What Do You Like About Art?

She posed the question at the end of her reply to a COMMENT I made on her blog.

I was so pleased with myself I had to post it here for posterity....my own, of course.





Although I admire fine draftsmanship, I am drawn more to non-representational work, including that found in performance pieces such as this.

Sha Sha Higby

(I have yet to find a video that conveys the artistry of Ms. Higby's work.)

My parents were artists (Dad a musician and conductor; Mom a painter) and from a young age I was encouraged to look, listen and notice subtleties. As my aesthetic developed I discovered art provided moments of ineffableness ... that "time" between when the eye perceives and the mind recognizes.

I prefer paintings and sculpture (to movies or videos) as they offer elements of texture not available in photographs. Also, I am slow to process and static works afford me the time to "absorb" them.

That said, I was an early fan of Robert Mapplethorpe's portraits and enjoy the work of Richard Avedon, Man Ray, and some of Sally Mann's work. (I have a proclivity toward the female figure.)

Both Kristen Mendenhall
https://newmexnomad.blogspot.com/2016/10/kristen-mendenhall-in-jemez-springs.html

and Michelle Cook have excellent compositional eyes and capture some astounding images though Ms. Cook rarely makes her work available to the public ... except for cat pictures on Facebook. Here are a couple of her videos from decades ago:

Smokin' White Folks I

Bad Eggs In Low Light

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.cook.900




But, back to your question ... it is through art that I have gained insight into myriad ways of seeing. I lack imagination and through art have been able, as a voyeur, to enjoy a broader spectrum of experience.

I practiced Uechi-ryu (martial art) for 30 years (now fully integrated into consciousness) 

and had several experiences that gave first-hand appreciation of the power of chi / qi-gong.

My lifestyle as a nomad provides frequent encounters with the numinous (Jungian). For the past several years I've been practicing Margot Anand's techniques (mostly by myself) as a means of further expanding my ability to "notice."

But it is through works of art that I most commonly find unique sensibilities. It is in the arts - visual, performance, music - that I most frequently experience the thrill of discovery; an appreciation of new perspective and, with luck, a measure of sensuality.

I have spent my life seeking this experience and consider myself to have been lucky to find it in nearly all of my relationships (I'm a devout hetero) ... nearly all of whom are, or were, artists.

Numinosity - It's All About Timing

Double click to Largen

Aldous Huxley once said, "Life is mundanity punctuated by orgies." (Harper & Row, 1989) I'm continually amazed by the way the orgies insert themselves.

After several hours at the wheel I stopped to photograph a stand of poppies. Nearby was a sign that read: Stop and rest, linger, enjoy all yea travelers, wayfarers and walk-abouts. The sign was fairly large in a cursive font that leant a creative flair to the invitation. The grounds were contained by a metal fence with stone pilasters which, although a bit closely spaced, added an aire of elegance in an otherwise nondescript, small-town neighborhood. Thinking it might be a Bed & Breakfast,  I strolled up the drive.

There was evidence of yard-work, but no one to be seen. As I approached the front door I noticed the building's facing was composed of rock inlaid between "pilasters" or, in this case, column-like accents. Four semicircular steps resembling concentric waves led to a small porch and the front door. To the side of the doorway a finely-crafted, wooden rocking chair, the glider kind, basked in its position of prominence. It was attended by a lithesome pot stand upon which rested a bird's nest. I pressed the doorbell and detected - rather than heard - it ring.

I inquired about seeing the art. He asked what I meant. I said the house was obviously the abode of an artist and as an enthusiast I was interested in seeing the work. He said I was partially right. The home had been built by an artist but he had sold it to them. His wife appeared and joined the conversation. She averred as how upon purchasing the home she had begun painting.

He left to get one and soon emerged carrying a beautiful winter landscape. The scene was of a stand of birch in front of a picket fence with a barn off to the side. Gray, rounded mountains filled the background. The painting's light was so wonderfully done it actually glowed. I had to pause.

The husband said, "I think she has talent." I agreed vigorously. She beamed. I pontificated on why (I thought she had talent) and added that the yard was beautiful too. He had been working hard on it and was glad it showed. By now the synergism was imbuing an expanded state of enthusiasm. I realized I was once again in what I'm convinced Aldous meant by an orgy...we'd reached numinosity and were basking in it.

The husband bid me happy travels and I ambled back to my carriage. (Eggbert sees himself as a Caravel with four-in-hand, dontchya know.) The "hours" at the wheel had given the poppies to appear at just the right time.


Thank you J.A.T.