Boyd Varty: What I learned from Nelson Mandela

"In the cathedral of the wild, we get to see the best parts of ourselves reflected back to us." Boyd Varty, a wildlife activist, shares stories of animals, humans and their interrelatedness, or "ubuntu" -- defined as, "I am, because of you." And he dedicates the talk to South African leader Nelson Mandela, the human embodiment of that same great-hearted, generous spirit.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Blog 32: Art and the other Areas

Blog 32: Due Dec 14 by Midnight.

This week, we will be looking at various pieces of visual art; certainly not all of the visual art there is--not even close!--but you will have the opportunity to exercise your inner aesthetic philosopher. As we do, it's important that you are able to contemplate how art can inform your other Ways/Areas of knowing. 

 The TedTalk this week is really engaging and witty. It dives into how leaders can use arts and aesthetic philosophy to be effective in leadership and effective problem solvers by applying the creativity necessary in art.  Towards the end of the week, we will begin our venture into religion and spirituality. I think this is an apt place to really dive in an look at how art seeps into so much of what we know or attempt to know. 

Please pick one of the following below to respond to this week:

1) One of the things that John Maeda says in his talk is that you aren't supposed to know what is going on in art; in fact, if you have no idea, than you're "doing it right." He said the purpose of art is to ask questions (can you see why I love this talk?!). Pick a piece of art that you are familiar with. You may need to provide a link or a description. Then, focus on the questions it asks its audience. What does it ask you, the individual? What does it ask the collective?

2) As we move into religion and spirituality, what is your opinion on art or creative endeavors that are commissioned, or at the very least, motivated by religion? Do you believe that art commissioned by religious leaders still fulfills your own personal standards for what qualifies as art?

3) Flipping the coin: whether you are an artist or a member of the audience, is there a spiritual experience at work when you view/hear/read a great work or a moving piece? Many have compared seeing the Russian Ballet, a performance of the opera Aida, listening to a great symphony, or viewing Michelangelo's Pieta to being in the presence of something greater than human beings. How would you explain this? Have you had this experience? Can you describe aptly through language what it was like?
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