Winter Solstice (Memento Vivere)
The Winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) is the 21st of December.
Each year I think of two events, the first is the winter sun rising and lighting up the narrow passage grave at the Neolithic site of Newgrange in Ireland (3000BC).
The sun enters through a specially designed “roof box” and travels along the passageway then the chamber is illuminated for 15-17 minutes.
This must be magnificent, it’s on my wish list but there is a lottery system as to who gets the chance to attend the experience.
Some day 🤞
https://www.newgrange.com/winter_solstice.htm
The second event is the death of my paternal grandmother (the only grandparent I knew). She lived to a good age 1901-1990, but towards the end of her life she had Alzheimers (a curse of a disease).
I think of the winter solstice as an end but also a rebirth, a new beginning.
It’s a reminder that we must live ‘Memento Vivere’ (remember that you must live).
This art piece is an homage to Dutch Vanitas. This style of painting (1700’s) were still life paintings, showing a collection of everyday objects like flowers, skulls, hourglass’s, books (earthly possessions) with the added elements of rotting fruit, dead animals, decaying flowers..symbolizing that we cannot escape death. Death brings its balance to all. The light/life illuminates our beginnings and possibilities.
https://www.thecollector.com/vanitas-dutch-master-paintings/
‘Memento Vivere’ (remember that you must live).
Ceramic 2024, 42×42×10cm
On view at künstlerverein Malkasten