Reminiscing Louvre

Louvre is perhaps an artist’s Mecca where there’s nothing to not like but even for a lay person like me, Louvre is too rich to not like something. It just offers too much and (unless you have been dragged) you have to come out of it feeling cultured and a little shocked by the sheer volume of art. And not just the volume, but the quality and scope of paintings are just too much to grasp.

It really is very hard to put a finger on a few paintings (or art pieces) you like. When you are looking at pieces by Da Vinci and David and the canvas is of the scale of ‘Coronation of Napoleon’, it is hard to pick one, two or even three.

But, I am writing of the two which spoke the most to me. Both paintings display intense emotions. The expressions held by faces tell a tale without having to second guess what’s going on.

The first is ‘Marcus Sextus’ which depicts Sulla’s return to find a dead wife. It is by the French artist - Pierre-Narcisse, baron Guérin. In the painting, it is as if the shadows smell of death, the blank stare screams of the loss and the tragedy. It is such a striking depiction of loss of a loved one - his alive fingers entwined with her limp, pale fingers; his sad-hard face shocked and defeated.

The second is the famous ‘Sabine Women’ by David. David’s painting is such a wonderful mélange of expressions. The helplessness, the begging, the bravery, the innocence and the drivel of rage are all tied together in a perfect moment. It is as if the painting is not a moment but a story.

Such strong emotions captured so vividly. Hard to imagine the state of the artists and their dedication, given the time these pieces took to draw. It’s not just the genius but the empathy and sensitivity of artists that you see in their work.

Louvre is for everyone. For everyone to see these stories, know of the genius artists and take a lesson in history as a memory.

See-Thru

Some time back (this year) I read an article on anomalies that cause skin-transparency in animals. There are frogs, butterflies and others with see through skin. They look very different – almost alien just coz’ of the exposed interiors.

As you can see in the picture, the animal’s (frog) vestigial organs are on full display. You can see the beating heart, the curly intestine, the rosy pink life as it flows through the creature. And now, imagine a see-thru person!

Imagine what a see-thru person would look like. Pretty gross was my first reaction too but imagine how it would change the way we look at people. How our communication would require another level of sophistication. A beating heart on display (for fear, nervousness, and joy) cannot be easily masked with fake emotion on face. Of course there are gross things like affects of over-eating, infected organs etc. but, imagine the kind of life that would evolve. Masquerading wouldn't work when everything you feel is on full display. And think of the poor doctors if everyone could just use mirrors for MRI.

Imagine yourself as see-thru. How naked and yet liberating would you feel? How simple would things be? It would all be there, out in the open for everyone to see and no one would have to be afraid of the ‘unknown’. It is the unknown that scares us anyway. What you know can do a little harm.

Would it make us focus our energies on more meaningful stuff? When the insides are out would the outside matter? The ‘outside’ that we are so involved in. The 'outside' we use to judge. The skin, the color, the camouflage – with nothing hidden, would we change the way we look at people? It would be there for the world to see, so there’s nothing left for them to judge. A beautiful beating heart, a satisfied stomach, a calm mind – that’s what we would look for, strive for, live for. The differences would melt away with the veil because underneath it all we are all made of the same pink flesh and same crimson blood.

Think of the equality that see-thru would bring. And think how this cloak (skin – ironically whose function is to protect) prevents us from being so much more than we are capable of. The idea of skin is so ingrained in us that what’s really inside when showcased in its pure form, looks alien. It’s a pity that most of the time we cannot see beyond the visor. How I wish see-thru was possible for us!

Canadian Rockies

Lake Louise (in picture)

Pristine blue water of glacial lakes, the majestic peaks of the Rockies, the crisp air of mountains, the un-real glow of glacier, Banff is all that and more. My trip to Banff took me to nature’s best workshop. There was rain, snow, winds, flurries and occasional sun and yet the serene mountain living for 4 days refreshed me to no measure.

Banff is an hour’s drive from Calgary. But, getting to Calgary is a different story all together. The plane ride was early but adventurous. I had never seen mountain ranges from the plane; and the rugged, high, grey majestic Rockies are a sight from air. These mountains clearly have it written all over them – don’t mess with us! September is summer season and the mountains didn’t have any snow which made them much more intimidating. As Calgary approached the ranges quickly receded into plains. providing an amazing view of drastic change of terrain. It was like a scenery we draw as kids, mountains and right below them there’s grass. When you visit Banff you have to look out of the plane. A must see.

The drive to Banff unfolds gradually, unlike the view I had on plane (duh!). The grassland showcases Rockies as a silhouette looming in the far. The sharp drops, steep cut rocks, grey drab color and high (HIGH) peaks make these mountains so intimidating and yet breathtaking. The cut on rocks makes them rugged and their color is clear indication of their cold (ice-laden) nature. Standing tall, together and quiet, they fill the air and command respect.

I stayed at the Lake Louise Fairmont. Driving to the town of Lake Louise, as you turn for hotel’s final ascent, you see the glacier that fuels this lake. The sight of the glacier from this drive is jaw-dropping. The lake is not visible up until you walk to the backyard of the hotel. Nestled between the valley of two merging ranges and at the foot of a melting glacier, this lake is like a mirror. It reflects all of its surroundings in its turquoise blue. It is by far, the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. You have to see it to know that water could have this color (and I know scientifically water has no color). You have to see the panorama around the lake to see that tree lines could have a perfect natural curve.

This lake freezes over in winters and becomes a giant ice skating ring. The lake is 210 feet deep and boasts of many activities including hikes and kayaking. Simple sunrise and coffee by the lake isn’t too bad either. The lake is fueled by glacier Victoria right above the lake. The hotel by the lake is beautiful and warm. The hotel even has its own dog ‘Sonny’ who lives in the lobby. Stay in a lake-view room to truly enjoy the view. Even at night, the shinning glacier is a sight to remember.

I hiked a popular trail – Johnston canyon in bow valley. The 4 hour hike takes you to a valley and through two waterfalls. The hike is at least medium intensity but well shaded. It leads to a valley and the view is nothing short of spectacular. When the trail ends, you are in this valley surrounded by Rockies, with a river flowing through it. The stillness and calmness of the place is deafening. Visitors leave their mark in a unique way here. They use rocks from river bed to create rock figures. Lots of bear like and alien like rock formations were very cool. I left my 5-stone structure as a token. The valley also has 8 ponds called ‘Ink – pots’. Each pond a different mineral make-up and all of them have some shade of blue water in them which stays at 1 degree (centigrade) throughout the year. Standing there feels like you were looking at post card and it came alive with 360 degree panoramic view, stillness and… oh yes, 3.6 mile hike!

Nest day: Jasper. Jasper Park has one of the best Vista points called Peyto Lake. The drive to Jasper is emblematic of what Rockies are about. I climbed the small hill (10mins) in high-speed flurries and freezing cold weather to go the tip of Athabasca glacier. The sight was well worth it. The light blue ice at the bottom, the freezing cold and big blob of ice made me feel like I was on another planet (perhaps this is as close to another planet as I’ll get).

It rained when I was at Lake Moraine, it snowed in Jasper, it was cold at nights and still it was a remarkable experience. Banff is where water is very blue (and still like mirror), mountains are very high, glaciers are really melting and time truly seems to stand still. Standing beside the lake it seems like nothing moves. Air, time, water, mountains – everything is tranquil. It tugs your heart, moves your soul and engulfs you in its own.

Johnston Canyon 'Ink-Pots' Valley

I am all or I am nothing

 

Roads I travel, paths I choose
Friends I make, people I loose
I am all or I am nothing

Tears I shed, those I swallow
Fears that I hand pick to wallow
I am all or I am nothing

Rage I feel, love I show
Bonds I break before they grow
I am all or I am nothing

Freedom I have, chances I miss
Dreams I knit, things I can only wish
I am all or I am nothing

Feelings I weave, walls I build
2-piece baggage of sadness and guilt
I am all or I am nothing

Flutter of heart I feel and choose to ignore
Firm on ground but my spirits soar
I am all or I am nothing

Truth that hurts, lies that bleed
Story in eyes but no one to read
I am all or I am nothing

Life forward and past behind
Struggle between being wise and kind
I am all or I am nothing

Dark night guided by dim stars
never found when looking for something
The rain or downpour, white snow or bitter cold
I am all or I am nothing.