Art Gives Us Meaning
Combining spirituality with art may be an essential aspect to creating meaning in artwork. There are multiple layers to this combination, but the root of it, at least according to Grey, is deeply seeing. There is a difference between looking and seeing; though of course some level of each contribute to inspiration. Grey clearly outlines the differences between looking and “actually seeing.” He says, “seeing occurs when our attention is arrested by a person, object, or scene. Our mind stops chattering and pays attention. We see both the shape of the thing and its meaning to us. We are drawn out of our isolated, self-absorbed state.” (Grey, 72) The reason opening up our minds to deeply see is so important however, is that “seeing is…the recognition of meaning.” (Grey, 73)
Grey discusses several avenues for exploring art and spirituality. In it’s most summarized form, there are three eyes of knowing (the eye of flesh which sees material objects, the eye of reason which sees symbolically, the mystic eye of contemplation, which sees “luminous transcendental realms”), three qualities of beauty (integritas or wholeness, consonantia or harmony, and claritas or radiance), and seven chakras.
To avoid more summary of the intricate interplay between spirituality and art, I’d like to move back Grey’s point, which is that the ability to see deeply is also the ability to recognize meaning within a work of art. Anne Hamilton, the textile artist in the film “Art:21,” talked about the important metaphors that “cloth offers up.” She described the threads that hold fabric together as a perfect social metaphor for working together; but more than that, each thread and stitch has a purpose, a function, and you can actually see every detail, if you look close enough. I loved this metaphor because it was an extremely straightforward example of the ways in which works of art have deeper meaning.
Art perhaps offers us an explanation of the spiritual, in addition to being inspired by spirituality. I think that a watered-down description of spirituality is a means to explain humanity. The ultimatum that is our lives – we will eventually die – is completely terrifying, and even more so if there is no point to our existence. Art is an inexplicable connection to spirituality and meaning. Grey’s worldview is similar:”contact with spiritual ground provides the true basis for meaning in our lives.” (Grey, 106)
May 14th, 2014 at 4:10 pm
I thought you brought up some great points from the article! What I found interesting was the difference between seeing and actually looking. I think many people in a gallery walk down just “looking” at paintings, but there are also people who are “seeing” which I do believe is the recognition of meaning that you mentioned from the reading. When mentioning the metaphor for working together, is there a piece of art that you feel “every stitch has its purpose.” I was wondering if you have your own favorite piece of art that you would argue this metaphor applies for? When looking at the three different eyes of knowing, I challenge you to think of which eye we use on an everyday basis? Is there one that we use more than other or use everyday? I have never looked or thought about the three eyes of knowing and what the qualities represent.
May 14th, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Hi Katrina, I absolutely agree with how you stated that in addition to being inspired by spirituality, “art perhaps offers us an explanation of the spiritual.” Spirituality could definitely be a way to help explain and define humanity because people make their own individual choices as a result of what they believe in. Relating to this, people will create a piece of art inspired and influenced by what they believe in. I feel as if an artist will create something because it is of great meaning to them or it somehow inspires them in their own life.