Urthona Issue 27
ART, ECOLOGY & INSIGHT
Issue (27) Autumn 2010
This issue is on the theme of art and ecology from the perspective of engaging with the world with compassion and insight.You will find here philosophers (the deep ecologist Arne Naess), poets (Blake, John Burnside), visual artists (Susan Derges) and even an entire eco-dharma festival (Buddhafield). The common thread is that of ecological vision expressed through the empowering and emotionally refining medium of artistic expression.
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| FEATURES | REVIEWS |
| 12 Poetry: Lotte Kramer, Shin Yu Pai 14 Poetry: Kenneth White, Dinah Milsom, Edward Fisher |
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Recent poetry collections Reviewed by Simon Millward |
| 35 Poetry: Vishvantara Julia Lewis | 46
John Clare - A life mislaid Recent books reviewed by Ananda |
| 40 Poetry: Ken Jones, Colin Pink, Edward Storey | |
| 48
Poetry: Peter Abbs, Voyaging Out Reviewed by Craig Jordan-Baker | |
| 42 Poetry: Willie James King, Zachary Redfearn | 49
Kenneth Macmillan biography Reviewed by David Earl |
| 50 Masterpiece: Novels of Raymond Chandler
53 Poetry: Bikkhu Abhinando 54 Arts News |
Urthona is now available over the counter in central London! Visit Housemans, 5 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross London N1 9DX |
WELCOME TO ISSUE 27. This issue is on the theme of art and ecology from the perspective of engaging with the world with compassion and insight. With art one is seeking to transform the raw material of the world of the senses into a medium which can convey our deepest feelings and intuitions about the value of life on this earth. Ecological action is concerned with preserving and enhancing the entire matrix of organic life on this wondrous planet. So it is immediately clear that if we have strong feelings about ecological issues they could in principle find expression through the arts, just as much as through direct political action or our efforts to create an ecologically balanced way of life. Ideally these two ways of action would complement and enhance each other. Through art we can explore, clarify and enhance our experience of nature, and our desire to preserve and renew what is left of the wild. This would then feed into our practical life with renewed vision and passion for ethical action. In practice, however, things do not always work out like that. I am often struck by the fact that those who are most passionate about nature just want to be out in it as much as possible, but often have little interest in the arts. Meanwhile, artists (even those with 'spiritual' values) often have little interest in closely observing nature. To be sure, there are a few fine nature writers who are being read at present, such as Robert Macfarlane, whose book The Wild Places has sold very well, or the much-loved Roger Deakin. But how many well-known painters, or poets, or musicians can you think of who use close observation of the natural world? So if this issue of Urthona has one overriding aim it is to introduce some figures who bring together these two worlds of human activity, the ecological and the artistic, and who embody the potential for the arising of deep spiritual insights in so doing. You will find here philosophers (the deep ecologist Arne Naess), poets (Blake, John Burnside), visual artists (Susan Derges) and even an entire eco-dharma festival (Buddhafield). The common thread is that of ecological vision expressed through the empowering and emotionally refining medium of artistic expression.
RATNAGARBHA
ENDPAPERS - PORTFOLIO
Chen Qiang's superb photographs of the remains of the Juihua sacred mountain Buddhist culture.
