Monday, August 29, 2016

How will Emerge Art create a better world?

From the Who is Jesus of Nazareth -2014 series
You may not have heard of Emerge Art yet. It is a well kept secret not acknowledged by art, religion or science. It is the photography of the force in water that responds in images. Anciently this was known as scrying and it was at the heart of the spiritual practices of most ancient cultures. Emerge Art shows us that what the ancients were seeing was out there, not a figment of their imagination.

Like shamanistic practices of the past, scrying was used in pretty much the same way modern people use marketing studies, meteorological information, and spiritual guidance through contemplation. What the seers of the past told their people could not be verified independently so no doubt many errors of interpretation did occur.

Today, it is evidence that there is intelligence around us that reacts to us, that hears us, that may even guide us. And we can document its response. I have been blessed with so many exquisite reactions from water that it took me thousands of photographs to realize the rarity of these occurrences.

How will Emerge Art create a better world? For one it will allow humanity to understand Spirit objectively and free from religious dogma or fundamentalism. Spirit is alive and responding to each of us now. It is not constrained to the writings of our ancestors no matter how wonderful they were. It is here, alive, now! We are in a massive state of ecological crisis that transcends all our human arguments. Nature, the external manifestation of Spirit, is reaching out, making herself known to us.
It is time to grow up! And that will create a better world.

https://vimeo.com/168068522
https://vimeo.com/165498781


-LENA GHIO 

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Theory of Everything and human aging.


From The Other Side series, Lena Ghio © 2010
INTRODUCTION 

The Theory of Everything: «theory of everything (ToE) or final theoryultimate theory, or master theory is a hypothetical single, all-encompassing, coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe.[1]:6 »
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything 

So far the challenge of physics has been to successfully integrate the quantum world with the larger universe mathematically. But what does ToE mean for normal people like us? My transdisciplinary art practice evolves around that question. Below I will introduce the equation I work with to explore various hypothesis that lead to my art.

Man became obsessed with perpetual youth early on in his evolution. How can we accept that our once vibrant and strong body eventually witters right before our eyes plagued by weakness and disease. There has been a lot of research on the subject since the time man began questioning this woeful fate. Recent anti-aging studies have yielded important discoveries related to diet, exercise, antioxidants, and treatments to rejuvenate appearance.

I will talk about a perspective I have been studying in the context of my larger life goal to attain the Great Work. From The Four Stages Of Alchemical Work : « Alchemical work was rooted in the philosophy of a gradual but irreversible process of improvement in nature. ... The fundamental idea was that Nature was perfectible and that it was in a perpetual process of self-improvement. » I wanted to find health because I had been a sick child and not one doctor could diagnose what was making me almost invalid. When I was not sick, I would try to find solutions. Many pencil written letters on torn copybook paper were sent out to people I thought could give me insight. In the beginning, I found yoga. I was 13 years old when I did my first yoga stretches. Still in my teens, I found Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda and the Warrior's Way became the core philosophy I would use to survive. Later I understood how astrology affected my bodymind and I wanted to know what were the forces at work that made me feel sick. Eventually, I had to recognize that the motions of the planets affect us by the gravitational modulations they create. The lifework I then engaged in was the process of implementing a gradual but irreversible process of improvement  in my relationship with the solar system.
From The Other Side series, Lena Ghio © 2010

The Warrior's Way demands the utmost sobriety so I challenged my perceptions and beliefs every step of the way, and I still do. I became interested in gravity while studying Tai Chi with Ms Florence Wong. There I learned that Tai Chi is all about rotations, rotational movements that allow a person to develop fluidity and grace by adjusting every day to the pressure of gravity. With her I learned how to bend time and space and the Magical Passes described in Castaneda's book of the same name. This opened the way for my interest in astrophysics because Tai Chi was the discipline that spoke about gravity as a force in the universe and astrophysicist are the experts on the forces of the universe. Like many of you I was fascinated by the work and research done in popular science that we could read about or watch on documentaries on TV and on the Internet.

Eventually I enrolled at McGill University for a class given by Professor Paul Wiseman Time Space and Matter to figure out how to understand and express what I was observing about how Time and Space affect the form of things and other qualities such as the type of weather that would manifest at a given time. Finally, the first part of my life work was understood. I successfully performed experiments that supported several of my hypothesis and my equation for the Theory of Everything, ToE: 

E = MC squared  /  Rolling Force + Gravity = Time + Space


Today, we have scientific evidence of gravitational waves from LIGO. On September 14 2015, they  successfully detected gravitational waves. They are focused on learning all about black holes, but I am interested on how gravitational waves affect life and conditions on earth. My experiments demonstrated that celestial mechanics does communicate with living beings via the gravitational modulations they create. This ceaseless dialogue has a dramatic effect on the human body that human beings have learned to challenge without yet understanding the impact of the G force on aging. The assumption is that the weight eventually crushes us but the reality is that gravity affects particles, atoms, and in our bodies they have been taught to age and bring death.


THE GRAVITY SIDE OF HUMAN AGING

Because of gravity we are a bunch of molecules existing in a bunch of planets and stars. For this reason the following research on tensegrity made perfect sense. Here are two quotes from two excellent articles on what life is made of that fit beautifully with the above equation:

« There are quite a few doctors and biologists that are convinced that "life" is made out of tensegrities. (...)  Understanding what the parts of a complex machine are made of, however, does little to explain how the whole system works, regardless of whether the complex system is a combustion engine or a cell. In other words, identifying and describing the molecular puzzle pieces will do little if we do not understand the rules for their assembly." (...) Donald E. Ingber is a doctor in a children hospital in Boston, who discovered that the way life is formed has less to do with chemistry and more with architecture.

Just another small paragraph from his article: "From Skeleton to Cytoskeleton: What does tensegrity have to do with the human body? The principles of tensegrity apply at essentially every detectable size scale in the body. At the macroscopic level, the 206 bones that constitute our skeleton are pulled up against the force of gravity and stabilized in a vertical form by the pull of tensile muscles, tendons and ligaments (similar to the cables in Snelson's sculptures). In other words, in the complex tensegrity
structure inside every one of us, bones are compression struts, and muscles, tendons and ligaments are the tension bearing members. At the other end of the scale, proteins and other key molecules in the body also stabilize themselves through the principles of tensegrity. My own interest lies in between these two extremes, at the cellular level." »
-Marcello Pars http://www.tensegriteit.nl/e-well-known.html

and:

 Donald E. Ingbe  http://time.arts.ucla.edu/Talks/Barcelona/Arch_Life.htm

From The Other Side series, Lena Ghio © 2010
« Despite centuries of study, researchers still know relatively little about the forces that guide atoms to self-assemble into molecules. They know even less about how groups of molecules join together to create living cells and tissues. Over the past two decades, however, I have discovered and explored an intriguing and seemingly fundamental aspect of self-assembly. An astoundingly wide variety of natural systems, including carbon atoms, water molecules, proteins, viruses, cells, tissues and even humans and other living creatures, are constructed using a common form of architecture known as tensegrity. The term refers to a system that stabilizes itself mechanically because of the way in which tensional and compressive forces are distributed and balanced within the structure. »

The forces that guide atoms combine the quantum field with the larger universe all the way to the biggest black hole in outer space. Studies of the Big Bang demonstrate how gravity clumped molecules together to form mass and create new compounds.

Although difficult to detect in a complex world like ours, gravity still affects molecules on earth. It also affects aging in more involved ways than simply crushing us under its pressure. It informs our DNA and sometimes the message makes us sick, old and makes us die. I have demonstrated this with my lemon tree experiment and the amaryllis experiment. Gravitational modulations from the solar system affects the timing of major shifts in our body in a way similar to the above model of tensegrity. Gravity is a force that "guides atoms to self-assemble". We are each programmed differently yet we can see benchmarks in our aging process that occur in all of us. Our body mass looses its tone and flexibility and our body mass begins to shrivel as a result of increasing stiffness and nutrient loss. We loose minerals, proteins, moisture.

TURNING SENESCENCE AROUND

From The Other Side series, Lena Ghio © 2010
Today much is known on how to maintain youthfulness: from good nutrition, to good hygiene, to the appropriate exercise program for the individual's needs to advances in surgical and dermatological treatments. Here I will put a few practices in perspective to the above equation:
E = MC squared  /  Rolling Force + Gravity = Time + Space: to go further into understanding the tensegrity hypothesis of life.

Acupuncture: E = MC squared: We are both energy and matter evolving and morphing through Time + Space in the time of celestial mechanics aka Rolling Force + Gravity. A healthy body grows by fluidly shifting through the stages of human life: infancy, childhood, adolescence, maturity, old age. Two obvious signs of aging that occur in the late stages of maturity are sagging cheeks and an expanded abdomen.
These occur along the Stomach Meridian. This suggests a) that energy circulation becomes stagnant on this meridian and b) that using acupressure along this meridian will allow energy to flow and maintain a healthy mass in those areas. What is more youthful looking than toned cheeks and habs? There are many meridians and each has an impact on some facet of aging. If you find an acupuncturist to work with, many rejuvenating treatments are available for the face and other conditions. Acupuncture helps to circulate energy and gravity loves circular motions. It gains momentum and force through circular motion and this is how it works in this area.

Moisture and the distribution of water in the body are essential to youthfulness. Lymph drainage is one method that tones up the body very quickly. I have used the method described in the link attached above created by Dr. Emil Vodder. Again the beneficial action comes from making the fluids circulate throughout the body. Certain restrictions apply so be sure to consult with a trained professional. If you cannot use lymph drainage, swimming is an excellent way to make your body's fluids flow. Swimmers are very toned and I have observed many elderly swimmer who did not have cellulite.

Tai Chi and Yoga are two exercises that have successfully maintained the youthfulness and well-being of practitioners. Tai Chi circulates energy and increases energy by entering inside the circular motions of heaven and earth. Youth is equal to graceful movements. My Tai Chi teacher, Ms Florence Wong, was 72 years old when she began teaching me and she began her practice at 50 years old. She was a true master, more limber than all her students put together. Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, distinguished professor at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair has conducted a study to see if Tai Chi had an impact on the cellular levels of the body and the results so far are promising.

Yoga keeps the body flexible and strong with the least expenditure of energy and keeps the mind sharp and focused. While Tai Chi creates energy and flow,  Yoga helps you focus energy where it is needed. Being able to tie your own shoes is an example of the youthfulness  Yoga provides in advancing years. Here is a quote linking you to the work of Judith Hanson Lasater, PH.D., P.T. who teaches yoga with a deep understanding of how gravity affects motion:

« ...understanding how gravity affects and shapes movement. If we don’t honor and take into account gravity, we cannot really figure out what’s creating the movement. »

In her work, she has observed that 'All movements are shaped by the force of gravity.'
-Yogabody anatomy, kinesiology, and asana

Working with gravity magnifies the effect of any practice because gravity enjoys building up systems.
For sure the examples given here will be verified further once we really understand the implication of G Force on our health and longevity. Until then, you may find something that will rejuvenate you safely right now.

UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES BE AWARE OF YOUR PERSONAL NEEDS AND CONSULT WITH HEALTH SPECIALIST BEFORE EMBARKING ON ANY FORM OF TREATMENT OR EXERCISE.

-LENA GHIO

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Stratford on Outremont de la scène à l'écran


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Au Cinéma: Une Aventure Un documentaire

BANDE-ANNONCE
LES COWBOYS

Le réalisateur  est reconnu pour ses films qui se développent lentement comme Rust and Bones, 2012. Ici, une autre histoire sur les impossibilités tortureuses de la vie humaine. Une famille Française évolue dans une communauté qui a adopté les pratiques culturelles du western Américain. Tous semblent heureux lors d'une occasion lorsqu'à la fin de la soirée on constate que Kelly, ( Iliana Zabeth ) la fille adolescente, est disparue. Le père, Alain Balland, ( François Damiens ), ne s'en remettra jamais et son obsession pour retrouver son enfant va empoisonner son fils Georges ( Finnegan Oldfield ) qui a son tour n'abandonnera pas la quête malgré les affreux périples qu'il croisera. L'histoire débute avant les années 2000. Quelques années après la disparition de Kelly on voit les gens réagir aux attaques de 9/11 à New York. Les cultures se confrontent et s'entêtent. Georges finit par trouver le bonheur mais quand une nouvelle information sur sa soeur émerge, il quitte tout pour la trouver. La fin de l'histoire est mitigée alors que nos questions n'auront jamais de réponses.

Le film sera aux cinémas Beaubien et Quartier Latin dès ce 19 août.
Villageois de Saukpa BANDE ANNONCE

À LA POURSUITE DE LA PAIX

Des clans se disputent un morceau de terre, d'autres villages tombent proies aux rebelles qui les massacrent sans pitié, nous sommes sur le terrain avec ces gens ainsi qu'avec les divers OSBLs qui tentent de leur venir en aide par tous les moyens. Ce film intéressant est tellement émouvant, j'ai pleuré en le regardant. D'un côté j'ai admiré les gens qui se dévouent à l'aide d'autrui et de l'autre j'ai pleuré l'absurdité humaine qui nous fait commettre le meurtre. Dans les cas mis à l'avant, les villageois sont tellement pauvres déjà, tellement blessés par les guerres interminables.

Dès le 19 août à la Cinémathèque Québécoise VF, au Cinéma Forum VO et au Cinéma Le Clap VF à Québec. Infos

-LENA GHIO

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

FANTASIA a few intriguing titles.


Fares Fares, left, and Nikolaj Lie Kaas in A Conspiracy of Faith, directed by Hans Petter Moland.
A CONSPIRACY OF FAITH

Directed by Hans Petter Moland, A Conspiracy of Faith is an excellent thriller featuring Department Q, "a dead-end division dedicated to long-unsolved cases". The team, Carl Morck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) and Assad (Fares Fares) are determined to solve an eight year old mystery that begins when Department Q receives a mysterious message in a bottle written in blood. The other members of the team are Rose (Johanne Louise Schmidt), and their captain, Jacobsen (Soren Pilmark). 

This title intrigued me very much. I had not known that A Conspiracy of Faith was the last installment of a widely successful trilogy: The Department of Q Trilogy, that is inspired by a series of books under the same heading. All my colleagues had seen the movie when it screened at the Fantasia Festival and loved it! Of the movies I saw during the festival, this was the second one that intimated at what God might be. Humans cannot avoid the subject of God even if in the end they decide not to believe in Him like Carl, who thinks it is psychotic to believe in God, or to be devout like his Muslim partner Assad. What I saw is that Assad did not quote scripture when describing the source of his faith, but he described a joy at being connected to something bigger than mundane every day life. The two characters voice the contemporary discussion going on in the world concerning God and faith as their investigation of missing children and possible homicide is related to a mysterious religious sect. The villain, JohannesPal Sverre Hagen), is a handsome well dressed young man who ingratiates himself into the lives of his future victims through the church where they worship. A well-structured well-timed movie that keeps the suspense on from the start.

Ty Hickson as Sean in The Alchemist's Cookbook by Joel Potrykus
THE ALCHEMIST'S COOKBOOK

The Alchemists Cookbook is a title that intrigued me because I have read a lot on the subject from various perspectives. Famed psychiatrist and author Dr.Carl Jung investigated the link between the unconscious, dreams and the symbols of Alchemy and the scientific giant Sir Isaac Newton was fascinated by it also. Writer Director Joel Potrykus explores the subject through a character that is fed up with societal madness, Sean (Ty Hickson) and chooses to isolate himself in the forest to make gold by enchantment. An interesting note on our present culture: contrary to past alchemists, Sean's book of magic are store bought. In the past people were killed for owning such sacrilegious books. The slow moving feature is an accurate enough portrait of the fate of many alchemists throughout history: they were solitary, became destitute and perhaps suffered from mental issues. Magic is a slow process. Cortez (Amary Cheaton) is the only outside help Sean is getting and he meets with a tragic fate. In the end we don't know if magic happened or if the lead character has simply lost his mind.


Kwok Yik-sum, Mak Tsz-yi and Fish Liew in Lazy Hazy Crazy by Luk Yee-sum
LAZY HAZY CRAZY

I was intrigued by Lazy Hazy Crazy because it deals with young girls coming of age in modern Hong Kong. Not so long ago coming of age meant you would explore sex a little then get married. Which is not to say that this is what happened but it was the expectation that is now being shattered by evolving cultural values. To say one is open about sexuality in all its diversity is one thing but the reality is that we are more than sexual. Our sexual behavior has consequences albeit not all dangerous or bad. Here the young women try to meet their financial obligations through prostitution all the while they are in high school and each one of them is in love with the basketball star, Andrew (Tse Sit-chun).

The film was written by Hong Kong screenwriter Luk Yee-sum. The principal characters are Tracy (Kwok Yik-sum), the shy bookish girl, Chloe (Mak Tsz-yi) part-time prostitute and Malaysian transplant and fellow prostitute Alice (Fish Liew). They spend the summer rooming together. The film is youthful and colorful with all the heartbreak that accompanies romance. In the end, the girls are stronger and more individualistic as only modern women can be. In a way, it answered the questions I had about the theme of the movie.

The Festival is now over and the winners will be on the web site soon. Highest honors Prix Cheval Noir for the best movie went to  TRAIN TO BUSAN .

What a great Festival!

-LENA GHIO



Tuesday, August 2, 2016

JUST FOR LAUGHS - Part 2

Danny Bhoy Photo © Eric Myre
The Just For Laughs Festival is now over! This year was quite different than last year for me. Somehow I went to almost all the Galas. There was a lot going on and the weather was magnificent. The food we ate at the festival from the Europea Camion de rue was succulent. I enjoy comics very much so I had a grand old time.

Carrie Fisher
I ended the Festival with two Galas; The Mega Stars of Comedy Gala and The Carrie Fisher Gala. I was very happy to have seen Lewis Black and Greg Proops in a few places during the week as they are two of my favorites. For some reason the excellent comic JB Smoove could not stir the crowd at The Mega Stars of Comedy Gala. He followed Lewis Black and Danny Bhoy who did political humor that seemed to resonate more with the mood of the night while Smoove got personal focusing on his marriage. The Donald Trump presidency campaign has disturbed a lot of people even in Canada. One comic said " The whole world is looking at us in disbelief! " about Trump's run for the White House. On the other hand when Australian comic Dave Hughes came out to the same unenthusiastic reception, he turned it around by saying he was more well known down under and the crowd loved it. Iliza Shlesinger, Gerry Dee and Ralphie May rounded up this line-up.

The next night we went to The Carrie Fisher Gala. She looked very nice and fresh when she came out and we were enthralled! She is so funny and honest about her life struggles with mental illness and drug addiction. 

Nathan Macintosh, Jim Norton, Joel Creasy, Cristela AlonzoRonny ChiengIvan DeckerBrian Posehn  and Celia Pacquola
formed the entire cast of funnies. My two favorites that night were Cristela Alonzo with her story about her mom adapting to American culture: " I am Santa Claus! " the mom says when she gives her daughter a Christmas present not wanting to give credit to "...a fat white dude dressed in red! "; and Ronny Chieng talking about being a minority: " I come from China, I was not a minority over there! "


My cheeks hurt I laughed so much!

-LENA GHIO