EVERYTHING, HERE AND NOW by Kenneth Santiago
Darkness. Emptiness. Roots. Ground.
There is nothing but darkness within the damp, cold ground. Slivers of light seep through the smallest cracks of the soil, balancing the warmth and coolness for the seeds to take root. As the days go by, a fair amount of rain and sunshine has nourished the roots to grow. From seeing nothing but the ground on the surface, green small leaves start sprouting from the ground as the smallest organisms and critters crawl around.
Human touch. Intellect. Observance. Care
Growth happens when one least expects it. What once was seed from the ground now either grows taller or withers when not nurtured. Thus, the human intellect and observance on the development of plants aided further thriving. Yet, even without the help of mankind, nature has its ways to thrive on its own. Like a person, a whole ecosystem works by themselves even prior to human knowledge. Before scientific developments and research, nature has been flourishing even without human assistance. This growth happens in the quiet and secrecy of the elements working together. And sometimes, what humans tend to care for ends up getting destroyed by the same hands that try to keep it.
Seasons. Surroundings. Spaces. Symbiosis.
The plants that have grown now change through the seasons — the green leaves that dry up and change their colors when the weather becomes dry and hot; the flowers that bloom and the fruits that ripen at the right time; and some that tumble down whenever the winds become too harsh. The fallen leaves that are left scattered on the ground tell stories about where they came from. Each experience happens in their own spaces, where they have taken root and chosen to grow in. The living organisms and critters, both crawling and flying, have taken part for the plants’ nourishment or end.
Balance. Introspection. Presence. Reflection.
In the continuation of this life cycle is the garden of diversity. Various plants now come into view, many new colors pop out of their stems, and a multitude of organisms join the flourishing surroundings. In the midst of the diversity is a balance that keeps everything alive. This is now where the gardener stands – in appreciation of every little thing that comes to exist from their viewpoint. The leaves, flowers, landscapes, and creatures – every small, mundane thing that took responsibility for this growth has become the worth of each reflection. After the toil, the gardener finds themself in a garden of their own doing. And this is what gardens are made of.
“And, suddenly, the flower emerges not as this pretty object to be admired, but as this ravishing system of aliveness — a kind of silent symphony of interconnected resilience.” – Maria Popova
on The Birth of Ecology: Ernst Haeckel, Emily Dickinson, and How Life on Earth Came Abloom, 2022
Darkness is all you see from the ground. Rays of light are not enough to show the smallest elements you feel – on your hands, your head, your feet. There’s little to no air down here; just the soft ground and the water running through, nurturing the smallest organisms and critters that crawl around you.
Human hands. Care. Observance. Silence.
Growth happens even when you do not see it. Sometimes, growth happens with human hands and intellect. But even without the help of these human hands, growth still happens. Sometimes, the same hands that help with the growth could also be the same hands that destroy. Yet, somewhere in the quiet, the roots underneath find their way and strengthen their hold around the moist soil. It happens in the quiet and secrecy – on its own.
[Nature has its own ways to thrive on its own.]
Seasons. Sunlight. Surroundings. Space.
No matter how many times you experience the changing seasons, you still come unprepared as if it is something new every time. It comes as a surprise to see the rain falling the next day when it was a warm sunny day just now. Then there are the surroundings that comprise of more elements, showing
Balance.
END: And that’s how we bloom and grow.
After the toil, you’ll find yourself in a garden of your own doing. And this is what gardens are made of.
Things I also need to grow Garden – Life
Appreciation now to where I am, instead of seeking for what’s missing
The flowers, leaves, landscapes, sun, the everyday – every small, mundane thing contributed A mix of reflections – people, experiences, relationships, memories – what made me and what these works are made of.
They usually grow without you noticing. – the layers? Grasping the presence in the present
Reflective and intimate, as if viewing memories – appreciative lens Time and thought, with careful observation – “a devotion to beauty”
The Birth of Ecology: Ernst Haeckel, Emily Dickinson, and How Life on Earth Came Abloom –
Gardens grow by chance and curation
“Darwin could not comprehend how flowers could emerge so suddenly and take over so completely. He called it an “abominable mystery.” But out of that mystery a new world was born, governed by greater complexity and interdependence and animal desire, with the bloom as its emblem of seduction.”
Ecology and art and artist
Pollinators, worms, microorganisms, air/wind, sun, butterfly, bee, dew, human hands, petals, leaves, branches, roots,
“And, suddenly, the flower emerges not as this pretty object to be admired, but as this ravishing system of aliveness — a kind of silent symphony of interconnected resilience.”
May Sarton on Writing, Gardening, and the Importance of Patience Over Will in Creative Work –
I believe every creative practice is like that — only a small fraction of it we can see and touch in the works of art we can point to, made possible and alive by all the invisible devotions and despairs that animate the maker’s life, that fill the days and hours, that occupy the heart and the hands. These private practices are anchors of sanity vital to the public work, for they are vital to the soul from which creative work springs.
- Yung idea nung show is pag compare nung garden to life
- Parang appreciation lang din nung kung ano yung mga nakapaligid sakin at kung ano at nasan ako ngayon, kasi parang before yung mga concept is laging may hinahanap na kulang or struggles
- Mostly yung subjects mga nakikita syempre sa garden, flowers, landscape, plants etc. nag contribute sila sa kung nasan ako or ano ako Pwedeng sa growth or kung ano man. Pwedeng people, pangyayari, basta yung mga humulma sakin. Wow scupture yarn
- Parang pag pinag sama sama reflection sya ng buhay Parang result ng nakapalibot na tao, experiences. Relationships o memories. Kahit yung mga pangyayari minsan na di mo napapansin. Yun yung feeling habang ginagawa ko yung mga artwork.
- About sa work mas gusto ko na iexplore yung pag ka abstract Pero sa subject may work padin na may form ng tao/portrait
- Yung tone nung exhibit di ko sure pero parang reflective and intimate lang ganon. Para bang nag viview ka ng old memories? Chaotic tignan pero hindi explosive. More on appreciative
- Yung concept nag start sya sa question na “Whats the point of having a full garden, when your favorite flower isnt there?” pero kesa yan, mas naisip kong iappreciate kung ano yung mga meron na ako ngayon at bumubuo
- Nakakatawa patty kasi walang specific na story eh. More on kabuuang emotion at feeling yung ineexplain Parang ganon yung process ko eh. Like iniisip ko yung idea o concept tas yun lang yung nasa isip ko habang gumagawa. Siguro may iilang artwork na parang may specific na story or meaning. Pero mas ramdam ko na yung kabuuan ng exhibit yung kinekwento ko ng isang buo.