Statement
For years I have been claiming space by ‘casting circles’. By this I mean to focus the energy of a place inside a virtual circle which can be accentuated by all kind of means. As long as the circle ‘stands’ it expresses the surrounding space in a symbolized, even ritualized way. The circle is a definition of space within the focus of a well contained symbolical area which should fit in any place or situation, according to need, possibilities and intent. The circle stands for and harbors the cyclical essence of the inherent meaning of my efforts to summarize the environment into a stylized language of signs, measure, movement and action.
This can all be expressed in combining the experiences of all possible (private) experiments into a performance or construction which wants to reach the inner essence of a certain (random) place and moment, and pass it on the others to share.
This has been done with a small group, a large gathering, on my own, inside homes, in nature, in the centre of the city, depending on the need to do it. Casting the circle has been done on a small scale by just placing some people in a circle, or just drawing a circle on the floor; but it has been led to some large scale land-art installations, complex environments, or theatrical gatherings for a large audience. Casting the circle has been recorded on photograph, on stylized drawings, but most of all it is recorded in the experience which enables us to repeat and expand it again.
The casting of the circle is a magical process which started somewhere in the 80’s, and was heavily expanded when I started to study the hermetic arts and learned to use specific rituals and symbols to express myself. It lead to a functional approach which culminated in my ordination as a Wiccan priest, assembling all the experiences of all those years to try to offer a spiritual experience of space and linear influence to the public. This does not mean that the circle has become a part of the work of the priest, but it does support the ongoing and never-ending explorations of ‘casting circles’ by all means available. It’s the artist influencing the priest, the priest checking the theory, and the theory inspiring the artist in a complete cycle of expanding possibilities.
Casting a circle in an unknown place means, working with the objects present within the spatial surroundings. Depending on the surroundings, a plan is made and realized to function for just one gathering of people or lonely mediation, when everything is cleaned up afterwards. Working with lines, symbols, objects, letters and most of all the energies of the place itself; great care is taken to pinpoint the important directions which serve as ‘holding points’ for the circle itself.
It has become a habit. It has become a ritual. It has become a lonely art, and sometimes a performance. It has become a ritual, but it will always be the artist in the world at large.
