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The Mystic Life
By Phyllis Parun
As a native
New Orleanian, I have enjoyed a rich cultural heritage. And I
have tried to be a contributor to the development of the New
Orleans community.
On Sept. 29 from 4-7PM
I am helping the Shoalin-Do Studio celebrate their 1st
Anniversary in New Orleans with an exhibit of ink paintings and
photography in which I integrate art, poetry, and Asian
philosophy. It is the kung-fu of art in both ancient and
pop settings.
In traditional Taoist
and Buddhist philosophy, this type of work is considered to be
the joyful soul work, which is my current destination after six
decades of trying to live the creative process to my fullest.
In New Orleans art
circles, I am perhaps best known for my pioneering work in
developing the visual arts community. In 1976-79 as
the Visual Arts Coordinator of the Artists Information Bureau, I
was the creator of a monthly newsletter, the city's first artist
slide registry, and the city's first business seminars for
artists. During this same period, I founded the La.
Chapter for the Artists Equity Assn. and during my 3
year presidency this group of artist's first introduction
of the 1% for Arts Amendment to the City Council which was
later reintroduced by the Arts Council of New Orleans.
Others know me for
opening New Orleans' first fulltime fine and decorative arts
studio in the 1980's where I specialized in gilded objects
working on every major collection in the city over 12 year
period. Since I was also a creative visual artist, I was
able to cross over my conservation skills into the fine
arts. I began creating original works of art using gold
leaf. It was during this period that I revive 3 lost
gilded arts: Panel Painting, Verre Eglomise, and Gilded
Bas-Relief thereby, transforming the gilding arts into a fresh,
new contemporary art form.
Still some know me more
recently as a poet and journalist. Perhaps, others remember me
for my pioneering activities in the 1980's in the formation of
the healing arts community where I immersed myself in the living
philosophies of Asian through practicing shiatsu and
macrobiotics. And in the early 90's I gravitated to
qigong, a kind of Chinese moving meditation that
predates Taji(Tai Chi).
On Sept. 29th I bring
the healing arts and visual arts together in one exhibit titled
"The Mystic Life" in which I present the qigong of ink
painting, combining poetry, calligraphy, ink and miniature
painting.
In the ink paintings I
seek movement in emptiness. In Asian calligraphy the
spirit in a line which expresses energy is considered to be the
highest requirement of all art. Ink painting is not
a static art. To be considered good at it the artist my
must capture movement. The empty space must be
active. The line must embody the essence of the cycle of
nature, yin and yang strokes. In this type of energy-painting,
the artists' stance and breath control regulate the flow of
energy from her feet to her hand. It is the kung fu of
painting, the highest form of spiritual expression.
The art of ink painting
is also a healing art. Master calligrapher, Professor Wei
Xue Feng a scholar and art historian, from Chengdu, the
capital of Sichuan Province has said that "There is
no trick to living well to the age of at least one
hundred. All you have to do is practice
calligraphy." Prof. Feng is known for his use
of calligraphy to diagnose and treat manic depressive patients
in mental institutions.
In the photographs I
express stillness. They sit like a Buddha, out flowing the
rhythms of internal music like water rushing over a
waterfall. The works are intentionally empty and full
of the essence of life energy or Qi (Chinese ).
The exhibit is titled
"The Mystic Life" but it could just as well be titled,
"Empty and Full" or "The Kung Fu of
Art."
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Whatever
its title it represents the culmination of my creative energies and rich
cultural influences. Please join us for a joyous event on Sept.
29 from 4-7 at Burgundy and Spain in the Marigny. Sat., Sept. 29
Anniversary kung fu celebration followed by "The Mystic
Life" ink painting and photographs by Phyllis Parun.
Free self-defense lesson, artist's reception, refreshments.
Shaolin-Do studio(Burgundy corner of Spain.) 4-7PM Free.
Joseph Meissner tel: 314-1001 and phyllisbparun@aol.com
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