“The Red Lotus” To Witness, To Release
“May you know peace, may you be happy, may you be free from all pain and suffering.” - Buddhist Metta Practice
What is The Red Lotus?
This knitted interactive installation is the second component to Sharon Kagan’s solo show, Compassion in Action. The Red Lotus is a sanctuary of compassion at its purest. When you step into the circle, you’re immediately comforted by what seems like a 30-foot loosely knitted blanket, so you can see and hear the outside world yet feel the safety of being inside its circular wall. Its natural imperfections in the knit alludes to humanity and humility and makes an ideal cocoon for reflection.
Walk through The Red Lotus (2022). Installed by Randy Wachtel and Zachary Hamm at Alfred University, New York
Interacting with the red lotus
The Storyteller: This visitor sits in the designated speaker chair and shares thoughts/stories without censorship knowing that The Silent Listener will serve as a compassionate witness free of any judgment.
The Silent Listener: This visitor sits in the designated listener chair and without judgement, silently repeats the Buddhist Metta practice, “May you know peace, may you be happy, may you be free from all pain and suffering.” You may recite the long version, as well, “May you know peace. May you be happy. May you be free of all pain and suffering. May you be free of the legacy of your inheritance. May you be free to love and be loved. May you know the gift of forgiveness. May you feel the joy of forgiveness. May your heart be open and free. May you be blessed with forgiveness.”
Visitors are encouraged to switch roles by switching chairs and repeating the process.
Open your heart and do what you feel.
Though there is the instructed way to interact with The Red Lotus, audience members should create their own experience. The Red Lotus has infinite potential including being a safe space, a quiet place for a discussion, a dance floor, a prop, a spot for meditation, an art studio, a reflection. Below is a dance in and about The Red Lotus created and performed by professor and dancer, Chase Angier.
The Red Lotus Dance by D. Chase Angier, Artist/Professor at Alfred University, New York. Song used is “To Speak of Solitude” by Brambles.
The Buddhist Metta
Kagan’s work focuses on freeing the viewer from generational trauma, prejudice, and fear. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors Kagan says, “I have wrestled my entire life with the subject of forgiveness. How do we forgive these enormous tragedies? Who do we forgive? What is it to be forgiven?” In an effort to find an answer to these difficult questions, Kagan recites the Buddhist meditation practice of Metta – “May you know peace. May you be happy. May you be free of all pain and suffering. May you be free of the legacy of your inheritance. May you be free to love and be loved. May you know the gift of forgiveness. May you feel the joy of forgiveness. May your heart be open and free. May you be blessed with forgiveness.”
Metta is a Buddhist meditation practice that involves concentrating and reciting, either silently or aloud, phrases of good wishes toward yourself and others. Good will and loving-kindness are the antidotes to ill will, anger, and animosity.
The Meaning of The Red Lotus
Sharon explains the meaning behind the name.
