The Man in the Knit Hat

The man was getting older. He wore a knit hat and set comfortably in the aged, but not quite ragged chair. He sat there staring through large framed eye glasses with a half-smile on his mouth and a full one in his eyes. Those eyes had seen good times and bad. They had seen his own suffering and those around him. They were the eyes of a servant. One who had spent his years caring much more about others than he did himself. A man who had dedicated his life to help save souls and give others hope. Those eyes could be stern, but never cruel. He had lived long enough to know what life was all about. He knew somethings were too good to be true and knew that the world was not in the practice of handing out favors. He also knew that God was no respecter of persons, but sometimes looking at his blessings this could be hard to believe. He wasn't rich. The money he made went to others for support or donation. He had the kind of blessings every child of God either longed for or already had. He had his love, both that which he gave and received. He had a beautifully wonderful bride who had been by his side for almost fifty years. He could rest comfortably knowing they would have all of eternity. He had four children who loved him very much. His grown sons did not mind kissing their blessed father in public. He was loved by many Christians throughout the country. He had left his mark on a number of congregations throughout this country and beyond. The marks were not scars, they were emblems of loving service and tender dedication. He is the best man I'll ever know. He is my father, my guide, my protector and friend.   

Art vs. Entertainment. Ready set Go.

What is that separates art from entertainment? What features does a particular medium of art have that gives it value beyond entertainment? What gives a piece of art value and substance? The modernist thinkers would have one believe that it is the unique nature of the medium and the piece that separates it from being simply a means of entertainment. According to their line of thought, the piece of art has to have certain characteristics unique to its medium. They also believe that it must be unique within the medium as well.

I thoroughly agree that a piece should be unique and stand apart from other pieces in some considerable manner. I do not, however, agree with the idea that it has to have certain characteristics of its medium. I understand and appreciate the fact that art is often made within a certain medium. I do not think that art has to be locked into one medium with certain characteristics. Is my painting any less of a painting if I paint it on a sphere? Is that sphere any less of a sculpture because it is painted? I present that it is both a sculpture and a painting and that it does not necessarily capture key elements of either medium. My point is that mediums can be, and often, are mixed. The object in question does not have all the qualities of either medium, but is still art.

Another thought to be considered is the idea that by questioning and being critical of what is art we are strengthening art itself. Questioning something one believes and honors will often strengthen his or her belief in the matter. Art is no less art because it is questioned, in fact the examination will only prove it even more to be art. The concept and reality of art is so firmly rooted in our minds and in fact that examination will not weaken it, but instead will strengthen it. If one begin to question and be critical of the idea that a dog is an animal then honest and factual investigation would simply lead the individual to the conclusion that the dog is indeed an animal. On the other hand, if one was prejudice and illogical then they might come to the conclusion that the dog is not an animal. That seems silly and irrational, but when one is clouded in their thoughts and ignore facts then erroneous conclusions are reached. The same can be said of one’s opinion of art. If “Bob” is irrationally convinced that art is simply entertainment and does not logically sort through the facts, then “Bob” is probably not going to be convinced otherwise. Ultimately art is of value beyond entertainment regardless of what someone thinks. 

   

Great Female Artists.

It has often been said that women get the short end of stick in our society. We have all heard of how difficult it is for a female to get a high level job in many careers. We here time and time again of the way women are treated as inferior to men. These assertions may or may not be true today, but certainly have been an issue in the past. The art world has not been spared from the issue of perceived female inequality.

It has been asked, “Why are there no great female artists”, Linda Nochlin attempted to answer this question in an article by the same name. It was her assertion that there really had not been any great female artists. It seems, however, that this is not due to female inferiority. Instead it seems to revolve around a lack of opportunity. In times past women artists were not treated seriously. They were not given the opportunity for education in the arts. The few who were educated had great difficulty making others take their art work seriously.

The question must be asked, if more women had been educated and accepted would one of those be considered by art historians as a “great” artists? Men have had the opportunity for training in art for ages. They have also had the opportunity to have their work exhibited and appreciated. There have been many men over many years who had these opportunities. That means the odds are pretty good that there have been some “great” male artists. Women, on the other hand, were not accepted in the past. It has only been in recent times that women began to be accepted as serious artists. That means that there have been fewer women than men over a shorter period of time that opportunity to be “great”. That really cuts down the odds of there having been a “great” female artist up to this point.

Many men today still fail to look at female artists with the respect that they deserve. Women have just as much potential as men to be excellent artists. It is sometimes hard for me to see the problem because I see female artist as equal with male artists. That is probably the case because I have many peers that are females. I also have been taught by women and see them as just as competent as my male professors.

Women truly have been given the short end of the stick in the art world. It is only fairly recently that they have had the opportunity that men have had had for centuries. It is very likely that with expanding opportunities there will be many great female artists in time to come. Women are just as talented as men and deserve the same respect and adoration that men receive for their art work.