The Writing on My Father's Hand

Hooray! On April 21 in the journal of  University of Culture and Art will be published my first two research papers. I waited for this moment for so long! ^^ The first of them is available in the section on the history of art. It's "Tirthankaras image in Jain sculptural tradition". This article is dedicated to an undoubtedly important theme – the analysis of the Jain sculptural tradition. The author touches upon a new issue for the Russian science – semantics of sculpture in Jainism. Despite that the article does not pretend to present a comprehensive description of this cultural phenomenon, the scientific novelty of this work is that the author treats the subject with facts not previously published in the works of other researchers. 

The second article is called "Acharya Mahapragya: the second Gandhi" and located in the section of socio-cultural activities. I wrote it in honor of the great Jain teacher. And this is the beginning of the article: "The problem of violence is as high as ever in today’s society, we need only to recall the recent events in Iraq and Syria. They talk a lot on this subject, but few have made concerted action to address it. This paper considers the problem of violence, as it is understood in Jain religious community, and what are the ways to solve it, offered by Acharya Mahapragya to humanity, regardless of religion and national origin". When I read an introduction, I begin to realize how ironic is fate.  These words were written last fall, when the aggressor in the political sphere were U.S. Now everything has been turned upside down and our government's actions make me blush. I never wanted to write in this blog about politics, but I must tell the world that local people in Russia do not approve words of our president. We do not want war, we do not need other people's land, we want only peace. So please do not judge us, we are behind the iron wall in a desperate situation. I hope I will not be forced to raise this issue again...

Let's go back to my research! Very soon, my thesis will be finally ready and I would like to offer you a few photos of Jain temples, which were made ​​by me in India. I hope you'll get pleasure from this exotic, spiritual, and vital art :)

Just imagine that a few years of your life you spent studying something very distant and finally you had the opportunity not only to see it firsthand, but also touch! I felt like Indiana Jones when I first walked through the ancient Jain temples :)

I sit and soak up the positive vibes around :)

The most beautiful temple on this earth - the temple at Ranakpur!

Three floors of the finest carvings on marble. Thus can be decorated only celestial palace.

It is a magical tree that grants wishes. I believe that my wish will come true!

For the rhythm of our blood

My good friend from U.S. sent me a big box of wonderful books. I long couldn't reach them, but finally  Nick Bantock's book "Venetian's wife" literally mesmerized me. It is incredibly beautiful graphic novel about "а Renaissance Explorer, a Computer, and a Metamorphosis". The story is very sensual and full of references to Hindu mythology. So it's no surprise that this book attracted me! The entire novel consists of letters between a museum researcher, Sara Wolfe, and N. Conti, a centuries-old ghost trapped within the confines of modern technology. Conti hires Sara to track down the pieces of a peculiar art collection, and Sara discovers more of herself — and her destiny — in the process. Bаntock is a great graphic artist, and small pictures accompanying the text are really peculiar and charming. The story about art historian is so close to me that the book has left a lot of pleasant impressions. My house is full of statues brought from various trips to Asia and marvelous incenses, and books such as "Venetian's wife" carry me back to the narrow streets of India and make me purr like a cat ^^.

I wear this crown of thorns upon my liar's chair

Life lesson #1: jealousy. 

Frankly, I'm a terrible perfectionist and used to be the best in everything. I know it's very selfish, but I would like to take the most important place in the thoughts of my beloved. But I must say that before we met, he lived with another girl he was madly in love. She left him, but for many years she remained for him a sort of deity. I know that I can never take her place in his heart. It's very painful. Especially when so much in his life and in the house is still something about her. It blackens my thoughts and I try my best to get rid of these negative emotions. In this way  Indian philosophy that preaches rejection of any emotion at all helps me very much. Have you faced similar situations? How do you fight this? 

The velvet blade of apathy

Phew ... Yesterday my thesis was finally approved at a meeting of professors at my university. Now I feel kind of devastation and sadness. The fact is that I merged with my research work and study, and I'm scared to imagine that all this will be over soon. Although, may be it's spring acting so on the unbalanced people :)  Just in a week the darkness left my city, and here is so much bright sunlight now... How can you not have arisen psychosis! 

But the best cure for a girl is shopping :) I have long needed spring shoes and I saw this lovely couple in time. They are made in retro style of fake leather and suede. And of course the photos can't convey how cute they look on the legs ^^. What is important for me, they remind of Audrey Horne's shoes  from Twin Peaks, my favorite heroine. 

If we are talking about shopping, I can't hide my admiration for the new facility for hair from Diego Dalla Palma. This is a wonderful shampoo and conditioner. I bought them in a spa hotel during a trip to Mikkeli. At the moment this cosmetic line has become my number 1. It strengthens the hair and makes it silky, just magic! 

Baby goth :D

Do you remember yourself in a period when you just became interested in the subculture? For me the turning point was 2005-2006, when I began to communicate with gothic hangouts of Petersburg and feel like a Goth. On the other hand, of course I was still a child. What can I say, 15-16 years! :) Now, after almost ten years, so weird to look at old photos ...First black clothes, first hair coloring, first party, first gothic boys :) It seems that it was in another life with another person. But these pictures - silent witnesses of the past. 

(I am second from the left. What a grim, oh!)

( I love that pic very much...Don't ask me why, I can't explain...)

Finland red, Egypt white

Belatedly, I congratulate all the beauties with International Women's Day! Here in Russia, we had three free days :) Fortunately we didn't sit at home and went to my favorite fairy Finland in Mikkeli. It is a small town near the gorgeous lake Saimaa. Mikkeli is all related to the life and activities of Gustaf Mannerheim. If you are interested in this great man, you definitely need to get here. In addition, the town has a stunning cathedral, built in the early 20th century in Neo-Gothic style. It's impressive and gloomy building. Although it may seemed to me, because the weather was harsh and dark. But there is a tempting reason to visit Mikkeli - winery "Ollinmaki"! They make wine and cider from berries growing nearby: currant, blackberry, rowan, apples. But for me the number 1 is  cranberry wine! Delicious! Of course I brought  a couple of clinking bottles ;) On the night we stayed in a wonderful spa hotel  "Anttolahnovi". It is located right on the shore of lake Saimaa and built from eco-friendly materials, without harm to the environment, what I appreciate very high. The hotel is very cozy and the huge plus is windows facing the forest and lake ^^. Everything is there for relaxation of body and soul. 

(Our window and Saimaa)

I love the darkness in you

Last week I met  my  beloved sister Tarja. We wandered through the twilight city and the road itself led us to the old Lutheran cemetery. The first time this year we've been there. I like walking along the cobbled lanes of dilapidated graves of French and German citizens. It was pretty cool, but we had a jar with rum and despite the darkness, we spent a lot of time there.  As a child, I always thought that the grave can fill you with some kind of energy. So I love to touch the mossy tombstones and feel like supernatural force penetrates me. This time we found  forgotten candles and lit them all around. We talked about life, love, broken hearts, and only the moon looked down on us.