The artist David Capra with his sausage dog, Teena, looking at the artwork Puppy by Jeff Koons. James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Giving voice to the silenced has long been a concern of art, from the Realist movement of post-revolution France and the 20th century muralists of Mexico, to body politics in performance art and video art from the last few decades. Chicago-based artist Adrian Wong, however, has been interested in communicating with those silenced in biological sense, connecting with peoples deceased or, for his most recent project, their living pets. Emerging from an urge to discover the non-linguistic state beyond our physical and communicative realm, Wong initially began working with young children as a social scientist after receiving a graduate degree in psychology from Stanford University in 2003. Realizing, as he explained to Observer, that human affect is something poorly-suited for examination through a scientific lens, he changed gears, getting his MFA from Yale University.

My studio practice focuses on fields that operate outside of the empirical sciences, such as feng shui and geomancy, energy manipulation, astral projection, sound healing, cromniomancy, and most recently alchemy, he explained ahead of a solo presentation at Chicago-based Carrie Secrist Gallerys booth at the Armory Show. His project will be part of the fairs Focus section, organized by Jamillah James, a curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Presented during the 25th edition of New Yorks quintessential art fair, Wongs installation will center around his collaboration with telepathic animal communicator Lynn Schuster, who will sit down for half-hour readings with fairgoers to communicate with their pets, based on their photos.

SEE ALSO: Lower East Sides Best Art Exhibitions Bring Us Brave New Subgenres of Abstraction

Self-representation and personal truths, revisionism and projecting other possibilities into the world, are the sections main threads, James explained Observerand Wongs psychic collaboration certainly fits. The idea of animal communication and telepathically communing with a non-verbal entity connects to this idea of wanting to believe in something and manifesting it, materially, psychically, and emotionally, she said. Though she admitted The idea of it may be met with skepticism.

Participants are made aware that Schusters observations have the potential to provide a basis for artworks by Wong, similar to those which will be on view across the booth, including photographs, sculptures and paintings that stem from the duos recent collaborative work. Wong responds to Schusters readings by creating a customized pet furniture, such as a dog house or cat tree, a portrait of the animals previous life, or a cosmic geometry wall installation in tune with the animals spirit, in an attempt to reconcile the mediums conversation with the pet in form. At his Chicago studio, the artist creates the artwork in house, using software programs Sketchup and Rhino for his furniture sculptures and pet portraitists from across the country for the paintings.

Wong initially connected with Wisconsin-based Schuster when the artist heard about a three-legged missing dog, named George, which eventually became more of a spiritual guide than a subject. Wongs next encounter with the medium was a personal, and heartbreaking, occasion, after the unexpected passing of his pet rabbit, Omar. The shock and following grief after a sudden loss prompted the artist to reconnect with the medium, whose communication with Omar revealed that the rabbit was a reincarnation of Snoopy, the childhood pet cat belonging to Wongs wife

Adrian Wong, The House That Snoopy Built, 2019. Annotated Sketch. Adrian Wong

There is so much joy and excitement that my eyes are tearing up, says Schuster, when I ask about her first reaction looking at a picture of my five-year old rescue dog, Bagel, who I adopted from Tennessee with my ex-partner when he was a two-month old puppy. Bagels feelings about our separation and loss of an important person in his canine life have been a curiosity of mine for over a year.

Was he happy living with me? How would he react if he saw his former co-parent? Schusters eyes closed, He would hide behind you if he saw him in a crowd, says Schuster, elevated by the emotional intensity she felt through communicating with Bagel, whose behavioral range has always been dependent on the amount of attention and physical connection hes given. He is a happy dog who is healing himself and you, she observed, laughing a little as she felt my four-legged companions impassioned energy.

When I ask Schuster about Bagels feelings about my current partner, she positively responds: There is a conversation on telepathic level between themthey see through each others eyes and souls. Wong joins the conversation to ask Schuster to draw a picture of our current life through the dogs perspective. What appears is a white light surrounding Bagel standing in our living room, where my current partner seems to be standing on his one side, me perched on a couch. There are pastel shades of pink and minty green, the medium adds. The artist begins to describe an abstracted image drawing on the aesthetics of cosmic geometry that could represent the balance of pet- human relationships, and our unique one in particular. Schuster, then, catches blobby shapes above Bagels head, which she regards as symbols of nurturing with their soft shapes, round on the edges, without any rough corners.

Wong notes that the fair setting, populated by collectors, enthusiasts and art world fixtures fiercely roaming over hundreds of booths, will be quite different than his typical work environment marked by calmness and serenity. Both the artist and Schuster are up for the challenge, ready for the unbelievable stories New Yorkers have to share through their pets.

The Armory Show is open to public from March 5 to 8 at Piers 90 and 94.

Link:
An Animal Psychic Will Communicate With Fairgoers Pets at the Armory Show - Observer

When you cannot find peace and happiness in your relationship, there must be some bad energy affecting your bonding. Check out how you can ward off bad effect using Feng Shui remedies.

A strong and healthy relationship needs a lot of positive energy and harmony. If you two are surrounded by a lot of improper objects and clutter, then it will affect your relationship with bad energy. So, it's always necessary to have a balance and harmony in your love and marriage life to strengthen the bonding. So, here we provide some Feng Shui remedies to strengthen your love life. Check them out.

An unbalanced relationshipAccording to Feng Shui, the southwest area of our home is associated with love, relationship and marriage. So, you have to use Feng Shui curing symbols in this area to bring positivity in your love life. South area represents the earth element, so you should use something that symbolises the earth element. But if the south-west area is occupied by the bathroom, closet, laundry room or garage, then this will affect your relationship.

Feng Shui remedy for unbalanced relationshipPlace some Feng Shui earth and fire elements on the south-west area to bring harmony in your disturbed relationship. Using fire elements with the earth ones will strengthen the effects. But avoid using water, wood or metal Feng Shui elements. Decorate your house with objects that are in pair like two candlesticks or lamps. Remove all objects that you don't have any reason to keep in your room.

Bad energy in the bedroomGood energy brings a positive vibe to bind your relationship with happiness and harmony. To avoid bad energy, watch out on the natural light, overflowing closets, improper bed placement, dirt, etc.

Feng Shui remedy for bad energy in the bedroomOpen windows and curtains for the bright light and air enter into your room. Keep the bedroom door closed while sleeping. Don't allow clutter under the bed, this can prevent good energy from flowing freely. Place nightstands on each side of the bed to create balance in your love life.

Continued here:
Feng Shui: HERE's how you can strengthen your love life with Feng Shui - PINKVILLA

In first grade, my diminutive and adorable teacher, Mrs. Eyre, introduced us to punctuation. Before this, every story was one long, emotionless, run-on sentence. I was so excited to use these tiny fetus-like marks that I voluntarily wrote an entire page of story describing my summer and added a comma to the end of each word. I eagerly gave it to my teacher so that she would know that I had fully grasped this new concept. Within minutes she had given it back with the following written in red ink at the top of the page; The comma rule: When in doubt, leave it out! That day, I learned a great lesson; the comma is fun, but an exclamation point, now that is something!

Frankly, these six words; when in doubt, throw it out, have become a lifetime mantra for me and one I share frequently with clients. In fact, just yesterday I had a client text me about a small dining room table. We are getting his home ready to put on the market and he asked if he should keep the table for the purpose of staging. Knowing that his kitchen has approximately enough room for perhaps one 6-year-old, but certainly not two, to turn around in, I recited my mantra. He took my advice. The room appears larger now than it did.

Realizing that this is not the first time I have preached on this subject, nor will it be the last, Im going to say it anyway. Here it is in a nutshell; throw out the clutter. Your children dont want to do it after youre gone. Just get rid of it now. They will be so happy.

More specifically, there are a number of things you can do to stage your home to sell. The most important of which is, take your Realtors advice. Most experienced professionals have seen enough homes that we develop an eye for the Feng Shui. Those of us who do not seem to have a propensity toward ever developing that eye (namely, myself), have a home stager on their team to refer to. That being said, I feel compelled to review some basics.

1) The front lawn is not a driveway, nor a mechanics garage.

2) English Ivy, the beautiful vivacious tendrilled plant, should not be cultivated near an exterior wall. It will soon become an interior plant as it seeps into the brick or concrete and tends to pull it apart at the seams. Also, it is unsightly when dormant.

3) Sheets are not curtains.

4) Hello Kitty is not a decorating theme, nor are puzzles, flags or swimsuit editions of Sports Illustrated.

5) Your living room carpet is not a litter box. Please provide one for your cats. As a side note, the dog should be using the outside facilities, since I have yet to see one use the ones inside.

6) Speaking of animals, your dead, stuffed ones should not be staring at myself or any potential buyer as we walk in the door. Its creepy and distracting.

7) Please, for the love of everything that is holy, do not paint your home (interior or exterior) the most discounted color at the home improvement store. Its discounted for a reason.

8) Let the sunshine in. If it feels like a dungeon, nobody is going to pay money to willingly stay there.

9) Dont paint a blue Y on the roof of your home. Not only is the proper letter U, but not everyone concedes that it holds meaning as anything other than a letter in which Sesame Street is brought to you by.

This list is clearly not all inclusive. However, it can go a very long way in getting a home ready to market and sell for the most money in the least amount of time. Meantime, its only $5.00 to take a load to the dump. Too many commas can become very distracting very quickly and then all meaning is lost.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.

More:
Fischer: When in doubt, leave it out | Lifestyle - Standard-Examiner

Check out the meaning of different Feng Shui symbols before keeping them in your house to get results.

Feng Shui aka Chinese geomancy is a traditional practice of using energy forces to bring prosperity in an individual's life. Originated from ancient China, Feng Shui means 'wind-water'. Feng Shui uses different objects or living things to bring positivity in our life. They all represent different aspects of life which are needed to be placed in the right corner of a room to get results. The area needs to be decided from the Bagua map in Feng Shui. But before that you need to have knowledge of the symbols and their meanings and representations for the different aspects of life. Check them out below.

Objects of Feng ShuiTraditional Feng Shui concept is associated with several objects and each of them symbolises a different meaning. For example, mandarin ducks represent love and marriage, tortoise for protection and stability, koi fish stand for abundance of wealth, etc. Several other objects of Feng Shui are representing different things in this world. Get a proper Feng Shui guide before using any symbol for your home.

FlowersFlowers symbolise flourishing, beauty, grace and good luck. Feng Shui prefers peonies, lotus, orchid, chrysanthemums flowers for home as they bring positivity and healing energy.

FruitsFruits especially apples, pomegranate and oranges are considered to bring longevity, prosperity, wealth and fertility in our family. Mainly Feng Shui pays attention to the colours of the fruits.

BirdsBirds are the representation of inspiration, freedom and unity. So, putting photos of birds brings a positive vibe in one's life.

ButterfliesFeng Shui uses butterfly symbols as a cure for love and romance. A butterfly is the best Feng Shui element to use as a love cure mainly for single people.

HorsesThe application of horses in Feng Shui is considered to bring success, fame, freedom and speed. According to Bagua map, South is fame area and North is for career. The horse is to be placed in these two places.

FishArowana or Dragon Fish is the most powerful fish in Feng Shui for wealth. Goldfish or Koi fish can also be used instead of the Dragon ones. Take 8 or 9 fishes and one of them should be black.

TortoiseThe black tortoise is one of the four most powerful guardians of Feng Shui. The tortoise symbolises north side and winter season. Other three animals are Dragon (represents east/spring); Red Phoenix (South/summer); White Tiger (West/Fall).

BatsBats are the symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Bats are considered to have medicinal properties which associate them with prosperity.

Mystic KnotThe mystic knot symbolises happiness in life with a good fortune. It is also called an endless knot. In Buddhism, it is one of the eight magical auspicious objects.

Fu DogsFeng Shui Fu Dogs or imperial guardian lions are the representation of protection. Fu dogs are often seen in temples. In Feng Shui, they also symbolise wealthy family and social status.

Chi LinChi Lin is a mystical creature in Feng Shui. It has the head of a dragon, body of a horse and scales of a carp fish. It is also called dragon horse or Chinese unicorn which brings good health, prosperity, energy and positivity. It has a higher royal status than other Feng Shui objects.

Originally posted here:
Feng Shui Symbols: Here are the meanings of different Feng Shui symbols - PINKVILLA

By Alberta Barron for The Island Connection

Christopher Burtt

Master Gardener Christopher Burtt will speak to the Seabrook Island Garden Club March 13. The meeting gets underway at 9:30 a.m. at the Oyster Catcher Community Center.

Burtt, who serves as the urban horticulture extension agent and the master gardener coordinator for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, attended Clemson University and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor of science degree. He worked for the Clemson University Research Farm for two years before moving to Clemson Extension in April 2019. He is an avid gardener with extensive experience in both horticulture and agriculture and looks forward to sharing his talent and expertise through his presentation on pruning, grafting and propagation.

Thanks to SIGC membership and guests for a great turnout at the February meeting, which featured Karen Babb and her fascinating presentation on feng shui. It was witty, lively and thought-provoking.

This month we also want to continue with a shout out to the Seabrook Island Garden Club officers and committee chairs for their focus, creativity and hard work throughout the year. A special thank you to Lynne Madison and Dianne Thompson Cain, the ladies who have the hard job of coordinating the hospitality efforts at each meeting and ensuring that all are welcomed. Needless to say, the wonderful treats are provided by our generous membership. In the words of Helen Keller, Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Soon it will be time to elect new officers and chairs. Wont you consider filling in the blanks and sharing your talents as we move forward?

As always, all members and guests are welcome to attend our March 13 meeting. The agenda includes light refreshments at 9:30 a.m. and a brief business report at 10, followed by the guest speaker. The meetings usually conclude between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings take place on the second Friday of each month at the Oyster Catcher Community Center.

For membership information, contact carollstclair@gmail.com. Attendance is free for members. Guests are welcome, but a $5 donation is appreciated.

See more here:
Master Gardener - The Island Connection

Clocks not solely inform us time, but additionally assist us in our good and unhealthy instances. In addition, sure, the clock held on the wall within the residence or workplace says loads about your time. For your info, inform them that if theyre positioned in the best course, then it brings good time, whereas the clock within the flawed course can deliver unhealthy time for you.

->Learn what Vastu says about watches.

Along with this, the south face is taken into account inauspicious to do all of the work. Also, the clock ought to by no means be positioned on the southern wall. Because the course of Dakshin Yama is claimed. At the identical time, it has been stated in Feng Shui that by placing a clock on this course, there are obstacles in the best way. This additionally has a nasty impact on the job. Negativity comes from the south course, so besides this course, set the clock in some other course.

For your info, tell us that no door needs to be put in on any door of the home. Do not put a clock on the wall above the principle door of the home. This will increase household affliction. If the clock hanging on the wall has been closed for too lengthy, then both get it performed or take away it. Closed watches have an effect on progress in life. Stopping the clock means stopping of your time.

More:
The home ought to at all times be stored clockwise on this course, all is nice - Sahiwal Tv

the Actress of the Moscow art theatre named after A. P. Chekhov Darya Jurassic reported that in the United States died at the age of 97 years Soviet, American and Russian actor Boris Leskin. He managed to play in many popular Soviet films, and in the U.S. managed to play the first part of the movie Men in black.

a Big loss for us. Boris Leskin, Bob lifelong friends with the Pope, wrote the Jurassic. She added that she knew from her father many legends and incredibly funny stories about Boris Leskin.

the life of Boris Leskin, long, different, amazing and incredible. Good-bye, said the Jurassic.

Lesquin long played in the Bolshoi drama theater in Leningrad. In 1980 he moved to the United States, where he became an actor in the theater. About the reasons for departure, he said in an interview on channel RTVI: Im just tired to live a lie, live a lie, when everything isnt true.

His best movies are considered to be Feng Shui, Republic SHKID, Maxim Perepelitsa, the Old, old story, Single, Strogovy, Intervention.

Continued here:
Died of Soviet and American actor Boris Leskin - The KXAN 36 News

Question: What do you do with the extra hour in your day when the clocks go back in the Autumn? Do you relish a lie-in without guilt, or make a concerted effort to be more productive? Me, I'm in the latter camp. I prefer to make that (sort of) extra hour count. There's no nicer feeling than getting the big shop in, doing the housework and tackling life admin, then to look at the clock to see that it's still only 2pm.

look at Leap Day pretty much the same way. You do have to wonder; why isn't Leap Day a holiday day, coming as it does once every four years? I've even got a name for it: Mayfly Day, named after the insect that only lives for one day, but pretty much parties like it's 1999 for its 24-hour life expectancy.

It's really just a thing the inventors of the Gregorian calendar did to make up for the fact that the earth doesn't take exactly 365 days to circle the sun (it's more like 364.242, supposedly).

Fine, it means one more day until the end of winter and beginning of spring. But still, a whole extra day in the calendar to make everything better! I won't be proposing marriage to anyone and I won't be at the '10th' official birthday party of a fortysomething friend. But I do intend to make the most of it.

It should be enshrined in law (or at least, culture) that Leap Day offers us a chance to do things we might not ordinarily do. You know, the things we always say we will, but never find the time for? Wouldn't that be a nice doff of the cap to our Gregorian calendar-creating forebears?

So this Saturday, I'm kicking things off by tackling what's been left on the long finger. Stuff I've idly sworn I'd do, but never get around to.

Kondo-style clearout

I've been meaning to haul books, clothes and shoes to the charity shop for as long as I can remember. Parting with your stuff is never fun, but you can't beat that feeling when you can see long-forgotten bits of the carpet again. You don't need to be a feng shui master to know that a cleaner-looking space is genuinely energising.

Open-air market

Next up, I plan to hit an open air market, like the food market that happens every Saturday in Temple Bar or the Cow's Lane market not far off. Markets hit my blind spot and I always say that it's something I will get around to.

Culture hit

The other pursuit that often becomes the first casualty of a frantically busy life is culture. How many times have you told yourself you'll visit a gallery or lunchtime theatre spot, but your plans get squeezed out by daily life? There is probably a single word in German for the feeling that you get when you walk into the National Gallery or Museum of Literature and you feel so good that you wonder why you don't do it more often. Well, I'm going to wrong that right with some free art.

Pampering

Self-care has also, alas, gone by the wayside, as it often does when you have a young family and full-time job. I won't be able to languish the afternoon away in a day spa, more's the pity, but I can try some 'micro' self-care. A hot-oil hair treatment (1 minute), a sheet mask (10 minutes), a foot scrub (five minutes) oh, and shaving my legs, which seems like a major personal indulgence since I became a mum 12 months ago.

Turn the page

I also dream of finally tackling the growing pile of unread magazines and Sunday newspaper supplements teetering on my bedside locker. There are Grazias there since August that haven't yet been opened. Fine, the trends are probably on the way out by now, but getting through this to-be-read pile seems like a goal worth tackling.

There are dozens of other things you could try on 'Mayfly' day like: making a recipe out of the cookbook you bought with great intentions in January; getting around to creating that vegan meal you said you would attempt; using the pricey bubble bath you're keeping for 'special occasions'; watching the worthy foreign film that always loses out in the Netflix toss-up between it and a frothy rom-com (don't lie, this happens all the time). Just make February 29 the day that you live your best life, if only daily life didn't get in the way. It's probably what our Gregorian forebears would want.

Irish Independent

See the rest here:
Leap of faith: How to make the most of February 29 - Independent.ie

Dealing with T- Junctions is a common topic of discussion in the practice of Feng Shui. So, why do homes located on a T-Junction get such a bad rap? In the shortest of responses, the energy rushes down the street so quickly, its slams into the home, potentially making the occupants feel uncomfortable, while also allowing for an accumulation of negative energy to build up over time. The T-Junction is said to have a few symbolic names, including "tigers eyes," "poison arrow," "sha energy," and "cross roads." It's important to note, there are different degrees of T-Junction situations that could affect the home. To know which is which, it requires a bit of investigation and keen observations.

Below is a quick gauge:

Essentially, the less traffic along the T-Junction street and slower the pace of the cars, the better off you are.

The image above is of a case study with a home located in Los Angeles, CA, which happens to be on a very busy T-Junction Street. This house falls into the every 2-5 minute traffic pattern of movement.

The image of the same home from ground level. As you can see, the white car is turning left, but if something were to go wrong, the speed and force of that car would move toward the yellow house, even if they try to turn suddenly. Not to mention, at night the car headlights (Tigers Eyes) are facing directly into the home. This is a very high level of sha energy hitting into the home.

The Feng Shui recommendations for this particular home to block and protect the occupants was to build a separate wall with a door from the actual home's structure.

Above are quick highlights for the observed Feng Shui recommendations in plain sight for this particular home.

Keep in mind, with all these small changes to deflect the T-Junction, the owners still made it easy to access the actual front door and 'see' the home.

Feng Shui Manhattan Official Website

More here:
Feng Shui and T-Junctions - Patch.com

Winter camping can be a challenge. It often requires specialized gear, lugging a heavier pack, and contending with the constant threat of cold, wet, miserable nights. However, keeping comfortable when the mercury drops is not about packing more, but packing smarter. Heres how to stay toasty warm in the backcountry, even in the dead of winter.

Most campers know that cotton is the worst material for hiking and camping. It can be downright lethal if worn in winter, especially when sweat is a factor. Once wet, it takes forever to dry and loses most of its heat retention properties as well. Merino wool is far superior or, if you prefer, there are many great synthetic alternatives as well.

Its tempting to blindly pile on the layers to keep warm. This can be effective, but it pays to consider each layer individually. Wear fitted, but not tight, layers that dont restrict blood flow. Sock liners and a cap that keeps you warm without making you sweat are essential. Fingerless gloves can be a great option as they allow for better hand dexterity without having to completely remove them for essential tasks like cooking or pitching a tent.

This is less about feng shui and more about flattening your sleep space and minimizing heat loss in the night. If camping in the snow, find a campsite early. Flatten the ground beneath your tent or sleeping bag as early as possible. Once the snow thaws and refreezes, its next to impossible to smooth out. Carve out a small trough thats roughly the size of your sleep pad to serve as a bed platform. This helps minimize the ambient space around you, which in turn maximizes heat retention in the night.

Some four-season tents are only rated down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack a tent designed for the surrounding climate. Theres no need to go overboard, but a 20-degree tent whether its billed as four-season or not isnt going to cut it when youre camping in Montana in February. Consider the size of your tent as well. Sizing up (e.g., buying a two-person tent for your solo outings) for extra square footage in the backcountry might seem tempting. However, all that dead space forces your body to work harder to heat it. Use gear backpacks, jackets, even pets to line the perimeter of your tent and act as insulation. If camping with a buddy, arrange your sleep pads as close together as is comfortable. Two warm bodies can maintain collective heat much faster than one.

Sleeping on cold ground is one of the fastest ways to lose body heat. Winter sleeping bags help keep you warm and insulated from the cold air but do little to stop conduction heat loss between your body and the earth. Consider an insulated, closed-cell foam sleeping padlike those from Therm-a-Rest. Theyre durable, lightweight, and comfortable. Most importantly, however, they can be a literal lifesaver when the mercury dips well below freezing.

Non-insulated stainless steel bottles are incredibly versatile in the backcountry. Fill one with hot water at night to create a makeshift sauna stone, then place it in your sleeping bag. This trick is incredibly effective, especially if the bottle is placed strategically near your core or femoral artery. Depending on how cold you sleep, the bottle will keep warm for hours. Unless youre in a survival situation, dont attempt this with a plastic water bottle(even BPA-free bottles), however, as harmful chemicals could leech into the water.

Fuel (i.e., food) generates heat. Downing a snack or meal just before bed can rev your bodys engine to help keep you warm. Choose high-calorie foods rich in fat and carbs. Peanut butter, nuts, cheese, and Clif bars are all great options. Dont hesitate to grab a similar midnight snack as well.

Even with a door cracked, frost can form in your tent in the morning. This can quickly melt once the sun rises, and all that water will likely fall onto and dampen your gear. If youre an early-riser, sweep the frost away before it becomes an issue. Stowing gear overnight under a tarp or in a garbage bag can also help.

Most of us carry at least a smartphone and a camera when hiking. While its something we dont often think about, all electronics are designed to work within a safe operating temperature. Most outdoor gear like GPS devices and weatherproof cameras work within a wide range, so this likely isnt an issue. But, its worth double-checking the limits of your gear. Charging or operating your gadgets outside of these limits could cause irreparable damage.

Originally posted here:
How to Keep Warm While Winter Camping - The Manual