Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Dreams and Mandalas

Page from The Red Book of Carl Jung

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A recent pilgrimage to view The Red Book of Carl Jung left me inspired and rejuvenated. For many years I kept dream journals but somehow got away from the practice. I've resumed the tradition since my excellent journey to the Rubin Museum. The Red Book is under glass, very large, beautifully illuminated and calligraphed by Jung. The images echo mythology and Byzantine saints. The Red Book may be a revelation in understanding the birth of consciousness.

Jung recognized that a visual image could help a viewer integrate aspects of the personality; that a circle in particular could energize one toward wholeness. Several pages of The Red Book revealed Jung’s ruminations on Mandala design. His dreams and visions seemed oddly familiar to me, like the rereading of a favorite tale.

The exhibit of Mandalas at the museum superbly dovetailed with Jung’s exploration of dreams, symbols, and the connection to the soul. The power of shape and color has always intrigued me. I often recollect a transporting experience that I had while standing in rays of blue light cast from a rose window at Chartres cathedral.

There is something satisfying about viewing inner visions, whether our own or someone else’s. The familiarity of these images makes one realize that we are ever so much more alike than different. There is a common meeting place, if we dig deep enough~

Emanations, Drawing from a Dream Journal of Melody Phaneuf



Boston Artist, Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative still life, landscape, and portrait paintings. Phaneuf’s paintings are regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street; at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment; and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf has exhibited her paintings at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.

Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo showcases Phaneuf’s original paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards.

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1 comment:

Jane O'Hara said...

very interesting melody..i used to keep a dream journal too, the more i did it, and analyzed with my roommate, the more intricate and clear the dreams were. i like your drawing! veddy interesting! i love the painting you posted. where was this sho? i have to look back, didnt notice.
keep dreaming!