‍ ‍I look with wonder at the works in the Further up - Further in collection, not only because art, in whatever form it takes us by surprise by inviting us to step into the "unknown", beyond... higher and deeper". But also because there is an unseen thread anchored in the past through which I unintentionally became organically a part of, just because in the midst of a conversation that, looking back we can hardly call mere conversation, almost magically, words, ideas, opened the lattices of hearts and sharing tacitly birthed this dream. Nor were we fully aware of the wonder until it emerged as wish fulfillment. The dream was very special especially in that the seed was planted by a lover of literature in the heart of an artist. It was also special because the beauty of the vision captured the hearts of the entire group of Atelier Plus artists. But, it is especially unique in that it generated in them an extraordinary passion to explore the writings of British writer C. S. Lewis in search of images made from words that they could bring to a new, visual form of life. Lewis was first and foremost a scholar, a remarkable teacher of literature, writer and literary critic, but he was par excellence a seeker. His life story contains the uncommon situation of the adventurer who sets out in search of happiness and, against his will, arrives at the place of worship. The result was a vast literary work with deep roots in culture, literature and philosophy, which can serve us not only on a fantastic journey into the universe but rather on a journey into understanding its meaning and thereby understanding life within it. This meaning crystallized for him through the truth of Christianity. Looked at without smugness, with a continual sense of wonder and gratitude, the universe is meant to awaken in our hearts the worship of the One who created it, for the universe itself contains the "door to the cupboard" through which we can discover true reality, His reality. Lewis leads his reader into the discovery of beauty and truth without any pretense that this can be achieved absolutely. The journey itself, translated into words, creates the story that can take you down paths you never imagined, every day. Reflection, however, uncovers the fascinating dimensions of human dignity and complexity, across the spectrum of emotional and imaginative experiences with which the human being has been endowed by the One who wished to share this richness with him.

Rediscovering a sense of mystery and transcendence through artistic expression has always been a necessity. Beginning with the basic belief that art addresses fundamental concerns about realities, essentially transcendental in their essence, related to truth, love and beauty, and continuing with the presupposition, demonstrated in so many cases to be plausible, including for Lewis, that people who value beauty may in fact be in search of truth, art can become the "elf-horn sound" that irresistibly calls us to cross over. But the challenge of the artworks in the Further up - Further in collection is unique in that they invite us to connect our exploration with an imaginative world in which we become partakers of all the literary and spiritual riches that Lewis's work offers. "Participation" becomes the tacit essence of sharing that we tacitly yearn for, because ... "most likely this is what we were created for". And their beauty contributes to the continuity of the story meant to bring back the "enchantment" of reality for the one who accepts the invitation!

Dr. Daniela Vasiliu

CEO Fundația Adora Christi