Bodies and instruments make rhythm and notes makes Music in Twelve Parts. Philip Glass and his ensemble of committed, talented, devoted artists created order out of chaos in a system that I will never understand. For four hours, accompanied by no video, no pictures, no screensavers our eyes closed we accomplished the act of meditating on the pure unfiltered experience of listening with our hearts. Surprisingly enjoyable as notes come and go and little did you know or remember that sound from just five minutes ago. One journey that’s not for everybody – but so surprisingly accessible – for even a music neophyte such as myself. If you ever get a chance to see this performance – please take the opportunity. You might be heading for the door after 45 minutes, or you might just might finally understand what it feels like to be enveloped in the sound of artistic genius. Listen for yourself. (itunes link)
photo via flickr by Jamie Hillman
Categories: Art & Culture · Events · Music · San Francisco
Tagged: classical, concert, davies, glass, Music, musichall, phillip, San Francisco, sanfrancisco
Yesterday, I went to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to see The Missing Peace – organized by the Committee of 100 for Tibet and The Dalai Lama Foundation. The show displays “works by upwards of 88 artists from 30 countries in a landmark exhibition that offers up art as a lens through which we experience our common humanity.” (Sorry but the show is ending today, but maybe it will travel to a museum near you.)
Overall, the show was very moving. I got blessed by the Dalai Lama. It was a video blessing, which is probably not the same as getting a blessing from him in person, but it made my heart feel lighter. I loved the simplicity of it. Here’s a picture:
It’s not the greatest picture because I got caught and they asked me to put my camera away. It’s funny these days in a museum. I was just in London and was taking pics of everything! Anyway, there was lots of great stuff to look at – I wish I could have recorded more on camera – like the names of the artists, etc.
I took one other picture of a giant video wall that had a grid of videos of different monks in prayer:
The video was accompanied by a wall of sound that layered all of them on top of each other and it was very relaxing and beautiful. I sat there for a long time – wondering if any of those monks was this guy:
and hoping that all of those monks are safe and sound. What kind of world do we live in? When peaceful, non-violent people are treated so horribly to an unfair ‘cultural genocide’.
Although I found the Missing Peace yesterday, I am fearful, that for the people of Tibet, it’s a long way off.
Categories: Current Events · San Francisco
Tagged: "Dalai Lama", China, San Francisco, sanfrancisco, Tibet, ybca
