This is a great, well written piece, about Beauty and it mirrors many of the themes I've explored around beauty on my own Subtack (while being better about sticking to the point, lol.). Needless to say, I agree wholeheartedly.
Love this article Christina. I am an artist and have always pursued it from a perspective of beauty. Sadly that wasn’t popular in modern day art school where the push was for concept (mind) over beauty (nature/heart/consciousness). It took me a few years to find my way back after art school, but I’m happy to say I happily paint landscapes now and the beauty of the natural world. It brings me joy, connection within and beauty to my eye. Thanks for sharing your insights, I hope many people read and embody what you are sharing and pointing to. A much needed reset. Much love Mx
How wonderful, Melinda, I'm happy to hear you've found your way back the art that resonates most with your soul. I can't think of anything more meditative and awe-inspiring than painting. I've always wanted to get into it but am quite intimidated 😇 And I actually had a bit in here about most modern art being overly formulaic and simplistic, but took it out because I feared it would be too controversial.
That’s an interesting observation on modern art and one I feel is true in many artworks. Perhaps not all as there are some artists that have always had a spiritual or deeper awareness of where creativity comes from and are able to transmit that, but yes, it is mostly conceptual and grasping.
When I was in art school we had to do a project presenting a poster. I created one about a new art movement called ‘Consciousnessism’. Trying to point to a more spiritual/consciousness source approach. I made up the word - but I don’t think it landed well. Ha ha. That was back in 2010. Now I see my old art teachers referring to awareness and connection to nature as some of their sources of inspiration. Maybe they are just catching up. Let’s hope so as they are still teaching. Mx
I’ve noticed this tendency toward wealth induced homogenization of our culture for decades and now we are experiencing the ripeness of those efforts.
In response, I’ve recently sought out and found a refuge on some remote islands in the Salish Sea, where the beauty you’ve related still abounds abundantly and intentionally.
Every-time I return to the city, where I still have a residence, the contrast becomes even more stark.
I realized that we have had some gains through progress, however, we’ve also lost so much in the process.
Hopefully through a growing awareness and correlating inspired actions we can refocus our collective values on appreciating the natural world and the humanity we’ve been gifted.
Hi Toma, thanks for the kind words. I have fallen utterly in love with the natural beauty in BC myself and am actually in Canada for the next six months. Are there any specific spots/islands you can recommend? We'll be near Vancouver in spring.
I can relate, too. I've lived in cities all my life but now that I'm getting a taste of more remote living, I feel strongly called to make this my default and opt into city life only on occasion.
This piece really resonates. I've felt similar driving past strip mall after strip mall, suburban subdivision after subdivision and had similar dreams of how America might look if the culture wasn't behaving like a cancer.
I think the conditions that created it are deep and numerous. You've highlighted a number of them. Some of them are well intentioned (equitable distribution) but poorly implemented (cookie cutter everything at low prices).
I hope your heartfelt aspiration resonates with people and they find the motivation to make changes that allow for creativity, uniqueness and true beauty to express itself more visibly.
Thank you for adding nuance here, the equitable distribution and increased accessibility, although perhaps not materialized as intended, are definitely a key argument for the ongoing standardization 🙏
Thanks for the kind words! Also, hello fellow Vienna-transplant 😊 Where did you move to? Do you also sense that there's more individuality in Europe over the US?
This is a great, well written piece, about Beauty and it mirrors many of the themes I've explored around beauty on my own Subtack (while being better about sticking to the point, lol.). Needless to say, I agree wholeheartedly.
Thank you for the kind words and the feedback, well taken 😊 Looking forward to exploring your work, since there seems to be such a clear overlap!
Some of us still find Beethoven of consummate and unique beauty. May we all pause and take a deep breath and at least momentarily feel grateful.
Yes yes, Dennis, you are right 🙏
Nice Mirror for Copy-Paste culture.
Enjoy reading it🙏
Thank you Ajd!!
Love this article Christina. I am an artist and have always pursued it from a perspective of beauty. Sadly that wasn’t popular in modern day art school where the push was for concept (mind) over beauty (nature/heart/consciousness). It took me a few years to find my way back after art school, but I’m happy to say I happily paint landscapes now and the beauty of the natural world. It brings me joy, connection within and beauty to my eye. Thanks for sharing your insights, I hope many people read and embody what you are sharing and pointing to. A much needed reset. Much love Mx
How wonderful, Melinda, I'm happy to hear you've found your way back the art that resonates most with your soul. I can't think of anything more meditative and awe-inspiring than painting. I've always wanted to get into it but am quite intimidated 😇 And I actually had a bit in here about most modern art being overly formulaic and simplistic, but took it out because I feared it would be too controversial.
Hi Julia
That’s an interesting observation on modern art and one I feel is true in many artworks. Perhaps not all as there are some artists that have always had a spiritual or deeper awareness of where creativity comes from and are able to transmit that, but yes, it is mostly conceptual and grasping.
When I was in art school we had to do a project presenting a poster. I created one about a new art movement called ‘Consciousnessism’. Trying to point to a more spiritual/consciousness source approach. I made up the word - but I don’t think it landed well. Ha ha. That was back in 2010. Now I see my old art teachers referring to awareness and connection to nature as some of their sources of inspiration. Maybe they are just catching up. Let’s hope so as they are still teaching. Mx
Such a wonderful and beautiful essay!
I’ve noticed this tendency toward wealth induced homogenization of our culture for decades and now we are experiencing the ripeness of those efforts.
In response, I’ve recently sought out and found a refuge on some remote islands in the Salish Sea, where the beauty you’ve related still abounds abundantly and intentionally.
Every-time I return to the city, where I still have a residence, the contrast becomes even more stark.
I realized that we have had some gains through progress, however, we’ve also lost so much in the process.
Hopefully through a growing awareness and correlating inspired actions we can refocus our collective values on appreciating the natural world and the humanity we’ve been gifted.
Hi Toma, thanks for the kind words. I have fallen utterly in love with the natural beauty in BC myself and am actually in Canada for the next six months. Are there any specific spots/islands you can recommend? We'll be near Vancouver in spring.
I can relate, too. I've lived in cities all my life but now that I'm getting a taste of more remote living, I feel strongly called to make this my default and opt into city life only on occasion.
Best wishes to your little refuge!
I’m mostly on Hornby, Denman and Vancouver islands. For more detailed info feel free to message me directly at: Toma@TomaCreative.ca
This piece really resonates. I've felt similar driving past strip mall after strip mall, suburban subdivision after subdivision and had similar dreams of how America might look if the culture wasn't behaving like a cancer.
I think the conditions that created it are deep and numerous. You've highlighted a number of them. Some of them are well intentioned (equitable distribution) but poorly implemented (cookie cutter everything at low prices).
I hope your heartfelt aspiration resonates with people and they find the motivation to make changes that allow for creativity, uniqueness and true beauty to express itself more visibly.
Thank you for adding nuance here, the equitable distribution and increased accessibility, although perhaps not materialized as intended, are definitely a key argument for the ongoing standardization 🙏
Thanks for the kind words! Also, hello fellow Vienna-transplant 😊 Where did you move to? Do you also sense that there's more individuality in Europe over the US?