Matter and Light 2008/installation in four parts
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Amos Anderson Art Museum 10.1-17.2 2008
The evolution of the mind, human consciousness and perception of the world have puzzled me for a
long time, and influenced the content of my visual work. My studies have thus branched into the
field of natural sciences, where revolutionary discoveries are constantly made. The latest amusing
discovery is the neuroplasticity of the brain which refers to the changes that occur in the
organization of the brain as a result of stimulation. This means that matter, the brain, does not only
influence the mind, but also that the mind can influence matter, the brain, and even alter its
anatomy. This is revolutionary, especially in the field of neurobiology and cognitive sciences. It is
extremely comforting that humans can - even though with hard and patient work - fundamentally
change themselves, their thought patterns, their character and even improve the neurological
activity of their brain. We are not carved in stone, but made of highly plastic and intelligent
substance!
Certain visual themes and thoughts often reoccur in my art and my works are allegorical reflections
of different stages of my studies. I rarely name my works, and in this exhibition, only one section
out of four/five is named: Metta. A person or persons might be sitting quietly in the space,
practicing Buddhist Metta meditation during which love and compassion is focused towards all
living creatures, including the ones in the space, wishing them good luck, well-being and liberation
from destructive and unhealthy emotions, such as hate, fear, greed, anxiety and pain.
We are living in an era where primitive, hard, cold and calculated way of thinking is replacing the experience of human warmth an destroying the communal feeling of togetherness and security.
This results in illness and chaos. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the ones striving for
good have always been a majority.
The additional text refers to the subject matter of this exhibition, but the exhibition can be experienced
without any texts or explanations.
The Evolutionary Path towards Matter, Life and Consciousness.
What is that spark hidden in the evolutionary process which has enabled the formation of consciousness and
ultimately the spiritual consciousness?
When a molecule occurs at a certain stage of evolution, it transcends the qualities of an atom while
integrating it. The new formation becomes more than just the sum of its parts.
Evolution is in part a transcendental process, where the previous level of development is integrated in the
new, higher one: in this unique process parts become units and clusters become new entities. it seems that
cosmos keeps recreating itself and is organized on the principle of "quantum leaps ". Many scientists agree
that transcendental development is ingrained in the structure of the universe.
The evolution of consciousness reflects the subjective experience and interpretation of being, and is always
related to the biological and social background. These three aspects are interrelated and the study of one
never reveals the whole truth of human experience, as the fashionable reductionist branch of biology falsely
assumes.
The spark of evolution could be called "spiritual action ", where the "spirit" manifests itself clearer at every
developmental stage. The spirit itself is not a developmental stage, an ideology, or a god. but a part of an
endless development. The spark of evolution is a total presence of the spirit at every developmental stage,
and stage by stage the spirit becomes more visible to itself.
According to humanity's great traditions of wisdom, this means that these higher or deeper developmental
stages are the ones where the spirit becomes self-aware and begins to seek its true nature. There is nothing
mystical or religious about this. It is clearly the manifestation of yet another higher developmental stage, a
stage which allows the realization of our own deepest potential and which all of us can reach
The text is based on the thoughts of philosopher and theorist, "the Einstein of
consciousness ", Ken Wilber.
Christine Candolin