T'ai Chi at the Tate

[Selski]

T'ai Chi at the Tate

Someone had captured the Sun
And placed it in Turbine Hall
Shining at all who came to see
It can only be what it is,
The Sun

People flocked from near and far
To feel the warmth and light
They basked their faces, eyes closed
It made everyone feel better,
The Sun

Most powerful, this ball of fire
Mighty, destructive and fierce
Worshipped, reverred and feared
The closest we get to our gods
The Sun

And yet we smile, can't help it
Feel warmth, love and joy
We lay down before it, arms out
Giving ourselves totally to it
The Sun

I shall create the sun in art
In winter, to keep me warm
And all who share my drawings
Will feel happiness, coming from
The Sun

1/12/2003

[Greenrat]

i like it sarah , was it a painting you saw at a tai chi workshop or something?

[Selski]

Hi Greenrat

Thanks!  

I'd gone to the Tate Modern (the art gallery) in London.  There is a hall as you walk in, called The Turbine Hall.  Every few months, a different piece of art is placed there.  It's a HUGE hall, over two levels.

This particular artist had put a massive half-circle at one end of the hall, and with mirrors and lighting, it had the effect of the rising/setting sun.  It was gorgeous.  As I walked in, I spotted people below "sunbathing" in their winter coats and hats.  They were lay on the floor, basking in the artificial sun.  And then I spotted a man doing some t'ai chi in front of the sun.  The whole atmosphere was one of peace and contentment.  It was really lovely and inspired me to write the poem.

If you like modern art, I can recommend the Tate Modern.  It's a brilliant day out, and there's a lovely restaurant on the 5th floor (I think).  Food is excellent.

There's some good stuff in there - Dali's Autumnal Cannibalism is there - that one is always popular.  And Bridget Reilly's wavy lines (optical illusions) - I looked at them for ages going dizzy  :eyecrazy:

I've never done t'ai chi.  Wouldn't mind trying it though.

Sarah

[Greenrat]

thats cool, tai chi is well worth it, ive done it for about 2 years now and cant count the number of ways its made me improve on myself on all levels, the good thing is once you learn the form its always gonna be with you, like riding a bike. After about 6 months you'll have this permenent inbuilt rehab system you can apply to probably any kind of ailment..
like getting rid of hangover's (yes!)