All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. (St. Francis of Assisi)..
Happy summer, and longest moment of light in this year!
Today we are celebrating the longest moment of light in the year. For artists, there couldn’t be a more meaningful occasion. A day which commemorates the symbolism of light, sight, of the act of creation. An investigation into this day reveals a multifaceted understanding of the relationship of light with darkness, of vision, and most importantly: of hope.
For artists, light is the ultimate tool. It reveals shadow, form, color, value, atmosphere, tone, and symbolism. Without it, we can not see, a sense is lost, the language of vision turns mute.
This painting “Toward the Light, ” by Auseklis Ozols portrays an extreme relationship of light with darkness. According to AO, he hoped to exemplify transitions of high contrast in both value and the color temperature to portray a dramatic transition. This painting invites meditation on Jung’s insight: “the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of being.” .
The sky is the source of light in Nature and it governs everything. -Constable
Auseklis Ozols, Light, or The Apotheosis. Oil on Linen, Private Collection
The substance of painting is light. -Andre Derain
Look at light and admire its beauty. Close your eyes, and then look again: what you saw is no longer there; and what you will see later is not yet. -Leonardo Da Vinci
The June Solstice according to the Farmer’s Almanac:
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter, when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)
The June solstice occurs on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 5:14 A.M. EDT.
This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year. ” according to the farmers almanac.
Look at light and admire its beauty. Close your eyes, and then look again: what you saw is no longer there; and what you will see later is not yet. -Leonardo Da Vinci
*The name Auseklis itself stems from the root aus- (‘dawn’), attached to the derivative suffix -eklis, and is etymologically related to other Indo-European deities of the dawn.[3][4]” It is no wonder AO has explored the symbolism of light in so many of his works-it is the core of his name and identity.
