Christians celebrate with bonfires and torchlight parades.

    Happy Santa Lucia Day! Have a wonderful day filled with Light.

     

    The lovely painting above left is called The Martyrdom of St. Lucy by Domenico Veneziano (circa 1445-48). It is one of the predelas (side panels) of Santa Lucia del Magnoli Altarpiece in Berlin, Germany that was split into separate panels. Domenico, de Bartolomeo di Venezia (c. 1405/10 – 1461) born in Venice, lived most of his life in Florence, Italy. An early Renaissance painter who studied with Gentile da Fabriano in 1422-23. He was one of the founders of the 15th-century Florentine school of painting.

    The photo above right ‘a young girl dressed as Saint Lucia’ is from the short film ‘Santa Lucia’ by Elsa Entertainment. You can see more at elsaentertainment.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/12 Ave Maria païen, Notre Dame de Paris

    Ave Maria païen, Notre Dame de Paris

    What a moving song! I feel her plea, her heart and her Soul reaching out to Mother Mary and Spirit moves. Wow! Brought tears and chills. Incredibly touching… Ave Maria indeed.

    The musical Notre Dame de Paris debuted September 1998 in Paris. Song: Ave Maria païen (the 21st song). Musical: based on Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. Music: Riccardo Cocciante, Lyrics: Luc Plamondon. Has played worldwide, been translated to many languages and had the most successful first year of any musical. As of 2007 the score has been recorded 7 times .

    It’s Full Moon today (Snow Moon 11:37am EST, 4:37pm GMT) and a Grand Mutable Cross is in the heavens ushering in a time of choices and changes. There are many new possibilities, forks in the road with lots of potential for positive change. We are being guided to strive for our highest ideals, spiritual Truths and wisdom. To find out more about the Grand Mutable Cross see The Aquarius Papers.

     

    La Virgen de Guadalupe by Salvador Dali (1959).

    It’s also Guadalupe Day Mexico’s most important religious holiday. Today people from all over Mexico travel to the chapel on Tepayac Hill in Mexico City to worship and celebrate. In 1531 at the the former shrine of the Aztec Mother Goddess Coatlicue on Tepayac Hill, the Virgin Guadalupe (mother of Jesus) appeared to Juan Diego. She asked him to build a chapel on this sacred ground.

    Large fiestas are held in Mexico and Central America honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. All day people visit the church and pray. As an offering of thanks, some people pin small objects shaped like hearts, arms, or legs  (milagros) on or near the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

    May your holidays be blessed and safe. Happy Guadalupe Day!

     

    daliandwife The incredible painting above left is called La Virgen de Guadalupe by Salvador Dali (1959). Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/10 The Messenger

    Stephanie Pui-Mun Law-gabriel

    The Messenger by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, watercolor, 20″x28″

    Ancient structure, light, movement, sweetness, peace and love, the Dove, inspiration… Gabriel. This is a beautiful and interesting  feminine depiction of Archangel Gabriel.

    Gabriel translation ‘man of God’; literally ‘Master, or of God’. Gabr is man or masculine, El is a supreme Deity or God.

    Description of Gabriel from various sources:

    Gabriel is the planetary archangel in charge of the moon’s oversoul; a genius of mysteries who has worked psychically through the great masters during their earthly incarnations. Some include: Muhammad, (Jibra’il) dictated the Qur’an; Heron (a Greek scientist) received inspiration to write ‘The Recitation’; and Daniel (Bible) came as the Holy Spirit and gave him wisdom and understanding; Bahá’u’lláh received inspiration for his mystical work Seven Valleys; Joan of Arc was inspired to look to the King of France for help. Gabriel is a messenger of God, the spirit of truth and bringer of prophesy. He is the prince of justice who destroys sin and evil. One of the 2 highest ranking angels. He sits on the left side of God and presides over paradise. Is also said to have had a mortal life as Noah.

    xmasangelGabriel was the angel that came to Mary announcing that Christ would be born through her. And angels appeared to many to announce the birth of Christ. Today angels have an important place during most Holiday celebrations.

    May Angels watch over you always. Happy Holidays!

     

    Stephanie Pui-Mun Law is a 31 year old artist/programmer. She began painting otherworlds in early childhood.  Graduated from a program of Computer Science in 1998. After working in programming for three years, She left the world logic for the world of fae; painting full time.  You can read news, learn about watercolor painting, browse her galleries and purchase paintings at www.shadowscapes.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/9 Hideaway

    Hideaway by Inga Nielsen. © 2002 - 2008, Inga Nielsen

    Hideaway by Inga Nielsen, digital art

    A spectacular digitally created image of the sunset/moonrise reflected in still waters. Darkness/Light, Sun/Moon Creator’s beautiful dance of dualities. Birth of the waters of night, the stillness, quiet, cool and calm. Beautiful art!

    happy-eidEid ul-Adha

    Eid ul-Adha is a celebration of God’s love for the whole of mankind. It is celebrated around the world by Muslims and Druze. Eid commemorates Ibrahim (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Charity (sacrifice) called Zakat al Fitr is required from everyone. A special offering is given in thanks for one’s own prosperity and dedication to the practices. Eid can be a 1 to 7 day celebration including prayer, offerings, dance, traditional music, gift giving and feasts.

    In Islam… God is the Ultimate Reality. All things in visible creation emanate from Him and are manifestations of His Divine Names or Attributes (Sifat). He created the cosmos, both what is known to man and what is unknown. He is the Sustainer of all things, with everything turning to Him and centered upon Him. This is evident in the structure of atoms .

    Happy Eid! Peace and Blessings of the Season.

     

    You can learn more about Islam and read the sacred texts at the links. View more of Inga Nielsen’s wonderful images at Gate to Nowhere Gallery.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan