AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY/ LE TEMPS D'UN ÉTÉ

Julianne Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts

August Osage County

Opening this Friday January 10 2014, this movie is all about the craft of acting. The cast is superb: MERYL STREEP, JULIA ROBERTS, IWAN McGREGOR, CHRIS COOPER, ABIGAIL BRESLIN, BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH, JULIETTE LEWIS, MARGO MARTINDALE, JULIANNE NICHOLSON and more. It is a very dark comedy but it is strangely evocative of the dysfunction that affects any family in the world. Secrets and lies are revealed and many hearts are broken. Benedict Cumberbatch is excellent in his portrayal of a timid adult. I just love Margo Martindale anytime I see her, she never disappoints. Of course the two stars, Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts,  are equal to their reputations and provide an emotion packed exchange between mother and daughter as they attempt to forge some kind of bond. This film is produced by GEORGE CLOONEY.

-LENA GHIO

FOR THE YEAR 2014 // POUR L'ANNÉE 2014

EMERGE ART  Dirty Little Secrets © 2014 Lena Ghio

Français en bas

A study of the impact of celestial mechanics on the human condition for the year 2014.

This is not a year of sweet tenderness and abundance, but one of violence and scarcity, impatience and headaches. It will be hard on everyone around the world. The good news is: there will be extraordinary creativity and new solutions to problems that have been plaguing us.

The most important question to ask yourself is: What do I want to have created at the end of this year? This will help you fashion a vision you can use as a beacon through the dark times.

This year will be the last 90˚ angle between Pluto and Uranus, two planets that configure prominently in times of great changes. The last era when these two planets formed a 90˚ angle with Uranus in Aries, ADOLF HITLER was rising into power seeding disaster! In  2012, hurricane Sandy, the most expensive disaster to hit the Eastern seaboard of the USA happened in a close 90˚ alignment between the two. The alignment has been rolling back and forth for the last two years now and this year the culmination is attained. And it is spectacular with the full force of the approaching New Moon in Capricorn, a conjunction with Pluto and Mercury while being stressed by the opposition of Mars in house 1 to Uranus in either house 6 or 7 depending on the country. Jupiter in house 10 or 11, depending on the country, crowns the whole composition. The few good aspects are rendered very weak through interception.

In plain English: the chessboard is set for battle, enemies reveal themselves in aggressive and impulsive behaviors, what is at stake are the resources of the Earth itself! There just won’t be enough to go around for one reason or another. There will be political wrangling over ownership of the Earth, there will be difficulties in transportation, there will be strikes, and there will be major health crisis directly related to the stress of the times. One political figure will suffer a sudden death, perhaps through accident on the road or head injury, that will have major consequences on the whole planet. We are in for a bumpy ride.

Bach Flower Essences that can assist those interested:

for Mars in Libra: Scleranthus, Uranus in Aries: Cherry Plum and Impatiens, for the stellium in Capricorn: Mimulus, Aspen and Rock Rose, Jupiter in Cancer: Clematis. This combination will provide clarity and nerves of steel. Now Good Luck, IT IS ON!!!

-LENA GHIO

FRANÇAIS

Une étude sur l'impact de la mécanique céleste sur la condition humaine pour l'année 2014.

Ce ne sera pas une année de gentillesse et d’abondance, mais une de violence et de pénurie, d’impatience et de maux de tête. Elle sera dure pour tout le monde autour de la terre. La bonne nouvelle: il y aura une créativité foisonnante et des nouvelles solutions à certains problèmes qui nous harcèlent depuis longtemps.

La question la plus importante à se demander est : Qu’est-ce que je veux avoir crée à la fin de cette année? Ceci vous aidera à façonner une vision qui vous illuminera durant les moments sombres.

Cette année se manifestera la dernière rencontre de Pluton et Uranus en angle de 90˚, deux planètes qui configurent bien en évidence quand s’opèrent de grands changements. Le dernier épisode où ces deux planètes formaient un angle de 90˚, avec Uranus dans le Bélier, coïncide avec l’ascension au pouvoir d’ADOLF HITLER et son règne de terreur. En 2012, la tornade Sandy, le désastre naturel le plus coûteux aux Etats-Unis à date, frappe la côte est de la nation quand l’alignement de 90˚ entre les deux planètes est tout proche. L’alignement a roulé d’avant arrière  depuis les dernières deux années et maintenant c’est la culmination qui sera atteinte. Et elle sera spectaculaire avec la pleine force de la Nouvelle Lune en Capricorne qui approche, une conjonction à Pluton et Mercure pendant que l’effet stressant est magnifié par l’opposition de Mars en maison 1 à Uranus en maison 6 ou 7 dépendant de la localité. Jupiter qui roule entre la maison 10 et 11 dépendant du pays, couronne le tout. Les quelques aspects favorables sont rendus inefficaces par interception en signes et maisons.

En langage simple : l’échiquier est monté pour le jeu, les ennemis se révèlent par des gestes impulsifs et des attitudes agressives, ce qui est en jeu sont les ressources de la Terre elles-mêmes! Il n’y en aura tout simplement pas assez pour tout le monde pour une raison ou une autre. Il y aura des disputes à savoir à qui appartiennent ces ressources, il y aura des difficultés de transport, il y aura des grèves et des protestations, et il y aura des crises sur le système de la santé publique associées aux tensions que vivent les gens. Une figure politique souffrira une mort subite, peut-être par accident de la route ou blessure à la tête, qui aura des répercussions sérieuses

pour toute la planète. Nous subirons une mauvaise passe.

Les Essences de Fleurs Bach qui pourront assister les intéressés :

pour Mars en Balance: Scleranthus, Uranus en Bélier: Cherry Plum et Impatiens, pour le stellium en Capricorne: Mimulus, Aspen et Rock Rose, Jupiter en Cancer: Clematis. Cette combinaison vous donnera de la clarté et des nerfs d’aciers. Maintenant Bonne Chance, C’EST PARTIE!!!

-LENA GHIO

It is the HOLIDAY SEASON in Montreal // C'est le TEMPS DES FÊTES à Montréal

Français en bleu

Christmas is near and there is a lot of snow covering roads and rooftops. I approach the holidays with a mixture of anxiety and gratitude. A precious family member has been in hospital for the last eight weeks but is recovering, so I feel blessed. There will be major readjustments to be made and I am a bit anxious. With winter comes the scenery of homeless humans being in the cold, prices of necessities skyrocketing, many good workers loosing their jobs and the new regulations on unemployment makes it harder still to create security for young families.

Noël s'en vient et il y a amplement de neige pour couvrir les routes et les toits. J'approche le temps des fêtes avec un mélange d'anxiété et de gratitude. Un précieux membre de ma famille est hospitalisé depuis déjà huit semaines mais semble être sur la voie de la guérison, donc je me sens bénie. Il y aura des réajustements majeures à faire donc je suis un peu anxieuse. Avec l'hiver arrive le paysage des humains sans-abris dans le froid, le prix des nécessités qui augmentent sans cesse, plusieurs excellents employés qui perdent leurs emplois et les nouveaux règlements de l'assurance-emploi qui rend cela de plus en plus difficile de créer la sécurité pour les jeunes familles.

Yet we must choose to use the moment to create joy and upliftment for ourselves and each other. It is a good strategy to compel us to get through the harshness of the times. I propose you enjoy some of the excellent exhibitions our institutions have to offer and special activities for the whole family. Why? Because often when we give ourselves moments of leisure we also allow ourselves new answers.

Pourtant on doit choisir d'utiliser le moment pour créer la joie et l'encouragement pour nous-même et un pour l'autre. C'est une bonne stratégie pour nous forcer à passer au travers ces moments discordants. Pourquoi? Parce que souvent c'est par le jeu qu'on s'ouvre à de nouvelles idées. Je vous propose de vous ressourcer auprès des excellentes expositions offertent par nos institutions incluant des acticités pour toute la famille.

POINTE-À-CALLIÈRE

A new exhibition opened last week that will enchant the children between 6 and 12: Pirates or Privateers. Children are challenged to participate in the colorful world of pirates and test their skills.

Une nouvelle exposition a ouvert ses portes la semaine passée qui enchantera les jeunes de 6 à 12 ans: Pirates ou corsaires. Les enfants sont mis au défis pour participer à l'univers coloré des pirates pour aiguiser leurs aptitudes.

Montreal Museum of contemporary art/ Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal

You have 2 weeks left to visit BEAT NATION that will end January 5 2014.
Il vous reste 2 semaines pour visiter BEAT NATION qui se termine le 5 Janvier 2014.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts/ Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal

There are many free exhibits at the Museum this season but  you must visit this FREE exhibition of Christmas Trees that will be opened until January 5 2014.

Il y a plusieurs expositions gratuites au Musée durant la saison mais vous vous devez de visiter cette exposition GRATUITE de magnifiques Arbres de Noël qui sera ouverte jusqu'au 5 Janvier 2014.

CCA

The new exhibition Casablanca Chandigarh at the Canadien Centre for Architecture has totally captivated me. I have not yet finished my deeper article but if you need to be inspired with the approaches used by the United Nations, le Corbusier and Écochard to takle urban renewal, this is the one for you.

La nouvelle exposition Casablanca Chandigarh au Centre Canadien d'Architecture m'a totallement captivée. Je n'ai pas encore complété mon article plus profond mais si vous avez besoin d'être inspiré par les approches dont se sont servit les Nations Unies, le Corbusier et Écochard pour résoudre des problèmes de renouvellement urbain, c'est celle-ci qu'il vous faut.

That's it for now! May you be showered with blessings everyday!
C'est tout pour maintenant! Que les bénédictions roulent sur vous tous les jours!

-LENA GHIO

Water, Consciousness and the Prophecies of Nostradamus 3

The two images on the left were taken within 10 seconds of each other on July 23 2013. The one on the right was taken on October 24 2013. As a storyboard they seem to be telling us of a man inside a café, who decides to put on his hat and coat, and is now walking in the snow. © Lena Ghio 2013

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

part 3 THE PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS 

In the previous two articles, I describe the unusual phenomena I experienced with water and I resumed a research on what some scientists have thought about the connection between water and intelligence. In this article I will resume the importance of water in ancient cultures and myths using the works of CARL JUNG to bring a scientific perspective to it. The evidence I have gathered sheds an incredible new light on the knowledge of our ancestors.

When I was a child our parents took all of us to spend a day on a ferry boat. We had never been on a boat and we enjoyed hanging over the edge of the ramp staring at the shimmering blue water. I remember our mother telling us not to stare at the water lest it mesmerize us into falling into it. Before July 23 2013, water was just magical because I love swimming in it, I love drinking it, I love its versatility and mystery. I even had done tests with glasses of water and crystal balls that are posted on youtube. Yet I still saw water, like most people do, as an inert substance. Now I can't help seeing water as a complicated living entity capable of spontaneous and smart creation.

Before I continue, I must clarify that the studies I have done with water, that are now integrated in my artistic practice as EMERGE ART,  were not done for prophetic or religious purposes. I was inspired by the work of Dr. MASARU EMOTO to activate the water with a variety of colors, forms, words and other objects so I could then capture refraction in the water. The installation around the bowl of water does not represent a ritual to invoke invisible forces. However the water astonished me with a huge amount of unexplainable images that far transcend mere refraction! I did not expect water to create intricate storyboards that show intelligence and coherence like the one in the header.

Interested in the process of individuation, Carl Jung retraced the historical roots of multiple archetypes that to this day manifest in our dreams, our personalities and our lives; some belonged to religious practices, some to the mythology of certain civilisations, some to alchemy and astrology. There is a lot of material to go through to get at the wide range of knowledge Dr Jung accumulated. Here I wanted to underline that Dr Jung found that water was at the heart of most ancient religious myths, its creative qualities were described as being divine. In certain texts it was called the Word, the Logos. Jung also talks about the meaning of the mermaid as an archetype of the male psyche. The photo below begs the question of whether mermaids are a myth, a projection of the male psyche or an autonomous emergent form created by water? In modern humans, all these concerns are repressed in the unconscious mind. The mermaid archetype has now become an exotic dancer advertised in luminescent neon lights above gentlemen bars. According to Jung, the archetypes will always emerge in our lives in one form or another. I use this example to convey how prevalent archetypes are even in modern times.

This Emerge Art made me review myths about mermaids. The astonishing female face just appeared in my bowl of water. The image on the left is the original. It is dark because to capture the forms made by water I cannot use a flash.
 © 2013 Lena Ghio

The intriguing questions raised by Jung are the link to the prophecies of NOSTRADAMUS. According to the scant information we have on his process of divination, he used astrological calculations and gazed into a brass bowl filled with water to access the prophecies. From his nightly visions he composed quatrains. The storyboard on the header illustrates how water is able tells a story. He warned against the enchantments of mermaids and other forces living in water, admonishing that prophetic visions come from God alone. Now I have presented to the world a feature of water that has always been dismissed by supposedly rational people. We have developed technology to capture these fast moving phenomenon.

For years, as an artist,  I have been working through certain quatrains that applied to my life by analogy. It was clear to me that the intention behind the prophecies were of a healing nature. That was who Nostradamus was, a healer. My practice as an artist was entangled in his quatrains. I experienced indescribable trials and losses. Everything has led me to the acts of photographing a series of  extraordinary phenomena that most of you will take years to assimilate, others will dispute to hang on to your views of the world. The WORLD is speaking back to us now, reminding us who we are, ALL of us, EACH of us, are HER children.

 CENTURIES IV QUATRAIN 5
Croix paix soubs vn, accomply diuin verbe,
Espaigne & Gaule seront vnis ensemble,
Grand clade proche, & combat tresacerbe,
Cœur si hardy ne sera qui ne tremble.

Cross, peace, under one the divine word accomplished,
Spain and Gaul will be united together:
Great clade near, and combat very bitter:
No heart will be so hardy as not to tremble.

PHENOMENE ART XII: CROIX PAIX SOUBS UN, ACCOMPLY DIVIN VERBE

-LENA GHIO

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire // L'Embrasement

CATCHING FIRE

The movie opens in district 12 where Katniss Everdeen, JENNIFER LAWRENCE, is spending time with Gale Hawthorne, LIAM HEMSWORTH, her true love. Nothing is easy as Katniss relives the trauma of the Games and Gale must adjust to the consequence of her fame. The intrigue grows as there is suspicion from President Snow, DONALD SUTHERLAND, that a rebellion is brewing and that Katniss is to blame. JOSH HUTCHERSON is heartbrakingly heroic as Peeta Mellark, the other game winner with Katniss, who loves her in vain. A Victory Tour by the reluctant duo soon turns into a diabolical plot with past Hunger Games winners.

In part 2 we go deeper into the characters souls and minds. We are  so close to the action you can feel the vapor of the characters breath. Life and death, technology and human skills, citizens and abusive rulers are in a bloody battle! The design of the film is exquisite, the tension edgy, the special effects of the highest calibre. There is more maturity in this second part and this is equal to the issues the movie is trying to come to terms with: injustice, human rights, freedom. New threats and new challengers give dimension and excitement to the contest imposed by President Snow

Of course there is still that delightfully wicked performance by STANLEY TUCCI as Ceasar Flickerman and the incredible costume designs of TRISH SUMMERVILLE as well as the excellent production design of PHILIP MESSINA. Effie Trinket, played adorably by ELIZABETH BANKS, wears an intricate butterfly outfit at some point that blew my mind. And she cries for "her" team.

A delicious movie that leaves us wanting more and more...OPENS THIS WEEK-END

I LOVED IT!!!

-LENA GHIO

Network Consciousness // La conscience du réseau

Light On ( Flash Light ) © 2013
LUIS JACOB

Français plus bas

Last Tuesday there was a stimulating Happening at SBC Gallery. A one night event in the presence of LUIS JACOB where we viewed his most recent work Light On ( Flash Light ) © 2013. The concept of this video where children armed with flashlights and mirrors are sending and receiving reflections  was very evocative of the exchange we attendees were enjoying with each other. The evening is part of a larger project curated by FELICITY TAYLER involving four cities, including works from the previously mentioned Luis Jacob and several other artists: BLOC COOP, CHARLES BINAMÉ, SIMON BROWN, SKAWENNATI, DARSHA HEWITT, MARISA JAHN ( REV-), JULIA OLDHAM. The videos are part of the collection of VIDÉOGRAPHE, a creation center that has been accumulating video artworks since the 1970's. For several months you will be able to enjoy a large selection of their archives for free at this website: www.vitheque.com

-LENA GHIO

FRANÇAIS

Mardi dernier il y a eu un Happening très stimulant à la Galerie SBC. Événement d'un soir en présence de LUIS JACOB où nous avons visionné sa dernière création Light On ( Flash Light ) © 2013. Le concept de cette vidéo où les enfants s'amusent à lancer et recevoir des jets de lumières avec des lampes de poche et des miroir ressemblait aux échanges agréables qui se déroulaient entre nous qui étions présents. La soirée faisait partie d'un plus large projet conçu par la commissaire FELICITY TAYLER qui implique quatre villes, incluant les oeuvres de plusieurs artistes incluent le déjà mentionné Luis Jacob: BLOC COOP, CHARLES BINAMÉ, SIMON BROWN, SKAWENNATI, DARSHA HEWITT, MARISA JAHN ( REV-), JULIA OLDHAM. Les vidéos font partie de la collection de VIDÉOGRAPHE, un centre de création qui accumule des vidéos artistiques depuis les années 70. Pendant plusieurs mois vous pouvez apprécier une large sélection de leurs archives gratuitement en allant sur ce site: www.vitheque.com

-LENA GHIO

Water, Consciousness and the Prophecies of Nostradamus • 2

1                                                   2                                                      3                                                 4
Photos taken July 28 2013 with 10 seconds between each shot// Photos prises le 28 juillet 2013 avec 10 secondes d'intervalle entre chaque cliché © Lena Ghio

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

part 2 CONSCIOUSNESS 

« The brain is a tangible physical organ constituted from molecules; but that collection of molecules seems mockingly remote from the insubstantial, complex, transient thoughts that combine to endow us with conscious awareness. »

-Susan A. Greenfield

Journey to the center of the mind

© W.H. Freeman and company

In her insightful book, Susan A. Greenfield asks: "How exactly does nervous tissue cause consciousness?"

Today's technology is capable of observing very complex chemical and biological activity in the brain that reveal centers of consciousness and emotional states even social behavior. Yet what is that thing in us that allows us to comprehend, to reflect, to re-interpret what we learn?

If the only difference between the brain of an Albert Einstein and that of an average human is  molecular composition, it would be possible for all of us to become geniuses by supplementing our brains with the same molecules. We can all observe that while certain chemicals and nutrients will benefit the brain, it will not make us geniuses. Intelligence is more than mere biochemical processes, even if its expression in the human realm is dependent upon them.

It is in Susan A. Greenfield's book that I read about the ancient Greek concept that a «special consciousness substance» was the cause of intelligence and consciousness. In particular Galen (129-199); a renowned physician employed to treat gladiators in Rome, he treated many brain injuries and was among the first to recognize the importance of the brain as the center of thought;  who theorized that our mental faculties resided in the cerebrospinal fluid which he called the urine of the brain. This is the same fluid collected during lumbar punctures to diagnose various ailments of the body and brain. At that time the author wrote that the fluid contained nothing so special that it could be described as "psychic".

When I read Greenfield's book I was already familiar with flower essence therapy. In the 1930's Dr. Edward Bach discovered and developed a series of homeopathic treatments made from soaking flowers in water that healed emotional states and helped heal many physical ailments. The principle is that water retains the healing message from different flowers and then can transmit this message to us if we add a few drops of the essence to our drinking water. Each plant chosen by Bach has a different form, a different signature, and addresses a different negative emotional state.  It seemed natural to me that our individuality, our intellect, could emerge from the fluids surrounding our brain that looks like a flower on top of an elaborate stem, the spine, and is uniquely shaped in each one of us.

A while later, I was looking at the movie What the bleep do we know?  and was fascinated by the work of Japanese researcher Dr. Masaru Emoto on the molecular structure of water from different regions who, when exposed to various stimuli, created forms that reflected the ambience that surrounded it. His work proves the vitality of water, its intelligence and sensibility.

In my artistic practice I serendipitously stumbled upon the mysterious image making propensity of water. In this article I am showcasing this phenomena with the above sequence of images. Notice the similarity of water in the process of forging an image with our own intellectual problem solving processes.

3

Image 1 shows a cloudy quality on both sides of the bowl while you can see an emergent activity at the center. The image is abstract. Image 2 is jumbled, but you can imagine a scenario. For example, I see two forms embracing in the center. Image 3 is a stunner! The composition is pure creation emerging from the water! Puppies and a little boy appear to be waiting. Image 4 is another stunner! Here the two figures are clearly drawn, an Angel appears to be comforting a man. There is an interval of only 10 seconds between each shot.

I conclude part 2 CONSCIOUSNESS with the clear hypothesis that bodily fluids must play a determining role in forging our individual intelligence and identity.

In the last part of this series I will look at the myths surrounding water and the prophecies of Nostradamus.

Part 1: Water / 1e Partie: L'Eau
Part  3: Nostradamus / 3 e Partie: Nostradamus

-LENA GHIO