To Death and Back

Last week on "How Art Made the World," the topic was "To Death and Back." The entire episode reviewed how death was portrayed in art throughout history. The the Etruscans, in 400 BC Italy, were the ones who actually developed much of the art and architecture that is often accredited to the Romans...interesting. Much of the art done by the Ertruscans depicted death being both terrifying and at the same time reassuring.

The most intriguing part of this episode, however, was the reference to the Cross. For some people, a picture of the Cross brings a feeling of fear--as if it is to warn them of their damnation to Hell for eternity--if they don't "get it right." Others may look upon it with sadness because of the horrific death that it causes those who are hung upon it.

For most, like myself, I have an entirely different idea and different feelings when I see the Cross. I, like most, have a sense of reassurance, of hope and of joy. I also have eternal gratefulness to Jesus Christ, Who hung upon it for me even though I didn't deserve it. Even if I was the only one on this earth--He did it for me. He went to Death and Back so I may live.

So what feeling does the Cross evoke in you?

Inspiration

Several years ago, my mom came to visit from the Great White North (well, technically it's Wisconsin...but it sounds so much better). In her car full of fun things, she brought two paintings that I had done in my all-time favorite class in 7th grade--ART.

Mr. Mader was our teacher and he was very inspiring. The first part of each new lesson we had to paint or draw or sculpt and then at the end of the lesson several weeks later, we had to do it again to show our improvement. One of those lessons was on painting landscapes. So I have the product of that lesson proudly displayed in my living room.

Tonight, two friends complimented me on the paintings--to their surprise, I had painted them both in that middle school art class. One friend asked "So when you look at those, do you think, 'Those are actually pretty good'?" My response was "No, I usually see what is wrong." To which the other friend replied, "Well, be glad that you have talent!"

THANK YOU!! I need that inspiration. Off I go to paint.....

Finding Healing

Recently I caught the last portion of a documentary film "Facing Arthur" and was completely intrigued. The film chronicles the relationship between Centenarian Arthur Lederman, a survivor of the Holocaust, and Christoph Erbsloeh, the grandson of a Nazi soldier. Christoph, an exchange student, was sent to Arthur from an aid agency to provide him with some companionship. The two build a friendship grounded in a commom love of classical music.

Arthur was actually the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. One of the first questions to Christoph as he walked in the door upon their first meeting was "If you were born 50 years ago, you would kill me?"

It is amazing to me the pain that still remains...but should I be amazed? If my entire family and 6 million people of my same race were murdered based upon their religion and culture, would it be easy for me to let go?

Even if we were not living during the time of the Holocaust, I hope that we are all able to learn from it.

Amazingly enough, in an interview with Marian Marzynski, Christoph says there was an element of guilt that he carries. To combat this guilt, Christoph says that it is best for the descendants of Nazi soldiers to build relationships with Jews.

The only thing I think we can do today is really to try to foster a natural relationship between non-Germans and second-generation Germans and Jews living today. I mean [there won't] be any Holocaust survivors in a couple of years. So the only way to get over this sin … is to try to establish a normal relationship.

Christoph was able to talk fairly openly with Arthur about the Holocaust, something he was unable to do with his own grandfather.

No, that was also part of the documentary ["Facing Arthur"]. My parents basically told me not to talk to my grandparents because they won't talk about it. My father tried to talk to his father, and he would never really tell him about it because he was not able to speak about it. He was basically keeping this all for himself, and he died with it. He really was not even able to talk to about it to his own wife.

So let's keep the conversations going...and keep building relationships with those that may be different from us. Otherwise history will repeat itself.

Procrastination

I have learned a lot about myself over the past several years...that oftentimes procrastination can be my best friend...and oftentimes it can be my worst enemy.

I procrastinated my schoolwork in high school and actually found that I was more creative and could write a paper faster if I waited until the last minute. I'm not sure if it was just that the heat was on and I thought my papers were better...but I found that if I started my work too soon, it would be dragged out for what seemed like forever and the paper was medicore in my mind.

Then there was college. I made a better effort to NOT procrastinate since I had so much more at stake plus SO much more work. So once I got out into the business world, I tried my best not to leave things until the last minute...until I realized that my boss had the world's worst case of procrastination. Often the projects I was working on would require him to approve or review before they were completed...so then I got into the "waiting game" with endless lists of "to-do's" that were not getting done because I had to wait on the boss man. So I found myself back in procrastination mode.

And now, in art school, I am learning to not procrastinate once again. I especially learned this after I worked 20 hours on a painting that may have been less stressful had I started earlier. This last assignment that was due I actually simplified the design and was much more relaxed while working on it.

All that to say, I have procrastinated long enough in posting photos. So here's one for you to enjoy!

Color Blind

At the recommendation of my color fundamentals prof, I started reading Oliver Sack's book "The Island of the Color Blind." The book records Sack's visit to the tiny Pacific atoll of Pingelap which supposedly has an isolated community of islanders born totally color blind, which is called acromatopsia. They basically see everything in various shades of black and white (e.g. grays).

I'm not far into the book, but I am intrigued by the concept of not being able to see in color. Those of us blessed with the ability to see color, take it for granted. Since I have begun this book, I am more aware of color and try to appreciate it for all that it is. Even the dull colors and hues. How amazing the array of colors in nature!!

In one part of the book, Sacks asks James an acromatope and a native of Pingelap, how they know when a banana is ripe since they cannot detect the color. James responded by saying, we don't just go by color. We look, we feel, we smell, we know--we take everything into consideration and you just take color!

So carry the concept of color blindness to looking at the hearts of men rather than the color of the skin. Is it possible for us to see others without color? Do we prejudge others based on their race? I encourage you to watch "Crash" which won an Academy Award this year for best picture (use caution as the language is quite harsh). It will challenge you to evaluate yourself. I watched the movie with my jaw hanging open because it truly made me think...think hard about my own life and how I see others. I don't feel like I see race when it comes to white and black...but do I still do this with others...what about Hispanic?...or Arabs?...do I see in color or am I color blind?

The Greatest Artist

Who is the greatest artist in your mind? It could be anyone from van Gogh to Picasso or Mozart to Prince...musically, visually, photographically...there are so many people out there that we can emulate. We can aspire to do great art just like them.

Yet in my own life, the biggest inspirations to me is what I see around me. One of the most extraordinary things is the sunset. My mom often said "there will never be another sunset like that one ever ." Each uniquely made, with an amazing array of colors and layouts. Every time I look at the sunset, I think of the artist. He made each one just for me to enjoy. I even look at people, whom I love to photograph. How He created each one in His same image and yet unique in his/her own way (how cool is that). So in a lot of ways, each of us is a work of art.

The other day in class, I was pouring over magazines, attempting to get some inspiration from what others have done for my most recent project....but come to think of it now, I should be inspired by Greatest Artist of all...God.

What About the Pictures?

I myself find it mildly ironic that my blog is about art and photography and I have yet to post any photographs...just so you know, I'm working on it!