In this country we see people driving cars to the gym in order to work out - then vying for the parking space closest to the door. Once inside many who would never dream of riding a bicycle to work or to shop will ride stationary bicycles for long stretches to... nowhere at all. Working out has replaced work, exercise has replaced manual labor, and efficiency has replaced engagement in our culture.
In the same way, we see people who may have posters of fine artwork hanging on their walls, or even original artwork, but it’s their televisions that absorb their attention. Looking has been replaced by watching.
Contemplative art is unlikely to play much of a role in our lives unless our culture finds a way to become more contemplative. Perhaps as fossil fuels become less tenable and manual labor more important, a slower, more satisfying engagement with our environment will evolve, and people will learn, once more, the importance of looking at the world and at art.
In the same way, we see people who may have posters of fine artwork hanging on their walls, or even original artwork, but it’s their televisions that absorb their attention. Looking has been replaced by watching.
Contemplative art is unlikely to play much of a role in our lives unless our culture finds a way to become more contemplative. Perhaps as fossil fuels become less tenable and manual labor more important, a slower, more satisfying engagement with our environment will evolve, and people will learn, once more, the importance of looking at the world and at art.
RSS Feed
