HOCHOSTERWITZ - A METAPHORIC JOURNEY TO THE TOP


In the Austrian province of Carynthia, about 20 km from the St. Egid Chapel in Klagenfurt (famous for Ernst Fuchs' elaborate interior *) you will find the Fortress Castle of Hochosterwitz.

Situated on a 500 foot high rock, you ascend to the castle proper via 14 fortified gates on a 2000 foot long path. There are new and exciting vistas found at every turn of the way, spiralling upwards toward this magnificient structure. It has been said that this castle had never been conquered, and no enemy ever made it past the 4th gate.

Arriving at the top, the view over the land is magnificient in every direction. The illusion persists that on a clear day, one could see as far as Italy.

I am comparing this journey to the spiritual journey one takes while creating art when first setting down a mark. This initial mark is the entry point on your journey through the inner universe. Each successive mark, like one of the gates of the Hochosterwitz, is taking a step closer to revelation. As you ascend, the journey gets more complicated, since the keys to the gates are more like tumblers - you need to assemble that which you have learned so far in the right and specific order to unlock the next step, to defeat the elaborate defense mechanism barring you from going any further.

Imagine now, if you will, that a quick and easy way to the top is provided via a cable car or an elevator. You simply pay at the bottom to be taken to the top. When you get there, you may view the same vista that I do, but what you miss is the journey upwards and the many wondrous things encountered along the way, as well as the appreciation, sense of bliss and satisfaction of having accomplished this ascent. Your view might be the same, but your appreciation of it lacks the experience of the trip and thus I would suspect the understanding and awe of what you see at the top.

Entheogens are the elevators that you may use to spare you the journey to get to the top. In my opinion, it is accomplishing the journey itself that counts here and truly lets you appreciate what you find when you get there.

Rather than a pale snapshot of the top view, when taking this journey on your own power, your art would reflect this whole experience in its entirety.

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* this blog is the result of a discussion about the use of drugs by artists, such as Ernst Fuchs. The question was asked by the interviewer in this recent article:  Ernst Fuchs: "Wir leben ja bereits mitten in der Apokalypse" - story in the Kleine Zeitung, Austria, 12.04.2011

See more about the art of Ernst Fuchs at the
VISIONARY ART GALLERY HALL OF FAME:

De Es Exhibition Flughafen Wien - RAUMGEWEBE

EINLADUNG

Der Vorstand der Flughafen Wien AG freut sich,

Sie anlässlich der Vernissage von

De Es Schwertberger

R A U M G E W E B E

einladen zu dürfen

Dienstag, 12 April 2011, um 18:00 Uhr,

General Aviation Center am Flughafen Wien

Laudator :Joachim Lothar Gartner.Präsident des Künstlerhauses Wien

im Anschluss laden wir zu einem Buffet

ARTISTS STATEMENT:

The exhibition includes a selection of oil paintings from 1990 to 2010 and is dedicated to the topic RAUMGEWEBE

The experience of spatial depth is to me essential to the effectiveness of an image.
Over the years, I have explored and cultivated the different methods of creating the illusionary space and to get a painterly grip on it.
Here, the linear geometry of previous "Living Structures" is transformed into swinging room organisms, in which the light is, now as before, woven in as a useful imaging focus.
The radical changes in world view and the human need for stable occupation of the Universe mirror themselves equally in all of my work.

originally published by De Es HERE

The 2nd Annual Alchemeyez Visionary Art Congress

VISIONARY ART HEADS TO HAWAII

Gallery, Festival and Workshops planned for the Hilton Waikoloa Village

The history of art is full of momentous occasions when new ground is broken and the world is forever changed. After this May, the books will need to be updated yet again when the 2nd Annual Alchemeyez Visionary Art Congress lands on Hawaii’s shores to stage this year’s conference at the luxurious Hilton Waikoloa Village. This dynamic art and education event is scheduled for May 13-16, at one of the Big Island’s most prominent and beautiful resorts. Featuring live painting and displayed works by the most recognized names in this burgeoning movement, this unique and celebratory congress will host the American Fantastic Realists; Robert Venosa and Martina Hoffmann, as well as show paintings from a broad collective of the western world’s most prominent illuminated painters including: Mark Henson, Luke Brown, Carey Thompson, Xavi Panneton, Amanda Sage, Adam Scott Miller, and more than 20 other internationally known artists. In addition, the event will include the powerful digital montages of Android Jones, who recently performed in Australia painting his art in light across the Sydney Opera House.

With special keynote participation, this dynamic 3-day Event will be attended by Romio Shrestha, the ‘Spirit of Art in Asia’ and the originator of the Indo-Nepali-Tibetan school of T’angka painting. Romio founded a school and monastery in Tibet, holding private audience with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and spearheading the development of contemplative and spiritual art. After the Maoists destroyed his school, Romio fled to Ireland via India and Indonesia, where he resides today with his wife and three daughters. His arrival in Hawaii this summer will historically mark his return to Pacifica, after having been forced to flee and live abroad. Romio will be displaying original T’angkas and giving his address, entitled “A Monastery Without Walls.” This contemplative, artist and teacher is the only living artist shown in both the Museum of Natural History in New York, and the British Museum. He also has shown his work in all of the top galleries in Amsterdam, and Zurich, As well as in the Smithsonian. His celebrated medicine art is collected by Some of the most prominent figures across the globe..

Accompanying this scintillating collection of Visionary Art in the Alchemeyez Galleries will be a vast array of illuminated, meditative and dance music from 36 of the western world’s most prominent electronic producers across three stages. With environments designed to depict elemental symbology and the principles of alchemy, this conference promises to be a historically notable event!

All of these offerings will be further accompanied by a broad schedule of discussions, addresses, workshops, yoga classes, movie screenings, dance performances, rituals and interactive art displays. Additionally, the words of leading educators such as Dennis McKenna, the world’s pre-eminent ethno-pharmacologist, James Oroc, the author of one of the world’s most insightful and educational books on nature medicines, ayahuasca, and shamanism, Joel and Michelle Levey, internationally celebrated meditation instructors, as well as Dr. Robert Kassar, a leading visionary and master consultant on the topic of longevity and whole food nutrition will grace the Hawaiian beaches.

Weekend passes to this collaborative tapestry of masterful art, music and education are available online for $225.00 at www.alchemeyez.com, where more thorough information about this festival can be found. Rooms may be booked online or by calling the Hilton Waikoloa directly and are offered at special Alchemeyez rates for this annual Event.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to join the planet’s leading visionary thinkers, educators and artists for a three-day colloquium into the mysteries of this fabulous, modern art movement. Are you prepare to be catalyzed, transformed and inspired?

Book your reservations and tickets today!

Contact:
Patrick Sellers, Marketing Manager
Phone: 818.641.9830
Email: patrick@tribe13.com



 
:: ARTISTS ::


Adam Scott Miller http://www.corpuscallosum.cc/

Aloria Weaver http://www.aloriaweaver.com/

Amanda Sage http://www.amandasage.com/

Android Jones http://www.androidjones.com/

Ashely Foreman http://www.mystictransmissions.com/

Autumn Skye Morrison http://www.autumnskyemorrison.com/

Carey Thompson http://www.galactivation.com/

Chris Dyer http://www.positivecreations.ca/

Clay Chollar http://www.mindaltar.com/

David Heskin http://www.davidheskin.com/

Eric Nez http://www.ericnez.com/

Francene Hart http://www.francenehart.com/

Imago Dei http://www.imagodeiart.com/

Jessica Perlstein http://dreamstreamart.com/

KA Kathryn June http://www.serpentfeathers.com/

Krystle Smith http://www.krystlesmith.com/

Luke Brown http://spectraleyes.com/

Maricela Alvarez http://www.maricelaalvarez.com/

Mark Henson http://www.sacredlight.to/

Martina Hoffmann http://www.martinahoffmann.com/

Matthew Poplawski

Nate Hogen http://www.facebook.com/naturedreamweaver

Rio Gordon http://alchemeyez.com/

Robert Venosa http://www.venosa.com/

Xavi Panneton http://myspace.com/artbyxavi

Yurik Riegel http://yurikriegel.com/

:: MUSICIANS ::

Vibesquad http://www.vibesquad.com/

iLL Gates http://www.myspace.com/thephatconductor

An-ten-nae http://www.an-ten-nae.net/

David Starfire http://davidstarfire.com/

Bluetech http://www.bluetechonline.com/news/

Kilowatts http://www.kilowattsmusic.com/blog/

Heyoka http://www.heyokamusic.com/

Mochipet http://www.mochipet.com/blog/

Pan-Pot http://www.myspace.com/panpot

Lee Foss http://www.myspace.com/leefoss

Ressurector (HDC) http://www.championnation.net/

Anahata Sound http://www.anahatasound.com/

Michael Manahan http://www.michaelmanahan.com/new/

Janover http://www.jamiejanover.com/

Lotus Drops http://www.myspace.com/lotusdrops

MiHKAL http://www.myspace.com/mihk4l

Mr.Rogers http://www.mrrogers.org/

Zapper http://www.myspace.com/zapperlivepa

DatGirl http://www.myspace.com/datgirlbeatz

Little John http://www.facebook.com/littlejohn

Imagika http://www.myspace.com/djimagika

Rhythmstar http://www.myspace.com/djrhythmstar

Satchi Om http://www.myspace.com/satchiom

Kaminanda http://www.myspace.com/kaminanda

Mahadeva http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000543378267

Indovisual http://www.myspace.com/indovisual

Franky Helix http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001578903466

E.L.F. Gabriel http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000475391863

Sweet Beets

Fathom http://www.asylumafterhours.com/

Ernie K http://www.asylumafterhours.com/

Miki Mayhem http://www.djmikimayhem.com/index.html

Willis Haltom http://www.asylumafterhours.com/

Hi-C http://www.asylumafterhours.com/

Sky Makai http://skymakai.com/music/Home.html

Sapience

EZ Kine http://fr-fr.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670512918

:: SPEAKERS ::

Dennis McKenna

Joel & Michelle Levey

http://www.wisdomatwork.com/WisdomAtWork/LeveyBio.html

James Oroc http://jamesoroc.com/

Jamie Janover http://www.jamiejanover.com/

Romio Shrestha http://romioshrestha.com/

:: PERFORMERS ::

Hawaii Fire Artists http://hawaiifireartists.com/

Phadroid http://androidjones.net/phadroid/

Serpent Feathers http://www.serpentfeathers.com/

MICHEL OGIER - VISIONARY ART GALLERY Artist of the Month for April 2011

MICHEL OGIER

Le feu sous la cendre

(Picture links to Michel Ogier's page at the VISIONARY ART GALLERY)

Visit the Artists Website: MICHEL OGIER
Visit us at the VISIONARY ART GALLERY