Criticism


18

Criticism




A blind man is seen out late at night carrying a lighted torch. A group of young lads see him and begin to make fun of him. "Why are you carrying a torch they mocked, it does not seem to be helping you to see your way?"

Rather than retaliate to the mocking, the blind man waits until there is a lull, words removed and quietly replies to them. " I do not carry the torch to help me see the way, I carry it so that others I might not see and may not see me do not come to any harm by bumping into me." The boys look to one another and one of them very humbly apologises for the way they had all behaved.

The world of art, like many other areas of society, have many strong-minded critics ready to voice an opinion without thought of the artist. Often such criticism is made in haste and can be harsh in nature taking little or no account of the hours of toil and thought that has gone into the creation.

Such action is seldom motivated with any kindness or caring.

When a stone is cast into a pool the ripples spread far and wide. So it is with loose critical words spreading wide and far and a loss of respect for the creative mind and for many any positive thought for art itself.

When respect is lost, we are left with very little and confusion can result. Art can become a commodity and its value as something to consider and behold can be lost. Before speaking it is always wise to give thought to how far harsh words can travel and the consequences difficult to measure.

The sage tells us that when we lose sight of Tao, we lose touch with our inner being.


The word many was deleted. Words after lull were changed also. Can be was added.

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