In Praise of Cyclicity
Over the past few weeks, we have gone through the season's holidays and observances: Passover, Mimouna, Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. International Workers' Day falls on May 1st, and is followed by Lag BaOmer, Jerusalem Day, Shavuot, and more...
Nature has bestowed upon us the cyclicality of the seasons, as well as the cyclicality of the hours of the day, while we, as human beings, have established – within the 365 days it takes for the Earth to revolve around the sun – quite a few dates on which we commemorate and remember events, hold ceremonies and celebrations, alongside days of mourning and bereavement.
To be more precise – it takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds to orbit the sun. Therefore, every four years, an extra day is added to the Gregorian calendar, which is February 29th. Yes, if I mentioned observances, there are those who celebrate their birthday only once every four years...
In kindergarten, we were guided to draw colorful umbrellas and rain-dripping clouds in winter, and in summer – a sun with many rays of light. The various holidays challenged our artistic abilities as we attempted to draw a sukkah with its roofing on Sukkot, a menorah with candles on Hanukkah, and a basket with fruits on Shavuot. Those of us who grew up in countries where autumn is a real autumn and winter is a real winter – probably drew fallen leaves and bare trees, as well as snowmen with carrot noses. Each drawing had its season.
Not only drawings but also craft projects: I remember our patchy attempts at creating a bow and arrow from sticks and rubber string on Lag BaOmer, constructing Hanukkah menorahs from oak acorns or corks, and, the easiest of all – making chains from colorful paper cutouts for hanging in the sukkah.
This cyclicality of nature, as well as the cultural cycle created by humans, often inspires and plants ideas in adult artists. The inspiration can manifest consciously or subconsciously, as the cold days of winter can be expressed in somber colors, while spring is represented by vibrant colors.
The landscape changes constantly, as do the flowers, the plants, the waves of the sea, the winds, the animals, the insects, the puddles, the clouds, the rainbow, the sunrise, the sunset, the twilight... one could continue the list endlessly – but there's no need. The principle is crystal clear. And the works of art – they may be influenced by the changes, as well as the moods these changes instill in us.
Think of the painters of the Impressionist movement in the 19th century, who argued that painters are influenced by what they know about the colors of nature, instead of truly being impressed by them themselves. Their point was made by painting the very same landscape at different hours of the day and during different seasons of the year. The paintings illustrated how the changing light radiates onto its surroundings, influencing the outcome of the artworks. Claude Monet, for example, was an Impressionist master who engaged in this practice.
And such are the various days and observances marked on the calendar. They may yield date-appropriate artistic creations. Not necessarily, of course, but the option exists.
In anticipation of more good days throughout the year,
Yoram Mark-Reich, Culture Editor
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