ETHEOGENS< TRASCENDANCE & CREATIVITY
at Naropa University
with Robert Venosa, Martina Hoffmann, Alex Grey and Phil Jacobson
November 2001

Our hats off to Boulder¼s Naropa Institute for offering up one of the most significant weekends for the local integral arts scene this year.
Saturday evening renown visual / visonary artists, Robert Venosa, Alex Grey, Martina Hoffmann and Philip Rubinov-Jacobson came together for a remarkable two-hour panel discussion on the artistic impulse as it has been inspired by experiences of a transcendent reality. All four artists have explored the edges of ordinary reality ... and have used their insights as inspiration for their fantastic art work.
The capacity-filled room ‚ an untamed alloy of young firestarters and old alchemists ‚ was clearly rapt by the proceedings fervent resonance, which made vivid how our highest dignity is our significance as works of art.
Each artists oral tour was a concressed pilgrimage into photo slide projections of their mysterious paintings. The spontaneous outpouring of turned-on wisdom, wit, and wonder rendered one exciting, gratifying moment after another.
When it was all said and done I don¼t think there was a single person in the room unaffected. Alex, Robert, Martina, and Phil¼s role in shaping the wavelength of a new future culture have been an insider¼s secret for years. It¼s because of these brave maestros that the art of our collective heart keeps flowing in rising waves of creative liberation. It won¼t be long before their achievements and those of others in this „invisible lodge¾ earn much wider recognition and praise. Let¼s hope we¼ll have an second edition of this fantastic gathering again sometime soon.
Afterwards everyone was invited to join Integral Arts for an inspired after-event sponsored by savvy Naropa directors Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen and graciously hosted by good friends Steve McIntosh and Tehya Jai at their colorful and enchanting Victorian residence just minutes from downtown Boulder.
An intoxicating release ensued as the many came bearing spirits and anxious to continue the great conversation. It was one of those rare sensual encounters as the closely felt communal exploration of creative transcendence brought an intimate yet cosmopolitan verve to the gathering. Artists and friends rallied in just about every corner on the function art as translator and facilitator of the great integral spirit. The noospheric capsule ripped open and fluttered in tatters as the morning threw itself over our common ground. Here and there one could find Alex, Roberto, Martina, and Philip well under the charm of the Dionysian, mixing it up with guests such as A. Andrew Gonzalez , Les Kahn, David Zindell, and many more. Each open mind experiencing this special affair with profound delight. Each mystic mouth expressing its joyous necessity. Each smiling eye signaling 'yes' is the answer.
In all, the Naropa weekend provided a much-needed draught of psycho-spiritual elevation chased with a sense of virtuous generosity and benevolence. As an operative for higher community, this vehicle got our wheels turning. Thanks again to all who made it so special!

(Mark Riva, for Integral Arts)

http://www.naropa.edu/