Category: Thoughts on Art etc.

The Flag – הדגל

Post author By נורית מנור
Post date 5 May 2023

Demonstration by the Knesset in Jerusalem. 18 March 2023.
We are demonstrating to protect our democracy!
Acrylic and Crayons on canvas. 70*100 cm

The fiscal flag is a piece of cloth or material attached to a pole.

The Metaphysical flag is the sign, symbol that represents and symbolizes a given Nation, Government or Idea.

We were raised by the well known saying ״It is Good to Die for Our Country”, ״טוב למות בעד ארצנו!״ – in connotation to our land and flag. These words in the collective memory are associated with “Trumpeldor” the hero and “Tel Hai” in the Galilee.

With that collective idea in mind – “It is good to Die for our country”, I created “The Bleeding Red Flag” – by attaching 40 meter long Red Flag, bleeding at the end and integrating into the ground. Exhibited at “Anti War” exhibition 1978, London.

“**The Bleeding Red Flag**“.
40 meter long flag bleeding to the ground. The “Anti War” exhibition 1978

**Cover of “The Russian Revolution 1917-1945”,** By Anthony D’Agostino

The Red Flag was a major player at the The Russian Revolution, 1917

**Flags of countries at the UN House in New York.**

The National Flag is displayed in various Important places. The Metaphysical idea of The Flag carries the Nation’s pride.

״The FLAG״ painting-collage, was displayed in Revensbourn college of Art & Design, London, in “Anti War” exhibition. 1978. ״The FLAG״ represented as a prime Form-Symbol in the “Anti War” exhibition.

Carrying a flag can “cover” the eyes and the vision…

Flag worship can be ‘Idolatry’ as I called it in my sketch book. (1978)

Today we are protesting for our Democracy in Israel, and again ‘The Flag‘ is the major player.

**Demonstration at 10 Downing St. London. 24 March 2023**
**Netanyahu meeting Rishi** – the British PM

**Demonstration in Tel Aviv. 17 March 2023**

Close up – **“Field of Flags”**
(Between the flags and the people A Camera is searching for the leaders…)

**“Field of Flags”**, 23 March 2023
Acrylic and pastels on canvas. 100 * 70 cm

Tags "Flag", "London, Downing St., Painting

India Marco Pola Marco Pola - A traveller (f) Thoughts on Art etc.

Mahatma Yoga Ashram, Rishikesh

Post author By נורית מנור
Post date 16 March 2021

Ganga River and Rishikesh at night [Crayons on note book]

The first time I arrived in Rishikesh was in April 2008, it was LOVE of first sight. The sights, colours, sounds and the gentleness of the people caught me.

**First few steps on Laxman-Jula Bridge**, **Rishikesh 8.4.2008**

I traveled alone but thanks to Shiva and to the Good Spirits, that I felt safe and comfortable, like I have been in India before.

There are some miracles in life, and my work on that Lino, on 2019 of Rishikesh is one of them.
Every evening at sun set I used to bring my tools to the best point of view in the Ashram and did my work. Some times people looked at me with strange looks, but I continued. That was like I was ordered to do it with no excuses.
And so I created day by day – the stormy waters of the Ganga, the Ashram opposite with the round arches that’s never finishes, Shiva’s majestic and glorious statue that was the place for gathering and praying and the soft most beautiful mountains around that were like cuddling us. Thanks to Shiva and the universe that I managed to finish the work.

Rishikesh is a Holly city and pilgrims arrived from all over india.

**My favorite Cafe in Laxman-Jhula, looking at the riverside and to the bridge.** 2008.
**The Cafe with the best Israeli salad in town.**
Visited it regularly from 2008 – 2019

I was lucky to find in my next visit – The Mahatma Yoga Ashram, run by Yogi Ji. That was like finding my second home.

View to the river from Mahatma Yoga Ashram, **Pastel drawing,** **2015**

**My first project in the Ashram was to paint** the concrete LOTUS, creating a beautiful seating area. 2015
**In pic. with lovely Laura (on the left). We are keeping in-touch until now**.

**My next project in Mahatma Yoga Ashram was painting the gats. Bright lovely colours were most suitable for the amazing atmosphere in the Ashram.** 2015
**People come again and again from all over the world**

**A quick drawing of the beautiful Ganga river & the Himalaya mountains**.
Water colour, 2016

**Visiting a Cave Man, lives 15 years in a cave, always smiling. With Yogi Ji (in white) and friends.**
9 Oct. 2016

**Drawing Buddha in the Reading Hat was an amazing spiritual journey.**
**My two books are placed proudly on the top shelve.**
Oil paints, 2016

**The guests helped me painting, and we created a beautiful scenery of Buddha by the Ganga river**.

**Tal and myself in a Well Being Ceremony by the river, next to Shiva’s statue**
23.2.2019

**Relaxed and happy after Painting Buddha in meditation room.**
1 March 2019

Sadly because of the pandemic Mahatma Yoga Ashram, by the Ganga river, closed down on Feb. 2020. The Ashram was active for 10 years.
The Reading Hat flew away by a Hurricane storm sometime on 2018.

The final project on my last visit on 2019, was an idea by Yogi Ji
who wanted to create a beautiful background with local stones and a Shrine
to welcome the guests lovingly.

The guests at the ashram came from India and from all over the world.
The Yoga classes in Mahatma Yoga Ashram were the best in town, with excellent teachers.
Yogi Ji the founder and the manager of the Ashram, was a unique teacher and spiritual leader. He taught sacred wisdom in a humble way, wearing ordinary, gave happiness and hope to every soul.

**My First Drawing in Mahatma Yoga Ashram.**
Water colour, 2015

Longing for Mahatma Yoga Ashram & Rishikesh 💌 March 2021

Thoughts on Art etc.

A search and adventure into the inner truth

Post author By נורית מנור
Post date 25 February 2021

Creating – is an endless search and adventure into the inner truth

To express Creation, the Birth of the Worlds – it is parallel to an inner search.

It’s a surprise to me, again and again, to realize that making a painting, creating art, as well as writing, it’s a methodical conscious and unconscious form of search into the inner truth, the inner thoughts; side by side with the urge for adventure.

**Cave painting.**
**40,000 years old painting or older.** (Wikipedia)

From the dawn of humanity human feelings have been expressed in painting, in sculpture – as truth passionate feelings, “experiences of the soul”.

And so, in late 2014, I gave myself a complete freedom – without fear, with no pain, without limits, with no time restrictions, without color limits – I had just one thing in mind – to express my feelings on the subject – “At the beginning” (Genesis, בראשית).

And I let myself go with that feeling of the heavenly event.

**“In the beginning”, the creation of light**

I remember one thing from this event – dizziness! I was eager to express passionately my initial basic feelings, wanted to sacrifice my logical thoughts for the sake of letting go, but what I felt was – dizziness. 😮

As soon as I let myself “to loose the ground”, I went into kind of ecstasy and the colors themselves led me.

The essence of life is expressed in art, by art; it is impossible to separate them from one anther.

Tags Creation, Genesis