Network Update

Anthroposophical Society in Canada

Thornhill Group

September 2014

Christian Hitsch is a gifted artist, sculptor and teacher, and he certainly demonstrated these gifts during his recent visit to our campus. But there is more! Christian is one of those rare people who touches and moves everyone he meets - not just his fellow artists. In his own quiet way, he is an exemplary social artist.

One highlight of his visit was the weekend Visual Arts Seminar, and I would like to thank Dianne Denhart for her report. I have also included the text by Rudolf Steiner he quoted .about our responsibility for Anthroposophy.

If there are others who would like to share impressions and insights arising from Christian's visit, I would be happy to include them in the next issue.

Mark

P.S. Social art is not always happy and fun. The path can be painful - always rediscovering old wounds and long periods of numbness. If we awaken together, we can help each other out. MM

Towards a Michaelmas Festival

The Thornhill Group of the Anthroposophical Society and the Hesperus Festival Committee warmly invite you to join us in this yearʼs festive Michaelmas Season. There will be a series of events at Hesperus over the course of three days (28-30 September) and we encourage you to participate in any or all of the activities.

Why do we celebrate this moment in time and this Season? It is the beginning of Fall, the days grow darker and shorter. We need to develop forces to meet the winter - and also our own individual selves - in a different way. How can we strengthen our Egos and also engage in Community? What does it take to have courage to meet the other? These are some of the questions we would like to engage in together.

Flyer

Visual Arts Seminar, 18-20 July

- by Dianne Denhart

What is the genesis and task of anthroposophical art today? Christian Hitsch framed the art impulse as a counterbalancing force to the polarizing forces pervading every sphere of modern life. For there is an urgency facing humanity. We are crossing the threshold without an understanding of what is actually going on...

There is a lawfulness of form in the supersensible spheres, and the artist's true task is to tap into that lawfulness and then to gather together the elements of colour, shapes, textures so that the spiritual reality can show through. Through meditation and spiritual work, the artist can be an essential vessel to mediate and expand the impulse of spiritual science in the world.

The words of Rudolf Steiner ring loud and clear: Oh, human being, know thyself in balanced striving... We hear the call; now is the time to act. Read full article.

Responsibility For Anthroposophy

In a Letter to members dated 10 February 1924, Rudolf Steiner said that any member wishing to become active in the Society needs to be aware of four basic responsibilities:

He must have a clear conception of the spiritual and intellectual position of mankind today.
He must be clear in his own mind about the real task of anthroposophy.
To the very best of his ability he must keep in close contact with other active members of the Society; and
It must be far from him to say, 'I am not interested when anthroposophy and those who represent it are placed in a false light, or even slandered by opponents'.

In the Visual Arts Seminar, Christian Hitsch stressed that these responsibilities are even more important for members of the Arts Section.

Update and invitation from the Visual Arts Section