My Temenos

A “Temenos” is a Greek term used to describe a sacred and secure space. It is the personal boundary that surrounds an analytical relationship, fostering feelings of safety and privacy and promoting deeper analysis and introspection.

Today, I spent quality time working on my Temenos, a space I have created for myself using clay and other art materials. I also used netting (with clay) to make my personal space relatively elastic and transparent, which gives it a unique look. One of the key elements of my Temenos is an hourglass that I created using clay. This hourglass symbolizes the idea of time travel, which is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. I often find myself reflecting on the past, yet I would like connecting more with my present, and instilling hope to anticipate the future, and this hourglass serves as a reminder of that. In addition to the hourglass, I also created a boat to transport a clock that represents the passage of time. However, when I finished the boat, it appeared stranded, which was not what I had intended. During the group sharing, my teacher Eve pointed out that “netting” appears frequently in my artwork, she encouraged me to look for the symbolic meaning of “netting,” and I did. I came across an interesting website that talked about the metaphysical meaning of nets. According to the site, a net symbolizes the human mind that catches thoughts, which shape our external circumstances. As I reflected on this, I realized that my mind often works tirelessly in the darkness of my understanding, but I do not always see the results I desired for. However, it also mentioned that when we perceive and follow God, the net is cast on the “right side,” leading us towards true success. I was contemplating the act of weaving, I realized how it represents the processes of creation and growth. Each thread is carefully intertwined, forming a beautiful and intricate design. It made me reflect on how our lives are also a tapestry of experiences, woven together to create a unique and beautiful story. As I continued to weave, I couldn’t help but think about the past and how often I overthink it. I realized that dwelling on the past takes away from the present moment, and it’s the present that shapes our future. I wish I could stay more present and live in the moment for a brighter and more fulfilling future. I hope to keep this in mind and work towards a better mindset to stay on the right path.

By using the clay to craft my Temenos, it was a humbling experience to work with such a simple material, but I found that clay allowed for great flexibility and creativity in the art-making process. While I was molding and shaping the clay, it allowed me to carefully bring my vision to life that I never could have imagined. It was an intricate process, but the malleability of the clay allowed me to create complex details and textures that added depth and character to the final product.