Meditative commentary on the work "The Shortcut"

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Transcripts:

Adopt a comfortable position. Take a moment to settle in and become aware of the space around you. Notice the sounds, the quality of the light, the atmosphere.

Feel the ground beneath your feet, the weight of your body. Soften your shoulders, your arms and your hands. Adjust your posture, lengthening the spine without tensing your back. Close your eyes if you wish, or simply relax your gaze, without focusing on anything in particular.

Now, attend to your breath. No need to change anything — just experience the air flowing in and out. Breathe gently through your nose, feeling your lower ribs expanding slightly as you inhale, then easing back as you exhale. Follow each breath, registering your sensations and feeling the air as it circulates in and out again. Maybe you can slow your breath ever so slightly, thereby suggesting to your mind that it can relax…

Focus your awareness back onto your surroundings. Become aware of the sounds that surround you, both those from outside and from fellow visitors.  Then, gradually turn your attention inwards. Simply observe how you feel, without getting lost in evaluations or judgements. What sensations are present in your body? What emotions are you feeling at this moment?

When you’re ready, open your eyes and let them wander gently for a while over the surface of the painting. Then imagine stepping into the scene, slowly taking in the space around you, and noticing your sensations. Perhaps you can sense the humidity in the air on this cloudy day, or how cool the air feels on your skin? Maybe you can hear the sound of the river, and the creaking of the wooden planks as the young women step across?

Notice how Pekka Halonen builds the composition, placing a diagonal plank in the foreground, creating a zig-zagging path which leads your eye deeper into the landscape. Your gaze moves naturally from one riverbank to the other, through the grassy meadows towards the houses in the distance, and the rolling landscape stretching out towards the horizon. Hovering above is a narrow strip of grey sky, reflected in the shimmering water below.

Everything in the painting seems to draw us inwards — even the colors. The muted red and blue of the women’s dresses echo the bricks and slates of the buildings. As they walk away, crossing the river, we feel compelled to follow.
But then, one of the women pauses and turns toward us. Her face is indistinct, her expression ambiguous. What is she thinking? What is she carrying in her bag? Is she calling for us to join her, or simply watching us as we gaze at her?

Maybe she is inviting us to take our time—to walk through the painting step by step, just as she is doing. Notice how the background appears sharper than the foreground, as if Pekka Halonen, who himself practiced photography, had adjusted the focus of a camera.

Allow yourself to wander through the painting at your own rhythm. Linger on the spot that commands your attention. Imagine the touch of the grass, the smell of the earth and sensation of the wind against your skin. Then, when ready, return to the present moment, reconnecting to your breath, and pursue your journey through the exhibition.

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"The Shortcut"
1892
Helsinki, Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery.

Petit Palais | Meditative walk | Pekka Halonen | The Shortcut

Meditative commentary on the work "Great Pine of Kotavuori"

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Transcripts:

This painting is a striking illustration of the idea that sometimes we can’t see the wood for the trees. We are presented with a fallen tree, viewed unexpectedly close-up, set on a canvas of unusual shape.

Before considering the painting, take a moment to again feel the ground beneath your feet. Breathe gently, and with each exhale, imagine roots extending deep into the earth. Feel the energy rising through your body, from your inner core to your very fingertips.

When you're ready, begin by considering this almost square canvas—a format that is far from arbitrary. Neither a traditional portrait nor a typical landscape, the image challenges our expectations. The bold choice of framing delivers an unconventional perspective, elevating the fallen tree into a monumental presence.

A strong diagonal trunk dominates the composition, extending into a tangled web of crooked branches. It partially hides the landscape, which reveals itself only in fragments. Yet, if you take the time to look through the empty spaces, the silhouettes of standing trees suggest a broader scene unfolding in the distance.

Now allow your eyes to follow the twisted curves of the branches. Choose a starting point, then let your eyes wander through this natural labyrinth. Notice how the branches intersect, separate, propagate into offshoots or coil back upon themselves. Can you imagine the texture of the wood under your fingertips? Does your gaze glide smoothly, or does it stutter over rough, uneven lines?  

In meditation we become mindful of our thoughts, which – just like these branches, weave their own winding paths. Some are clear and structured. Others spiral endlessly into new directions. But by grounding ourselves, focusing on our breath in the present moment, we can create space between shapes and between ideas.

Does this fallen tree, with its bare branches, speak of loss and uprooting? Or is it simply about transformation— with each twist and turn being an opportunity to explore a new direction? Despite being overturned, this tree still exists. Perhaps it even nourishes the very earth that once allowed it to grow.

Allow these thoughts to resonate within you for a moment. Then, gently return to the sensation of the ground beneath your feet and to the stability of your position. Reconnect with your breath, releasing any lingering tension as you exhale. 
When you feel ready, continue your journey through the exhibition.

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"Great Pine of Kotavuori"
1916 
Helsinki, Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery.

Petit Palais | Meditative walk | Pekka Halonen | Great Pine of Kotavuori

Meditative commentary on the work "Archipelago view"

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Transcripts: 

Let’s take a few moments to enjoy a slow look at this painting, created by Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, a woman artist and friend of Pekka Halonen.
Adopt a comfortable position, and lengthen your back but let your shoulders, arms and hands relax. 

Feel your feet set firmly on the ground, then shift your attention to your breathing, sense the air gently moving back and forth through your nose, like the ebb and flow of a wave. Try to slow and soften your breath, following the pathway of the air as you inhale, and noticing the slight suspension at the end of your exhale—a brief moment of stillness before the cycle begins again.

Now, step into the painting. The artist presents us with a view of an archipelago off the coast of Finland. Imagine the breeze sweeping through your clothes, the crispness of the air, the faint taste of salt on your lips. Can you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the way the brightness of the light heightens the colours around you?

Notice the striking contrast between the warm orange of the rocks and the deep blue of the sea. These bold colour planes, separated by thick black outlines, seem to enhance each other’s intensity, vibrating against one another. They are in fact complementary colours—located on opposite sides of the colour wheel. Placed side by side, the orange appears even more radiant, the blue even deeper.

Allow your gaze to wander across the scene, moving from the water to the scattered islands, past the boats, and up to the sky in the distance. Focus your awareness on the places where different elements meet—where the water meets the rocks, where glimpses of the sea appear between the sails, and where the horizon blurs as the sea meets the sky.

Now, shift your focus to the sky itself, with its drifting clouds. Take note of the thoughts passing through your mind at this very moment. Thoughts, just like clouds, form, linger fleetingly, and then dissolve. Allow your thoughts to pass, just as you would watch clouds drifting across the sky…

Notice the contrast between the still, peaceful waters in the foreground and the restless, foamy waves churning around the boats. Which of these surfaces best reflects your own inner state at this moment?

Take all the time you need before gently returning to the softness of your breath, grounding yourself, once again, in the here and now. When you’re ready, you can move on to another painting.

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"Archipelago view"
Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, 1900
Helsinki, Ateneum Art Museum, Finnish National Gallery.

Petit Palais | Meditative walk | Venny Soldan-Brofeldt | Archipelago view

Meditative commentary on the work "First Snow"

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Transcripts:

This painting is undoubtedly one of the most meditative works Pekka Halonen ever created. But before immersing yourself in it, take a moment to settle into your meditation stance and gently close your eyes. Simply experience the act of being present. Follow each breath, observing the subtle sensations it brings, and allow your thoughts to drift by without pursuing them. Allow yourself to gradually embrace a feeling of calm. 

When you open your eyes, step boldly into this snowy landscape. Breathe in the crisp, freezing air, watch your breath become visible as you exhale. Listen very carefully and attend to the density of the surrounding silence.

A solitary tree appears to hover in space. The perspective is striking—we are both looking down upon it and facing it directly, as if we were locking eyes with it. The background—a frozen body of water that could also be interpreted as the sky—rises vertically, creating a spatial ambiguity. This unusual perspective, inspired by Japanese art, encourages poetic contemplation.

Now, let your gaze rest upon the tree’s twisted silhouette. Buckling under the heavy burden of the snow, it takes on an almost human presence. Its trunk bends, its branches bow, yet it remains standing—rooted firmly in the snow-covered earth. It appears imbued with a quiet strength, a graceful resilience in the face of winter’s brutal harshness.

This painting by Pekka Halonen provides us with an intimate view of winter, where nature becomes a space for meditation. In a 1932 interview, the artist himself admitted: “The search for peace and harmony through my art has, in a way, become part of my religion.”

Before leaving this place of contemplation, take a moment to observe how this landscape makes you feel. Like this tree, bowed under the weight of snow, we all endure our own winters.

Perhaps, in its form, you’ll find a reflection of your own resilience. Let the image linger within you for a moment longer, and maybe you’ll carry a fragment of this stillness with you as you gently return to your everyday life.

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"First Snow"
1931
Particular collection.

Petit Palais | Meditative walk | Pekka Halonen | First Snow

Meditative commentary on the work "Awaiting the Enemy"

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Transcripts:

Once you have settled yourself comfortably, let us immerse ourselves in this mysterious painting by Pekka Halonen. Allow your eyes to drift slowly across the canvas, absorbing its atmosphere. Can you sense the silent tension in the figures, the weight of anticipation? Notice what attracts your attention, notice also how your body is reacting to the scene. 

Shift your focus to the lines within the painting. A strong vertical tree trunk anchors the composition, acting like a steady presence among all the agitation. Meanwhile, two spears cut through the space as sharp diagonals, their intersection echoing the red cross seen on the warriors’ hats. 

Observe how the row of men forms an undulating line, subtly echoing the rippling patterns on the water below, as if nature itself were reflecting their movements.

Take a moment to step into the perspective of one of these warriors. Allow your posture to align with theirs.  Feel the rough, uneven rocks beneath your bare feet, the coarse fabric of your clothing brushing against your skin, perhaps even the weight of a weapon gripped firmly in your hand. Can you sense the presence of your companions, moving forward in careful, hushed anticipation?

What can your character see from their viewpoint? Perhaps the stretch of water below—calm on the surface, yet disturbed by rising smoke, warning them of imminent danger. Can you catch the scent of the smoke, mingling with the earthy aroma of moss and damp soil from the forest around you?

Now, focus gently on your own sensations again. Notice how your body has responded to the visualization. Do you feel any tension in your muscles? Perhaps a heightened state of vigilance? Return to the stability of your stance, feel your feet grounded, and the quiet strength in your stillness. You have, in a sense, just become one with the painting.

Take a moment to absorb this experience, then allow the image to gently fade as you bring your awareness back to yourself, the here and now, this space. Breathe softly and delicately through your nose. With each gentle exhale, release any remaining tension—relaxing your face, your shoulders, your arms, your hands, then your abdomen, your hips, and your legs, all the way down to the tips of your toes.
When you feel ready, continue your journey through the exhibition.

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"Awaiting the Enemy"
1896
Kemira Oyj.

Petit Palais | Meditative walk | Pekka Halonen | Awaiting the Enemy

Wie jedes Jahr bitten wir die Nominierten für den Schweizer Buchpreis auf unsere Bühne – wir freuen uns auf Nelio Biedermann, Meral Kureyshi und Melara Mvogdobo!
Nelio Biedermann («Lázár»), Dorothee Elmiger ( «Die Holländerinnen»), Meral Kureyshi («Im Meer waren wir nie»), Jonas Lüscher («Verzauberte Vorbestimmung»), Melara Mvogdobo («Grossmütter») – das sind die fünf Autor*innen, die mit ihren Romanen für den Schweizer Buchpreis 2025 nominiert sind. Die Jury schreibt zu ihrer Auswahl: «Mit existentieller Wucht greifen die fünf nominierten Bücher zentrale Fragen des Lebens und Schreibens auf: Wie wollen wir leben? Was verbindet uns miteinander? Und welche Geschichten erzählen wir von uns? Jeder Text geht in Sprache und Komposition ganz eigene Wege, und so öffnet sich eine grosse Bandbreite zwischen Ausschweifung und Verknappung, leisen Tönen und grossen Gesten, Trauer und Leichtigkeit. Von der Schweiz nach Ungarn und in den lateinamerikanischen Dschungel, von der ägyptischen Wüste nach Kamerun: Es sind Bücher, die in das Wesen der Schweiz eindringen und weit über die Landesgrenzen hinausgehen, teils auch an die Grenzen des Erzählbaren, und die den Lesenden weite Horizonte eröffnen.»

Wir freuen uns auf die traditionelle Lesung mit den Nominierten auf der Bühne des Literaturhauses, während «Zürich liest», an der Sie, liebes Publikum, einen kurzweiligen Einblick in die Bücher und Schreibwelten erhalten: Nelio Biedermann, Meral Kureyshi und Melara Mvogdobo (Dorothee Elmiger und Jonas Lüscher können leider nicht dabei sein) lesen aus ihren Texten und sprechen mit Tuğba Ayaz und Martin Zingg über Inspiration und Handwerk, Schreiben und Leben.

Moderation: Tuğba Ayaz, Martin Zingg

Büchertisch: www.buchland.ch

In Kooperation mit dem Schweizer Buchhändler- und Verleger-Verband SBVV

Sa 25.10.2025 «Zürich liest»: Schweizer Buchpreis 2025 – Lesung der Nominierten

Principal Scott Carter is back with Mark in the Morning as our Focal Point series continues with a focus on Cove Creek Elementary School! Click on the link below to visit our WATA page online and then click on the Wakin' Up In The High Country logo to access the Focal Point 2025-26 playlist. 

FOCAL POINT WITH SCOTT CARTER AND COVE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Vad vill regeringen med det specialpedagogiska arbetet? 

Imorgon kl 9- pressträff om direktiv till ny specialpedagogisk utbildning

Boone Sunrise Rotary (BSR) is celebrating their 40th anniversary and Mark in the Morning welcomed in Adam Jackson to share all about the upcoming fruit sale! Click on the link below to visit our WATA page online and then click on the Wakin' Up In The High Country logo to access the BSR playlist! Visit them online at boonesunriserotary.org

ADAM JACKSON WITH BOONE SUNRISE ROTARY'S FRUIT SALE

Wes dropped by with Mark in the Morning to share all about resources available to students and their families regarding financial aid, the FAFSA form, and much more! Click on the link below to visit our WATA page online and then click on the Wakin' Up In The High Country logo to access the GEAR UP playlist! Visit them online at https://gocollege.appstate.edu/student-support-programs/gear-up

WES CALBREATH WITH APP STATE AND GEAR UP

Paris Musées Établissement public Paris Musées, le réseau des 14 musées de la Ville de Paris.

New tracks tagged #Learning