CoSM blog

"Finding My Religion" Interview with Alex Grey in SF Chronicle

Finding My Religion by David Ian Miller

Lance Armstrong visits CoSM

American sports hero, Lance Armstrong, visited the Chapel of Sacred 
Mirrors Saturday March 30, 2008.  His amazing recovery from cancer 
and unequalled win of seven Tour de France bicycle races places him 
in a champion category all by himself.  He was fascinated by Alex's 
anatomical studies and enjoyed viewing Allyson's one person show at 
MicroCoSM.

Walter Velzy

Dear Friends, My dad, Walter Velzy died Saturday, March 15th.  Allyson, Zena and I went to Columbus, Ohio to unite with loved ones for his funeral.  It was a small family gathering where we shared stories about Walt, with his flag draped coffin was in the background.  This picture is from Walt's 90th birthday party last September.  Walt was married to my mom, Jane, for 58 years.  An example of a highly moral and caring husband and father, he showed me that love and family are of greatest importance.  An artist himself, Walt got a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University and worked as a graphic designer for 40 years.  My dad taught me to draw.  Although we struggled about the direction my art was taking in my early years as an artist, when the Sacred Mirrors book was published my dad expressed his appreciation of my work.  At our last visit together my dad looked deeply at images of my artwork and acknowledged it  so generously that my relationship with my Dad felt complete and healed.  Strange how we yearn for the approval of our parents even into adulthood.  At the National Cemetery in Dayton, Walt was honored with a military burial ceremony for his contribution in World War II where he participated in freeing the concentration camps in Germany.  A chaplain gave a very respectful eulogy, taps was played, and the flag was properly folded and presented to my mother.   Great way to send off a dear sweet soul to whom I owe my life.  I feel incredibly fortunate to have had such a long and rich relationship.

My Father passed away at 1pm on Saturday. An Entheocentric Salon, CoSM's all night painting gathering, was scheduled for that evening. As a memorial in his honor, I painted a portrait of us together .   Grateful thanks to Susan Buck for this photo and to everyone who stopped to share their condolences.

Erykah Badu premiers "New Amerykah" album at CoSM

Hundreds of press people turned out to celebrate the release of Erykah Badu's album, "New Amerykah."  She played the album to a packed house at CoSM, then took questions of all kinds.  One person asked her what her philosophy was and she stated that she considers herself "first a spiritual being, then a human being, then a woman, then a color, in that order."  She spoke on how the Kah and the Ba in her name are specifically related to ancient Egyptian words for the Soul. The album is awesome, very trancey, Erykah's mellifluous voice riding waves of R & B and hip hop beats, with news headlines of soldiers to nostalgia of sweet records that filled her youth.  Honey is her new and beautiful music video, check it at: Erykahbadu.com

LA CoSM Party video by Guy Aichison: HyperCoSMic Painting Jam

The night of CoSM's Net of Being celebration in LA, Guy Aichison and 
Michelle Wortman joined Alex and Allyson to paint live onstage.  Guy 
made a video about the evening, check it out: HyperCoSMic Painting Jam

ALASH amazes at Chapel concert

The Tuvan throat singing group, ALASH, sang traditional and new songs to a stunned audience at CoSM on Saturday February 2.

Stanley Krippner visits CoSM

Consciousness researcher Stanley Krippner visited the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors on February 7th, joining in the New Moon ceremony.   Stanley, who used to run Maimonides Dream Laboratory in Brooklyn, shared with the group about the importance of visions and dreams for guidance and direction in our lives.  He commented on how the Chapel is a sacred space that can empower each of our creative lives and our collective dream of a better world.

Entheocentric Salon 1.26.08

Alex painting "live" for an audience at the January '08 while Blachlight Mc's at the Entheocentric Salon.

Spiro (musician), Susan Buck (photographer), Hannah (violinist) and  Mikio (D.J., artist and event producer) helped make the January Entheocentric Salon a huge success at CoSM NYC.

CoSMosis Dancefloor

Live painting in CoSMosis:  Sharon Fulcher (foreground) and Amy Angeles (background) Allyson and Alex Grey (background)

The theme of the party was "Strength Through Peace", also the title  of this live painting by Alex.

Live music by The Creamsicles rocked the house. Craig Gottlieb on bass, Marcello Pantano on drums and John Sully on guitar and lead vocals.

Hannah playing violin while Blacklight MC's

Photos by Susan Buck and Willam Radacinski.

CoSM Membership Party

Over 300 CoSM members worldwide were invited to a special membership  party and meeting to discuss the future of the Chapel of Sacred  Mirrors.  Many attended and some got together for this picture.

Alex inspires CoSM members talking about the design of the future  Chapel.

Allyson welcomes members and opens a discussion about the vision for  the future of the Chapel community.

CoSM family and staff (L to R) Sharon Fulcher, Moon (Jerry Murtaugh),  Karin Aguire, Zena Grey. Thanks always to Susan Buck for being behind the camera.

Erotic Art at CoSM

On January 11, the Burning Angels returned to CoSM and spent the evening striking sizzling erotic poses for a multitude of entranced artists.  Organized by Alex Zoppa, Mitch Fontaine and Joanna Angel's group of adult film stars featured at burningangels.com the energy was provocative and amazingly positive.  This was the line your models in art school never crossed.  Playboy put it on their blog. Playboy blog