I noticed a theme between the text and the video liked for this class. Before ever reading about this subject I have had similar beliefs about art, but was never able to explain them to myself. I think it makes perfect sense that “there is a vast difference between looking and seeing-a difference which is fundamental to the artist’s experience”(Grey 72). this quote by Ernest Watson in Greys paper is a concept that brings about the ideas presented in the rest of the text. The fact that we have the ability to connect further with an object than just taking it for what it is excites me. This explains the creative process in which people create and analyze art in particular. grey discusses how the eye of flesh, reason, and mystic work together to fully know an art subject. These three eyes are said to interpret the literal, symbolic, and transcendental realms of the art being discussed. the essay describes the steps that an artistic must take to create a meaningful peace of art. Beginning with a desired subject the artist then deeply looks at the subject and follows the next five steps to create the final piece. The steps are not always known by the artist or even fully used. Grey did mention one fact that is applicable to all artworks explaining that “an art object must be ‘grounded’ in some material form. The lowest ‘root’ chakra corresponds to one’s attachment in the material world”(97). This is interesting to me because I have seen some out of this world artwork, but knowing that the idea or concept is grounded to a earthly idea or subject is enlightening. This gives me a new understanding of spirituality and its direct relation with the creative and mental connections to works of art. In order to except this spiritual concept I first had to acknowledge that everything has a spirit and has the potential to focused and created upon. I like these examples of how artists creatively make artwork like in the class video, and I think it is inspirational and applicable to many other aspects of life. Using these tools and knowing how to focus on something deeply i feel can be useful in areas as ridiculous as homework. The analogy in Grey’s essay of a group of ideas being a river and the way of focusing on one subject is to pick one and go away from the river is very helpful and easy to imagine the process of creating.
Your ability to see spirituality and art in a new light was really cool to read about. I like that you talked about the artwork you’ve seen before and how some of it really has been far out there and ‘out of this world’ in your words. To be aware that that does have some sort of earthly context and that it is a vehicle to connect the spiritual unseen to the root is something that’s enlightening to think about.
This week’s lesson really did open up my eyes too, even wider than they had been and I think it was really largely due to my ability to be present and to really see. There is a lot out there that we aren’t always connected to, but when we can bring this enlightened awareness to it, we do see it more clearly and with a deeper insight.
Much like you, I feel like I have a better idea about the connection between the creative and the mental side of spirituality and art. I wish we had more time to delve deeper into this subject and read other artist’s interpretation on the importance of spirituality and art.
Hi
Nice thoughts for the art and spirituality. I like your words of one idea or concept for artwork is grounded to a previous material form or enlightening subjects. It is one of important point to inspired artist creativity. Meanwhile, you also told that you had beliefs about art as same as Grey’s thoughts but you couldn’t explain them by yourself. After noticed the texts and video, you said that “We have the ability to connect further with an object than just taking it for what it is excites me”. It is good opinion in my eyes. Furthermore, you quoted a view of the “difference between looking and seeing is fundamental to the artist’s experience”. The view inspired my thoughts for the art and spirituality. In my words, the difference between seeing and looking is the reflection in the spiritual. In general, the looking is simply without the connection between eyes and spirit. However, the creativity from artist depends on the sense from three eyes methods and the steps of deeply seeing, as same as your said. Anyway, the artwork is creativity of sense for subject in spiritual.