Today I discovered a beautiful poem by Walt Whitman and wanted to share it with you. Happy Sunday! /  by mirena

MiraclesWalt Whitman, 1819 - 1892 Why, who makes much of a miracle? As to me I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan, Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky, Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water, Or stand under trees in the woods, Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at table at dinner with the rest, Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car, Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon, Or animals feeding in the fields, Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air, Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright, Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring; These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles, The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle, Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same, Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

To me the sea is a continual miracle, The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the ships with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?

Winter: : from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau /  by mirena

One of my favorite philosophers, Henry D. Thoreau, is on the internet archive. The beauty of today is that now you can have the wisdom of the world at the palm of your hand. One of the first books I read in English was Walden. A phenomenally deep and sincere look at the self, at the material world. It was the first time ever that I encountered someone that had similar outlook on the world and especially the material world. The material world is very enticing and it is very easy to get lost in the daily choreographies of life, and to loose perspective at what it means to be be alive. Thoreau investigates life directly and without fear, because it is really fear that keeps us attached to material things. I am really uninterested in the material world, inasmuch as it is represented by handbags, furniture, cars, food. I like to spend my time investigating ideas, phenomena, philosophy and asking questions. I also like to spend my time creating and investigating new ideas and new ways to experience and create work.

 

Postcards from the Edge - this Weekend at Gallery 524 in Chelsea /  by mirena

mirena rhee visual aids

mirena rhee visual aids

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE

is almost here!

Featuring artworks by Mirena Rhee, Robert Longo, Kiki Smith, Polly Apfelbaum, William Wegman, John Baldessari, Kay Rosen, Michael St. John, Nancy Burson, Lawrence Weiner, Nayland Blake, Donald Baechler, Barbara Hammer, Hans Haacke, Ida Applebroog, Louise Fishman

THIS WEEKENDJanuary 19 - 21, 2018Gallery 524524W 26th Street, NYC

PREVIEW PARTY:FRIDAY, JANUARY 19th5-8pmThe only opportunity to see the entire exhibition.  Silent Auction & Raffle Prizes. (No postcard sales.) * Artist Preview from 6pm-8pmParticipating artists can attend the Preview for free (no RSVP required), starting at6pm, one hour after VIP Preview. Additional guests $100 each (see below).

* VIP Preview begins at 5pm $100 admission(payable at the door or online here) allows guests into the gallery one hour before the general doors open.  Beat the crowd and get an extra close look at all the artwork.

Postcards from the Edge is Visual AIDS' biggest show and fundraiser of the year - and one of the most unique and democratic events in the art world!Since 1998, over 26,000 postcard-sized works have been exhibited, raising over $1,100,000 to date. By participating in Postcards From the Edge, artists and collectors support the important mission of Visual AIDS.

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BENEFIT SALE 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 from 10 AM – 6 PMSUNDAY, JANUARY 21 from 12 PM – 4 PM (SUNDAY SPECIAL: Buy 2 & Get 1 Free)

Over 1400 artworks displayed anonymously – and artist's name revealed only after purchase. First-come, first-served. All postcard artwork only $85 each.  On SundayONLY - buy 2 postcards, get 1 free as our "thank you."  With so much wonderful art on display, you are bound to find something you love—and all proceeds supports the programs of Visual AIDS.  $5 suggested admission.

Happy Holidays from Michelangelo! To be a creator is the greatest power in the world, so don't be worried about anything else. /  by mirena

  Michelangelo drawing from the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

A once in a lifetime exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York. It is the Met's gift for us for the Holidays.

There is no greater power in the world than that of being a creator. When you are a creator you are in control. Everything else is an agenda fed by someone else.

We are constantly told by media, papers, whatever visual and auditory space available, that we should be eating, drinking, remodeling kitchens, buying and saving money, I think that one last thing has in such a great way deformed our consciousness that there is this anxiety that we have to be constantly on the intake. We walk around with this anxiety for the next intake, I am astonished by the amount of time and energy spent in this city on discussing, cataloging and planning past and future meals, and the acquisition of objects.

Yet, there in the dim light of the Met were these really faint ( by modern standards ) marks on paper that produced in me such great pleasure to observe and contemplate them, and I bet in others too, judging by the crowds. Really, nothing of substance at first glance, certainly nothing to be chewed on. Just marks going here and there, up and down and in circles. these markings, however faint, produced great emotions and appreciation. Pretty wondrous effect given that the author has not been around for the last 500 years and hardly ever comes up in conversations and on television.

The greatest power in the world is the power to create, we have hardly control over the first 20 years of our lives, we are placed and educated somewhat unwillingly and the only thing we can truly will is something of our own, something no one has ever produced before us and no one ever will after.

Michelangelo at the Met

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