“JOY” - The Joy of Self-less-ness

Visually and aesthetically, the warm resonating effects of polished bronze and the soothing, tranquil qualities of such natural phenomenon as snowdrifts and sand dunes inspire me. For I combine this warmth of the bronze with natures gracefully transitional forms by applying them to our human proportions -relative to their movements. I feel, therefore, I am able to express the nurturing essence of our human energy, emphasizing the warm compassionate side of our nature.

Ultimately, I am attempting to find the means to express the joyful vitality that surface when we support the binding forces that we each share with all life –especially those that exist between each of us.

This sculpture is therefore an expression of this realization and a tribute to the “joy” that leads to “fulfillment” as our ultimate human potential.

“The “JOY” of Selflessness” Environmental Concept

Classical Greek amphitheaters inspire this environment. My circular design allows viewers to observe the sculpture from numerous vantage points at two levels surrounding it in its entirety. Up close at higher ground the sculpture becomes more personal when observed nearer to eye level, at the lower level outside its parameter the view presents the elevated sculpture as more monumental.

I envisioned the very essence of this sculptural expression as energy interpreted through human form –moving! Because we are primarily made up of liquid, imagine running forward with an open glass of water only to stop very suddenly. The water with no choice but to proceed, naturally abides by the natural laws of physics as inertia carries the liquid up and out of the topside of the glass. This is where I take my liberties, by sculpting the forms of the liquid to fit the needs of this creative expression.

It is the runway that suggests the origin of this movement, where the sculpture becomes an extension of this directional fluidity upon its interruption, as suggested by the two opposing visual stops standing before its path.

The circular pool of water represents the collective social subconscious or unconscious, while the sculpture brings form to its expression through the artist.

Note: This sculpture is searching for a home, preferably somewhere public where it can freely perform for those who wish to come and pay a visit. I can easily adapt this design to accommodate for the most unique display circumstances.

“METAPHYSICAL CONSCIOUSNESS”  (Cosmic Synapse)

(MOCK VERSION 24” x 9” x 7” – a larger scale version is in progress)

Metaphysical consciousness is a highly awakened state of awareness, immersed in experiencing life through the quiet calm rational state of emptiness.

Metaphysical consciousness is the state of consciousness that lies beyond all the random chatter that likes to take place in each of our heads. This neurotic ranting (which includes our emotional and addictive responses to them) is exactly what takes place when we are not fully aware of, or participating in the present moment. To partake in all the profundities that arise from this state, we must each focus our attention towards fully penetrating the magnitude of every situation. To accomplish this we must nurture our ability to intuit in order to drown out all the ranting, raving paranoia of the ego driven mind, that which grips all but the most self-disciplined or innocent among us.

The fact is, when we allow ourselves to remain even partially distracted from what is currently taking place within the immediacy of the here and now, we deprive ourselves of our greatest potentials.

Therefore, we must become fully awaked or conscious in order to penetrate the depth and potential of each life situation we encounter. As a result, this greater depth allows us to better comprehend and contemplate the root causes and therefore the overall ramifications that come as a result of each response to any given situation.

Furthermore, because this higher state of awareness allows us to experience life with a grater degree of emotional control (aware yet detached), where we are less likely to respond (or over react) emotionally to pain, fear, anger and lust. Thus making room for the necessary patients needed in order to foster the crucial objectivity that allows us to achieve the empathy that leads us to compassion and tolerance.

One way to pay homage to this deeply intuitive source and the high-mindedness that this sense offers humanity (should we choose to listen) is to openly celebrate (by way of expression) the very essence of this state of intuitive consciousness. Hence, I have chosen to develop this three-dimensional bronze visual metaphor.

In an effort to clarify what you are visually witnessing here through this sculptural expression, I am providing the following explanation.

Therefore, let us look into this sculpture by metaphorically considering all the polished bronze spheres webbed throughout this composition –as the synthesis or synaptic firings that take place throughout the performance of our “mental energy in play”, and the rods to be the directional influences that express the nature of this mental energy or rather our instantaneous response and participation within the immediate experience.

First, let us take notice of the direction of the two synaptic projections that appear left over from the past and observe as they lead us to the synaptic activity that appears to cradle our focus as it surrounds the open void of emptiness –the stillness inherent within the depth of the present moment.

This stillness now becomes the fixation of our focus, leaving little or no room for the random neurotic chatter of the ego, providing for us –a state of being –or a window per say, to calmly and objectively observe and therefore fully participate in the theater of life –here and now.

Notice within this sculpture, how this void –defined by its translucent directional and synaptic luminosity –exposes its infinite depth, as the content of its empty mass, exposing the calm quiet nature of our focus as it participates through what appears as our momentary part in the infinite universal flux of on going energy. This is what becomes our high-minded ally once we commit our full attention to this state of pure awareness, for the more we improve our ability to focus on what occurs in the present, the further our efforts extinguish all leftover space, leaving no room for the ego’s distractions, thus improving our ability to perform tasks effectively.

Lastly, all that’s left, points to the future through the continuation of our immediate present, searching by means of the remaining projections that although may appear random, actually seek the destiny of our life situation—where moments in succession melt into the ever changing, ever fluid present –ad-infinitum.

Like myself, perhaps you too may sense a resemblance between the neural-transference of our brain energy (the impulses that arise as a result of our mental synthesis) and that of our outward observable, yet living and fluid universe! “Perhaps we may all agree that cosmic synapse may point to the all knowing cosmic intelligence that has been culturally referenced throughout the ages by countless titles, that which I like to refer to as the awe inspiring influences that forever move all creation!”

(WORK IN PROGRESS)

“Beholding the Universal Consciousness”

This Sculptural grouping (the sculpture JOY before the suspended sculpture Metaphysical consciousness)  is an expression of my own impressions, realizations and experiences with the awe-inspiring state of metaphysical consciousness. Joy, along with appreciation and gratitude, are obviously among them.

As I have already stated, this Consciousness is a highly awakened state of being inspired by the negative spaces that exist between all forms. Through this state of consciousness, we can experience life through the quiet calm nurturing state of emptiness, the state of being that lies beyond all the random, often emotionally driven chatter that habitually takes place in our heads.

Unlike that of the ego, this form of consciousness is much more detached from the situation. Not detached from the effects, but from the overwhelming sea of thoughts, fears and momentary emotional panic that can prompt us to over-react. Therefore, providing us with the opportunity to penetrate the surface of each situation, revealing the sensitive intuitive insights that enable us to further investigate the deep human frailties and strengths that surface as the root causes of any disturbing or inspiring situation.

By internalizing this understanding for our-selves, it becomes obvious that; to effectively draw upon this state of being in any situation, is to foster our ability to empathize with others to the point that our empathy will naturally assume its obvious function. That of inspiring the compassion needed to promote tolerance, acceptance and above all –the forgiveness that opens the floodgates to a life nurturing perspective on solving problems.

–Robert L. Landry