Ritual in art

"There’s a need for art that connects us to each other. You go far enough back in any culture, and you find these rituals, these ways of bringing people together. I think that connectedness is so important to us. It always has been, you know; the rituals tell us that.” - Gerry Riggs

Gerry Riggs Memorial Site

Sustainability

The four pillars of a sustainable culture. Click here to read more.

Stop This Now

I think it's great that President Obama is looking at green industry and sustainable energy sources, and that climatologists now largely agree (gasp) that climate change is fueled by human activity. But can we stop sending large quantities of refined fuel to Israel to power their war machines? Has anyone connected the dots that modern warfare is murder on the environment, too? Not to mention the women and children. Read more about it here, and contact your representatives about this blatant act of stupidity. Time to walk the talk, leaders.

And while we're on the subject of alternative fuel, try not to suck up all the water in the aquifers to grow crops for ethanol. That's not sustainable either. Think solar, wind, and fuel cell energy, all decentralized for national security. We need that water to sustain life, not travel.

Rest easy, amigo

A dear friend committed suicide, and the aftershocks still roll through many a life including mine. Gerry was an anchor to us, a steady and positive presence in an often-shaky arts world, and not having him here adds another level of inner quiver. It's not an easy thing to accept, when a rock has crumbled. It makes everything in life seem so much more fragile. These words in his obituary stand out for me, perhaps a little remainder of that anchor he once was for us:

Gerry encouraged his fellow skiers the same as he did artists, musicians, students and others - to carry on, dream big, aspire to make a difference, and remain compassionate toward others.

I wish he could have found the strength to stay with us and follow the model he ironically created for us. The teacher may be gone, but the lesson can still serve us. Serve me. I take it with me into this day.

Rest easy, amigo.