Shana Tova Umetukahart: Syncophony #2 by John Domont
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The National Jewish Post&Opinion Volume 76, Number 20 • September 8, 2010 • 29 Elul 5770 Two Dollars www.jewishpostopinion.com Shana Tova UmetukahArt: Syncophony #2 by John Domont NAT 2 September 8, 2010 fresh produce at the Broad Ripple is both simple and nourishing. It is in the Editorial Farmer’s Market when I ran into a About the Cover basics of the landscape that one can friend. He told me about a trip he took to see and feel the beauty of the essential – India for two weeks for a yoga retreat Syncophony the elements of land and sky, of nature When Ari Kaufman first submitted and a class that he had taken on the and humanity coming together. Rather his article on Eva Kor (see page NAT 9) subject of Ayurveda and healthy eating. John Domont speaking about his art, than portraying the realism of the he wrote, “In Judaism, a person cannot Ayurveda is a natural healing system life, and Syncophony: country scene, Domont is in pursuit of obtain forgiveness from G-d for originating in India several thousand Syncophony is a series of paintings the experimental expression. When one wrongs done to other people, only for years ago. I am far from an expert on it, inspired by the nature of nature. stands alone in a field with grain and sins committed against G-d. For sins but to briefly describe one aspect, Life is a manifestation of essence into sky, wind and color as companions, an against others, Jewish law and tradition Ayurveda focuses on the use of herbs, matter and consciousness. Ablution is experience of unity can occur. require offenders to express remorse massage, diet, exercise, and meditation cleansing by water. Domont is interested in expressing the and repent, and directly ask the victim among other methods to help maintain Cacophony is a harmony of the seen and unseen. This for forgiveness.” or restore the body back to a proper plethora of sounds. experience of unity, which brings with it I responded and told him that is not balance and health. Snyncophony is a a sense of awe, supports and guides his accurate. I wrote back,“In Judaism G-d My friend commented that at the made-up word to work. His paintings are an attempt to will forgive a person who has sinned end of the class a student raised her express the harmony honor the beauty and magic of living in against another person if the offender hand and reminded everyone that the and intelligence of our time and place. does what you said: show remorse, teacher had taught the class all kinds of the apparent chaos Domont spends his days painting, repent, ask for forgiveness, and when recommendations for a healthy diet. She and randomness of photographing and writing poetry. John Domont faced with the same offense not repeat then asked the teacher, “If there were life. To breathe and During the past two decades, his it. But after the third time of asking for only one piece of advice that you could stand naked with our selves and the paintings have garnered wide recognition forgiveness from the person one offended, share with the class that would be the universal soul is the rhythm and task of from collectors, museums, and other if he or she still refuses to forgive, God most helpful, what would it be?” this time of year. institutions. His large-scale works with will forgive the offender.” (This reminded me of the story where About the artist: In his late 20s, Domont saturated colors have been acquired by I knew that because in my editorial a man asked Hillel if he could teach him worked exclusively for conservation groups museums and hospitals. from this time last year, I had quoted all of the Torah while standing on one photographing threatened habitats and In 2001, he received the prestigious Rabbi David Wolfe in Finding a Way foot. Hillel responded,“Do not do unto endangered species around the world. Creative Renewal Fellowship, funded by to Forgive. This booklet is part of a others what you would not want done to He photographed so many different Lilly Endowment Inc., and awarded by series called Life Lights (brief essays yourself.The rest is commentary, now go mammals in water habitats that water the Arts Council of Indianapolis. He used on wholeness and healing), published and study.”) became a primary focus for his artistic the funds to travel to China and Nepal, by Jewish Lights and edited by Rabbi I started thinking about all of the endeavors. where he spent two and a half months Nancy Flam. different dietary recommendations that In the process of abstracting the writing, drawing, painting, and photo- Rabbi Wolpe wrote, “We forgive, in I had learned from Ayurveda. I qualities of water, as transformed into graphing. From November 2003 through part, because we need forgiveness. Every remembered that the diet is made up its various aspects of light, color, January 2004, the Swope Museum of Art one of us has bruised another, betrayed mostly of fruits and vegetables, some movement, and energy, he began to in Terre Haute featured an exhibit of his and ill-treated even those whom we dairy products, very few animal products experience a relationship with painting. work, a mid-career retrospective. love. Can any marriage or any friendship and several dishes like brown rice and By 1983, painting had become the In 2008 he was awarded American endure without constant forgiveness? dahl, which is made from yellow split primary focus of his work. Artist Abroad by the United States What we hope for in the world we must peas and curry spices. I thought about Domont’s paintings are an expression government. He acted as an artist create. We cannot have what we will little remedies for conditions such as of inspirations from nature and his ambassador to the nation of Thailand. not give.” insomnia – drink a warm cup of milk relationship to the landscape. He strives In 2009 he has received a second Wolpe suggests developing strategies with a dash of nutmeg; headache – rub to create harmony among the three forms Creative Renewal Fellowship, funded by and practices of forgiveness. “Lifting the temples with sesame oil. of light available to an artist: surface Lilly Endowment Inc., and awarded by ourselves out of the here-and-now Then I thought about how our society light, the light of nature, and the light of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. can give us a truer perspective on flip-flops about products such as coffee. spirit. His art is about presence and place. The Domont Studio Gallery is located at our predicament. Will this insult matter One day it is considered a very healthy Domont works in the Heartland, his 545 S. East St. in Indianapolis, but you in 30 years, or even in 30 days? If drink. The next day a scientific study home, where roads, pastures, fields, and can check out his work on his Web site: you could fly and take an eagle’s view of proves it causes some health problems forests are the essence of the landscape of www.domontgallery.com or email him: the crisis, would it still matter so much? and the following day that study is the American Midwest. This countryside [email protected]. In short, is what happened as grievous contradicted and it is again considered as it seems? healthy. After that I was really curious to The National Jewish “Judaism teaches those who have hear what all encompassing suggestion done wrong to seek forgiveness. It stood the test of time. mandates that the offenders must “What was the one piece of advice sincerely ask pardon and seek to correct the teacher gave that would help one Post &Opinion the wrongs they have done. But it also maintain or bring about a state of good teaches that after a certain point – physical health?”I asked my friend. www.jewishpostopinion.com three sincere apologies, an attempt His response: “Forgive everyone at restitution, and a clear indication that unconditionally.” Editorial and sales offices located at The Jewish Post & Opinion 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220 Published biweekly by the person has changed – it becomes I have one addition to that. It’s been The Spokesman Co., Inc. office: (317) 972-7800 • fax: (317) 972-7807 the obligation of the wronged party a rough year with natural disasters, (USPS 275-580) (ISSN 0888-0379) [email protected] to forgive.” an oil spill, the recession, the Ponzi Periodicals postage paid at Address correspondence to: Indianapolis, IN Rabbi Wolpe advises us to take heart, scheme committed by Bernie Madoff, 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220 All circulation correspondence take time, and begin the journey. to mention a few major challenges. should be addressed to “Forgiveness takes time. Forgiving is a Don’t be too hard on yourself. A Jewish Publishers Advertising Director Accounting The National Jewish Post & Opinion, process we go through to attain the state teaching says that one who has sinned Gabriel Cohen, z”l Barbara LeMaster Vivian Chan Subscription Department, Jennie Cohen 1111 East 54th St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN 46220. of forgiveness. 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