Wonder & Dazzle

Wisdom begins in wonder.
– Socrates

As we celebrate the holidays I wonder about wonder. And dazzle. About joy of the unexpected, of achievement, discovery, the mysteries of nature, chance, the uncanny, the ineffable, the excitement of the strange, the unfamiliar, the allure of a thinly veiled secret. In my current exhibition at JWA (www.marthafullerartist.com) I culled through thousands of photographs taken in Africa and the Caribbean to reveal a deeper understanding of these experiences. Always on a quest to discover, my curiosity draws me to quirky sightings, chance encounters, and fleeting moments that endure. By some inexplicable magic that occurs when I synthesize images, I uncovered what now seems clear. Truth and beauty lie in the fusion of illusion and reality. That makes me wonder about the wonder of creativity. 

                         If I knew where the good songs came from, I’d go there more often.
– Leonard Cohen

Here’s a true a wonder to behold. One day after his 80th birthday this year, Canadian singer songwriter, musician, poet and novelist Leonard Cohen released his 13th studio album, selected by Rolling Stone readers as one of the 10 best albums of the year. From 1994 – 1999 Cohen, a Jew, retreated from the world to Mt. Baldy Zen Center. Ordained a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk he spent 5 years in seclusion. In 2001 he returned to music and completed a World Tour in 2008 – 9. If that’s not enough wonder for you, how about this? Inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, he is also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2011 he received a Prince of Asturias Award for literature. In his work, Cohen delves into religion, politics, sexuality, isolation and relationships. I believe he divines the secret of creativity.

Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.
– Stephen Hawking

I don’t profess to know much about Hawking’s theory of quantum mechanics or black holes, but I am fascinated by the universe and in awe of the natural world. We think of the 7 Wonders as the natural ones: the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, the Northern Lights, Victoria Falls and so on. But now the modern world has compiled the 7 New Wonders of the World that demonstrate the extraordinary creativity of mankind. New Wonders include: Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Petra in Jordan, the Roman Colosseum in Italy, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. But we haven’t stopped with the grandeur of nature or architectural wonders. The 7 Wonders of the Contemporary World encompass feats of human creativity and genius that appear invisible – technological achievements such as the Aviation Control System, the Dynamic Map, the Underseas Information Highway and more.

So do you ever wonder about wonder? Einstein claims, “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.” If thinkers such as Socrates, Einstein and Hawking attribute the ability to wonder as a means to wisdom, achievement and joy, I say let’s experience a dazzle of wonder this holiday season. And see where it leads…

And here’s a gift of wonder from poet and prophet Leonard Cohen.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

I wish you Peace, Joy, and Wonder this holiday.
Creativity and plenty of Dazzle!

P.S. Photos above by Aidan Fuller