My Favorite Possessions?

Several years back I would have identified my favorite possessions differently. Then it would have been my sound system and collection of music CDs. Over the years music has been a constant in my life. Mostly classical composers and instrumentation. Today that music is readily available over my computer, higher technology sound systems, and usually for free. YouTube is an amazing grace to my life!

Although music continues to be an important part of my life, I must now add to my favorite possessions art objects.

Through the years we have picked up items artists created. They did so to express themselves. Their expressions connected with my inner self. A dialogue began that continues to this day.

I have a large painting - acrylic on rolled steel. The colors are bold and expressive. They are arranged loosely in blocks fitting together irregularly and messily. A metaphor of life certainly! The shape of the rolled steel remains, a curvature that stands gently outward from the wall. The art is large (4 feet by 4 feet) and hangs above our dining room table. It greets us each day as we walk toward the kitchen, office and dining/living room. 

Its presence boldly challenges us to greet the day individually for fresh potential and action.

Near the painting sits a metal (aluminum) 'bowl' that is more of a shaped, sturdy net of curlicued tracings. The bowl is 14 inches across. We have back lit it so the open tracery of the 'net' appears starkly against a white wall. The bowl itself is burnt orange. It is highly noticeable. The delicate travery reminds me of purposeful meanderings of the mind.

We bought this piece from the Savannah Modern Art Museum's gift shop. The piece was available in white, black and orange. We chose orange for the boldness and contrast with surrounding surfaces. We thought the white would be lost. Black would have been too trite.

Upon viewing this art piece each day several times, it reminds me of the trip to Savannah and our great exploration of a part of the southeastern United States. It was a fun trip and rewarding. The art piece also is a bold reminder of our complicated but connected efforts encountered while living a purposeful life. We are not alone. We are not without connections with other people and their ideas and needs. We live with this diversity and challenge. We create a way through the complexities and achieve even more creations.

Art is a real thing. It represents thought by the artist. Like all communications, the thought must be received and processed by the viewer. The central idea perceived may not be the original of the artist. But all of life is derivative. We make it what it will be. An act of creation makes for other creative acts.

That may be the core value of all art. Music, sculpture, flat art hung on a wall, dance, ceramics or woodworked masterpieces, art moves people and thinking. 

What fun to accompany visual art with musical art! I'm in heaven!

September 17, 2021