My last post sparked a discussion on how we perceive the world around us and how that has a profound effect on how we view art – and anything else for that matter. Everything that we see or experience becomes intensely personal. So the question is, is it possible to strip down those preconceptions and if so, in what way can that be valuable?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
That is one of the most well known clichés in our culture. How do you judge what is beautiful and how much of that is influenced by the lens of culture? The artist’s job has always been that of the ‘visionary’ – to see what others cannot. A skilled artist or writer can make something profound out of an ordinary object or event. They ‘see’ that object without the influence of popular or ‘group’ perception. That object has it own story and, if we look without judgment, the imagination can run wild.
Photograph, Michelle Basic Hendry
I mentioned before that great art, in any form, is often born in the person with eyes of a child. Artists often fall victim to external influences on what is beautiful and push their work in the direction of the needs and desires of the market. That often takes out the joy out of the work. Without joy, we can forget how to see, no matter what our occupation or walk of life.
Buddhists and a number of authors including Eckhart Tolle suggest that peace and happiness are found through living in the moment and the resistance to judgment. We are trained from the moment we leave the womb to pass judgments. We experience the word ‘No’ for excellent reasons and some less valid. This is hot or cold, safe or dangerous, good or bad. When we are so well conditioned, it is no wonder we look to the few who seem to escape its grasp – to whom the world appears less black and white.
Some see great beauty and grace in the web of a spider. Others view it as terrifying or disgusting. Which is true? Neither? Both?
In the case of the painting, ‘Hopewell Rocks’ from my last post, is the man walking away hopeless and oppressed by a cold and indifferent world? Or maybe he is us, seeing how small we are in relation to Nature and the Universe? Maybe there is a third way of seeing it. Not as the man, nor judging the man, but rather, seeing the man. Not as a symbol of hopelessness or smallness, but simply as an observer. Perhaps, then, the possibilities become as infinite as our imaginations.
I think that art, literature, film, sculpture, dance, theatre, music and science are all capable of opening up our collective senses and help us to see the world in another way. It is equally possible that those same things can support the narrowing of our vision. We must choose how we want to ‘see’.
The world is everything we think it is and nothing. I think that having vision is something each of us can have. It is not something only for the artist or the shaman, unless you choose to believe that. Our choices make us who we are and for that we will, inevitably, be judged. But then, who cares? Unless you choose to care….
What do you see?
I just discovered on my latest tour of the blogosphere that I was honoured with the “Significant Blogger Award” from Kim at Laketrees . Thank you so much, Kim!
absolutely incredible image Michelle and a really thought provoking post …
I often find that I have to put a check on my perceptions of reality…
sometimes.. simply turning the painting upside down and looking at it from another viewpoint works…
this image is certainly an escape from reality for me…a wonderland of suggested forms…and a place that I imagine would be inhabited by fairies… 🙂
Congrats on your award. Well deserved. Interesting ponderings too.
Love,
Linda
http://www.lindablondheimartnotes.blogspot.com
Great post Michelle!
I love the photograph!
I heartily agree with you on your main points here, Michelle. The artist as visionary: I know I am not alone here when I say that becoming an artist arose from my vision of the world, and my vision of the world has been influenced by being an artist. It is a lovely cycle.
One very useful tool I was given in art school was an image finder. This is a simple piece of cardboard with a 1″x2″ cutout in the center. Actually we made them in class. This high tech tool was used as a window to look through and find compositions. Your beautiful photograph here reminds me of that. I am very inspired by this image and have immediately turned it into a landscape in my mind. 🙂 I agree with Kim, fairies live here.
It’s been fun to get my child eyes back again after years of trying to fit in and being judgmental as a result. Especially of myself. No more of that nonsense.
Congratulations on your award. I love your blog, your attitude, and your ability to communicate. You deserve this award!
Great post! Much of what you mention here is so true. Congrats on the award–you deserve it. 🙂
Hi Kim!
Thanks again! 🙂
I think if you look really closely, you never know what you might find….
Thanks, Linda!
Hi Kinsey! Thanks for the compliment!
Kris – Thanks! I am glad you resonated with the post. The viewfinder is an excellent way to change the way you see things. I thought about painting this one, but having taken the photo, I am too close to the subject in its larger form LOL!
Thanks Lana! I encourage people to look at what I say here critically. We can learn so much from each other!
What a beautiful post. I came to art late in life (my first painting class at 40) and it was like magic door had opened. For the first time in my life I had something that belonged to ME and nobody could take it away (I had my childhood taken away by abuse). So I don’t have judgments when doing my art, I have magic. What others think doesn’t change this beautiful thing I discovered in me, the power to make what I feel.
Oh I loved your post, thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful writer.
Wow! Jafabrit…. You have inspired me with your comment. Here’s to the magic!
Thanks!:)
Wanted to come by and congratulate you on the Significant Blogger award from Laketrees! You have a very intriguing blog.
Thanks Kim! 🙂
Wonderful site! Great thoughts! I am a musician as well as a few other things. I think what you are saying holds true in all aspects of life. Seeing the world with new eyes is such a great concept. Did you ever read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard? It’s a great combination of noticing the world around you and philosophy – a lot like your post. She has a great story about some people who have been blind and then can see and how they see lights on trees instead of leaves until they are “taught” to see leaves. Great site.
Hi Michelle,
Enjoyed reading your mentally stimulating blog today. I concur wholeheartedly that our life experiences write upon the slate of who we are either positively or negatively and shape our actions, reactions and visions.
I am curious as to why you chose that particular photograph to illustrate your blog. Was it to prove that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or was it to invite our imaginations to run wild?
I must admit my imagination ran wild when I started to really look at the photo. I could see how others saw a home for fairies or wood nymphs but I saw much more. I saw:
-the river of life supporting the world
– a striving for something more
-a desire to live despite the hardships of life
-a reaching beyond the mundane in our existence
-strength in spite of hollowness
-Man’s battle against oppression (the scrawny arm and leg protrudences crushed beneath the overpowering yet hollow limb reminded me of the Hollocausts in Germany and Ruwanda)
-the juxtaposition of light (good) and dark (evil) – a culturally based interpretation to be sure
My mind is sated with the food for thought you have presented. I have a couple of questions formulating in my mind which I will pose later when they have solidified and time allows.
You are an inspiration.
Hi Scott! Thanks for the suggestion and the compliment – I must have a look at that title.
Thanks, Martin – I always look forward to your comments because they also inspire me to think.
In answering your question about the photo – Yes – to both possibilities! I am glad you caught my intent….
I look forward to your questions! 🙂 I am sure it will be good fun to explore them.
Hi Michelle,
I am afraid my couple of questions have blossomed into a myriad of questions.
Twice in your blog you refer to judgement. In the first instance, you cite, “…peace and happiness are found through living in the moment and the resistance to judgement.” Is the suggestion that to be happy one must not make judgements or are we to disregard the judgements made by others? Do you allow your sense of worth to be based on the opinions and actions of others? Do you try to find your worth in how you look or what you do? Do you try to find your worth in how others treat you?
Secondly, you say, “Our choices make us who we are and for that we will, inevitably, be judged.”
By whom do you think we will be judged? Do you feel we should make our choices irregardless of the impending judgement? Do you care? Thank-you for encouraging me to explore my inner beliefs.
I think it is more important how you see it. Judgment can be as simple assigning something a label – like good or bad, beautiful or ugly. Once we label or ‘judge’ it, we stop seeing it. In the case of a person, it is the same, even if that person is ourselves. So if we allow ourselves to be more concerned with seeing rather than judging, I think, we can be happier. Our view of ourselves and the world around us can become richer.
To address the second question – even if we become wise enough to not to inappropriately judge ourselves, we will be judged by others. How much that matters is up to you. It might be impossible and sometimes even undesirable to disregard the judgments of others entirely. The key is knowing when it has value and when is is simply destructive.
Does that clarify things a little?
You couldn’t have said it better. It is so true that without joy, art can feel more like work than fun. Afterall, that is the whole reason any of us want to keep creating art is because we love to do it and find certain subjects intriguing.
Hi Rita! It is all about the joy!
Thanks, Michelle,
I could not believe someone would think as I do and so I had to check. You’re right on!
Peace be with the moderator as well as those reading this message.(that is if this message is not censored :-).
The time has come, the harvest is ripe.
I am here to bring judgment to those who are awake, and those who are asleep.
Now is your time of testing.
Pass this on to all fellow believers.
The Faithful Witness
Duke
Hi Duke – The comment gets to stay because you selected a relevant post.
The test is simply if you are awake. Time and belief are illusions. The need for judgment will fall away if you are truly awakened. The experience of form, which is the basis of the post, can best be appreciated from a position of consciousness. Then the duality and labels of our existence takes on far less importance.
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Best wishes,
Alexis from Arlington CDP