Interesting Sunday afternoon. First a line from Father Sam’s homily today, striking with solidity, “Their glory is their shame’. Reflectively upon myself, I approach with caution attached meaning, understanding that in truth the things I glory in may just be my shame in the eyes of God. Two weekends in a row, I have spent time meandering about the Asian Town Center on Superior and 38th streets. It is an old industrial building, or possibly a school, that has been renovated into a commercial space. Last week, my therapeutic foot massage healingly took place at the location. The Vietnamese restaurant inside is owned and serviced by a family I finding pleasurable, usually ordering their special of the day. Today they made a delicious and hearty beef stew served over rice noodles. On the second floor, I discovered displayed artwork, a section of stimulating oriental reverse paintings. Reverse painting is done on glass. The artist reverses the glass when displaying his work. The effect is subtle yet pronounced. It was pointed out to me that an artist is forced to work with their mistakes for they cannot be painted over. The surface to be viewed is the bottom layer. Mistakes cannot be compensated for by painting over them. Captivated by the viewing of the glass reverse paintings, a man’s voice broke the silence. He was an artist inviting me into his ‘Negative Space’ studio. We easily fell into conversation as I viewed two extensive galleries by Gadi, the man speaking to me, and a female artist Heather something or other. This was a serious bohemian art studio with myself privileged to be escorted about by the owners, Gadi and his wife. Building bridges, avoiding sheltering myself behind walls, I allowed the couple to mesmerize with words and images. Mostly haunting, I held firm to the disposition of peace, trusting in God. Upon leaving, there was handshaking, and an invitation for myself to return next Saturday to read some poetry. I am pleased to a high degree, secure in my humility, meditating upon the thought: ‘Their glory is their shame’. Next Saturday will be spent with the men of Sacred Heart, and then in the evening ‘Negative Space’ will call forth a public reading of poetry amidst a serious mature Cleveland modern art crowd. For the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Reverse oriental painting on glass
Gadi Zamir- Negative Space Gallery
