Wish

I have a long-standing wish to photograph Leonard Cohen in concert and though that wish has not yet been fulfilled, pursuing it is a story worth telling. I began acting on this wish last summer when there were first rumors about a possible concert in Israel. The concert was to be held on September 21st 2008 – and he was to arrive in Israel 3 days earlier on his birthday. I first wrote to Jarkko Arjatsalo the webmater of The Leonard Cohen Files website, and he told me that there is a very protective bubble of security around Leonard Cohen. This wasn’t very encouraging but I did send an email to Robert Kory (Leonard Cohen’s manager) – I got no response.

As the concert was finalized this year I again sent a number of emails (to Jarkko, to Kory and numerous emails to the wonderful people who worked relentlessly to bring Leonard Cohen to Israel). Nothing came of it.

The day before the concert I was considering if I was going to carry with me my camera gear to the concert, in the end I charged my batteries and decided to take it with me to keep my options open. As we were riding the train towards Tel-Aviv I wrote a short letter to Robert Kory in the hope that I would be able to get the letter to him and that there would be a window of opportunity for him to read it and make it possible for me to photograph the concert.

When we arrived a few hours early at the stadium I parted ways with my family and began wandering around the many gates hoping luck would point out to me someone to whom I could hand the letter who could pass it on to someone else on a path that would eventually lead to Robert Kory. After some time (I think it was about 20 or 30 minutes) walking around I began to feel that it wasn’t going to happen. Then something happened.

I saw someone with an inviting face wearing a staff badge around his neck. I asked him if he could help. He pointed north and said that the Israeli manager was just ahead and I should try him directly. I walked up to him, he shook my hand and I asked him if he would be willing to pass the letter on to Robert Kory. He said he couldn’t because Mr. Kory was very annoyed with him … but … he pointed south and said that Mr. Kory was giving an interview to the press 100 yards away and I could try him directly.

I turned to walk in that direction and within a few seconds I saw Robert Kory walking alone and in my direction – he was maybe 20 yards away. I approached him, he had a peaceful, clear & pleasant presence, he acknowledged me and shook my hand. I asked if he would accept the envelope with my letter, he did. I said that it would be great if he had time to read it before the concert and wished him a pleasant evening.

I walked away with a feeling of peace and serenity, and I knew that I wasn’t going to be using my camera tonight.

Violence

The concert itself took place despite violent efforts to prevent it. Proceeds from the concert went to supports peace initiatives – specifically projects involving bereaved Israeli & Palestinian families who continue to build bridges and pursue peace.

When the concert began I was drained and tired. This was out 3rd visit to the center area of Israel (we live in the north) in two weeks and my energy was pretty dissipated. I live a fairly quiet and monastic life and I don’t enjoy cities and crowds, they overwhelm my senses and disturb me. I sense much violence around me in Israel, it’s so subtly ingrained into so many things that it goes largely unnoticed, but it’s there. When I am closer to it, it tires me (which is why I live far from it).

In addition, luck would have it that earlier at my parents home, I found myself (again) engaged in conversation (with my family) that attacked me and the choices I have made in my life in recent years. Though these conversations are rooted in care and good intentions, I experience them as violent attacks on subtle and precious aspects of my life. So they too drained me of energy. Of course, I am grateful to my family because they invited us to this concert – and that’s the way life goes

I have never experienced the kind of violence that kills individuals and breaks hearts & families but I could relate to it and feel it’s deep roots reaching out and touching even my relatively isolated existence.

So, drained of energy, I headed out to a 3 hour gathering of 50,000 people, with some heavy traffic, my father’s aggressiveness behind the steering wheel of the car and my sister’s aggressive consulting behind my father

Leonard Cohen

Then a 75 years old Leonard Cohen, touring the world for the last two years (“sent around the world like a postcard” is how he described it in one interview) walked on stage and gave a three hour concert. I was barely able to move in my seat and I recall thinking of Robert Kory and admiring (and appreciating with some envy) the protective bubble he created around Leonard Cohen to make it possible for him to appear.

Numerous times during the concert I closed my eyes and let the entire sound and space penetrate me. Each time I did this I first felt loneliness, then I felt embraced, supported and comforted – I could surrender to the tiredness that filled my body. When I did, my eyes overflowed with tears, a shiver flowed through my body and my lips trembled. Though I knew all the words by heart I could not move my lips – it was as if opening my lips would cause a damn to collapse.Only near the end I was able to move my lips to some beautiful words.

To me, the most beautiful moments of the concert were the occasions on which Leonard Cohen stepped aside and let his fellow musicians and singers fill the space. I was too far to see the faces of the people on stage, but there were several times when the cameras brought to the screens Leonard Cohen in waiting (I specifically remember his shaded face singing backup-spirit to Sharon Robinson’s solo on Boogie Street) – and those were magical moments – when his presence filled me – when he looked completely in tune, peaceful, attentive – meditating on stage.

I saw and stored in my heart many beautiful images that I still do hope to capture on camera. I witnessed divine beauty. For the next 12 hours I kept to myself and barely opened my mouth. Even yesterday, when Andreea asked me on the train on the way home about the concert – I still couldn’t give an answer.

I hope that when I am 75 years old I’ll be able to kneel, rise and run around like Leonard Cohen has been doing for the last two years.

This is the original album version and video clip.

This is what one man can do live with a guitar:

This is what a band can do live:

enjoy

What is a retreat? It is an opportunity to take some time for yourself, to step back (retreat!) from your familiar day-to-day patterns and … well … see what happens.

Is it a vacation? Yes the idea is to “vacate” and create space for new things. No because you don’t just sit around.

What actually happens? Days are arranged to accommodate a combination of physical activity, conversation, free time & rest, food & sleeping.

What do you mean by physical activities? Don’t break into a sweat, it’s stuff anyone can do, some of it is playful, some of it is meditative, some of it will be on your own, some of it will be with others.

Who will be there? People like you. The idea is to create a setting that is relevant for you. Something you can relate to. So though you will be going towards something unknown, you will be doing it with people with whom you have shared interest and passions.

Can I bring my iPhone? Yes you can but you’re going to have to keep it turned off (and away from your body) most of the time. You will be able to use it once a day at a given time in a given place (so as not to disturb others who may want to sustain their retreat experience).

Who am I? iamronen & this is my blog. I am a yoga teacher, I’ve worked with some awe-inspiring improvisation artists, I had a 15 year technology career, I am involved in numerous projects in which I try to create a bridge between technology and my sense of purpose.

Interested? Great You can (1) drop me a line (iamronen [at] iamronen.com );  (2) let me know if you can help in getting it together – I will be happy to travel to a location good for you all; (3) see if any your friends may want to join.

]]> http://www.iamronen.com/2009/07/geek-retreat/feed/ 0 http://www.iamronen.com/2009/06/home/ http://www.iamronen.com/2009/06/home/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:48:02 +0000 iamronen http://www.iamronen.com/?p=1090 For months I’ve been playing around with this post in my head – it is about a wish. Over the last two weeks this wish has taken a turn and matured into something I can embrace and share. I wish for a home for myself and for Andreea and a family that may grow from our shared journey.

A few months ago we moved to live in the north of Israel (Galil area) with two convictions: (1) we love this area and living here, it is rightfully considered a heaven in Israel; (2) this is our last stop in Israel. The next stop will be somewhere else in the world. Home is a wish embodied in the 2nd conviction. It has evolved from “leaving Israel” to “finding a home”.

• Home is a welcoming embrace.
• Home is where our energy can settle and expand.
• Home is where our destiny can manifest.
• Home is where we can live a productive and balanced life.
• Home is where we can pursue our passions & our passions can pursue us.
• Home is where our passions & actions resonate harmoniously with others.
• Home is an intimate island in an ever-changing life.

I feel these qualities absent from our lives. In the past this has led to self-judgment and injury and a tiring list of what home is not – no more. It’s time for us to go home.

The location is a closed performance space:

• A large “stage” area that provides performers a space to move and for me to choose and shift between near & far perspectives and physical presence (~30 meters long and 20meters wide/deep).
• A frontal audience area that can accommodate up to 200 people.
• The 3 sides of the “stage area” are covered in two layers of white sheets.
• There is a relevant space to move between the two layers.
• On the inner layer – back wall there is a red element hanging along the wall – approximately 1.5 meters from the ground.
• The floor is a non-reflective black.
• The ceiling is high – and also a non-reflective black.
• Lighting is provided from the front of the stage – both from ground level and hanging from the ceiling.
• Lighting is also embedded between the two layers of white.
• The lighting should provide a range from a very bright space to completely dark.
• A projection screen will be hanging from the ceiling in view of the – but high enough as to not obstruct the stage view.

The score is based on Ilay’s developing character (which I have now seen in two settings: (1) tonight in his intimate home performance and (2) a few weeks ago in the desert session. The event is made up of unknown series of performances. In each performance Ilay’s character can change and evolve. This can occur by introducing elements into the space, changes into costume, guest performers, etc.

The schedule outline sets the hours during which performances may take place – work hours. During these hours the space is active, though actual take performance times are unknown. Whenever it becomes relevant a performance may take place. Audience are welcome to reside in the space during work hours. A performance is limited in duration – up to 40 minutes. It is a chapter in an unfolding story.

Photography – I will be taking pictures during performances – free to use the space. Live images will be projected onto the screen. Between performances materials from previous performances will be continuously projected in the space.

Additional people and roles I’d like to see involved:

• Shahar Dor – Artistic Director
• Video Photography – Amit Shalev
• Sound & Vocals – Shay Dayan
• Vocals – Orly Portal
• Lighting – you know who you are

The space is available to us 24 hours a day, supportive and comfortable accommodations are near by and we have healthy and nutritional food & drink available to us all 3 days with at least 1 warm meal a day. We have a producer working with us and supporting the work during the entire event. The event is advertised at least one month in advance – giving audiences a chance to hear about it and make the time to attend it. Funding includes payment of artist fees to all artists involved.

Actually this extends to additional sitting apparel at home. A nice couch to read on… hmmm…

There are two kinds of live music photography work I wish to do. One is straightforward documentary photography. The other is through the use of live-stills – a technique I have developed which enables me to project live still images into the performance space. I think that the real magic to live-stills is not the technology – but when I am allowed to travel within the performance space (sometimes visible to the audience).

I will be using this post to maintain my live music photography wish-list – so if you are interested and can maybe help make this come true – please visit back. You can always locate this post through the Wishes page.

1. Leonard Cohen – I would like to spend one or two days with Leonard Cohen before and after a performance. Trying to catch a wider glimpse of him and his performance space.
2. Prince (with Live-Stills) – Prince is an amazing musician and a spectacular performer. His performances are a celebration of joy – his fellow musicians are intriguing characters, there is a great sense of immediacy and vitality in the music and the meeting with the audience. I think Live-Stills will rock the party. I can almost taste the amazing experience of traveling Prince’s performance space.
3. Damien Rice – I love his music and love his honest presence. His performances can swing amazingly from soft acoustic to powerful electric. Lisa Hannigan is a model muse and the entire band setup on the stage if unique and inspiring – the drummer and cello player are  in front – special dynamics.
4. Antony and the Johnsons (with Live Stills) – What an amazing voice and amazing character. I was stunned when I first heard Antony and I was in tears when I saw him perform ‘If It Be Your Will’ on the Leonard Cohen tribute movie.
5. Rufus Wainwright – He is a real character – his stage performance feels so theatrical – I would love to bee in a dialogue with him using Live-Stills – I feel it can be playful and moving. Looking forward to it.
6. Sting - What can I say? For many years I was a fan. I’d like to be there in a special performance where he brings together some of the amazing musicians he has played with over the years – to a real celebration. Where there is space for playing, improvising and everyone is just there to have a really great time. This will be a one-time concert.
7. Berry Saharof – a living legend – amazing energy in every performance. Actually he represents numerous wishes: (a) in an intimate concert (saw this once years ago – amazing!), (b) on stage and rocking (saw this numerous times – just gets better and better) and (c) with Rami Fortis.
8. Shlomi Shaban – I haven’t yet seen him in solo concert. I saw him playing with Fortis & Saharof in concert and he completely blew me away. Amazing musician, amazing performer. A classic pianist – gloves off : )
9. The Waifs – I first heard them on Pandora and fell in love. A perfect blend of joy and caressing. If I want to listen to something and if nothing comes to mind and I don’t want something to crowd me – the Waifs it is. Happy people making other happy people – a great source of inspiration.
10. Dave Mathews Band – Finally got to see them in concert last year in Lisbon, Portugal. How do they maintain this level of energy over and over again. Would be wonderful to be there with a camera in hand.

SweetClarity continues to be an unrelenting challenge. My efforts are now focused on establishing the conditions for it’s next phase of growth. We have a demo service running and its time to being construction of infrastructures that can take us forward.

In the end it is about getting people on-board. This is usually achieved by hiring people. Since we have no funding available to us yet we are working in two directions. One is to attain funding – though this is a big mystery in its own right. The second is by inviting people on board without financial remunerations. Patience is a recurring theme in the last years of my life. I am curious to see what conditions will mature and what shape SweetClarity will take over the next few months.

This picture is not of a Jinashi flute – but it is a beautiful one : )

I have been spending time with one of Monty Levenson’s meditation Shakuhachi for the past few months.I am enjoying it greatly – mostly because I don’t ‘know’ what I am doing. I can only respond to the instrument, my interests, sounds, air flow, sensations, images (actually quite a lot going on).

The meditation Shakuhachi is a basic (and low cost) instrument. It’s pitch accuracy is not that great, it’s responsiveness is limited and I feel these things. I have a wish to play a quality Shakuhachi – kind of like dancing with a more responsive dance partner – one that both reacts and demands.

I have learned that there are Jiari and Jinashi Shakuhachi. Ji is a filler material that is used to reshape the bore of the instrument in the tuning process. Jiari flutes are flutes in which Ji is generously used (as needed) to tune the instrument. Jinashi flutes are tuned with little-to-no Ji. One idea I encountered about the difference between the two (though I don’t know of it is true) is that Jiari flutes are tuned to a scale. Jinashi flutes are tuned to themselves. A hollowed bamboo Shakuhachi has a natural base tone. The tuning of the plute is achieved by placement of holes and bore structure. Jinashi flutes are tuned to their base tone making them an instrument suitable for solo playing  (they are not tuned to a scale that can be shared with other instruments). I like this idea, it resonates nicely with me.

…more about my wishing and wishes

Updated 30/4/2009: I can now be more specific – my wish is for a 2.3/2.4 length Jinashi Shakuhachi – with a sound that something like this