"Art Is the Thing We Place Between Ourselves and That Which Is Most Beautiful"
Icon of Adam and Eve in Paradise (Romanian)
“And the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
An artist places his canvas and easel in front of a grand mountain scene. A wood worker carves an elegant pattern on a box to store treasure and jewels. A fashion designer makes a dress with intricate lacework for a beautiful woman. A young poet writes a poem for an enchanting young woman. A stone mason makes a sculpture of a great hero.
We have a basic Pattern Here:
artist → art ← “most beautiful”
Shame & Protection:
The young poet has a crush on a young school girl, she is the “most beautiful” thing he has ever seen. He recognizes his shame in comparison, he is vulnerable and needs protection, so he writes a poem. Another school boy, not so poetically inclined, might “wear” his best outfit, or “wear” some cologne. Another example, a novice mathematician sits next to a famous mathematician at a dinner party. The novice, recognizing the brilliance of the man sitting next to him, feels shame and opts to “cover” his shame by going on and on about his own work. Maybe his achievements will protect him from this well decorated veteran.
There is a beautiful image here, in light of each other’s beauty, Adam and Eve sew together fig leaves to “cover” themselves. This is the first piece of art. Eve is so beautiful, Adam must cover himself. And Adam is so beautiful, Eve must cover herself. In some way, because the fall has happened, they’ve already left the protective walls of the garden and must find a substitute. They recognize that they are vulnerable and need protection. This is the “art” between ourselves and that which is “most beautiful.” This, without realizing that they themselves are. There is also something to be said about the removal of clothes that leads to reproduction and recreation - you remove the “tasty” fruit from the basket to “recreate” yourself.
The further from “home” you go, the more “protection” you need. The mountains are beautiful, but not without shoes, clothes, bug spray and a laundry list of supplies. The Hebrew letter TET represents a basket or a coiled snake. A side note, early pottery was made by long coils of clay circled together or by lining a woven basket and placing it next to a fire to harden. The meaning of the word is to “cover” or “surround” or “keep.” The same as you “cover” yourself to explore the mountains, you “cover” yourself by taking food. Food, a source of life, becomes you when you eat it. As you “keep” your food in storage, you “keep” yourself.
Here’s an example of TET used in a word:
Rain (“matar” in Hebrew) is a picture of water surrounding the head.
M (mem) = water
T (tet) = surrounds
R (resh) = head
Source: fathersalphabet.com
“Before the advent of sin, there was no need for Adam and Eve to be artificially dressed because nakedness was not synonymous with falling and dying. In that pristine state, Adam was able to cover his flesh with the ‘light’ of his spirit.”
Clothing is Necessary:
The not so beautiful image, art as a necessary evil. “Clothing” while artificial to nature, “covers” primitive desire,. To say it more explicitly, The stone mason makes a sculpture of a hero, without the sculpture we might fall into the primitive desire to forget and we “fall “into the same state that makes that same hero necessary. Or the poem, cologne, or best outfit to impress the girl otherwise she’s not impressed.
These things as an opposition to primitive desire, or, giving to whim, which is a summary of the seven deadly sins. Lust gives into the “whim” of sexual indulgence, gluttony to food, greed to money, sloth to convenience, wrath to anger, envy to jealousy, and pride to ego and Adam to the forbidden fruit. The opposite can be found in the seven virtues and these virtues in good art or good “covering.” Interestingly, it is whim, or sin, that gives rise to the necessity of art. As it was the fall that gave rise to the hero and the hero to the sculpture and the sculpture to the memory.
embarrassment / cover / Darkness VS. understanding / uncover / light
Remember to future / call for hero
art for art’s sake (bad) // forgetting vs memory
participatory art highest form
[TO BE CONTINUED]
| Virtue | Deadly Sin |
|---|---|
| Chastity | Lust |
| Temperance | Gluttony |
| Charity | Greed |
| Diligence | Sloth |
| Patience | Wrath |
| Kindness | Envy |
| Humility | Pride |
What if AI becomes the art?
Art As Renewal
Three Criteria for Bad Art
Pointless
Irrational
Vain
Propaganda in Art:
The city of Cain and art for art’s sake:
Imagine you are wearing a heavy coat, it is all that you need. Now put another coat on top of that. Consider that a question “covers” an answer, this second coat, covers the question (with another question).
The outer ring must consider the inner rings
Forgetting vs. Memory: Now vs. Forever:
The Sacrifice:
Jesus Christ //
Art as sacrifice // offering // work - as gathering
History:
Spiritual Protection:
Religious Icons: In many cultures, religious icons and sacred images have been believed to possess spiritual power and provide protection. These icons, such as Christian religious paintings or Hindu deities, were venerated and believed to ward off evil or bring blessings.
Talismans and Amulets: Artistic objects like talismans and amulets, featuring intricate symbols or inscriptions, have been created and worn for spiritual protection. These objects were believed to possess magical or spiritual properties that could safeguard the wearer from harm or negative energies.
Ritual Art: Artistic objects used in religious or ceremonial rituals, such as masks, sculptures, or totems, were considered to have a spiritual significance. These artifacts were believed to connect the physical and spiritual realms, offering protection and guidance during rituals and important events.
Physical Protection:
Defensive Architecture: In the Middle Ages, castles, fortresses, and city walls were decorated with artistic elements, such as elaborate carvings or motifs. These artistic features not only added aesthetic value but also served as deterrents, reinforcing the structures' defenses and intimidating potential attackers.
Armor and Shields: Historical armor and shields were adorned with decorative motifs and intricate engravings. Beyond aesthetics, these artistic elements provided a form of personal identification and psychological protection to the wearer by instilling a sense of identity, confidence, and even intimidation.
Protective Symbols: Throughout different cultures and time periods, symbols and patterns with protective meanings have been incorporated into art. For example, runic inscriptions on Viking shields or mandala designs in Buddhist art were believed to provide spiritual and physical protection.