Intension setting

Last winter solstice, I decided to set some new intensions for the season ahead. Between the winter solstice and new year there are 12 days. I wrote out 12 intensions I would like to focus on in the coming months. The first few came easily, things that I thought would be beneficial or fun. The last few were harder to pin down and these ended up being things that would be nice but not necessarily goal driven. I wrote these 12 wishes out on small bits of paper, folded them up and added them to a jar. Each day I removed one and without looking burned it- setting that one free. At the end of the 12 days, it was new year and the intension the universe was telling me to concentrate on was all that was left. I unfolded it wondering what would be my focus for the coming months. It was of course one that I had added to the end, something that I would deem a ‘filler’. I did feel a pang of disappointment that it somehow wasn’t a big enough goal but his was it - I set up the process, I had to accept it. The slip of paper read:  “go to art galleries and exhibitions more”. Why this one I grumbled, but a big part of this is about trusting the process. I set about thinking how I could honour this new commitment and things began shifting. I started looking at what was coming up and the big galleries and making notes. I hadn’t realised how I had stopped looking. I hadn’t actively sort out art in a long time. Waiting passively to hear about something that might be worth my while. I had disconnected myself from the art world and it was time to plug back in.

With this intension the result is it motivates me in other ways too, to read more, to travel more, to seek out things and connect with friends. I’m beginning to find a rhythm again of taking note of what’s out there.

So far I have seen the following:

Wilson Gallery Cheltenham- Material Worlds: Contemporary Art and Textiles

Luke Jerram Helios at Jubilee pool

Don Mccullin -Broken Beauty at The Holburne Museum

Cosmos at the RWA

Anna Anchor Painting Light at the Dulwich Picture Gallery

Handle with Care Cornelia Parker at No 1 the Royal Crescent Bath

Martin Parr last resort at the Martin parr foundation

Philip Lai Rain/Ruin and Olukemi LiJado Feedback at Spike Island

Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern

Tracey Emin: A Second Life at Tate Modern

Beryl Cook at Plymouth Box

Pets and their People at the Bodleian Library

Wonder of Birds at the Bodleian Library

Science and History Museum - Einsteins Blackboard

Spike Open Studios

Sarah Purvey- The Gathering at Drawing Projects

I would like to pepper in some smaller shows now at more local galleries as well as having noted some big showstoppers coming up in London in the summer seasons.

I kept the list of the twelve intensions as a note to myself of things that I deem important. For now I am keeping a tally of when I do one. Summer solstice is fast approaching and I look forward to reflecting on where I have got to in the first half of this year. I feel I’ve embraced the challenge to see more art and am looking forward to seeing the next thing. Any recommendations?