|
The aim of the artwork (this series of 56 figures) is to affect the spiritual awareness and directional energy of people's lives.
By using the naked human form in a specific range of Yoga Asanas (positions) the viewer's appreciation of the base simplicity of physical existence is affirmed.
Admiration of the human form instigates an emotional response that, through further understanding of yoga and meditation, can become the catalyst for increased self-empowerment.
The description of each asana and its message of "living in the moment" emphasises that the individual controls the direction, strength and use of the awareness of this intangible part of themselves.
Lastly, the numerological structure of the series emphasises the underlying order of the physical world and its links to the spiritual world.
The expansion and emphasis of spirituality is an important aim of the collection which, when completed, will consist of 56 limited edition bronze figures, all in yoga asanas (positions), and a bronze mandala which can be used either as a stand for pieces or as a self-contained work.
These pieces use the beauty of the human form as a tool to explore some major themes in life and spirituality including: an individual's life purpose with its inherent choices and responsibilities; self empowerment; unity; and an acknowledgment of the existence of a higher power or energy which transcends physical form but can be accessed with the stilling of the mind.
If one seeks to discover more about one's journey in life then there is an implied responsibility to hold to that journey. As each individual is unique in this regard, then empowerment for completing the journey must come from within each single individual. This is reflected in the fact that a yoga asana can be varied a number of ways and can in fact vary from day to day depending upon the current state of the practitioner. This is a cause for celebration in this series, as judgement of success is at an individual level rather than by an external power. Success is also a subjective rather than an objective measure - i.e. "correct" performance of an asana yesterday in no way dictates the "correctness" of the performance today. Of course, this leads to a certain responsibility to finding truth in the physical world, and exercising the individual's free will to energise truthful action.
In today's society of huge populations, large governments, business groups and religious organizations, each attempting to attain their objectives and control the administration of their laws, the individual's freedom of choice is more and more restricted. This collection rejoices in individuals who can reclaim this decision-making power to themselves rather than abrogating responsibility for themselves (whether this be by handing decision making for health over to doctors; for spirituality, morality or lifestyle choices to a church etc.) to others.
One of the functions of yoga is to move the body through a series of movements, the practise of which will lead to a state of consciousness - an awareness of the current moment. By using the body to still the mind, connection with the spirit (unity) will follow. This set of work identifies seven major areas of the body that are energy centres (chakras) and shows how the positioning of the body can activate or balance these areas. The unity theme is also at a more universal level in that as a group of souls we are unified by the spiritual dimension - an energy which, like chakras, is not physically visible to most people.
Standing the pieces on the mandala is an acknowledgement of the existence of this energy and the order which underpins creation. One element of this is the recognition of how numbers define our universe and reflect our perception of our place within that universe.
For example, the collection is grouped into seven series. Each series is based upon one of the seven major (there are more than 100) chakras in the human body. Seven is known as a spiritual number - it is a prime number and said to be the number of creation (seven days to make the world). There are seven notes in the musical scale and seven days in a week. Seven is also said to symbolise the connection between heaven and earth as it can be achieved by adding together the four of the seasons on earth with the three (or trinity) in heaven.
Within each of the seven series there are four figures - two male and two female. There are four seasons in a year, two equinoxes and two solstices. The cycles of nature are reflected in the four vibration, whose energy symbolises the crystallisation of concept into form.
Multiplying 7 by 4 gives 28 (there are 28 standing pieces and 28 wall pieces). Thus the whole collection comes to a total of 56 pieces. There were 56 holes in the outer Aubrey circle at Stonehenge (which plotted the motion of the Moon and Saturn). 56 also reduces to 11 numerologically, which is a master number that has been said to symbolise enlightenment and the instigation of new consciousness. Interestingly, Abson's ruling planet is Saturn and his Birthpath number is 11.
Further, the first 11 and the final 11 of the edition exist as numbers only. Although not produced in the physical form of a bronze piece, they are represented as the unseen sequence of the numerological essence of the work. The truly spiritual essence.
The beginning and end of the series represent the link to life's spiritual essence, as is the individual's journey of birth and death. They exist only as a number and therefore nobody can own or attach human qualities of ego etc to them. By not being a physical object they transcend time and space. They represent that part that is within each of us and yet not owned by us - part of the unified energy of the universe - God.
The numerology underlying this collection means that each individual piece is also given an extra resonance - each individual being part of the whole. This in itself echoes thoughts of unity and the connectedness of humanity with our universe.
One of the aims of placing a piece on the mandala is to use the piece's aesthetics and meaning to draw the viewer repeatedly until finally the piece can be felt and the message truly experienced. Experiencing the figure is a right side of brain function, but the logic and lines of the mandala communicate with the left hand side of the brain and this will lead to an awakening of spirituality/spiritual awareness.
To communicate with the spirit rather than the mind is important. The mind may then analyse the symbology with which the spirit intrinsically resonates. This will align spirit and mind, bringing a sense of unity to the viewer.
You can choose to explore complicated theories and explanations of the meaning of life and there is nothing wrong with this as an intellectual exercise - to try and make sense of our universe. Our place within it. But in the final analysis, if you just focus on yourself - your breathing and your choices, you will intuitively be in touch with all the wisdom of the universe. Making a decision about your next move based on love of the journey and of yourself, rather than fear of failure or of other people's opinions, is what will bring ultimate success.
Simplicity is the essence to understanding. The mandala appears complex, as does modern life, but sitting above/on top of this is a figure focused on achieving a posture. Pleasure in the moment and the journey to the final posture is all we need worry about. We can look to our base for complicated understanding but this is merely what underpins us, not what defines us. We all originate from layers of history and bring these with us. But to be able to achieve true peace, we need to rise above this and focus on one thing at a time. We can choose what energy line to follow. |
