Words


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Words




There are many words spoken of art and often the words show that the speaker has only grasped the inner soul at a superficial level. Trying to describe a painting is always a subjective matter and the artist has the ability to touch the many viewers in many ways.

 The desire to understand a painting frequently sets up the very barriers that stop us from being fully moved and touched by the heart of the work, and the artist. To truly feel what the artist was conveying, we have to let go of all desires and simply allow ourselves to be immersed in the art.

 In spite of all the words spoken, and all the knowledge of hidden messages in the symbols the painting contains, in the end, it will be the inner voice of the viewer that senses the core of the work.

 The viewer of any work of art has to approach it with an open mind, the closed mind can only close the door of understanding. The depth of creativity is not always the easiest thing to grasp. Lao Tzu says this of the Tao, "If you can describe Tao it is Tao." The truth may often be the same when faced with the art of another.

 The wise person speaks little of art, rather they just accept it, take pleasure in it. Often, they may learn from it, seldom will they be left feeling nothing. Such is the way of the Tao and such is the way of art. 

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