Saint & Libertine

“No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved…”

-Chapter 8 in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice

To this, our heroine Miss Elizabeth Bennett responds:

“I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united.”

Miss Elizabeth dear, indeed such a woman would be quite fearsome to behold.  But it’s not impossible. That’s why we practice and aspire to become one. 

These days, I’d like to refer to this Renaissance Nouveau as having creative A.D.D.

I’m personally guilty of jumping from one serious artistic endeavor to the next and then to the one after that, even if I finish a task at hand successfully each time.  In between travels and “inspiration-sourcing”, my weeks have been seriously inundated working towards my mastery in shoe design, then jumping to photography, then making music with my bandmate Joe, then back to design, then photography, then writing, then more design but this time clothing, then photography, then styling, then more design, so on and so forth. These pursuits go beyond what would seem to be glorified hobbies, as I’m more concerned and obsessed with enriching my growth as a creative individual first.  All of these artistic pursuits are all tied together under a single personal aesthetic and a developed perspective and fundamentals, reflecting upon my personal progress.  I do not attempt to make art for no reason other than hoping I could bring something new to the table, as each pursuit has a significant influence on the other.

There is no price that anyone can pay for self-fulfillment and achievement. 

That’s why I’m obsessed.

Kenny Tapestry Jacket | Mary Meyer Scarf worn as a turban | Mallorcan Dress | Guatemalan Breast Plate Necklace | Self-Portrait with Bonkers “Renaissance Nouveau” Series by Ivy Kirzhner

Crocheted multi-color Vest | Alexander Wang T | Dolce Vita Lug-outsole Sandals | Vintage belt | Ivy Kirzhner taken in Bari Gotik by Alex R. Kirzhner, Barcelona, Spain

Slick wet cobblestones converging into paths unknown, curious and bright. 

Alleyways ending in precious coves, hoping to find treasured moments that I can steal and gently tuck away in my silken sash.

Delicate threads to a life story gently woven, with each weft a moment’s picture.

Park Guell in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain | Ivy Kirzhner taken by Alex R. Kirzhner

“Park Guell” Series Taken by Ivy Kirzhner

Iro Peasant Silk Blouse | Chloe Embroidered Circle Skirt | Dolce Vita Braided Sandals | Ivy Kirzhner Taken by Alex R. Kirzhner at Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Surreal enough to make me want to chase white rabbits.

I could not help but feel an unsettlingly delightful buoyancy.  Like helium to a hot air balloon.

“Octopi” Series by Ivy Kirzhner, Barcelona, Spain.

Nearly a year since I first entered a very dark realm so foreign to me. A new territory consisted of oppressively dark murky waters that can easily suck away the vibrance and vitality of even the shiniest and brightest stars.  The navigation can be daunting. This is the place I had to settle in, and it shook the very foundations of my nature, taking adaptation to new heights.  A place where I had constantly challenged the very principles and concepts its culture was based upon.  It is a concept that had not been put into personal practice or belief in the last 14 years, though often a source of intrigue and curiosity. 

Singledom.

It was a great means for self-exploration; an avenue for a different kind of wisdom and re-evaluation of one’s sense of self had presented itself only to make proper use of, in hopes that one day questions about finding true happiness can be defined - and finally answered. 

This past year was all about growth, understanding and awareness.  Thus, I learned.

The journey has finally come to an end. 

I can now resurface.   And breathe…. steady, hopeful and much deeply in love.

” The church of Sagrada Familia will be full of light.  Religious emotion will not spring from fear of the shadows barely pierced by a ray of sunlight, but will emanate from the clear mystery of the harmony of light… This, then, will be the church of harmonious light.”

-Antoni Gaudi

I wonder.

Is it the work of a brilliant man?
Or maybe God himself working through the hands of a brilliant man?

Regardless, how could one not shed a tear when love, adoration and respect for greater things manifest in a gigantic display of beauty where walls seem to sing, dance and play?  Inspiration drawn from nature, balance, harmony and light — what you get is the type of love that would make even the most immaculate heart skip a beat, or two.

Welcome to God’s playground.
(I can’t wait til they finish it around my 45th birthday.)

See more photos on the Photo Gallery.

Photos taken by Ivy Kirzhner. Copyright 2010.