Cast It Into the Fire

Still Life with Time

Surprise! Welcome back The Magic Hour. The universe decided that Tess and I would meet this year- and it was a fitting alignment being that we both seem to think alot about our relationship to time. In this wild world of connection, it really moved me that somehow she found the Dreamcast at just the right moment-when I was ready to allow for more “letting things happen” and relinquishing control. This kind of magic encounter is what the Dreamcast is all about. Tess is a filmmaker/animator/artist who has lived all around the world and is currently creating and showing work in Rotterdam. She joined me on the dreamcast to talk about her life and artwork. We delve into why we care about time, about a sense of place, about animation and its ability to slow down stories and make us remember to not forget. Please find below stills from her projects, links to her films, and where she will be showing her work in the upcoming months. Please share, connect and support her so she can continue to create her amazing work. Please start here [https://www.tessmartinart.com/] at her website! Feel free to share thoughts and ideas below, and if you ever feel inspired to share you story with me around the fire, let me know. Until next time, Pixie Links to Tess’ films: Currently only one film is publicly available: 'Still Life with Woman, Tea and Letter' [https://vimeo.com/732559217] The trailer to '1976: Search for Life' is here: This one will be online next summer. The trailer to 'How Now, House?' is here: Her work will be showing At the Sheffield Doc Fest [https://www.sheffdocfest.com/] Jun 21st and 22nd! Link to the film [https://www.sheffdocfest.com/film/how-now-house]. Here is the Italian Film Festival [https://www.maremetraggio.com/] Rotterdam Installation [https://www.tessmartinart.com/#/how-now-house/] in June Links to the films and other things we discuss in our talk: Yuri Norstein-Tale of Tales [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts3Zfzg5rqM] I Lost My Body Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EotTxCNtsA] Tango-experimental film [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tango_(1981_film)] Book: The Order of Time [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36442813-the-order-of-time] Caroline Leaf [http://www.carolineleaf.com/index.php] Note: Thank you to Ale for helping me with the epic editing hurdles for this one.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themagichourdreamcast.substack.com [https://themagichourdreamcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Keeping it Real with Sarah McCabe

Ew. Maybe “ew” is how it really is sometimes, but keeping a sense of humor is also important. So is telling the truth. Sarah does both. I hope you enjoy this talk on the Dreamcast- that you laugh, cry, and entertain curiosity all at once. Please follow the links below to request commissions from Sarah, and to see all of her social media accounts. Her work is excellent, but even more importantly she is an excellent person, which makes what she creates all the more special. Thank you for joining us, and see you again soon! Evil Toaster Art Linktree [https://linktr.ee/eviltoasterart] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themagichourdreamcast.substack.com [https://themagichourdreamcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Bones of Myth

“ Do not laugh! But once upon a time (my crest has long since fallen) I had a mind to make a body of more or less connected legend, ranging from the large and cosmogonic, to the level of romantic fairy story- the larger founded on the lesser in contact with the earth, the lesser drawing splendour from the vast backcloths- which I could dedicate simply to: to England; to my country. It should possess the tone and quality that I desired, somewhat cool and clear, be redolent of our ‘air’ (the clime and soil of the North West, meaning Britain and the hither parts of Europe: not Italy or the Aegean, still less the East), and, while possessing (if I could achieve it) the fair elusive beauty that some call Celtic…it should be ‘high’, purged of the gross, and fit for the more adult mind of a land long now steeped in poetry. I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama. Absurd.” From A Letter by J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman, 1951 In the introduction to the 2022 copy of The Silmarillion Welcome back to the fire. What exists in our current reality is only the surface of deep and timeless truths. If we broke ourselves open into the stuff of stars, we would find all of the versions of love and envy and cowardice and light. And what would they look like? Gold or silver, or something indescribable? But isn’t that what art and writing find- the indescribable truths of this timeline. The limitations and then moments when those limitations seem surmountable. Within myth and stories are a code, an ancient mythic code and this saga is one of many. An enchanted spell created just for us- for then, and a few decades ago, and now. Now most of all- since now is where we find ourselves in this moment. I imagine it a glowing book- runes in the twilight, and asking us to open it. Inside, the sacred script that was written on our souls when the universe began Messages meant for us. I think within the container of this time are the smallest most simple and sweet of moments that will, in the end, save the entire world. A kind word. A soft tap at the door. The breathless pause as the candle is lit. Take your armor- and depart. There is more magic than we once supposed. Until next month pixie Shownotes: Ismael Cruz Cordova [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr70-15t9Dk]-interview mentioned in this episode- but it is missing some key information. The interview with more details starts at 1:03 in this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ZsKhdPK6M&t=1184s] Join me on the Cara app: @jesspixie [https://cara.app/jesspixie] and join us in reclaiming our hearts and minds. The Spell of Social Media Episode [https://open.substack.com/pub/themagichourdreamcast/p/the-spell-of-social-media-daf?r=2r8vfj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] The Dark Crystal Episode [https://open.substack.com/pub/themagichourdreamcast/p/dreamfasting-on-the-dreamcast-the-f8b?r=2r8vfj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themagichourdreamcast.substack.com [https://themagichourdreamcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Facing the Ghosties

Welcome again to the fire. My friend Caitlin Vogel joined The Magic Hour to share her mythic journey with us. Grab something warm, and maybe something to sketch with. Whether you think you are an artist, or not. Maybe you’ll find something at the edges of the light. The truth about the world is that we all must enter the dark forest. Some sooner rather than later. Within those forests are talismans of sorts, and they all are made perfectly for you. Its just knowing how to find them- where to look. Once you find them though, its all about what to actually do with them. Each symbol has its own voice, purpose, power. They have many kinds of power. With them, we can make languages and craft new spells- transforming old ones into empowerment and helping us forge new paths- that are our own. Today Caitlin tells us about the paths she took, the symbols she found- what fell apart, and what she weaved in its place. To see the art from pain or loss or abandonment is one of the most special gifts. Creating takes the intangible weights and shows them the exit. The light gives them context, and helps us see what is there. I was so lucky to know Caitlin in those dark art school days, we saw each others separate universes and gave each other room to process and grow. To have come this far in what is truly another new reality; to have the ability to look back on a body of work and a lifetime of exploration and discovery, to see where it has led us to in this moment, its a magical thing. I am so grateful to her for sharing this with us. The question always is- whats next? I hope you enjoy this epic journey, and the accompanying images of her work. You can also follow Caitlin as she continues to create as a vibrant and unique art teacher here: Caitlin's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/missc_missv/] Thank you for joining us on The Magic Hour and I can’t wait to gather again with you next month. Images in order from top left to bottom right: Brooklyn Studio cerca 2009, Momma Pods and Baby Poops, Line of Communication, Hopeful Gutteral Outpour, Sketch for hope bubbles sculpture, superfeeder, sketch-something about hope and disease, sketch for communication pods, babble hive installation, test woodcuts 5ft x9ft, babble hive/hivemind temporary installation, thought bubbles blown glass, Perception shifter (New Glass review published) Untitled woodcut 4 panels 2’x4’each-8X10 total, Polymer Clay Cane rollout, snowflake cane steps Fire Crackling Sound Effect by Mikhail [https://pixabay.com/users/soundsforyou-4861230/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=119594] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=119594] Episode Notes: A new Magic Hour Theme Song is on its way. Until then, enjoy the fire. For now, episodes will be released the last day of every month. I am always on the lookout for stories. The hard ones. Reach out to me if you’d like to tell yours. Pixie This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themagichourdreamcast.substack.com [https://themagichourdreamcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Cast It Into the Fire

As promised, The Magic Hour has returned as the veil thins, in this season of going inwards. Of death, decay, and sowing quietly the seeds of new growth. The seeds so small, we don’t even know what kind they are yet. Easing into the darkness of this hemisphere of the world, I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter this cave with an abundance of love and wisdom. More mystery, more growth, more grief. The real lesson for me is accepting each hard journey and not viewing it as bad- but simply part of everything. Perhaps the hardest rock I’ve had to swallow as I’ve grown older. I offer up today the first episode of Season Three, a pyre for my own mythic cycle. Its not an easy story this one, and it may not be easy for you to hear. So listen when you have the capacity. There is so much in the world outside of my story, and each of our inner and outerworlds weave in and out of each other daily. This is just one small window. The only thing I am certain of is how important we are to each other. I welcome the quiet of night. I need the soft rest of this time, and while we rest, each month I will bring you stories. Stories to tell around the fire. So nice to be with you again. See you soon, Pixie Resources: Fibroid Foundation [https://www.fibroidfoundation.org/] Society for Women's Health Research [https://swhr.org/health_focus_area/uterine-fibroids/] Article on Fibroids [https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/08/uterine-fibroids-overlooked-far-too-long/] News articles of women dying because medical care was denied: I will keep adding to the list Georgia Abortion Ban-resulting death [https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-abortion-ban-amber-thurman-death] Josseli Barnica died in Texas because of abortion ban [https://www.propublica.org/article/josseli-barnica-death-miscarriage-texas-abortion-ban] Fire Crackling Sound Effect by Mikhail [https://pixabay.com/users/soundsforyou-4861230/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=119594] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=119594] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themagichourdreamcast.substack.com [https://themagichourdreamcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]