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How it all Began

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Introduction - HOW this all began: 


It was in the shadows of La Tour Eiffel, Paris France, during September 2023 when I sat on the royal blue click-clack sofa bed in the furnished apartment I rented in Paris. 


Crows were flying over chasing each other as the gentle breeze immediately transformed itself with more quickly tussled leaves gracing the garden filled with recently planted trees.
  


I arrived 21 days ago, thinking I knew what to expect but not really sure. The apartment was very small but big enough for me, a single traveler not expecting company. 


I had grown to appreciate this lovely garden view observed from the third floor that separated me from the beautiful old Parisian architecture of Mansard rooftops - known as the French roof with four-sided gambrel style and characterized by the graceful slope resting on top of dormer windows I have admired for many years.
To me, a true reflection of romance centuries old. 


My view of the beautiful garden and mysterious white slabs situated on top of the ground, just beyond the hedge that visually separated us, seemed to be haunted. 


I can’t explain it but I felt it. I had seen photos of this place and to me it felt ominous. 


I’ve always been sensitive to death and spirits from beyond, had many psychic dreams as a child. Childhood and friends who passed would visit my dreams to literally say goodbye.  


It was a personality trait that really bothered my mother who always reckoned it with my being evil.  


But, she was mistaken because they were always sweet, warm and wonderful visits from friends I loved who were on their way into another realm of their spiritual journey. 


And so, it shall come to pass that this, too -  trip to Paris - is becoming another chapter in my own spiritual journey. 


I can’t explain why I felt sadness, horror and death but when I arrived in Paris and checked into this rental, the feeling was overwhelmingly strong.


I felt unable to ground myself; felt like screaming and crying; I was emotionally wrought with urges to which I refused to surrender. 


While seated on the click-clack that morning, not unlike today, watching dancing leaves on green trees behind the white wall as they gently swayed in undulated motions, I noticed the wall.  


I mean, I really saw it for the first time. 


Something was written across the top in strong black letters and underneath, in smaller letters, were columns of - unreadable from my room - but definitely printed words of some kind.


It was then I knew.


Suddenly, skies turned dark, leaves on the trees fluttered in fervor and a breeze coming over the balcony through my open door grew cold and sent me into a shiver.  


It was as though I had arrived at my destination.  


This was the meaning for my trip to Paris. 


I had arrived. 


Days passed. 


I learned more. 


My life as I know it changed forever. 

I have a very talented photographer friend that I feel very close to and felt I should contact him and benefit from his wisdom.  Distraught, I contacted ARTHUR KRAMER - my dear friend who is also a Philadelphia lawyer and asked his opinion.  Shall I do it?  Shall I go to Bulgaria and present this idea to GEORGI KOLEV, Director, Curator, Owner of LESSEDRA ART GALLERY in SOFIA? 
Dear friend ARTHUR suggested I make arrangements to present the idea to Georgi in Sofia.


After I began to organize this international exhibition and began dodging many doubts I posted this question on my Facebook page.  



Here is the question and the Answer from someone I did not know personally but have long admired his beautiful works in photograpy: DAVE SCHULTZ.

QUESTION:
Okay so, let’s say, as an artist, you are motivated.


Not simply motivated. You’re on fire with enthusiasm for this project that hit you like a ton of bricks. 


POW !! And totally out of nowhere. 


Let us also say the subject matter has been covered a million ways by every angle imaginable. But, those interpretations are not your vision whereas, this project is totally unique to your abilities to bring it to life from a fresh perspective. 


What if others say, “that’s been done too many times already” OR “politically, this is not a good time for that”. 


Do you just throw caution to the wind, ignore the advice and comments and proceed with gusto? 


I ask myself, there must be a million paintings of a blue cornflower but if I paint one will it not be loved?  If some don’t care for it but a few love it, I should do it for the few who do. 


If for no one else, shouldn’t I do it for myself? 



ANSWER



Here is the answer from Facebook friend, DAVE SCHULTZ:
"I think all true artists have a unique vision.  It may be influenced by others but it is theirs alone.  Create what you feel.  Paint what inspires you.  Even if you paint the same subject every day, each one will be unique.  Some may criticize you but that is the purpose of critics just as it is the purpose of artists to create."
__________

That was all I needed to hear. 
I contacted GEORGI KOLEV in Bulgaria.
Georgi has represened my art, sculpture and many of my published books for at least twenty years and has honored me with a SOLO exhibition and in many other countless way.   
We chatted a bit, he and his darling wife VALYA invited me for a visit and I took the next flight out.  PARIS - VIENNA - SOFIA

He was in total support of the exhibit.  I cried during the whole discussion.  Crying has been the most difficult aspect of this plan to deal with, making me want to quit many times but I perservered.
Georgi - who speaks perfect English learned two new American expressions during that visit.
"CRY BABY" and "BOO-HOOING" both described me perfectly.
I flew back to my apartment:  SOFIA - FRANKFURT - PARIS.  
__________


THIS IS A “WORK IN PROGRESS PAGE” - UNEDITED AND THE BASE FOR IDEAS AND DEVELOPMENT - YOUR VISIT IS WELCOME




IF MY DREAM COMES TRUE I WANT TO ESTABLISH
THE BLUE CORNFLOWER MUSEUM but I will need to win the lottery first. I already find myself looking at storefonts, saying to myself, this would work and then I hear myself whisper, "Build it and they will come". 


 


May the planting of seeds increase the desire for every heart on this planet to protect the fragile connection humanity has and enlighten us as individuals toward kindness and understanding. 


 





THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE POLITICAL


IT IS TO ENCOURAGE ACCEPTANCE WITHIN YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE, UNIQUE AMONG ALL OTHERS AND TO ACCEPT ALL OTHERS KINDLY - WARTS AND ALL. 


This exhibition is not designed to talk about the murder of these children but instead to honor them in death as they were not honored in life.


WHY Blindfold Press? Because it’s time to take the blindfold off and remember.


I have researched the placement of stones in the courtyard of the memorial for these children in Paris 15th where they were taken, loaded on buses and hauled off to the holding station north of Paris to be shipped to Auschwitz and murdered by Nazi.   


I found this Menorah and have surmised the stones mounted in earth within the memorial represent candles whose flames were snuffed out.


For me anyway, this is their meaning. 

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE


 

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