
“What gives this art its power is that it makes us dream” ∼ Jean Clottes
This workshop is an amplification of the original “Caves of Painted Dreams” workshop. We will explore archetypal images in the caves, in our dreams, and in the beautiful landscape of the Dordogne Valley, France, with instruction from a gifted artist and teacher who helps each person, novice or advanced, express their inner landscape.
“I’m no longer afraid of art” (from a 2019 workshop participant)
The painted caves of southwestern France are the perfect metaphor for the internal journey to the unconscious we experience each night in dreams. Art is a visual language of symbol and metaphor – the language of humans since the first dawning of human consciousness.
Nowhere is that more evident than in these beautifully painted caves which likely functioned as sacred spaces for early humans. C.G. Jung and Jungian analyst Marion Woodman believe that by learning to remember and attend to our dreams, we can discover more about ourselves and our relationships to others. Utilizing active imagination and recording our own dream images with various art mediums, will enhance our experience and aid in our inner journey.
On a typical day we will have a dream workshop/drawing session after breakfast to connect/elucidate our own images. We will then visit one of the painted caves in the area. Lunch together provides time for discussion with some afternoons free to hike, kayak, bike, rest, or visit some of the other wonderful sights in this area including castles of all sorts, duck farms, foie gras factories and wineries. We will reconvene in the evening to experience ways to further amplify dreams with art-making, mixed-media techniques, music, movement, and guided imagery.
This workshop is suitable for professionals as well as lay persons, both men and woman, who are interested in dreams symbolism and archetype.
Topics
Dreams in History and Pre-history
Importance of Honoring and Working with One’s Dreams
The Nature of Symbol
Common and Archetypal Imagery in Dreams and Art
Dream Amplification with Music, Art, Movement, Imagery
Active Imagination and its Historical Context in Art
Dreams Influence on Major Artists and Artistic Movements
Historical Context of the Cave Art and its Influence
Accommodations:
We will stay at La Tour de Cause and at Auberge du Pont de Cause which are adjacent to one another. Both properties are renovated stone houses with lovely grounds that are near the tiny hamlet of Castlenaud-la-Chapelle, France. Please visit the La Tour de Cause website http://www.latourdecause.com and http://www.votregiteendordogne.com to see the B&B and the Auberge.