Potential persistence of all (remaining) matters in question
Music to My Soul
Life's a swirling mix of highs and lows, but what keeps me going is the beauty I find in culture, both near and far. Just like Quebec surrealist artist Alan Glass, who turned Mexican reliquaries into works of art, I too find solace at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). His collection - "Worlds and Wonders" - is a heartwarming escape that revitalizes my spirit.
I even reached out to the MMFA, dreaming of a slumber party with Alan (sadly, he passed in 2023). Although, it seems such a sleepover isn't an ordinary request - artists like me have spent sleepless nights at the Anne Frank House, Picasso Museum, and Pantheon. But in Montreal, who knows?
This summer, Niki de Saint Phalle, the grand dame of freedom, will join the party at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec (MNBAQ). Fingers crossed for a rendezvous with Niki under the stars! After all, art has the power to heal - Niki herself found solace in creating beautiful pieces when she was struggling, much like my friend who creates graphic objects from still life pieces, saying "art saves my ass."
Speaking of art therapy, I've discovered some fascinating methods to fuel my creativity. I've got a pack of performance artist Marina Abramovic's box of cards, filled with exercises that are both original and mind-opening. I highly recommend it for all museum administrators out there!
Art can change the way we see the world, and sometimes, we need to think like artists to tackle life's challenges.
How It Feels to Be in the 1%
Being one of the lucky ones has its perks, but it also comes with fear. Fear of always seeing money dominate, with less room for the rest of us. I may be part of the 1%, but I'll pay my taxes and advocate for a greener planet.
I've learned that parties like the Liberal and Conservative often neglect environmental concerns, as evident in the lack of response to questionnaires submitted by Vire au vert – a coalition of about 20 eco-organizations.
But fear is not my only emotion. I've also experienced lucidity, thanks to two stirring theater pieces. One, from René Char, urges us to be courageous in the face of uncertainty: "Lucidity is the wound closest to the sun." Another, about the dangers of AI, warns that lucid thinking is not profitable. It's a reminder that truth can often be harder to swallow than deception.
False Truths and Hidden Realities
Philosopher Hannah Arendt once said, "Deception never conflicts with reason because things could have happened as the deceiver claims. Lies often seem more plausible, more attractive to reason than reality. A deceiver is always one step ahead, preparing their version specifically for the audience, focusing on credibility, while reality catches us off guard with the unexpected."
In this ever-changing world, it's crucial to uncover the truth and stand firm against falsehoods, even if it's uncomfortable at times.
Embracing Empathy
Recently, I watched the series Empathy, and it touched something deep within me. The story revolves around the friendship formed between a psychiatrist and a colleague in a psychiatric wing. The talent of the writers brings to light the universality of suffering, yet with a touch of humor that resonates with us all.
And on Sundays, I take a breather from the digital world, surrounding myself with nature's calming presence. I find solace in the words of writer Perrine Leblanc, who beautifully captures our connection to the world around us in her book Petite nature.
In my tiny corner of the world, I marvel at simple gifts, like finding the first Trump 2032 cap while scrolling through social media – though it's left me suffering from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). To combat this, I dedicate my Sundays to rebalancing my chakras, finding peace in the quiet moments.
Note from the editor: This text was written without the aid of AI, but with the assistance of strong coffee, dark chocolate, and an extra scoop of inspiration.
This text is part of our Opinion section, which promotes diverse voices and ideas. It is a column and, as such, reflects the values and position of its author and not necessarily those of Le Devoir.
Suggested for you:
- News: As one door closes: The legacy of Alan Glass, deceased surrealist artist, continues at the MMFA
- Review: Niki de Saint Phalle: A retrospective of the Great Priestess of Freedom at the MNBAQ
- Feature: Merging art and money: The rise of luxury art auctions in Montreal
- Opinion: When art heals the soul: Unleashing the power of therapeutic creative expression
- The beauty I find in culture, both near and far, serves as a source of solace and inspiration, much like Alan Glass who turned Mexican reliquaries into works of art in Quebec's Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
- I aspire for a rendezvous with Niki de Saint Phalle, the grand dame of freedom, at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec, just as Glass has found a place in my heart at the MMFA.
- Creative methods like Marina Abramovic's box of cards can stimulate imagination and provide invaluable insight for fellow museum administrators.
- Fearing the dominance of money in politics, I'll use my position to advocate for environmental concerns and a greener planet, not blindly aligning with the Liberal and Conservative parties.
- Questionnaires addressing environmental issues submitted to political parties often go unanswered, as observed by Vire au vert, a coalition of eco-organizations.
- Art can help redefine perspectives and provide clarity in life's challenges, appealing to the artist within us to face difficulties with courage.
- Embracing empathy can inspire thoughtful and enlightening stories, as showcased in the series Empathy, revolving around the unique bond between a psychiatrist and a colleague in a psychiatric wing.
- Learning from authors like Perrine Leblanc, who emphasizes our connection to the natural world in Petite nature, helps us rediscover the importance of simplicity and peace in our everyday lives.
- It's essential to challenge falsehoods and embrace truth, even when difficult, as philosophy highlights in the words of Hannah Arendt – uncovering the truth is crucial to standing firm against deception.
