What the........?

Today was indeed a radiant day to stroll the NoHo art district. Tents were set up, as well as a stage where part of Lankershim Blvd. was closed for this art festival. Art galleries, local businesses, and artists displayed their wares for sale.

At the 1st gallery I went into, I found it clever how one artist created greeting card-size canvases with simply written: “You left me” and what looked like drops of blood sprinkled on it. I asked one of the people there if this was real blood. He did not know, but called the artist who said it was stage blood. Hmmm - intriguing.

At the second gallery I encountered work by John Mottiff which was impressive - and pricey. I also conversed with an established artist who when parting said to me: “Just remember, it all comes from here” as she pointed to her heart. I softly smiled, knowing intuitively that to be true.

Then I ambled to the tents to see the local art on display. I must say some was OK, some decent, while others merited asking: “what the….?” The stage area announced next event was a Middle Eastern dance. I was a bit tired, so I sat down under the canopy to enjoy the dance show. How does one justify the robot-mechanical and endless twirling in circles accompanying the sensual rhythm of Middle Eastern dance music? Where was the total surrender and abandon to the rhythm, in compass to the beat? Is it too much to ask that they review a Shakira video? I’m sorry, I could not muster the energy to applaud.
Am I too hard to please? Seems so, for next I walked to a corner Indian Restaurant, where I was served a bland vegetable curry, which resembled Gerber's baby food.

This simply reiterates what the artist who motioned to her heart, said. Whether it be in dance, cooking, or creation of art, if the heart is not really in it, it will probably be relegated to the WTF archives.

Inspired by the mini canvases with fabricated red blots, I wondered if not only utilizing the heart, but also blood and tears on the canvas, would not somehow impregnate it with some spirit. No - I would not slash my wrists to make a statement. If it were a piece which the theme is passion, love, or heartbreak, I think droplets of menstrual blood would be appropriate - why? Simply because those are tears shed from the womb - those mourning a loss. These remnants of what could have been; a cocoon for one of the most beautiful and sacred things - life.