In the state of ‘whiteness’ one does not live in the true sense of the word. It is a sort of abstract, ideal state. Some interpret the albedo as the end of the lesser work, corresponding to a spiritualization of the body. The goal of this portion of the process is to regain the original purity and receptivity of the soul. Carl Jung equated the albedo with the animus in women, and the animus in men. The albedo can be a moment of rest after an intense period of work on the shadow and a period of depression, and comes as an act of grace. When I went to India I visited the Jain temple at Ranakpur, a white marble structure built form plans seen in a dream. The temple became an inner space, a place of peace and refuge in my psyche. The while temple was part of the albedo, as was a mountain top I had drawn at such a moment in the early 70’s, for my first exhibition at Fourcade, another peak of sorts.
Sanctuary
2004
Pencil on paper on canvas
9 by 14 ft.
