In this excerpt we analyze the the art of visualizing objects and why we do. In this chapter, Deeply Seeing, the author opens up to the readers with a question, “but what is the difference between merely look at a thing and actually seeing it?” (Grey 71). The way that the author brings this to our attention, it has a philosophical persona behind it. I would argue that the common saying “seeing is believing” is pretty accurate to how we interpret what Grey is telling us; there is a difference is looking at something and actually being there to see it.
Another argument that Grey brings to attention is the compare and contrast of art and spirituality. Grey lists a ‘Creative Process’ that he outlines to be the steps that artists should be using to better interpret their art work. The process goes as follows:
- Formulation
- Saturation
- Incubation
- Inspiration
- Translation
- Integration
I would argue that some of these steps seem unorthodox and futile. For example, the steps of Formulation and Saturation seem useless in my opinion. From what I’ve believe to know about art, it’s a creation of an artists choosing and free will. The artist shouldn’t have a problem or or subject that they should be targeting, but what the world will see when analyzing their work. During the analysis of what Grey describes during each of the steps, I am fond of how he brings in the aspect of spirituality into the work of art. That there seems to be a spirit within each work of art, the beauty of it is what stumps people and having to figure out what it says to them.
Reference
Grey, A. (2001). Art as Spiritual Practice. The Mission of Art (1st ed., pp. 205-233). Boston & London: Shambhala.