“When a Third Sun” by Lauren Fensterstock — Portland Museum of Art

In 2020, Portland-primarily based artist Lauren Fensterstock (born 1975) embarked on the physique of mosaic function Impermanent Problems. She sought inspiration in the Buddha’s “Sermon of the Seven Suns,” in which he describes a series of suns showing one by a person, just about every getting a diverse effect on the ecological landscape. By the look of the seventh sun, the cumulative effect of all 7 suns hanging in the sky collectively results in the close of the planet. For Fensterstock, the lesson of this story is that all materials is impermanent, and that independence only will come when we can acknowledge the natural beauty of this destruction.

Impermanent Conditions is composed of 7 wall-mounted mosaic suns (ranging in scale from a person to 4 feet) that not only ponder the Budda’s teachings but provide as a visible metaphor for up to date everyday living. The PMA is proud to announce the the latest acquisition of the 3rd sculpture in the collection of seven, When a Third Sunshine, for its long-lasting collection. In accordance to the “Sermon of the Seven Suns,”

There arrives a time when, soon after a pretty long period has handed, a 3rd sunshine appears. When this comes about, the terrific rivers—the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—wither absent and dry up, and are no a lot more. So impermanent are problems . . .

When a Third Sunlight is consequently a maximal presentation of a sunshine rendered in glass, classic crystal, quartz, and other mixed media. “With the 3rd, I began observing the real sun, which is a almost ideal orb of gasoline,” suggests Fensterstock. “Our solar normally functions darkish sunspots and solar flares, which impressed the recesses and explosive places of quartz. With its clean geometric surface, the 3rd sunlight features the premier region of ordered sample, only slightly—but dramatically—disrupted by one thing other.” Its sparkling presence exerts a gravitational pull on the viewer, suggesting its beauty is welcoming, harmless, and orderly. However it also has sunspots and solar flares, reminding us of the effects of growing temperatures on the planet Earth. [Jaime DeSimone]