Getting to Grenoble was a bitch.  Missed the direct train the had to change trains a couple times....then were told we had to catch a bus at Lyon, but when we went to the bus area they said it was not their bus, but rather, the special bus the train company ran.  We rushed back only to see that the bus had left...when we asked about this we were told they had made an announcement...in French only...DOH!.....so we had to take another bus to the city center...then another train....THEN another bus to Grenoble....damn that was a long trip.

      I must say that Guillem, the mastermind behind Jadikan-LP, was immensely helpful in getting us there....once there the hotel check-in was closed and he called them and got us situated quickly....man...Guillem is cool!  Thanks Guillem!

     So, what the hell does Jadikan mean?  Well Guillem told us it is a Malaysian word that means to create/transform.  He wants his light painting to bring a transformation to his viewers on several levels. First, a transformation in what we think is possible artistically and also more importantly a realization that we all carry this light around with us.  We are all light.  We can all make light art.  His message is one of personal empowerment.  Guillem wants his personal presence to be secondary to the message. The message is to get out and find your own light.  Make your own art. Find others and form transformational relationships.  Guillem's interview was shot as a shadow silhouette....being interviewed in silhouette is a way for the viewer to project their own presence into the situation, according to Guillem.  I like the imagery of his interview...I wish we had gotten the shadow smoking a cigarette!

     Guillem's message reflects something that is consistent with [ most ;-) ] all the artists we met.  Most all of these fantastic artists are humble. I found them to be consistently willing to put ego aside and work in a contributory manner.  What I mean is that there is an integration rather than a proclamation in their minds and art.  They work "hand in hand" with the environment and those around them.  Ego is shifted sideways to make room, space, for other contributory influences.    

    Our time with Guillem was somewhat rushed and I regret this.  But the time we did have was impressive.  Guillem took us to one of his favorite spots: La Bastille Grenoble.  We were allowed to stay after hours and I swear history is more present at these monuments  after dark, when all the people leave.  I was sleep deprived, I had drunk 2 beers and it was midnight above Grenoble in the Bastille.  I was in the right mode for ghosts and fantastic visions of what may have transpired in these echoing archways.  Guillem helped me in this in that he wanted us to film his shadow rather than his face for the interview....as I watched his shadow answer my interview questions I was in a very impressionable state.

  I have become fascinated with the idea of light painting in the architecture of history....of light painting in and on historic  monuments.  We have always had the desire to leave a mark on the monoliths and palaces of our ancestors and light painting can be a compelling future oriented extension of this.  Imagine what the architects and builders of these places would think if they saw images like this:

     So, being in these historical monuments and putting a truly modern imprint on them is a conceptual thrill for me.  

     Guillem is a consummate professional, but a little secretive...a bit mysterious.  While every other artist was more than happy to share the tools and be interviewed twice, Guillem had his shadow speak in one interview, preferred to keep his tools a mystery, and "would rather not" do a follow up interview the next day.  This means I have to work extra hard to find a way to incorporate him into the picture, but his amazing images and skill-set certainly grant him a place with all the other Luminaries.

Merci Guillem!