Kusama at all hallows

wonder | wander | women had the best time this Halloween at the KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature exhibition - set exclusively in New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx. 

steps spilling over with pumpkins & gourds - [3] Mertz Gallery

"The Garden is uniquely suited to present this once-in-a-lifetime display of Yayoi Kusama’s work for our visitors. An exceptional selection of work invites visitors into her universe, to consider her practice through her unique vision of the natural world."

Kusama: Cosmic Nature at NYBG, 2021

"Our subtitle, 'Cosmic Nature,' references her bold investigations of materiality, media, color, form, and pattern that proliferate into an expansive sense of becoming with the cosmos. We are thrilled to mount this focused survey of the work of one of the most influential artists of our time." ~  Carrie Rebora Barratt, NYBG President 

Kusama: Cosmic Nature, NYBG

Legendary artist Yayoi Kusama is a global sensation. She has paved the way for minimalism, pop art, performance art, and immersive art installations. Her radical works featuring pumpkins, flowers, polka dots, loops, and mirrors - excavating ideas of self-obliteration, fear, and infinity - have attracted massive audiences to prestigious art institutions around the world.

historical horrors

Ancient cradles of civilization worshipped powerful female deities and revered women who practiced the holiest of rituals. Trained in the sacred arts, these priestesses became known as wise women and wisdom keepers in their communities. They may have been some of the earliest manifestations of what we now recognize as the witch. 

The Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse

So why the flip-flop from beloved healer, trusted guide, divine femme to witch, bruja, evil doer? Who decided to brand these women as witches? How did the benevolent image of a wise woman transform into the malevolent figure of the witch bandied about in fear today? 

life along the Hudson River

The US half of wonder | wander | women has lived in Hudson County for ten years now. We easily cross the Hudson River countless times through its bridges and tunnels to get our New York City fix. 

Autumn - On the Hudson River, 1860 by

Jasper Francis Cropsey

The proud consensus is that life along either side of the Hudson River is best highlighted in autumn - leaf peeping season in these parts. When the leaves start changing their colors in brilliant hues of yellow, orange and red the whole landscape shines in a blaze of glory. 

Discovery of the Hudson River, 1874 by Albert Bierstadt

Halloween Tarot: The Four Royal Advisors

This year I got a beautiful Tarot card set by one of our favourite artists Yoshitaka Amano for my birthday.

Amano Tarot on Amazon

Halloween is one of the rare nights where traditionally the border between material and spirit world thins, and is the best for seeking guidance to right actions and clear insight in the darkening year. So what better time to do that most Halloween-like activity, the Tarot card reading? Only this one is special: it uses all 78 cards.

Days of the Living, the Dead & the Sainted

Dating back to Pre-Columbian times, Dia de Muertos honors the mysteries of life and death, through both celebration and reverence.

Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually it came to coincide with the Western Christian triduum of Allhallowtide: All Saints' Eve (Halloween, Oct 31), All Saints' Day (Nov 1), and All Souls' Day (Nov 2).

The Ghost of Halloween Past

Here in the US, Halloween is the harbinger of our year end holidays.

Crime scene tape was very popular this year. 

It heralds when the fall nip in the air starts to chill - leaves turn and fall away - layers thicken and we start to cover up.