Kintsugi shows us a reflection of our own imperfections do not have to hinder us in life. I disagree that we are born without choices. We have free will. We can choose to allow our broken selves to.die. Or we can choose to mend our imperfections.
This is an uncommonly useful and insightful piece.
I remind people frequently that art is never just about beauty, but about human experience.
A print of Guernica hung over my father’s bed when I was very young. At twenty, I stood before the real one, at MOMA, and coincidentally began a wonderful affair with a fellow viewer. We shared a great deal over the work, and I would go a bit farther than to say that it is anti-war. I think it’s anti cruelty, anti suffering, and more. Things which we in America are experiencing even in the absence of war.
Thank you, Sera! Yours is a beautiful, generous — & totally relatable post! We don’t know each other, but I feel “seen” in similar Life experiences. Indeed, Life, in all of its nuances, variables…is Good ☯️. And I don’t say this lightly, callously.
Thank you. This stirred me with both its beauty and its perception. In an often ugly world, we really need and profit from profound insights like the posts you share. Please don't stop.
The murals made my heart sing! Then there was violence and death and poverty and pain. Whew. Then there was kintsugi - went straight to Leonard Cohen's "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." And then the lilies brought me back up... Art making my heart race and scratching the itch in my brain. Thanks, James, for this moment of getting out of my head to enjoy the experience.
WHOA!😳. I have see many of these works of art but still am astonished at your interpretation and insight. I have restart and taught art interpretation but this really allows us to learn more in historical context and purpose. Thanks.
I've told the story elsewhere of the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks. Washington DC was pretty much still shut down but as a State Department officer I volunteered to spend a shift at the FEMA Operations Center as the Department's representative. I went into the city a bit early and spent at least an hour touring the Impressionists collection at the National Gallery before reporting for my shift. It was a great boost at a time when it was needed.
James, thank you for this beautiful, full-of-depth-&-possibilities sharing here, re. Life & Art. Your post is rich — and look at the comments it has prompted! Gifts, all ‘round! 🎉☯️💝
Thank you James. Your posts always bring me so much joy and this one was excellent in doing just that.
I don't think one single piece of art I've seen has changed my life but I know the internet has because I can go around the world and see whatever art I want to and more, in a single day and also be somewhere like this and other artists communities I belong to and see all that amazing art too.
I bawled unselfconsciously before a Rembrandt self portrait housed in MMA, and a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner brought me to new heights spiritually. The painting? The Annunciation. It surpasses all other paintings of Mary & the Angel. It lives at the lovely Philadelphia Museum of Art
Thank you for this great write-up. I always love following your beautiful architectural artwork pictures and they're so inspiring and so valued to experience a visual feast for the eyes and the soul 👍🌹❤️🌈
Re kintsugi, we should think of the body’s capacity to repair itself as we grow older in the same way.
Whilst we were born without choice, we can choose how we develop though time.
Kintsugi is profoundly philosophical & aesthetic, simultaneously.
I agree. When I wrote that we were born without choice, I meant that we didn’t choose to be conceived, let alone born.
Kintsugi shows us a reflection of our own imperfections do not have to hinder us in life. I disagree that we are born without choices. We have free will. We can choose to allow our broken selves to.die. Or we can choose to mend our imperfections.
This is an uncommonly useful and insightful piece.
I remind people frequently that art is never just about beauty, but about human experience.
A print of Guernica hung over my father’s bed when I was very young. At twenty, I stood before the real one, at MOMA, and coincidentally began a wonderful affair with a fellow viewer. We shared a great deal over the work, and I would go a bit farther than to say that it is anti-war. I think it’s anti cruelty, anti suffering, and more. Things which we in America are experiencing even in the absence of war.
Thank you, Sera! Yours is a beautiful, generous — & totally relatable post! We don’t know each other, but I feel “seen” in similar Life experiences. Indeed, Life, in all of its nuances, variables…is Good ☯️. And I don’t say this lightly, callously.
Thank you. This stirred me with both its beauty and its perception. In an often ugly world, we really need and profit from profound insights like the posts you share. Please don't stop.
Loving all of this thank you
The murals made my heart sing! Then there was violence and death and poverty and pain. Whew. Then there was kintsugi - went straight to Leonard Cohen's "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." And then the lilies brought me back up... Art making my heart race and scratching the itch in my brain. Thanks, James, for this moment of getting out of my head to enjoy the experience.
Thank you! This restores my weary soul.
Beautiful, amazing post. Thank you.
Simply beautiful! Thank you for making my day! And many other’s day too I am sure!
Thank you. This is so lovely and special. In an ugly world you bring us beauty and the urge to survive.
WHOA!😳. I have see many of these works of art but still am astonished at your interpretation and insight. I have restart and taught art interpretation but this really allows us to learn more in historical context and purpose. Thanks.
Thank you so much Diane!
I've told the story elsewhere of the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks. Washington DC was pretty much still shut down but as a State Department officer I volunteered to spend a shift at the FEMA Operations Center as the Department's representative. I went into the city a bit early and spent at least an hour touring the Impressionists collection at the National Gallery before reporting for my shift. It was a great boost at a time when it was needed.
James, thank you for this beautiful, full-of-depth-&-possibilities sharing here, re. Life & Art. Your post is rich — and look at the comments it has prompted! Gifts, all ‘round! 🎉☯️💝
Thank you James. Your posts always bring me so much joy and this one was excellent in doing just that.
I don't think one single piece of art I've seen has changed my life but I know the internet has because I can go around the world and see whatever art I want to and more, in a single day and also be somewhere like this and other artists communities I belong to and see all that amazing art too.
Thank you James!!! I needed this today!!!
I bawled unselfconsciously before a Rembrandt self portrait housed in MMA, and a painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner brought me to new heights spiritually. The painting? The Annunciation. It surpasses all other paintings of Mary & the Angel. It lives at the lovely Philadelphia Museum of Art
Thank you for this great write-up. I always love following your beautiful architectural artwork pictures and they're so inspiring and so valued to experience a visual feast for the eyes and the soul 👍🌹❤️🌈