Thursday, January 7, 2021

Thursday Thoughts...

“Making art can be a subversive act, an act of resistance against the deadening lure of consumption, an act of unbridled peacemaking disguised as a poem or a song, or an abstract rendering of an aspen leaf swirling in a stream”. 

Mirabai Starr

Of all the days to ponder art as being a subversive act.  We remain awake as America tries to sleep and the Senate and House continue.

All I think I want to say about this quote is that good heavens, if only the artists were more subversive. If only subversive art was the most dangerous thing we faced, rather than thugs and fiends trying to overthrow the seat of democracy in a free country and getting away with it.

It feels to me as if we are called to action now more than ever.  To make art that subverts the system in whatever way we can.  Sometimes it might be loud and provocative; sometimes it will be quiet and barely noticeable yet have immense power in it.  Sometimes it will be a peaceful protest when all around is chaos.

Somehow today has fired me up to create more subversive acts of art.  

They might be acts of love and compassion and peace and hope - but I feel more strongly than ever that artists need to subvert this system we now face.


Barry and Fiona, New York City 2013 - a piece of the Berlin Wall behind us.

As our friend Anna Mavromatis says: Resist. Persist.

8 comments:

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    1. Thanks Mo - it has been such a distressing day in so many ways; hopefully change will happen soon.

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  2. I didn't realize you had traveled to NYC ... love this picture of you two in front of the Berlin wall

    your steady presence yesterday whilst witnessing the madness in the US Capitol building was very much appreciated on this side of the world ... I wonder what iconic symbol will emerge from this infamous day

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    1. Liz, it as and remains an appalling day. Hopefully some good decisions may follow, but I doubt it. We have visited NYC twice, and Oregon, Washington State, Arizona, Vermont, California - never Georgia or Texas yet! We may return one day when the world settles into a safe pattern...go well.

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  3. I came here from Mo's post where she quotes Pinkola Estes. copied and pasted. And, here, too, I find galvanizing words. Printed. We all need these kinds of reminders from the Good Souls around the world. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks Dee - from a round the world we need t stand together, stay connected and be strong. It has been a very long haul but we shall resist and persist!

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.