Art Reflects the Understanding of Life

This short video is going around Facebook in this post by Albeiro Sarria.  

This video is going around Facebook right now. I can understand why the video is popular - it’s an incredible sculpture. Take a minute and watch the film if you haven’t already.

What I love about this is that art often reflects life, but this work of art goes one step further and reflects our understanding of life. This piece reminds me that sometimes things don’t look beautiful or meaningful because I’m not looking at them from the right perspective.

I’ve learned that there’s always more than one way to view anything - a problem, event, situation, relationship, etc. So if you don’t like what you see when you view something in your life, then you should get up and walk around to view it from another perspective. Nothing is completely positive or negative. There’s an old proverb that says something like “blessings don’t come without curses.” I’ve found the opposite to be true, as well. Some of the greatest blessings come from learning to deal with a situation that appears to be a curse. However, if I don’t consider other perspectives to a situation I may never see this.

Once I find the perspective that gives me the most insight (note that this may not be the most comfortable viewpoint), I stop to appreciate the beauty of having the event in my life. And when I see how it all fits together, I can also see that the positives outweigh the negatives in the larger picture.

The Consequences of Art

So ... what are the consequences of an artist’s imagination?

Artists are often visionaries who see new possibilities. In some cases, they can bring deeper understanding to things in our current world because artists look at common objects and situations with new eyes.

However, individuals who want to keep everything the same may feel threatened by an artist’s creativity. Therefore, one of the negative consequences of thinking differently is that the visionary may become marginalized by those holding the power in the status quo. People who fear change will often resort to persecuting the agents of change in an attempt to stifle the process.

At the same time, artists can hold the keys to the future. We would never have most of our modern conveniences without creative people. There would be no automobiles, telephones or cell phones, computers, movies, or streamable online entertainment. All of these things are the result of someone thinking outside the box and saying “what if ...?” Creativity has the potential to enhance the lives of everyone. The arts feed the creativity within science and other disciplines.

But it can do even more.

Artists have the potential to help in healing the common wounds that life inflicts upon all of us. Movies, paintings, photographs, stories, and other forms of art can be used to depict our common shared experiences. Knowing that we’re not alone in these experiences can ease some of the pain. It can also point the way to dealing with loss in a way that is helpful, rather than destructive to the soul.  Art is also able to help us overcome our fears by showing us how to walk in the darkness with confidence instead of avoiding it. The possibilities are endless.

Regardless of how you look at it, art makes life better for everyone both materially by feeding the creativity that brings new and better products to market, as well as emotionally by enhancing and helping us to understand the human experience. Taking a few moments to appreciate art can also help us to remember that money, while we need it to survive, is not the best measure of anything.

The bottom line is that art is essential. Society and culture need art, but artists also need to create. If all the artists stopped engaging in the process of imagination, both the artists and society would fail to thrive. Life would go on, but the development of society and culture would stagnate.

So invest in something that will leave a lasting impression. Buy some art, whether it’s an original painting or a print, music, jewelry, pottery, or a book. All artists need to be supported. If we don’t support their work financially, their creativity will not be able to feed our culture and heal our souls.

Darrell A. Harris on Skinny Dipping

About a month ago I reviewed the book Skinny Dipping in Daylight by Cory Basil. I then passed the book along to my friend Darrell A. Harris, who I thought would really enjoy it. He did. Darrell wrote such a wonderful review that I thought I would share it with you here.  If you're not familiar with Darrell and his work, please read his short biography at the end of the review. He's no stranger to the arts and maybe that's one of the reasons we get along so well.

A Review of Skinny Dipping in Daylight

by

Darrell A. Harris

Poet Cory Basil tells us in his introduction to his fine volume Skinny Dipping in Daylight “the seasons of the soul and spirit do not follow those of the solstice and equinox.” How fortunate I am to have read this vulnerable and elegant work by one who minded and kept the seasons of the soul and spirit. 



He observes late in the book “Poetry does not pay. But I need it and so do you.” Brother Basil is spot-on about the second two observations. And while I understand what he’s saying in the first, I would definitely take issue with him on it. His poetry has already yielded him the soul equilibrium that eludes so many. Rare coinage indeed. And now his willingness to share it with others allows us to be enriched by it too.

This racehorse of a poet comes out of the chute full throttle. The poem Blue Manifesto sets the tone of the journey with world-weary yet whimsical wisdom: “I know what I need needs me not, I know what I want wants me not.” And shortly thereafter in Abandoned Drifter he boldly petitions: “Spit me out of the whale. Part me a Red Sea then show me dry land.” 



And with the mention of a whale, I should interrupt myself right here and say this volume is a whale of a bargain. I’m used to paying a small fortune for slim volumes of poetry I care about. These poems make me care deeply. And there are nearly 500 pages of deep and moving reflection. (I probably should quickly add I am not being paid to tell you that, lest you think I am wrongly motivated.) O.K. Back to business.



In the poem These Strange Days Mr. Basil chronicles the hollowness in the aftermath of the holocaust of personal loss. Then Hiding the Hyde confides the stewing bewilderment of the perplexed Jekyll in everyman. With Scrapbook and Tape reveals reverie about “how one’s deadly imagination fills the blanks between the frames.” We are so dishonest with ourselves. And so irresolute. In Jet Black Hair our confessor writes: You held tightly, and I let go far too soon.” These ruminations on the how and the why of lost love bring illumination rather than despair, peace rather than angst.



The soundtrack of young love (all loves have a soundtrack) is contemplated in The Year Oasis Owned my Discman. Already Stranger lets us observe the poet’s euphoria of new love, followed by the pointless pain of ensuing freefall ala Gotye’s Someone That I Used to Know.



We also get perceptive insight into the therapeutic nature of writing. Brenda Euland says in her 1930s classic If You Want to Write that everyone can and should write. In Basil's book he says, “I can always go back to my writing; it never rejects – It looks at me fearfully and wonders if I will abandon it. But I won’t – It’s too easy. It’s cheating the noise, a free pass to sanity, an excuse to live.”

This world would be a kinder, gentler place if we all took the time and effort to process our loves and losses, vitriol and victories on the page before moving on to the next thing. That’s what is so engaging and even hopeful about Mr. Basil’s generous contribution of Skinny Dipping in Daylight.



I should also add that I just gotta love a poet who listens to Vanessa Paradis and reads Thomas Merton. His thoughtfully chosen influences doubtless spur him on to the elegance of this work . . . Neruda fueling his “lust for love” and Bukowski helping him “keep it honest, simple and straight.” Would to God that more of our contemporary artists had such refined, eclectic and exceptional taste.



In the latter part of Skinny Dipping in Daylight we are treated to a number of journal entries. These are like coveted bonus tracks on a deluxe collector’s edition CD box. They help us put these slices of the poet’s soul in the context of life as we all live it. And he says so sweetly: “Somewhere in my soul I pray it” (his writing) “touches another – I find the loneliness of poetry to be a comfort.” And comforting as well as illuminating, it truly is. 



May I also add that Cory Basil’s provocative title does not portend an ill- advised burst of emotional and psychological exhibitionism? Rather, this book is a confident and trusting confession after much pain and loss. He probably has earned the right to rant. But he limits himself to only a couple brief flashes. They seem well deserved. And they end up seeming like essential peppery seasonings in a deliciously savory and nutritious dish.


About Darrell

Dr. Darrell A. Harris co-founded Star Song Records in 1976. He was its President for twenty years, serving as Executive Producer for multiple recordings by Newsboys, Twila Paris, Gaithers, Petra and many others.

In the early ‘90s Dr. Harris was Executive Editor of The Complete Library of Christian Worship (Robert E. Webber, ed.) He now serves as Dean of the Chapel to the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, and as a Trustee of the Gospel Music Trust Fund.

Harris resides with Janet, his wife of forty-three years in Franklin, Tennessee. They have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Additional note: Skinny Dipping in Daylight releases today. You can order autographed copies through Cory's website at hereliescorybasil.com

Skinny Dipping In Daylight - Book Review

 People who know me well know that words are my drug of choice. I have other addictions, such as good coffee, red wine and visually stunning movies, but I could walk away from any of these, with the exception of well-placed words. I have deep appreciation for well crafted ideas, especially when these ideas are expressed verbally. Skinny Dipping in Daylight by Cory Basil is a beautifully crafted work that will appeal to readers like me.

The title reflects the raw honesty of the book’s content. The pieces are thoughtful and accurately reflect the different facets of human experience: Love, humor, pain, struggle, falling and getting back up again. Poetry has rhythm and good poetry reflects the rhythm of life, like Skinny Dipping in Daylight.

Even in the prose sections Cory has a very lyrical style of writing, and yet it often contains pithy aspects or whimsical elements that keep me engaged. The words he chooses eloquently support his message without clouding it or overtaking it and that’s what makes his writing so appealing.

I could write paragraphs about the book to describe the writing and illustrations, but I think your time would be better spent reading it for yourself. Check out Cory’s description in the video trailer and then go buy a copy. Better yet, read it with friends or a reading group so you can talk about it with someone else. The discussion time will be well-spent.

Lastly, for those of you unfamiliar with Cory’s artwork, please take the time to check out the links below. He is as imaginative as he is articulate. In fact, I was so impressed with his work that I own several of his prints and also hired him to do the cover for my next book.

Related Links:

Cory’s Website

Cory's Artwork on Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

If you live in Nashville, please visit The Frothy Monkey coffeehouse on 12th Ave. and check out Cory’s original art work which will be there on display from December 1 through January 31, 2013. But get there before everything’s purchased and there’s nothing left to see.

Note: My review was based on a free, advanced-review copy of the book.

"I'm Really More of an Artist"

Recently I came across a situation where a musician was hired to fill in as the worship leader for a Sunday morning service while the primary worship leader was out.  The individual was asked to put together a set of slides with the song lyrics so that the congregation could follow along as they sing. This was the response the hired individual gave to the request:

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to do that. I’m really more of an artist.”

Now, I won’t even get into the fact that this person is being paid to be a “worship leader”  and not a performing artist. Or the fact that there are dozens of other musicians who would love a paying gig in this town.  What I immediately saw was the incredible genius in this remark.  The next time that my kids ask me to drive them to the movies, I can respond “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to do that. I’m really more of an artist.”  Or the next time the IRS asks me for documentation during an audit I can say, “I’m sorry. I’m really more of an artist. I just don’t do the whole documentation thing.”

This is such a good idea that I think we should all be “artists.” So when your boss asks you to put together the monthly sales report you can say, “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to do that. I’m really more of an artist.”  Or if someone asks you to clean up your mess in the office kitchen you can say, “I’m sorry. I’m more of an artist and not really into the whole cleaning thing.”  Kids who don’t want to do their homework can always use the artist excuse, also. Because if we’re all artists and need to focus on our art instead of all the little things, then none of us ever has to do anything we don’t feel like doing.

By the way, I was informed that the individual will not be hired again to fill in for the worship leader because the person wasn’t interested in doing the work for which he was being paid. 

The truth is that real artists do whatever it takes because we know that it’s not about us: it’s about our work.  And if it takes making a few slides to help people follow along with our work, then we make the slides. Art is, after all, a form of communication. If we feel that we’re above communicating then what we’re doing may not really be art.

Waste Land

Normally documentaries are pretty much only useful for helping me to fall asleep.  Except documentaries about fine artists.  For some reason I love these.  I’ve been watching them while I run on the treadmill and it really makes the time go by for me.

Since Netflix can read my mind and knows what I like to watch, it recommended the documentary Waste Land.  I saw that it was about an artist (named Vik Muniz) working with some recyclers at a landfill and I didn’t expect it to be terribly good.  I assumed that the film was thinly disguised propaganda for recycling.  I was very wrong.  Yes, there is a message about recycling, but it is more about recycling human lives and giving people hope. This was one of the best films I've seen this year and it was beautiful.

I wasn't familiar with Vik’s work, but I was very impressed with what I saw.  His art holds a lot of interest in the interplay between the level of detail up close and in the idea or concept that can be seen from farther away.  The way these two aspects of his art interact and then also knowing the stories of the people who were involved in the making of this art is what captivated me.  The process was just as interesting as the finished product. 

Even if you don’t like art, there are two important messages in this film that we all need to hear at one time or another and the film is worth watching for these:

1.) No matter how bad your life seems, it can ALWAYS be recycled into something beautiful.

2.) There is always hope when one person reaches out to another. We all have that ability to create hope for others.

Go watch the film on Netflix or buy it on Amazon.  You won’t be sorry.

Art and Eternity

My band released our first video this week.  Here it is, for those of you who are interested.

At the end of the video I wanted to put the quote below, but we decided against it because we were afraid it would take away from the music.  So I thought I’d share it here where words are expected.

“The only thing that’s real...

The only thing that lasts...

Is the art.”

Does this mean that I think souls aren’t real?

No.  It means that I think that souls are works of art.  

Each of us is a work of art, not for how we look on the outside, but for who we are and how our life experiences have changed us.  Some souls are highly polished and refined with intricate details.  Some are rustic and weathered forms that are beautiful for what they are: simple and authentic.  Some of us are fragmented like a Picasso.  Others are dark and mysterious. We are all different and these differences make us beautiful.  How we respond to what life gives us has the potential to make us even more so.