"Equinox" and "Camel Polo"

March 25, 2007; 11 p.m.; month 6; 40 F; cloudy

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Sometimes it’s hard to believe I have been here six months already. I haven’t been away from my home and family this long since college! And I am missing my family, friends and some small things…like a good old Chicago hotdog and fries from Suzie’s! But as in Joseph Campbell’s quote above, sometimes we have to make sacrifices to experience new things; to experience life anew.

It hasn’t always been easy here, but it certainly has brought many interesting moments and experiences to grow that I would never have had in my old life. This month we had both a lunar and solar eclipse – unfortunately, I missed both due to clouds. But as the astrologers will say, with eclipses come change and this month has had its share (as if I haven’t had enough already). The Women’s Day exhibition certainly brought lots of publicity, interviews and connections.

Last week, I was offered an opportunity to read the weekly news in English on National TV. Oh, and we attended the first ever camel polo championship and race. This week, a friend offered me an opportunity to work with him on his tourism business. I’ve also decided to set up an online shop with Café Press to sell some of my artwork and photos. Six months ago, I never would have dreamed that I would be given such opportunities. Who knows how long they will last, what they will lead to or if they will succeed. I am ever grateful for these opportunities and my friends and family who have supported me!

Winter is slowly turning to spring here on the frozen steppes. The temperature has been hovering close to 40 F here all week. The smoke from the ger district is not as heavy. The flower seeds I planted are finally sprouting on my kitchen window sill. The little elderly ladies in their bright brocade dels, who disappeared during the winter months are beginning to congregate outside again. And the calves that were grazing along the river before the winter freeze have reappeared…nearly full grown. All signs that spring is coming and life is being renewed!

"Women's Day Art Exhibition"

Thursday, March 8th was International Women’s Day – a national holiday here in Mongolia. Schools and offices were closed to honor the holiday. It reminded me of Mother’s Day, but less commercial and all inclusive; all women were honored. I saw many shops selling flowers, cakes and candy for the occasion.

On short notice, I was invited to participate in an art exhibition at the National

Modern Art Gallery, along with two other women artists. As is typical in Mongolia, things were a bit unorganized and always at the last minute, but somehow the event always manages to be “pulled off”. It always amazes me. In the U.S. we would need at least one year to pull off such an event!

In the U.S., an art opening is usually a rather informal event – a small reception of wine and snacks, perhaps a toast and few words of thanks to the organizers. When I arrived at the National Gallery, there was a small crowd of people waiting, mostly friends and fellow artists, but also the museum director, tv cameras and university professors. It was a bit overwhelming! There was even a ribbon cutting. What I didn’t know was that this was the first joint Mongol-American exhibition at the museum. Information and details always seem to be slow in getting to me or unimportant (sigh). There were tv and newspaper interviews and we got quite a bit of coverage for the event. Quite a feat for Women’s Day.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I could only produce one installation for the event. A photo and artist’s statement are listed below.

“Twenty-One Praises of Tara”

As a woman artist, I have had an interest in the portrayal of women and the female form, particularly in ancient history, religion and folklore. The Goddess Tara has always fascinated.
In Mongol-Tibetan Buddhism, Tara (Tibetan: sgrol-ma) is a central Goddess figure. She protects all women. She is considered incarnate in all good women. It is believed that Tara was born from the tears of Avalokitesvara, out of his concern for the many sufferings of humankind. The twenty-one praises of Tara is just one portrayal of this Goddess.
This is my interpretation based on the concept of quilting which my mother practices. It is made of pieces of ceramic and brocade fabrics used to make Mongolian women’s dels as well as the frames for religious paintings (thangkas).
In honor of Women’s Day, I wish to dedicate this piece to my Mother, all the women in my life, and those who have touched my life in some way.

-Julie Pitzen March 8, 2007