Celestis
Yoko R.S. Augustina
A Spring of Joy
Joy as Blossoms of Life
How do we speak of joy in a time of collective grief? This film creation invited me to explore that question through music, art, and connection.
Painter Sonya Gonzalez’s vibrant works became part of my journey — blooming at the heart of this film.
Inspired by Beethoven’s rondo and the words of Juan Felipe Herrera, this piece is an invitation:To feel. To remember. To open the space where joy can arise.
The Story Behind “A Spring of Joy”
For some time, I’ve carried the wish to create a film centered on joy — a spring of pure joy.
But how could it make sense to create such a film in a time of collective grief?
Was I trying to escape reality by imagining joy?
What I discovered is that creating this film invited me to deepen my understanding of joy itself.
During the process, I met a painter, Sonya, whose vibrant, colorful works overflow with life.
We became friends, and her paintings became a part of my journey and live in the heart of this film.
Kahlil Gibran wrote that both joy and sorrow arise from the same place within us —
I believe it is a place of tender love.
So as we live through times that teach us the meaning of sorrow and grief,
we may open up the space to evoke joy.
It is one of the most essential, innate emotions we carry.
Audio recording of the whole piece is at the bottom of this page
The original poem by Juan Felipe Herrera (English translation)
Let Us Gather In A Flourishing Way
Let us gather in a flourishing way
opening with sun light grains songs
we carry every day
I pasture the young body
happy to give and give pearls pearls
of corn flowing tree of life at the four corners
let us gather in a flourishing way
happy life full of strength to
giving birth to fragrant rivers
Fresh sweet green turquoise strong
rainbows flesh of our children
let us gather in a flourishing way
in the light and in the flesh of our heart to toil
quiet in fields of blossoms
together to stretch the arms
With the quiet rain in the morning
Early on our forehead star
Heat sky and wisdom to meet us
Where we toil always
in the garden of our Struggle and joy
let us offer our hearts to greet our eagle rising
freedom
woven branches celebrate arms branches
nopales stones feathers bursting piercing
figs and avocados
Butterfly ripe fields and clear seas
of our face
to breathe all the way in blessing
to give seeds to grow maiztlán
in the hands of our love.”
― Juan Felipe Herrera, Half of the World in Light:
#SpringOfJoy #ShortMusicFilm #BeethovenRondo #PianoAndArt #EvokingJoy
Performed by: Yoko R.S. Augustina
Art by: Sonya Gonzalez
Text includes excerpts by: Juan Felipe Herrera
Inspired by the writings of: Kahlil Gibran