2022/04/07
2022/04/03
A Blue Light Prayer for the Colour Master Henri van Bentum
venerable Henri van Bentum
Who sailed the waves of his incarnation so skillfully,
With the blessings of White Tara through space and time.
Having drunk the amrita of samsara and nirvana equally,
Drawn the primary brushes of eternity
Of red, yellow and blue, painting Truth of the organic universe,
Unfettered by the limits of word.
So generously, you imparted your Leo heart stories,
And 'Apologue stories' for all ages throughout the lands and seas.
Sharing, always sharing freely,
Delivered unhindered from the Great River,
Ever having danced with the Light.
May His Noble Heart continue to emanate
Unceasing waves of pure Wisdom and Compassion.
Having laid down his precious body
May the Protectors and Guardian Dakinis
Guard this Non-Sectarian Master,
On the Path that conquers all arising mind states
And leads to Total Liberation and Victory.
E Ma Ho!
Mandala #3 from set of #100, "Organiverse"
Pointillism, original size 8.5 cm. by Henri van Bentum, 1972
(*) Motto on the City of Amsterdam's coat of arms, Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig, qualities which Henri embodied.
2022/01/07
Launch of Part Two: "Organiverse / "Fruit Gathering"
This time, it is the “Starry Night” or Bioluminescent edition of my “Organiverse” 100 mandalas, with Tagore’s book of poems “Fruit Gathering” (1916).
Mandala 25 of 100 set, Organiverse 'Starry Night' edition.
Part Two is produced and read by our friend Brian WE Johnson (BWEJ) of Victoria. We would like to express appreciation for his diligent and thoughtful work.
“Fruit Gathering is a collection of short poems by Rabindranath Tagore. The theme of this book is based on the relationship between God and man, the atom and the cosmos. Tagore uses fruits and flowers to symbolise his spiritual and moral values towards the love for the creator.” (Indian Culture)
2022/01/05
Launch of "A JOURNEY INTO THE ORGANIVERSE WITH TAGORE", 1st January 2022 - marking the 50th anniversary of "Organiverse". Produced and narrated by Brian W.E. Johnson.
"Having built a nice fire in our woodstove, I sat comfortably watching and listening to Chapter One. The slow pace is just right and the narrator's voice lets the poetry speak without sentimentality or piety. To see each of Henri van Bentum's mandalas in this context is very enhancing - seeing it in relation to the verse, and speculating on further meanings." Marina Bieler
Screen capture of Chapter One
[For direct access to the chapters, go to You Tube
and search for "BWEJ Poetry Frames"]
"To mark the 50th anniversary of "Organiverse", today we are happy to announce the launch of "A Journey Into the Organiverse With Tagore", a series of ten sequential video and audio chapters embracing one hundred mandalas and one hundred poems in total.
(The links to all ten chapters can be found at the end of this post.)
Each chapter features 10 mandalas from my “Organiverse” series of pointillist paintings created in 1972, and 10 poems by Rabindranath Tagore from his work “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings). In 1913, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for "Gitanjali".
I would like to thank our friend, Brian W.E. Johnson, for his idea of pairing the two, and for his diligent work on producing the videos ("digital poetry frames") which he also narrates."
Rabindranath Tagore
Gitanjali - Song 35
Henri van Bentum, 1929-2022
Words from the Artist about Organiverse
“While we are occupied with our daily existence, a great mystery takes place: Life, evolving in every form, from micro to the macro cosmos. Organiverse shares insights into this enigma called life, embracing art, science and ecology a timeless universalism of growth, evolution or genesis --- we have the microscope and telescope within, and an unknown destiny.
This work also embraces the interplay and relationship of colour. It is further a study in organic development. The invisible is made visible, through dots. All life has a beginning, be it the birth of a star, a cell, a whale, lichen, an oak tree, a mouse, and elephant or human being. All comes out of darkness the womb, the cosmic egg. Beyond darkness and ignorance there awaits Light and awakening.”
Background: "In the spring 1972, I began creating a set of 100 mandalas (paintings) and named the set The Organiverse Portfolio.
Organiverse is a meditation aid or 21st century kasina practice. (Kasinas are visual aids traditionally used in Buddhist practice.) The initial ten mandalas were done in Morocco, in the former Phoenician fishing village of Essaouira (Mogador), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
So we set our compass in the direction of Madeira, a volcanic island located 800 nautical miles off the coast of Africa. This is where I completed the remaining 90 mandalas.
All 100 mandalas are done in pointillism, dot by dot, atom by atom. The original portfolio consists of twenty-five pages, each with four spherical paintings 8.5 cm in diameter.
Tips on viewing "A Journey Through The Organiverse With Tagore":
Slow is beautiful and good for healing. This journey is an unhurried and peaceful visual and audio experience.
Each chapter takes around 15-20 minutes to view. Ideally the chapters should be seen in sequence (chapters 1-10).
"Organiverse is a glimpse into the multilayered beauty of all that is life. These mandalas offer an opportunity for healing and for a heart-based understanding of who we are physically, emotionally and spiritually -- a dance of colour, form and contemplation."
(Dr. Mark Sherman, MDCM, CCFP)
Here are the links to all ten chapters:
Chapter One - Mandalas 1-10
Chapter Two - Mandalas 11-20
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ENNrIEneGk
Chapter Three - Mandalas 21-30
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IOMX3Zt84o
Chapter Four - Mandalas 31-40
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P2MSJoYPNw
Chapter Five - Mandalas 41-50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pf0xmf-Ulo
Chapter Six - Mandalas 51-60
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaRmBc5sXNk
Chapter Seven - Mandalas 61-70
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnU-ctNMSE8
Chapter Eight - Mandalas 71-80
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS2qgCH_Jrc
Chapter Nine - Mandalas 81-90
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGKgfRz4u8
Chapter Ten - Mandalas 91-100
www.youtube.com/watch?v=orhQ0OmTHsg
"With appreciation also to my partner Natasha van Bentum,
who has been with me on the Organiverse journey since its inception fifty years ago."
2021/09/05
"GUARDIANS OF THE ORGANIVERSE"
Marking Its 50th Anniversary in 2022
Art, Meditation, Ecology
100 Mandalas “Organiverse”
Atom by Atom - Dot by Dot
“Organiverse is a glimpse into the multilayered beauty of all that is Life”. Dr. Mark Sherman
“Organiverse reminds us of organic processes on the cosmic and microcosmic levels. It helps me understand the vastness, complexity and beauty of the cosmos.” Professor Leslie Mezei (Ret.)
In the summer of 1972, I created a portfolio of 100 paintings, “Organiverse”. The initial dozen were done in Morocco, in the former Phoenician fishing village of Essaouira. Organiverse is a meditational aid or 21st century kasina practice.
That summer, the winds were blowing off the Sahara and sand found itself everywhere in my makeshift ‘studio’. This was frustrating. One day out of the blue, I recalled a song from my childhood in the Lowlands: “Sunny Madeira, land of green and flowers”, and said to Natasha, “Let’s head to Madeira”.
Circled in red, the estate of “Quinta Santo Antonio", island of Madeira
This is the former cow shed on the Quinta estate, converted into a cottage, where Organiverse was completed in 1972. (On the mountainous terrain of Madeira, cows used to be kept in sheds to prevent them tumbling down the slopes.)
Original Organiverse mandalas #001-#004 of the #100 set, in its Portfolio of twenty-five
pages - (4 mandalas per page x 25 = 100 total paintings)
All 100 mandalas are done in pointillism, dot by dot, atom by atom. The original portfolio consists of twenty-five pages, each with four spherical paintings 8.5 cm in diameter. My intention in creating the work was for it to be used as a meditation device.
Small is Beautiful – The original Organiverse mandalas are just 8.5 cm in diameter. Ever since the 1950’s I’ve been mindful about the environment, unnecessary consumption and waste. I’ve always advocated ‘Small is Beautiful’ and work on a small scale, using a minimum of resources for maximum results.
Here is what I wrote about Organiverse back in 1972:
While we are occupied with our daily existence, a great mystery takes place: Life, evolving in every form, from micro to the macro cosmos.
Here is what I wrote about Organiverse back in 1972:
While we are occupied with our daily existence, a great mystery takes place: Life, evolving in every form, from micro to the macro cosmos.
With this project, we share insights into the enigma called life, embracing art, science and ecology – a timeless universalism of growth, evolution or genesis.
We have the microscope and telescope within, and an unknown destiny.
This work also embraces the interplay and relationship of Colour. It is further a study in organic development.
This work also embraces the interplay and relationship of Colour. It is further a study in organic development.
The invisible is made visible, through dots.
We are biologically no more nor less than dots --- atoms. The planets and even the Sun are only a spot in space, depending from where you look.
All life has a beginning, be it the birth of plankton, a whale, lichen, an oak tree, a mouse, and elephant or human being.
All life has a beginning, be it the birth of plankton, a whale, lichen, an oak tree, a mouse, and elephant or human being.
All comes out of darkness the womb, the cosmic egg. Beyond darkness and ignorance there awaits Light.
Organiverse has seen many manifestations:
In 1973 and 1974, the work was made into a 35mm colour and sound short film by filmmaker Julius Kohanyi, who studied with Stanley Kubrick. Kohanyi was commissioned for this project by the Ontario Arts Council. Since that time, the film has represented Canada in major international film festivals around the world.
My partner Natasha has been an active part of the Organiverse journey from day one
In 1973 and 1974, the work was made into a 35mm colour and sound short film by filmmaker Julius Kohanyi, who studied with Stanley Kubrick. Kohanyi was commissioned for this project by the Ontario Arts Council. Since that time, the film has represented Canada in major international film festivals around the world.
Poster for the 7 min. short film "H-A" based on Organiverse.
The film's creator was Julius Kohanyi, who studied with Stanley Kubrick.
However, he was told a symbol alone wouldn’t “work” for cataloguing the film, so Julius had to give it a name, and he chose “H-A” (for Hydrogen Atom, the first building block of the universe.)
Back to the original intention
My intention all along was to have the Organiverse portfolio of twenty-five pages reproduced in a limited edition and made available to libraries, art schools, universities, museums and a few private collectors.
Although pleased with the film’s success, my purpose had not been realized. The contemplative nature of work was lost on the huge 35mm theatre screens.
Over the years, we tried to have the Organiverse Portfolio printed. However an accurate rendering of the colour was impossible owing to the pointillist technique. Even the best printing companies were unable to make a realistic reproduction.
Scanning Technology Enables Reproduction
In early 2002, Natasha approached the CEO of Hewlett Packard Canada with a challenge: can their scanning equipment reproduce the “Organiverse” paintings, and be true to their original colours? The CEO assigned Allen Rothwell, their colour specialist, to the job.
In late 2002 and early 2003 Allen visited us in Vancouver where we lived at the time. He brought with him the latest HP scanning machine, and scanned all of the paintings to make digital files. I asked him if he could create a ‘reverse’ edition of the images, which he did. Thus, a “Starry Night” version of Organiverse was born.
Allen had 25 sets of Organiverse printed in Toronto which were shipped to us a month or two later. This shipment included another 25 sets of the new “Starry Night” edition.
Although pleased with the film’s success, my purpose had not been realized. The contemplative nature of work was lost on the huge 35mm theatre screens.
Over the years, we tried to have the Organiverse Portfolio printed. However an accurate rendering of the colour was impossible owing to the pointillist technique. Even the best printing companies were unable to make a realistic reproduction.
Scanning Technology Enables Reproduction
In early 2002, Natasha approached the CEO of Hewlett Packard Canada with a challenge: can their scanning equipment reproduce the “Organiverse” paintings, and be true to their original colours? The CEO assigned Allen Rothwell, their colour specialist, to the job.
In late 2002 and early 2003 Allen visited us in Vancouver where we lived at the time. He brought with him the latest HP scanning machine, and scanned all of the paintings to make digital files. I asked him if he could create a ‘reverse’ edition of the images, which he did. Thus, a “Starry Night” version of Organiverse was born.
Allen had 25 sets of Organiverse printed in Toronto which were shipped to us a month or two later. This shipment included another 25 sets of the new “Starry Night” edition.
Example of an Organiverse handheld "rotation" Set
In 2006 we entered into another collaboration, this time with friend and fellow Snooker player here in Victoria, Brian W.E. Johnson.
Brian had an idea: we could put the mandalas on individual cards, for a total of 100 cards, and house them in a wooden container. We called these a “handheld set”, and you can read more about this on my website here.
Brian had an idea: we could put the mandalas on individual cards, for a total of 100 cards, and house them in a wooden container. We called these a “handheld set”, and you can read more about this on my website here.
Close friend and patron, Brian W.E. Johnson,
a staunch supporter of Organiverse and its further evolution
(Also, here's a link to a previous post in appreciation of Brian.)
UNESCO International Year of Astronomy
Collaboration with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Victoria Centre
In 2009 Natasha was a volunteer for the UNESCO International Year of Astronomy (IYA) and its cornerstone project, “From Earth to the Universe”. She brought Organiverse to the attention of local astronomers, who included a video that was put together by Garry Sedun, then at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in an IYA exhibit in Victoria, at The Hudson's Bay Centre.
In 2009 Natasha was a volunteer for the UNESCO International Year of Astronomy (IYA) and its cornerstone project, “From Earth to the Universe”. She brought Organiverse to the attention of local astronomers, who included a video that was put together by Garry Sedun, then at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in an IYA exhibit in Victoria, at The Hudson's Bay Centre.
Natasha and Henri van Bentum, International Year of Astronomy 2009
Project in collaboration with RASC (Victoria Centre chapter)
"From Earth to the Universe" (FETTU). Videos of both the original and Starry Night
editions of Organiverse were part of the local FETTU event.
Videos on VIMEO
Luckily one of the RASC members, friend, amateur astronomer and fellow traveller Joe Carr, arranged to have the videos of Organiverse on VIMEO. Here is the link.
Collaboration with NASA "Coloring Space" project
In 2010, I entered into a collaboration with NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory through their public outreach program. The project was headed by Kimberly Arcand Kowal, Chandra's Visualization Scientist and Emerging Tech Lead. Our collaboration resulted in an online exhibit, "Coloring Space", juxtaposing images from space with a selection of work from the "Starry Night" edition of Organiverse. You can view the exhibit here.
Here is a recent quote by Kimberly Arcand, NASA's Chandra X-Ray's Visualization Scientist and Emerging Tech Lead, commenting on the collaborative project described above, "Coloring Space":
Collaboration with NASA "Coloring Space" project
In 2010, I entered into a collaboration with NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory through their public outreach program. The project was headed by Kimberly Arcand Kowal, Chandra's Visualization Scientist and Emerging Tech Lead. Our collaboration resulted in an online exhibit, "Coloring Space", juxtaposing images from space with a selection of work from the "Starry Night" edition of Organiverse. You can view the exhibit here.
Here is a recent quote by Kimberly Arcand, NASA's Chandra X-Ray's Visualization Scientist and Emerging Tech Lead, commenting on the collaborative project described above, "Coloring Space":
Astronaut Chris Hadfield on the Coloring Space exhibit:
Astronaut Chris Hadfield was Commander aboard the Int’l. Space Station, 2013. Chris took with him aboard the ISS a memory stick containing all 100 Organiverse spheres, both the original and Starry Night editions. Earlier, in 2002, Chris was also made an Honorary Member of the international Circumnavigators Club, of which I've been a member since 1975.
“A lovely fusion of science and art.”
Other Quotes About Organiverse
- “Organiverse is a glimpse into the multilayered beauty of all that is Life. These mandalas offer an immense opportunity for healing and for a heart-based understanding of who we are physically, emotionally and spiritually. A dance of colour, form and contemplation.” Dr. Mark Sherman, MDCM, CCFP
- “The technique of the [Organiverse] drawings is comprised of finely-tuned transparent and opaque layers of colour. This play of contrasts gives the work a three-dimensional quality enhanced by a delicate luminosity. The colours are complicated and would require a sensitive use of colour separation. In order to maintain the integrity of the original drawing imagery and effect, the most articulate reproductive methods would have to be utilized.” Rosemary L. Tovell, former Curator, Canadian Prints and Drawings National Gallery of Canada, 1979
- "Organiverse reminds us of organic processes on the cosmic and microcosmic levels. His work helps me understand the vastness, complexity and beauty of the cosmos. van Bentum's work is executed with a fine sense of colour and other elements. I see his work as a paradigm for enduring works of art in the future." Professor Leslie Mezei, (retired), Computer Sciences, U of T.
- "I am extremely pleased with the beauty and depth of the Organiverse Portfolio. It is a ‘Garland of Flowers’ in my daily experience. It is a wormhole entrance into both the depths of the starry night and the inner life process of the biosphere we inhabit. A tour de force that will reverberate down the annals of human cultural history. A unique and magical work of true and lasting significance." Brian W. E. Johnson, Victoria, BC.
Organiverse - Mandala #23 of the #100 Set, original edition
- “Organiverse is a glimpse into the multilayered beauty of all that is Life. These mandalas offer an immense opportunity for healing and for a heart-based understanding of who we are physically, emotionally and spiritually. A dance of colour, form and contemplation.” Dr. Mark Sherman, MDCM, CCFP
- “The technique of the [Organiverse] drawings is comprised of finely-tuned transparent and opaque layers of colour. This play of contrasts gives the work a three-dimensional quality enhanced by a delicate luminosity. The colours are complicated and would require a sensitive use of colour separation. In order to maintain the integrity of the original drawing imagery and effect, the most articulate reproductive methods would have to be utilized.” Rosemary L. Tovell, former Curator, Canadian Prints and Drawings National Gallery of Canada, 1979
- "Organiverse reminds us of organic processes on the cosmic and microcosmic levels. His work helps me understand the vastness, complexity and beauty of the cosmos. van Bentum's work is executed with a fine sense of colour and other elements. I see his work as a paradigm for enduring works of art in the future." Professor Leslie Mezei, (retired), Computer Sciences, U of T.
- "I am extremely pleased with the beauty and depth of the Organiverse Portfolio. It is a ‘Garland of Flowers’ in my daily experience. It is a wormhole entrance into both the depths of the starry night and the inner life process of the biosphere we inhabit. A tour de force that will reverberate down the annals of human cultural history. A unique and magical work of true and lasting significance." Brian W. E. Johnson, Victoria, BC.
Organiverse - Mandala #23 of the #100 Set, original edition
2021/05/12
Natasha publishes "A Beginner's Mini Guide to the Solar Wind"
This week my life-long partner, Natasha van Bentum, put together a short website to mark International Day of Light 2021 - - - "A Beginner's Mini Guide to the Solar Wind." You're welcome to visit it here.
2021/03/04
"Perseverance" Rover arrives on Mars -- with our names on it, making us "MARStronauts"
Did any of our blog readers sign on to NASA’s recent “Perseverance” mission?
Two years ago, we did. To our pleasant surprise we received these two ‘boarding passes’, shown here:
The mission launched 8 months ago and Perseverance landed safely on February 18th.
The rover has our names on it, along with 10 million other people.
The names were stencilled by electron beam onto three fingernail-sized silicon chips. It’s the era of nano-technology.
More than 10 million names have been placed
onto three silicon chips, each the size of a fingernail.
So the van Bentum’s are now “on Mars”. (See photos below.)
Marstronauts!
We also have earned a 'meagre' 😎 504,668,791 flyer points. The next mission is coming up in 2026 and you can also sign up to get your name on the next flight.
We also have earned a 'meagre' 😎 504,668,791 flyer points. The next mission is coming up in 2026 and you can also sign up to get your name on the next flight.
Henri van Bentum 'on Mars'
Natasha van Bentum 'on Mars'
Stay safe, everyone!
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