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Saturday afternoon was the opening of the latest community art show. My co-chair had a schedule conflict so I was solo in hosting the opening reception and it was great fun. The theme is 250 Years of Red White and Blue. Some took this literally and included red, white and blue in their art, others interpreted this to mean things that celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Many of the contributors talked about their work, I spoke for those who were not there. Everyone was brief, we moved through at a nice pace.
One that I described is a photo of a car with political bumper stickers on the back of it. Why would we include that image? Well, what is more American than expressing our political opinions? The contributor explained in her submission, that she had parked at a shopping center and came out to find a note on her car, disagreeing with her political bumper stickers, and I have to think "what is more American than disagreeing with politics?" We can have differing points of view, we can express our political views, we don't have to agree - except to agree that others are allowed to have their views. When I said this in the reception, everyone across the political spectrum nodded and expressed agreement. This country was founded on political and economic differences. *
There is a four canvas mixed media work talking about the struggle for women's rights. A really neat piece.
I challenge our neighbors to be creative. The next show goes up in early August on a theme of "Explosion of Color." I urged those at the reception, if you don't have something for this show, you have a month to create something. Go for it.
* A struggle on total freedom of thought, is at what point do we limit hate speech? And how do we keep those limits from becoming tyranny?
** The sculpture above. The artist has a studio in the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, they meticulously cut layer after layer of fiberboard to form the shape, then paint the work in amazing colors. I should take a sculpture class someday.
I love that sculpture!
ReplyDeleteWe really need about 10,000 sq ft for all of the neat things we would love to have.
DeleteWill you be featuring any of the pieces from the show.... sounds like it would a neat post to see. And I agree about the statement....if we can't register the way we want, have different views, and vote the way we want...then we don't have a democracy anymore.
ReplyDeleteI should take some photos of some of the work,
DeleteI, too, love the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteI see Hate Speech as this: if I spew hate at someone over their ethnicity or religion or sexual orientation, that is Hate Speech; choosing hate because of who people ARE.
But if I spew hate because I disagree with your opinion, your politics, then I am being hateful.
Hate v Hateful; there is the difference for me.
Good distinction.
DeleteThe new show sounds FABULOUS! I too hope you'll show us some photos. Did you have a piece in it as well and if so, photo and commentary please!
ReplyDeleteI have to paintings and one photo in the show.
DeleteYour show sounds wonderful and expressive. Isn't art fun?
ReplyDeleteIt is chunk of work, and I do enjoy it.
DeleteSounds like a terrific show! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks to lots of creative neighbors.
DeleteCongratulations on what sounds like a successful beginning to the art show. It's so fun and interesting to see peoples' interpretations on a theme. The overall connection is art is fun!
ReplyDeleteLife should be fun.
DeleteThe UK struggles with that hate speech question.
ReplyDeleteThere is a balancing act between hate, and free speech,
DeleteHate the man and the sofa is pretty meh
ReplyDeleteIf I ask "is he dead yet?" Everyone knows who I am asking about
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