As words are to human thoughts...Paintings are to human visions. In my loose definition of paintings we include also work in pigments, pencil, pastels, excrement, etc.. As long as there is as little influence of mechanical means as possible. We will try to be as objective as possible without the overly subjective judgements of critical thought...which, in general prevents us from seeing what is really there and understanding how the visual can expand our conscience undertanding of the whole.

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2nd June 2011

Photo with 14 notes

“Yellow”, 1945 oil on panel by Hans Hofmann Now, can we like a piece just because we like it?  Do we always have to have a deep connection or create our own meaning while trying to decipher the original intent of the artist?  Maybe…or perhaps it just looks good over the sofa.  But at some point aren’t we ever going to ask ourselves why we like or dislike something?  Why are we really voting for this person or why do we want to live in a gated community…etc…etc. No…art does not have to be intellectualized and neither do we.  But if we are ever going to get a glimpse at enlightenment…to be able to see through the clouds of socialization and neurosis then at some time we will have to lift our heads above the “Tyranny of the Self”.  There are many paths.  The old masters tell us that the first step is to overcome desire…well that can be a fairly abstract goal. But we are constantly surrounded by the works of humans…Art…and the works of God…Nature.  These creations, through conscience effort, can be used as the tools of our enlightenment through objective appreciation or we can continue down the path of ignorant, automatic thinking and keep proclaiming “I know good art when I see it” without ever knowing why.

“Yellow”, 1945 oil on panel by Hans Hofmann

Now, can we like a piece just because we like it?  Do we always have to have a deep connection or create our own meaning while trying to decipher the original intent of the artist?  Maybe…or perhaps it just looks good over the sofa.  But at some point aren’t we ever going to ask ourselves why we like or dislike something?  Why are we really voting for this person or why do we want to live in a gated community…etc…etc.

No…art does not have to be intellectualized and neither do we.  But if we are ever going to get a glimpse at enlightenment…to be able to see through the clouds of socialization and neurosis then at some time we will have to lift our heads above the “Tyranny of the Self”.  There are many paths.  The old masters tell us that the first step is to overcome desire…well that can be a fairly abstract goal.

But we are constantly surrounded by the works of humans…Art…and the works of God…Nature.  These creations, through conscience effort, can be used as the tools of our enlightenment through objective appreciation or we can continue down the path of ignorant, automatic thinking and keep proclaiming “I know good art when I see it” without ever knowing why.

Tagged: paintingartabstractHans Hoffman

Source: cavaliergalleries.com

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