Re: [Futurework] Critical Assumptions

[Ray Evans Harrell]

These are the roots of our being based in the learning of our perceptions as put well by Keith in his explanations of the brain.   I agree with both you and Karen.   For me it is about telling the truth as we perceive it and developing skill, technique, beauty etc.   Truth and Ideals.      As for Pre-Columbian Art it is all in being able to read it.   It is not anymore bizarre than impressionistic or expressionistic art which also is a matter of reading.   It does tend to stir up the images of our own demons from Breugel to the horror demons in the movies.   I can remember when Howl was pretty strange (in college)   Basically the Pre-Columbian Gods and Art are about learning and the issues of what it means to learn in the world.   The same lesson as is found in the great circles all across the Americas.   The Mexicans were more dramatic and fundamentalist in their expressions.   For example the Xipe Totec in the East wore the skin of a human.   In the North the Cree simply see it as a coat.   In both cases it is habits that are not native to the person but are the lessons of the teacher that are simply imitative and must move from the beginning into adolescence where they are ripped to pieces by the analysis of science and the watering of practice to become the mature dialogue of the West or the joining of earth and sky in the mature human being.   That is the practicing artist for them or the artistry of everyday life.   Quetzalcoatl.    Life is represented as metaphor since all of reality is essentially unknowable except as metaphor between individual universes.   Suffice it to say that learning the language makes all of these things seem more natural and less strange.   That is one of the powerful lessons of art to all humanity.   REH   ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Weick To: Karen Watters Cole ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 3:00 PM Subject: Re: [Futurework] Critical Assumptions Literature and the arts, writers and artists, help us to see ourselves.  Art is our mirror. Art is central to society’s existence so that we can reimagine who we are and what we want to be or not to be.   KWC   Yes, a lot of art is like that. But I see art as also being a thing of intercession between ourselves and our gods and demons.  Medieval frescos or stained glass are intercessions with our gods; Ginsberg's "Howl", Van Gogh's late paintings and Munch's "Scream" have far more to do with our demons.  In some cases, as in the art of Pre-Columbian Mexico, you are not really sure of what you are dealing with.  God and demon are equally frightening.   Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: Karen Watters Cole To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 11:12 AM Subject: RE: [Futurework] Critical Assumptions Literature and the arts, writers and artists, help us to see ourselves.  Art is our mirror. Art is central to society’s existence so that we can reimagine who we are and what we want to be or not to be.   KWC     REH wrote: Thanks for your analysis.    I must give the impression that I put the arts on a one up position but I intended to indicate that they were the roots of all disciplines as they are the developers of the perceptions.   So rather than the top of the tree they are the base.   At the same time the advanced arts share equality with all of the other disciplines.   What is the purpose of the Arts? KH wrote: I agree with many of your Assumptions and will make some brief comments below.  Before I do this, however, let me very quickly describe my position in contrast to yours. I believe that we should not put the Arts on a pedestal -- as you give the impression that you do. I believe that the Arts, Sciences and Trade are all inter-related, and all are at their peak during particularly vigorous periods of human accomplishment.