Vivarium by J.D.McGuire

.......all things considered.


I've recently discovered Vivarium, an excellent blog. I think a few of my subscribers will enjoy reading J.D.McGuire.

I just read the Jelly Bean Analogy and loved it!

The Jelly Bean Analogy 
Posted on February 22, 2015 
by Jaedy 

" If you estimated your life expectancy based on myriad genetic, ethnic and economic criteria and then portioned out a Jelly Bean for every day you are expected to live, you would have a pile of Jelly Beans representing your life expectancy. If you then took away a Jelly Bean for......"

Oolong The Winter Away

Working at my desk, steeping a cup of citrus oolong. see the steam as I lifted off the top. I was struck by beautiful buds and leaves floating in the basket, this becomes a tea ritual. We're all entitled to stop for special moments allowing our creative minds to dance among the 'leaves'...then I saw trees reflecting new buds of spring telling me this cold blast is on it's way, soon gone. mesmerized by beautiful shadowy thoughts today.

The tea is ready, leaves are green.
Soon.

Out her window...

Snow covered branches as seen through the kitchen window, makes winter bearable....for it's the softness of her beauty that one notices from the warmth within.

Rooted

"I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far! " John Muir

Photo: Francesca ~ Weeping Tree ~ June, 2008

Dance of Early Morning Fog

Layers of fog
rise slowly to greet us
We, the exhausted
Half insane from lack of sleep
yet unable to sustain our indifference
to the unfolding awesome beauty
This dew-layered fog
set against an awakening Sun
An incomprehensible ghost-dance among the branches
Shifting hues of soft light play upon our tired eyes
We drive slowly our breaths shallow and silent
for fear that the spell be broken and the mist disperse
Disperse like a forgotten dream.

"Leverage for the Pour"

Artist: Kirstin Johnson , 2006
Medium: Ceramic, Wire, String & Paper

"Leverage for the Pour" is a piece about impoverished nations, communities, and individuals who struggle for access to the resources required for their survival and prosperity.

The resource depicted in this sculptural mixed media piece is water, specifically contained in an earthen pitcher which is jagged and deformed like an ancient artifact. The small wire people, who's design was inspired by Guatemalan worry dolls, lack the instruments or machinery to easily tip or scale the large pitcher for access to its contents.

Consider the following examples:
An undeveloped nation may have an abundance of oil, gemstones, ores, water or other precious natural resources but not have the economic or technological backing to gain access to their treasures.

A troubled society could be the heir to ancient spiritual wisdom which, if they could tap into it, would offer guidance or insight into resolving the conflict amongst its people, but a change in language, political intolerance, or religious suppression might make this legacy of truth almost entirely inaccessible.

For individuals who are very poor, daily survival takes precedence over education and self-betterment. Without the opportunity to learn or express themselves creatively, depression, frustration, and despair can take hold.

The labour is arduous for the simple figures in this piece, and it produces little in the way of results. However, when people, communities, and nations work together, their cumulative leverage may become enough to reach the activation threshold and to tap into the intrinsic enthalpy of the universe. Original Post: May 8, 2008