:: Give Nothing to Heaven ::

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Here's a great quote forwarded to me from my friend Dave Ouano. It thought it was appropriate for the experience I had this week.

" Go ahead and do what you really love to do! Do nothing else! You have so little time. How can you think of wasting a moment doing something for a living you don't like to do? What kind of a living is that? That is not a living, that is a dying!

...In the true order of things one does not do something in order to be happy - one is happy, and, hence, does something. One does not do some things in order to be compassionate, one is compassionate and, hence, acts in a certain way.

The soul's decision precedes the body's action in a highly conscious person. Only an unconscious person attempts to produce a state of the soul through something the body is doing. "
- Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God

I woke up angry today. That's never a good sign. Last night I went out for a couple of drinks with some Marwen people. After some of them had found out that I was responsible for the show that is currently on exhibit at the alumni gallery, they proceeded to dissect the exhibition on its aesthetics and meaning. We got into some really heated conversations last night. I was told that I was a 'young and naive' new artist and that I really needed to do more research the next time I do a show like this one. I felt like a dissected frog on a cutting tray as they asked what my point was in doing a show about Islam. They did not understand my installation of the tent with a television in it projecting footage of Fatima reciting verses from the Qur'an. I felt like everything I said was easily dismissed. I was indeed defending myself and a culture not my own. What is wrong with that? If I see injustice, does that mean I should ignore it and mind my own business and worry about my own world? Should I make art about being a minority male in America? Why does everything have to (or seem like) be so literal? I just felt like I wasn't eloquent enough last night to defend my causes - which totally destroys the whole purpose of the 'Veil' exhibition. I preached about protecting what I believe in and acknowledging those who want to destroy it, but I couldn't even defend my cause last night! Why does the art police have to be so harsh. But at the same time, I really appreciated the criticism because any feedback is better than no feedback. And the people I argued with last night were much more experienced in the artworld than I am. But at the end of the conversation, I couldn't decide whether I should thank them or hit them.

Everyone check out my show at Marwen! Address is 833 N. Orleans, Chicago, IL 60610. Opening night reception tomorrow October 11, 2002 5:00pm-7:00pm!

Went to my good friend's Polish wedding this weekend. It took me a couple of days to recover from the drinking. Of course they had an open bar at the reception. But in addition, there was a bottle of Chopin Vodka on each table with corresponding shot glasses for everyone. Then, when dinner started, we were served a bottle of rose wine and a bottle of white wine. The entire reception party had to take a shot of Chopin Vodka each time someone made a toast. I have not been that drunk for as far back as I can remember. Next to each plate setting was a pretty package wrapped up with red tissue and white ribbon. Inside were little packages of Alka-Seltzer. Ewa and James, you threw a great party. Congratulations!