Painting at Bargetto Vineyards in Soquel California recently, I was reminded of the myth of Dionysus. Dionysus was the Greek god of fertility and wine. He supposedly invented wine and spread the art of tending grapes. Zeus decided to protect the rearing of Dionysus to mountain nymphs. It is said that he wandered about the hills and began tending to growing grapes.
Dionysus icame to be associated with Rebirth after Death. He was ripped apart by Titans when he was young and then brought back to life. He later faced and defeated the Greek God of Death, Thanatos, to save his mother. The vines are a symbol of death, being dormant in winter, and a symbol of rebirth when they are severely pruned in early spring in order to produce fruit.
The festival of Dionysus happened in the spring as the leaves were first reappearing on the vines. It was believed that the intoxication you might feel when drinking wine is caused by having Dionysus inside of you. And Dionysus also became the patron of the arts as his festival grew. Many of the Greek plays created by writers, actors, musicians and artist, were performed in this spring festival. Painting at the Bargetto vineyard reminded me of the importance or spirit in creating wine as well as art.
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