Jan 13 2006
New Painting
I’ve been working on my 2nd painting for a while and finished it last weekend. I actually started it once but, due to some unfortunate events, that first version turned out badly. So, I started it again on a fresh canvas and am, overall, pleased with the result. I had a fairly clear idea of what elements I wanted, but creating them was a real process of discovery for me.
The circles were created in Adobe Illustrator, then printed and cut out and used as ‘masks’ for the metalic ‘burst’ around them. The circles’ diameters are scaled according to the golden ratio, but their placement was somewhat arbitrary. I didn’t have a clear intent or meaning in mind when creating the painting, but did know what elements I wanted, and a somewhat clear vision of how they’d all fit together. I feel that I came fairly close to this.
After finishing the painting, it became clear to me that it, in some way, represented ideas that a friend of mine and I had been discussing for quite some time: Ideas of the nature of existance, free will, Kaballah, faith, etc. I did not have these thoughts in mind when I created the painting, however.
I gave the painting to Richard Berger, my friend and co-creator of LBC, a few days ago but didn’t have a name for it until this morning: Bitul Hayesh.
Bitul hayesh (“nullification of [one’s] somethingness”) constitutes a lower form of bitul whereby one is consciously involved in the process of nullifying the outer layer of self (ego). This is accomplished by the concentrated effort to experience the continual recreation of all reality, including oneself, as “something from nothing.” This impresses upon one’s consciousness that there is no independent reality attached to one’s sense of “somethingness.”
Anyway, here is a thumbnail that, hopefully, will act as a link to a larger version:
Neat – very patterny. Thanks for sharing!
How beautiful. Seems to be 3-D! It’s complex but remains really accessible. Well done, Mr. Wolff. As the imagery suggests, you are clearly a man in love with his environment and beyond.
A friend wrote:
Having a natural appreciation for ALL that is art , I can certainly relate and understand everything that goes into such a significant piece . Kudos to you for the accomplishment , and for seeing this vision through to its completion . This “Butal_Hayesh” offering is a prime example of why there’s different flavors for everyone .
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Having no general knowlegde of the Kaballah , although faith and free will have played major parts in my life . I get a warmer feeling from this , maybe because of the yellow . Very interesting work , a definate conversation piece .
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*Tips his hat*
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very nice , and thank you for bringing it here for us to see .
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My Reply:
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Thanks for the kind words!
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To be honest, I bristled at the word “significant.” I’m just learning, exploring, and having fun. This is only my 2nd painting!
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I’ve always believed in allowing a certain element of unconscious or intuitive action in the creative process. That way, certain things can arise that might not otherwise. When the creative process is completed, a kind of dialog takes place, where I try to discover meaning in whatever it is I’ve created.
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Truthfully, this is what I want from everyone who experiences the work. I don’t ever desire to impose a meaning upon others. Rather, I would much prefer meaning to be discovered for each person. If they diverge from my own, even better.
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The idea of self-nullification is not unique to Kaballah. It is found in nearly all spiritual practices. I just happened to use that context because, quite recently, I was discussing it with a friend. I, myself, am not an avid Kaballist. I do, however, have a spiritual practice, and enjoy thinking deeply about things.
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As for free will, don’t get me started. I invariably piss people off when I start talking about it.
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Peace!
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srw
Hi darlin. I like your artwork. It’s abstract, but it’s nice.
I found your work refreashing and mysterious.
There was an element of question that so many pieces of other works just shove in ones’ face. This seemed to becone to figure it out as a clue to an ongoing movie constructed of a mysterious puzzule full of danger but one has to go there to find the ultimate truth or save someone we love. Elements becone to the wisse and not so wise. Nice work, I’d like a clor zzrox if available so I can shar a 3-d with friends DAVID SKAAR