GUIDING VISION – ART IN PUBLIC SPACE
In 2002, the Traiskirchen Education Center was constructed. In 2004, Elisabeth Sula was commissioned to design the entrance area. She named the 6.5 x 2.65-meter acrylic painting “Guiding Vision,” and its concept and title directly relate to the guiding motifs of the building. Since the realization of this art-in-architecture project, a permanent solo exhibition of her works has been on display on all three floors of the building. The exhibition is open for viewing daily.
Traiskirchen Education Center BM.I
Akademiestraße 3
2514 Traiskirchen; Austria
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GUIDING VISION
Lao Tzu, the great Chinese sage who lived around 600 BCE, penned his profound insights into the cosmic meaning and human life at the request of a border official as he left his country toward the end of his life. This work was later named Tao Te Ching, a title composed of three Chinese characters that Richard Wilhelm translated as “The Book (king) of Meaning (tao) and Life (te).”
Tao Te Ching opens a worldview that transcends space and time, leading directly into the primal source of all life and existence. Without understanding the connections of the universal order and laws, we cannot comprehend ourselves or solve the problems we have created. The text presents in 81 concise and precise teachings the cosmic-human order from which valid life ideals for humanity can be derived. Rational action is based on the validity of foundational thoughts, and Lao Tzu’s spiritual wisdom provides excellent inspiration for effective action. Those who heed it find inner strength and power.
My painting “GUIDING VISION” is thematically linked to the text from Tao Te Ching: So, too, the enlightened one: He is a guide without coercing, he is conscientious without hurting, he is authentic without arbitrariness, he is light without dazzling.
The universality of this millennia-old perspective is the spiritual mentor for my painting, which, in abstract visual language, conveys the themes of integrity, exemplarity, conscientiousness, help, protection, security, light, and warmth associatively.
The lighter layers of acrylic paint are applied in multiple translucent layers over a dark painting base, creating depth and a complex richness of colors. Warm tones in predominant shades of red, orange, and yellow rain across the canvas. Connecting symbolically, cascades of repeating ornaments bend around a luminous inner field—the essence. Like a field of protective envelopment, warm tones in predominant shades of red, orange, and yellow rain across the
canvas, symbolically connecting the celestial and the earthly, the spiritual and the mundane.
The English word “Guidance” implies steering, guiding, leading, instructing, guiding rail, academic advising, orientation. (A guide is an advisor; a role model, guide, signpost, leader.) “Vision” means sight, vision, wish image, appearance, view, imagination, foresight, perspective, great beauty.
The painting “GUIDING VISION” is conceived as a visual, colorful anchor symbolically conveying the importance of being connected to higher ideals and values. Education, besides acquiring knowledge and skills, always involves cultivating the heart. The painting aims to motivate the viewer to contemplate their personal life visions: What guides, leads, and directs me in life; what orientation runs like a red thread through my life, giving me strength and power?!
Elisabeth Sula
The leader is one who, out of the clutter, brings simplicity… out of discord, harmony… and out of difficulty, opportunity. – Albert Einstein