The Evolution of Art

Life changes and evolves.  Unfortunately, we cannot stop this.  It is simply the way the world develops and shifts.  This is evident in both in the changing of our world and our environment.  We see this in the changes that come in animal species in their colors or migration patterns.  But one of the biggest way to see the changes in our world is the examine the art as it exists through time.

Art is one way that presents both the social and physical change of the world.  This can be everything from the representation of who is in power to a society's concept of beauty to the evolution of intellect and technology.  Let us first reflect on the power of society.  Commonly, those in power were one of the few who could afford to sit for hours for a live painting and/or portrait to be taken.  These would often hang in their homes or palaces to signify the wealth and lounging they could afford while the rest of society had to work feverishly for even a few pennies to afford their lodging.  In these paintings, the representation of wealth also changes.  The shifting of wealth can be seen more so when the countries began to push for their expansion.  Furs and jewels changed for silk and spices to gold and silver even to crops and commerce.  When you examine paintings, look at all the clues it contains to have an idea about the social standing of the person in the world and an idea of the wealth they possess.

A society's ever evolving concept of beauty can be examined through the eyes of an artist as well.  While it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, art will reflect the society majority of what is beautiful.  If you study work and focus on the female form alone, this is evident.  It is often said that in times of famine, larger women become beautiful, while in time of plenty, thinner women become idolized.  In the Middle Ages art, women are often depicted as having a rounded belly, the natural curves and a full breast.  Children were sometimes depicted suckling, the woman cautiously smiling at the artist.  Today, through the eyes of media (our art form), women are forever becoming thinner, pressed for more fat to be lost.  Curves are not praised as much as they were in times past.  The clothing in the paintings also portray what is beautiful as it accentuates or displays what is found to be attractive.  These are all clues that you can think about while looking at a painting to find out more about the time period in which it was painted.

Finally, even simply the style of painting can help relay how far society may have progressed intellectually.  Consider the first known drawings, found in the caves of France.  The animals were out of proportion, the human figures are not well-developed and there is not a lot of background.  A simple representation of how their lives were lead.  As our understanding of the world, light and shadow evolved, so did the complexity and realism of the artwork.  Coming into the Renaissance period, the artwork seemed to be of people actually taken in real life, a photograph for that time period.  But even we can over-evolve.  Such movements as this are impressionism, surrealism and cubism, among others.  The art world has taken more leaps with the addition of instantaneous entertainment, such as television and movies.  We have come from the beginnings of live action movies to 2D animated movies to computer generated films and 3D animation.  As our intellect and our technology changes, our art form changes along with it.  Forms of expression and methods of sharing them has changed.

This is just a basic overview on what is evident when you go through an art book.  I invite you to explore the art world with these points in mind.  Remember to reflect on the time period, the concept of beauty, what may have been considered wealth and to look at a painting with renewed eyes.  Most importantly, remember that while you are trying to understand the artist and what was trying to be conveyed art is also meant to be enjoyed.  Take a moment either before your analysis or after to enjoy the light and shadow on the canvas, the light in the subject's eyes and to enjoy the composition that is this piece of art.  After all, what is art unless you can't enjoy what is there?

All that Glitters...

It is a story that we all encounter at some point, either in our own experiences or through someone else.  That story of choosing between love and money.  A choice between a life that could be rife of poverty but full of love or a life filled with riches, yet devoid of Love.  A life of convenience or of dedication.  What would you choose?

It may seem simple.  You may consider that having money would far outweigh the need for Love.  That you can fill that void.  But you can't.  A void from Love is one that is never filled because Love is endless so the void, too, must be endless and bottomless.  This comes to mind today because yesterday evening, I had a conversation with a coworker of mine.  She illustrated this choice (although it is not at the point of love) between a younger man who has similar life experiences or an older man who offers her comfort.  She said her friends insisted it was an easy decision, one you shouldn't have to think about.  As she talked it through with me, I think she already knew her answer: Love.

In truth, I am not unlike her.  I, too, had decisions like this cross my path.  I was offered to fly around the world, to receive a living stipend, to be cared for.  I was told any work I missed would be compensated and paid for, plus shopping, fine dining and excellent accommodations.  And each time, I knew I was not the only woman in the man's life.  I was a companion, an escort of sorts, that he was seeking out.  A younger woman to stand by his side and on his arm, one with intellect, who can entertain witty conversation.  But it was empty...

It made me feel empty... 

No, I didn't go flying around the world, receive a stipend or otherwise conduct myself improperly in this circumstance.  I am a woman driven by Love.  I discovered this every time I encountered a situation where Love would not be sown into the relationship/courtship.  I would wonder why I wasn't enough, what I could do to become enough.  The truth was that those men didn't want Love.  They wanted a companion, someone they could buy, wine and dine and not owe any explanation to.  An easy way out.

My past experiences paint who I am today.  If I didn't not realize how much I run off Love, I would not be engaged to a man whose being runs off Love as well.  I would not be loving his son, his family, nor anyone else associated with him, if I did not discover this pivotal piece of information about myself.  The world cries and searching for the meaning of Life but perhaps we can only get clues.  This was a clue for me.

Reflect on your past and the experiences you have come from.  Perhaps, there is a clue to the meaning of your life within those painted walls of memories.  We build our lives as a mansion, the outside is perfect, gilded and glittering with success and decency.  But how is it furnished on this inside?  Is it furnished with Love, Faith, Hope, Trust and other values you desire to have?  Or is it unfurnished, waiting for the pieces to be put in.  Perhaps all that is there is a crooked picture hanging on the wall.  It is waiting.  Waiting for you to straighten it and look into the eyes of your experience.  Perhaps it is a mirror.

While you reflect on your experiences and what makes you, you, consider this.  No two people run on the same emotional stream.  This is why relationships can be difficult.  What drives me in some aspects of my life doesn't necessarily mean it does for my fiancé.  But you work on it.  You compromise.  You understand those differences and come to terms that maybe you won't get to cuddle all the time, for example.  But maybe that's what makes those times you do cuddle that much more sacred.  Until you stop by again, I hope you enjoy a thing called, "La Vie."