Moment of Insight
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This luminescent sunset wave existed for a brief moment on the West side of Kauai, on the white sand beach of Polihale. I found the statue of the Buddha more than 6,000 miles West of the Hawaiian islands, in everyones favorite Bali town, Ubud. I love the stillness in motion here. The Buddha remains focused with clear pure mind as the waves crash around him. Rumi says, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”
The radiating ripples of water were created by the reflection of one image from the Tirta Empul Temple in the center of Bali. This temple was built in a spring in the year of 962. Balinese believe these waters are holy and they travel from all over the island to bath in this sacred, cleansing spring. Seeking protective blessings and good health, offerings are laid upon the pools before entering. I tinted the Buddha green to complement the moss in the water. The Anja and Anahata chakras we made to be transparent, highlighting the interconnectedness of our true selves and the universe, as our bodies are made up of at least 50% water. As Lao-Tzu says, “The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to.”
I made this piece by reflecting one image I made of a corner of the Preah Khan Temple in Angkor, Cambodia. It is printed on metallic photo paper adhered to tri- plywood and cut using a laser cutter. The temple was built in 1191 to commemorate the father of King Jayavarman VII and is my favorite temple of the Angkor complex. Surrounded by a moat, and measuring 800m x 700m, the temple is so massive that finding myself alone among these walls was not difficult. Trees grow over the structures, sending their roots deep into the walls and push the bricks out of their way. reclaiming this 800-year-old building. I love the textures of the moss, and the way the statues seem to be praying to themselves. Demonstrating the idea that we are all one, that god is in each one of us. The way the totality of the images creates a face, with its large eyes looking back at you. The whole piece seems to breathe with life.
Green Ganesha - After the Rain
I made this photo of the green and purple leaves in the jungle of Northen Sumatra shortly after the shining sun washed away a rainstorm. By reflecting the leaves upon themselves, I hope to create a meditative moment. I found Ganesh in the home of a family I stayed with in Ubud, Bali. Every home compound on Bali has at least one temple. Offerings are made three times a day to appease the spirits and bring good health to the family. I love the colors and textures of this piece. I have accented this with the bamboo frame, setting the photo as far back as possible to accentuate the layers of the image. This adds even another layer as the shadow is cast from the bamboo, further repeating the form of the leaves. Giving a sense of radiating power, of Unity, Oneness. Indonesia is a great place to feel this kind of sensation, as its more than 17,500 islands are connected through the volcanic system known as the “ring of fire.
