moon desk (for the study of astrological symbolism, lunar phases)
Silver-gilded shells, stones, fossils, lenses, paper, pyrite suns, copper cones, moon board, drawings of geocentric planetary movements, solar and lunar symbolism, etc.
“As Above, So Below,” attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, refers to synchronicities between the micro and macro, the sky and the Earth. In fractal resonance, the retina of the eye can hold the broadest image of the solar system. The moon desk is a site for contemplating the correspondences of light and dark, reflected in the movements of the Sun and Moon in relation to Earth. While the Sun engenders visibility, unity, and solar warmth, the Moon reflects cycles of gestation, rest, dreams, the relational. During “moon readings” offered for the Water exhibition at 6018North, visitors could sit at the desk for a 15-minute discussion focusing on the lunar cycles and symbolism reflected in the moment of their birth, accompanied by a hand-drawn symbolic representation.
Backdrop:
bone ash wall (Rebecca Beachy & Christine Wallers). Amish horse & cow bones (kiln fired. 2015), gum arabic, talc, water. Community-Hosted Collections, Roman Susan Art Foundation, 2023
Water at 6018NORTH
Chicago 2023-2024
moon readings (2023 -ongoing)
Personalized drawings, risograph print, silver/gold ink, ephemeris software
Individual reading observing the moon's correspondence at the time of birth & at present
10-20 minute conversations to learn about the symbolism of the moon and the lunation cycle, related to the moment of birth. Each person receives a drawing by the artist of their birth chart, simplified to the zodiacal position of the Moon in relationship with the Sun, the Horizon, the Midheaven, and the Imum Coeli (or IC, Latin for "bottom of the sky").
Recent events include: Flows: Sound, Water and Weather exhibition at MoM Art Space in Hamburg, Germany (2025), Five Acts of Kindness at ARTEXPO Chicago (2024), Mars Brewery’s Haunted Mars Hotel, When Souls Stick by Jess Bass and Gabriel Chalfin-Piney, good morning moon by Madeline Vaccaro, and Water at 6018NORTH
