Kissing

This piece contains handwriting on a digital collage consisting of grapes and grape leaves, featuring a medical illustration of the human body and photos of Curtis and I as children--he in his "First Communion" gown and me with a favorite doll. The handwritten part is from The Kama Sutra:

"It is said by some that there is no fixed time or order between the embrace, the kiss, and the pressings and scratchings with the nails or fingers, but that these things should be done usually before sexual union takes place, while striking or making the various sounds generally takes place at the time of the union. Vatsyayana however, thinks that anything may take place at any time, for love does not care for time or order." From The Kama Sutra

The `Aphorisms on Love' by Vatsyayana, known as The Kama Sutra, contain about one thousand two hundred and fifty slokas or verses. Little is known of the author, who is thought to have lived in the first few centuries A.D.

Vatsyayana had this to say about himself at the end of his famous work on the many varieties of love:

"After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over the meaning of the rules given by them, this treatise was composed, according to the precepts of the Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student at Benares, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. This work is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard to the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain success in everything that he may do."

"Kissing" is offered in a signed, limited edition of 250, printed on 11" x 8.5" semi gloss photo paper.

Read more about my work in my artist statement, Creating Spiritual Art for the New Millenium and resume.