Transformation - newness out of the ashes

In the Dallas Museum of Modern Art, designed by the brilliant Japannese architect, Toyo Ito and worth a visit already for the spirituality of this breathtakingly beautiful design, hangs this painting by Anselm Kiefer with the title Ash-Flower (painted 1983-1997).

A part of the museum:




Kiefer, a German born in 1948, came to terms with his German identity with this painting as well. The painting portrays the grand room of the Reichskansellei In Berlin. The room is empty. Kiefer covered the painting with ash. The only object is a tall dried sunflower plant. With this painting he depicts transformation: from the ashes, the destruction, grows a new image.



Transition is a key element in spirituality. Spirituality focuses on relationships, which can, obviously, be destructive. But at the same time where relationships are dynamic, transformative, new things can happen. Hope remains. There is still light. In Christian spirituality this transformation is decisive.

This painting is so beautiful. It was my second visit and each time I am impressed by it more and more. We see through a mirror, through darkness ashes. Our flowers are dry, but they speak of the sun which gives light where dark ashes are all that we thought remained.