Pájaro contra el borde de la noche (Bird against the edge of the night) by Luis Naón
To me, freedom, beauty, and light are concrete words related to this metaphor of “the bird against the edge of the night”. Art could also be in the list, when its free expression and internal necessities - free of the constraints of fashion, compromise, and demagoguery – confront, like each man, their own night.
Madam Desire
Madam Desire, 2020. Thomas Helm
On statues and nationalism: Stone is not as true as flesh
Whilst the past should never be forgotten or white-washed, divisions that result from divergent perceptions and emotional registers preclude any attempt to advance. Only through a more holistic understanding can we move forward. Protecting stone at the cost of flesh will not get us anywhere. Stone cannot deliver the whole truth.
The miracles of world-creating discord
Desire, the indefatigable disrupter, the sweet enemy of civilizations, the creator of worlds, the destroyer of philosophies, the pulse behind variety, the naked, animal essence, intensely alive, unwilling to negotiate with reason; desire, the pure current of the ego, the usurper of the heart, the piercing and poisonous arrow. How many names are there to bless desire with?
Madam Desire
A poem-song about living under the thumb of Madam Desire by Mercurius. Presented to the public for the first time by Mercurius Magazine.
Mercuries #3: The razorblade in London
The material of literature is language and the material of performance is liveness. These improvised, talking performances explore the various tropes of public speaking, such as recitation, reading and introductions. They tend to grow from small gestures into weirder things.
The colour of thunder (el color del trueno)
The colour of thunder (el color del trueno) by Ariadna. Presented to the public for the first time by Mercurius Magazine.
Between nature and culture
It is normal to be worried and dissatisfied these days. Former icons are invalid, old narratives are deceitful, mainstream thinking is biased, our feelings betray us, and reason only hastens arguments against ourselves. One might say: our entire culture is opposed to nature, and nature is always right. However, this opposition seems misconceived.
Meditations: Tree of death
On the solstice 2020, I encountered the ancient Crowhurst Yew and had a conversation.
Yoga can help you find your inner sun
In the practice of yoga, you turn the voltage down and enter an introspective state. You get in touch with your inner nature. You become the sun that shines and the moon that reflects the light of others.
Transform your mind: the sun’s gravity
We are not only being pulled down towards the earth. There is a distant yet tremendously greater force influencing and choreographing our days: the sun, the orgasmic burning centre of our solar system.
The sun: To build or not to build?
The history of philosophy can be reduced to a hypothetical conversation between the structure builder, Plato, and the artifice destroyer, Diogenes.
Platform
Platform, acrylic and oil on linen. 146 x 180cm. 2020. Jose Castiella.
I must keep from breaking into the story by force
When I met Joy Harjo, I fell under the spell of her sylvan gaze. I felt I was before a kind of astrolabe that ponders the silences of heaven and earth. She read us her verses and sang, and her song caught up and drew together the invisible threads that tie us to those who came before us.
Two short cadenzas
Two short cadenzas for two non-existent concertos! David Braid.
He Contains Multitudes: Dylan’s new album keeps the mystery going
When the radio did a midnight reveal of his latest album “Rough and Rowdy Ways” on Thursday night, it felt like Bob Dylan had made way for the Bob Zimmerman underneath. Transitioning from Mercury to Mercurius. Here was an old friend checking in and leaving his mask at the door. Or is it just another one?
Who is Mercurius?
There are deep currents to the alchemical personality of Mercurius. Mercurius stands not only for political transformation, but also spiritual, philosophical and psychological perfection.
Mercuries #2: One hour in Vilnius
The material of literature is language and the material of performance is liveness. These improvised, talking performances explore the various tropes of public speaking, such as recitation, reading and introductions. They tend to grow from small gestures into weirder things.
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis by Ariadna. Presented to the public for the first time by Mercurius Magazine.
Noli me tangere
Noli me tangere. C-print on paper, 65 x 65 cm, 2020. Victor Manzanal.
The never-ending quest…
Sign up to receive our free fortnightly newsletter-publication and occasionally a free book