So beautifully human, ethereal yet also so direct, a commentary without comment, yet powerful statement nonetheless.
It is perhaps at this point where I'm supposed to share and compare my own experiences, in order to build connection. All I can say concerning this great art, is that the honouring of pagan ways which were sacrificed on the altar of ghoulish pain seemed to carry even then a beauty and an association with finer realms than this one.
There is a heaviness and a darkness to the Christian works, as in Kiefer, that only pretends to greater things. It is fitting that this is so, for after the church completed its appropriation of the sun and the moon, it quickly forgot about them, and the luminaries became dead things, in a dead universe, under a dead sky.
I would hope that those who could afford it would more than buy you a coffee, Siofra. Your writing has a delecate beauty that is exceedingly rare in this world of hard edges.
I agree, but there is also a beauty in many of the Madonna/ Child icons. But yes, the pain of Christianisation is something so glaringly obvious it's hard to understand how people don't acutally see it, how brutal it was. Thomas Sheridan just did a great car- talk on this. The goldleaf work is incredible, though, in the icons, no matter the subject. I agree about Kiefer, he is really heavy and dark. But again, loved the golden sunflowers. The rest are so, so heavy and almost overworked. He says he radiates his work that he thinks is a failure. I liked the Sol Invictus gold sunflowers because they are radiant I love Artaud's madness. Thank you for the lovely compliment. I try to avoid hard edges, get too anxious.
Kiefer is someone whose work I have had an awareness of for years now. I have never met him, so this might be unfair, but I do think his work and his psychological state are shaped by the modern art world.
I love art, but I do not love the modern art world, so that is the proviso here.
The Madonna had to be included in Christianity because people would not stop worshiping Isis. The church always hated this, a small victory for the people.
Got their revenge though, named a terrorist organization after her.
I have seen it, in my dreams and when I look upon the great paintings of the Renaissance. I cannot help but notice the revelation of finer lands, and ethereal people, always linked to mysterious nature. I see this in Botticelli.
I love everything about this piece Síofra and most especially, how you make it seem effortlessly stream of consciousness, when I know so much work goes in to achieving that. The quirky humour is unmistakably you and so enjoyable to read 🥰
Wonderful to hear your memories of Florence. I once went to Empoli near to Florence as I couldn't face the tourists haha!
I love the gold leaf on the Botocelli paintings. That made me laugh when you talked about the cancel culture during the Renaissance. How you need the Sol Invictus at the moment in the land of Brigid. Your skies are being messed with big time, like those of France; it's a real crime.
I would gladly share my sun with you; it's 38 degrees here and my poor horse is suffering with his fly rug and face protector on in this heat. I have to spray him with water 3 times a day. Can't we all have a compromise; sun followed by rain followed by sun etc? Is there such a country with this climate?
I would move to Ireland in a heart beat if there was some sunshine as it has everything else I desire.
Your article evoked so many memories and feelings, about trips to Florence and Krakow, as well as living in our own native Ireland.
Like you, I wonder about the Irish summer in 2024. Has it always been this cold here at this time of year? I know Florence and Krakow are nearer the Equator and therefore warmer than Ireland. They both seem very attractive right now!
It is very strange here, these days. Krakow is northeast europe, not really near equator. Florence is understandably hotter... It was always boiling in Krakow summers when I lived there, and lovely crisp cold snowy winters. How it should be .
So beautifully human, ethereal yet also so direct, a commentary without comment, yet powerful statement nonetheless.
It is perhaps at this point where I'm supposed to share and compare my own experiences, in order to build connection. All I can say concerning this great art, is that the honouring of pagan ways which were sacrificed on the altar of ghoulish pain seemed to carry even then a beauty and an association with finer realms than this one.
There is a heaviness and a darkness to the Christian works, as in Kiefer, that only pretends to greater things. It is fitting that this is so, for after the church completed its appropriation of the sun and the moon, it quickly forgot about them, and the luminaries became dead things, in a dead universe, under a dead sky.
I would hope that those who could afford it would more than buy you a coffee, Siofra. Your writing has a delecate beauty that is exceedingly rare in this world of hard edges.
Thanks.
I agree, but there is also a beauty in many of the Madonna/ Child icons. But yes, the pain of Christianisation is something so glaringly obvious it's hard to understand how people don't acutally see it, how brutal it was. Thomas Sheridan just did a great car- talk on this. The goldleaf work is incredible, though, in the icons, no matter the subject. I agree about Kiefer, he is really heavy and dark. But again, loved the golden sunflowers. The rest are so, so heavy and almost overworked. He says he radiates his work that he thinks is a failure. I liked the Sol Invictus gold sunflowers because they are radiant I love Artaud's madness. Thank you for the lovely compliment. I try to avoid hard edges, get too anxious.
Kiefer is someone whose work I have had an awareness of for years now. I have never met him, so this might be unfair, but I do think his work and his psychological state are shaped by the modern art world.
I love art, but I do not love the modern art world, so that is the proviso here.
The Madonna had to be included in Christianity because people would not stop worshiping Isis. The church always hated this, a small victory for the people.
Got their revenge though, named a terrorist organization after her.
I have seen it, in my dreams and when I look upon the great paintings of the Renaissance. I cannot help but notice the revelation of finer lands, and ethereal people, always linked to mysterious nature. I see this in Botticelli.
I love everything about this piece Síofra and most especially, how you make it seem effortlessly stream of consciousness, when I know so much work goes in to achieving that. The quirky humour is unmistakably you and so enjoyable to read 🥰
Thank you Aine! x
Hail Lugh!
Wonderful to hear your memories of Florence. I once went to Empoli near to Florence as I couldn't face the tourists haha!
I love the gold leaf on the Botocelli paintings. That made me laugh when you talked about the cancel culture during the Renaissance. How you need the Sol Invictus at the moment in the land of Brigid. Your skies are being messed with big time, like those of France; it's a real crime.
I would gladly share my sun with you; it's 38 degrees here and my poor horse is suffering with his fly rug and face protector on in this heat. I have to spray him with water 3 times a day. Can't we all have a compromise; sun followed by rain followed by sun etc? Is there such a country with this climate?
I would move to Ireland in a heart beat if there was some sunshine as it has everything else I desire.
Hi Ingrid, yes, Sol Invictus it must be here. It is so awful generally in Ireland. Please send the Cyriot sun and we will send you rain. x
Your article evoked so many memories and feelings, about trips to Florence and Krakow, as well as living in our own native Ireland.
Like you, I wonder about the Irish summer in 2024. Has it always been this cold here at this time of year? I know Florence and Krakow are nearer the Equator and therefore warmer than Ireland. They both seem very attractive right now!
It is very strange here, these days. Krakow is northeast europe, not really near equator. Florence is understandably hotter... It was always boiling in Krakow summers when I lived there, and lovely crisp cold snowy winters. How it should be .