Tag: Art

My Face to the Light: Alice Walker’s Thoughts about Christmas

Cover of Anything We Love Can be Saved

As I was reading Alice Walker (best known for her book The Color Purple) collection of essays entitled Anything We Love Can Be Saved, I thought her ideas only represented me on an abstract – perhaps metaphorical level. I can relate to her situation only in certain aspects, others I can’t even begin to understand. In my opinion, she is rather centred around a purpose and she definitely has a leit-motif (the Goddess, for example), but, as I said, I don’t fully understand her situation, so I won’t be judging her for some linguistic clichés (I know I have mine, and I’m pretty sure each individual, social/enthic group or country has plenty as well!).

In any case, from the whole book, I chose an essay that I think is still very much current, even after fourteen years. It’s about Christmas and its sometimes empty, sometimes ideologically charged stories. First, the subtitle is quite interesting and very much poetic: “seed catalogs like paper flowers”. (more…)

December 5, 2011
12/29 Allah Knows, Zain Bhikha

‘Allah Knows’ by Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby

Beautiful, sweet and heartfelt. Brought tears, I feel a reaching out and God moving through words, voices, music and harmony… wow! Lovely!

Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby, Song: Allah Knows, Album: Allah Knows (2006), Label: Jamal Records, Video: Jamal Records.

Today is Al-Hijra, Islamic New Year the first day of Muharram.

What is… is not?

Imagine, create, stretch… become! What is… is not?

The eye fooled, the mind awed. Sweet believing. Breathless becoming. Why not?

Let’s fly…

~ inspired by this beautiful image.

The image above is a digital compilation of an existing volcanic crescent moon islet called Molokini off the coast of Maui, HI and a star island which was created. The moon alone is amazing, the star adds another dimension which stretches beyond. Awesome… I love it. It is not known who created this image you can find out more about it at Neddy’s Palaver.

May your Holidays be filled with Awe and Wonder!

Zain Bhikha born August 9, 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa is a singer/songwriter. At a young age he often would entertain his family and friends with songs. In 1994 he won a singing competition sponsored by the local station Radio 702. He recorded his first album called ‘A Way of Life’ in 1994. You can find out more, read news, watch videos and listen to and buy music at Zain’s official website zainbhikha.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 29, 2008
12/26 Yamoré, Happy Kwanzaa

‘Yamoré’ – Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, music video

Powerful, moving, sultry and poignant. Song about love and life by two African greats… wow… I love it. Magic!

Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, Song: Yamoré, Album: Moffou (2002), Recorded at Les Studios De La Seine, Paris, France between July 15 & December 14, 2001. Label: Decca. ‘Moffou’ was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album.

Kwanzaa, founded in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga is held December 26th thru January 1st. It is an African American celebration of family, community, commerce, responsibility, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is not religious or political, nor a replacement for Christmas; rather it honors roots and culture. It is celebrated by more then 18 million people worldwide.

The word Kwanzaa means, ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in Kiswahili (an African language). The celebration is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles) which are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). On December 31st the community cooporative Kwanzaa Karamu or Feast is held. To learn more visit tike.com

‘The Black Candle’ is a movie about Kwanzaa. In the movie it says,

Kwanzaa means access to your soul, to your people.

The beautiful, striking image above right of the Kwanzaa candles is a quilt by Kit Tossmann of Louisville, KY. It is featured in the 2007 Sacred Threads Gallery.

Happy Kwanzaa! Have a wonderful celebration.

Salif Keita born August 25, 1949 in Djoliba, Mali, Africa is a singer and songwriter. He is considered the Golden voice of Africa. He began his career in 1967 in the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. Then joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs in 1973 and fled Mali in the mid 70s because of political unrest. The name was changed to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales and they gained international acclaim. In 1977 Keita received a National Order award. He moved to Paris for a while then back to Mali in 2000 where he was inspired to create Moffou. You can learn more about Salif Keita at his official site at universalmusic.fr.

Cesária Évora born August 27, 1941 in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde is a singer. Her nickname is the ‘barefoot diva’ because she prefers performing without shoes. She is known internationally for morna (music and dance from Cape Verde) songs of sadness, sorrow and yearning. She met Eduardo (a sailor) at 16, who taught her the traditional Cape Verdean music coladeiras and mornas. She recorded her first album in Paris called La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva) (1988). ‘Sodade‘ was her first international hit single. At age 47 she became an international star with the release of her album Perfumado. You can read more about her at cesaria-evora.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

December 26, 2008
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!

Libera, 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, 18^th 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 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.

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

December 25, 2008
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.

Saint 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.

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

December 13, 2008