One of the initial discussion questions sent me down this path of self-inquiry. Does our cultural view-point affect our capacity to truly appreciate other culture’s art?
I have to admit, when I see cultural Art that involves pain in the creation of that Art, I cringe and wonder how necessary that is. What is it that requires pain as a rite of passage or just proof of worthiness to continue on a certain path - even just the path to adulthood? That said, a few years ago, I got a small tattoo on my ankle. And, yes, it hurt. Why did I do it? Well, that makes for an interesting self-examination and I don’t know if I’ll get to the answer, but here goes.
(As I type my hand-written notes, I’m not sure I have actually come to an answer to the self-examination question, but I do believe I develop an answer to the discussion question.)
I love the water. I’m a native Floridian and warm weather and being surrounded by water are necessary for my well-being. Many of my classmates have spoken about mountains and skiing. There seems to be some sort of odd tie to Utah in this class. J
I love the mountains, but I don’t like the cold. I love the beaches, rivers, creeks and assorted waterways of Northeast Florida. I love that on every business trip to San Francisco I have a hotel room with a view of the Bay.
I find water a source of inner peace. I have a difficult time meditating – my mind can be very unsettled – it’s like a deep pile of sticky notes each asking for attention. But I can stare at the waves breaking on the shore for hours and gain a deep feeling of inner peace. I can fall into the deepest sleep to the gentle toss of a sailboat. I can listen to the many sounds a gently flowing creek makes – taking the time to identify the location of each different gurgle and, in the process, calming my mind.
My tattoo is a water spirit. It is a constant reminder of what is important to me. Maybe other cultural forms of body art – whether gained through pain or just the tedious application of color such as Indian henna art or the time-consuming nature of ethnic hair braiding, is a reminder (a constant companion) of what is important. The pain is over. It was gone almost as soon as the tattoo artist finished. (Not that I feel the need to do it again, mind you. I’ve made my statement and rebelled against my parents - okay, I was 39 at the time. That’s probably enough. J)
So, back to the question – does our cultural view point affect our capacity to truly appreciate other culture’s art?
Yes, maybe and no.
I think there is an immediate reaction that could reject something alien to our understanding of Art. We then move to maybe – we have a choice, try to gain an understanding of the cultural differences, open our minds to new concepts or just simply move on and remain closed to accepting differences. If we choose the former, then I believe we can learn to truly appreciate another culture through their Art.
Deep down, I believe we are all of the same spirit with a need to express both our individuality and our belonging. Art is the perfect expression of both.
I have to admit, when I see cultural Art that involves pain in the creation of that Art, I cringe and wonder how necessary that is. What is it that requires pain as a rite of passage or just proof of worthiness to continue on a certain path - even just the path to adulthood? That said, a few years ago, I got a small tattoo on my ankle. And, yes, it hurt. Why did I do it? Well, that makes for an interesting self-examination and I don’t know if I’ll get to the answer, but here goes.
(As I type my hand-written notes, I’m not sure I have actually come to an answer to the self-examination question, but I do believe I develop an answer to the discussion question.)
I love the water. I’m a native Floridian and warm weather and being surrounded by water are necessary for my well-being. Many of my classmates have spoken about mountains and skiing. There seems to be some sort of odd tie to Utah in this class. J
I love the mountains, but I don’t like the cold. I love the beaches, rivers, creeks and assorted waterways of Northeast Florida. I love that on every business trip to San Francisco I have a hotel room with a view of the Bay.
I find water a source of inner peace. I have a difficult time meditating – my mind can be very unsettled – it’s like a deep pile of sticky notes each asking for attention. But I can stare at the waves breaking on the shore for hours and gain a deep feeling of inner peace. I can fall into the deepest sleep to the gentle toss of a sailboat. I can listen to the many sounds a gently flowing creek makes – taking the time to identify the location of each different gurgle and, in the process, calming my mind.
My tattoo is a water spirit. It is a constant reminder of what is important to me. Maybe other cultural forms of body art – whether gained through pain or just the tedious application of color such as Indian henna art or the time-consuming nature of ethnic hair braiding, is a reminder (a constant companion) of what is important. The pain is over. It was gone almost as soon as the tattoo artist finished. (Not that I feel the need to do it again, mind you. I’ve made my statement and rebelled against my parents - okay, I was 39 at the time. That’s probably enough. J)
So, back to the question – does our cultural view point affect our capacity to truly appreciate other culture’s art?
Yes, maybe and no.
I think there is an immediate reaction that could reject something alien to our understanding of Art. We then move to maybe – we have a choice, try to gain an understanding of the cultural differences, open our minds to new concepts or just simply move on and remain closed to accepting differences. If we choose the former, then I believe we can learn to truly appreciate another culture through their Art.
Deep down, I believe we are all of the same spirit with a need to express both our individuality and our belonging. Art is the perfect expression of both.
2 comments:
Hi -- the pain comments make me want to nudge you in the direction of Thomas McEvilley's essay "Art in the Dark" which is one of the mid-term options. He is writing on performance and so-called "body" art, but in a very interesting, well-researched, and art-historically grounded way. I'm teaching a performance art class this semester, and we're using this essay, along with several others by him, he is a terrific writer and a quite accomplished art-historian, so have a look, if interested. LL
That is a beautiful tattoo, by the way. Very nicely designed.
As a general rule for me, a night out dancing means more pain than my tattoo (ring) did. But then, some weeks carrying groceries home hurts more than my tattoo did! The tattoo definitely hurt, but pain is a rather wierd thing.
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