Andrei & Gabriel
Photographic Variations & Poems
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Florida Artist:Andrei & Gabriel4411 S.W. 34th St., Townhouse #1305 Gainesville,FL 32608 352-375-2670 Web site: |
| “The Eyes of God” by Gabriel Hillel (poetry) and Andrei Sourakov (photography) Gabriel: The Eyes of God collection evolved between Andrei Sourakov, scientist-artist, and myself while we collaborated on features about butterflies for the St. Petersburg, Fla., Times at Home. Andrei, though mostly known as a scientist, has published his photographs in books and magazines including Discover, Natural History, and National Wildlife, and displayed in museums and galleries. I have published essays in books, in Natural History and other science publications, and as a journalist, in daily and weekly newspapers. My poetry first appeared in literary magazines more than 30 years ago. (To Andrei) Why did you choose the title, "the eyes of god?" Andrei: God and Nature to me are synonymous. While eye contact is a mammalian way of communication, Nature has eyes everywhere. Ironically, the most prominent ones found on butterfly wings are created to communicate, but not to see. While Nature’s intent was to instill fear in the predators (humans are predators too, biologically speaking) many of us find these eyes beautiful. And that in itself makes you wonder… Gabriel: Eyes always have been following me, starting with those of a father and mother protective of their only child. As an adult, I became aware of the State observing me while I was conscious of watching others and making judgments of my own. My visions seemed to arrange a sense of order for me in our apparently chaotic earthly surroundings. Whether god created us, or we our deities, remains less important to me than acknowledgment of a sense of purpose, albeit unknown, in the time we spend on earth. My connection to butterflies is more recent. The perfect symmetry of butterflies personifies my sense of order. The order was evident in exhibits outside of the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Florida. Once I was within the closed environment itself, I felt free from being judged or judging. But I also became aware, by the seemingly random movements of the butterflies, how quickly disruption occurs, even in this most tranquil setting. Looking at Andrei’s images calms me down. Andrei: How often one hears: “I hate insects, but love butterflies!” As if these creatures were sent to us to appeal, through the harmony and symmetry of their wings, to what makes us human: our sense of aesthetics. While not every human is aware of this sense, anyone confronted with a butterfly wing pattern, no matter how anthropocentric, exclaims: “My God!” Gabriel's poems reflect that human search for hope in butterflies. Personally, I have known the feeling since I was six years old, when my interest in these creatures began. Gabriel: Our combined work in the form of poem art books and posters suggests to audiences a harmony in collaboration, beyond either one's individual expression. Signed books of 40 pages of images and poems are offered at $150 each, individual poem posters suitable for framing are provided for $50 each, plus tax, shipping and handling costs. A book with one poem poster will be available for $165, plus tax, shipping, and handling costs. "The Eyes of God" works are available for exhibit on agreed terms and conditions. For What Purpose? We are being watched, are we not? by every passing butterfly, between blinks, in lenses, in reflections, mirrors, without judgement, without fear, without shame, without meaning. |
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