There’s nothing wrong with the way you live, not so different from others in your neighborhood, but how does it compare with the life of average humanity in, say, the last hundred thousand years, our time on the planet? Life just slides by these days, new models every year, new kinds of media, updates all directions, the kids keep up but will be back in the pack soon enough. There was a time not so far back when the chestnut tree down by the livery would become even taller and more robust in a lifetime, but no one even noticed. The prominent buildings in the town were constructed at least a lifetime ago and for common citizens might as well have always been there. Life had signposts, safe harbors, stable anchorages, and all this formed a foundation for facing the world. No need to look back with nostalgia, but it might be handy to account for what’s been lost, and to consider our own inborn psychology, how we construct our identities and see the world.
For the thoroughly modern person adept at surfing the digital tide all around us, go be free, don’t let the nasty organic flesh part of existence, so subject to fatigue and breakdown, inconvenience you over much. Any remaining, average people who find themselves here but who see further than the latest app, who feel some kinship with people of different times and even respect them for their accomplishments, might want to consider owning art. It’s this era’s personal hitching post, so nice to come home to, and even makes the new place home whenever you move. From the moment you acquire it, art’s never supposed to change, that’s the deal. Art carried home under the arm and hung on the wall will always be there, absorbing and recording major events in your life, reading back when you look at them years from now.
Original art burrows into your brain, bonds with your point of view, and becomes an old friend before it’s over -- ask anyone, anyone who actually owns art, although that’ll exclude all sorts of arts administrators and academic experts willing to live with reproductions, it’s all the same, right? If you intend to spend real money don’t listen to them, don’t listen to anyone, just look. The artist has been putting colors on the canvas trying to find common ground with someone, anyone, maybe you, and it’s something you just recognize. If gallery personnel go buzzing in your ear about famous celebrities who collect the work, honors and awards, understand they’re discussing price, selling you up, it’s just their job. Focus your attention on the piece in the room that looks back at you, simple as that, and do your best to go home together.
For the thoroughly modern person adept at surfing the digital tide all around us, go be free, don’t let the nasty organic flesh part of existence, so subject to fatigue and breakdown, inconvenience you over much. Any remaining, average people who find themselves here but who see further than the latest app, who feel some kinship with people of different times and even respect them for their accomplishments, might want to consider owning art. It’s this era’s personal hitching post, so nice to come home to, and even makes the new place home whenever you move. From the moment you acquire it, art’s never supposed to change, that’s the deal. Art carried home under the arm and hung on the wall will always be there, absorbing and recording major events in your life, reading back when you look at them years from now.
Original art burrows into your brain, bonds with your point of view, and becomes an old friend before it’s over -- ask anyone, anyone who actually owns art, although that’ll exclude all sorts of arts administrators and academic experts willing to live with reproductions, it’s all the same, right? If you intend to spend real money don’t listen to them, don’t listen to anyone, just look. The artist has been putting colors on the canvas trying to find common ground with someone, anyone, maybe you, and it’s something you just recognize. If gallery personnel go buzzing in your ear about famous celebrities who collect the work, honors and awards, understand they’re discussing price, selling you up, it’s just their job. Focus your attention on the piece in the room that looks back at you, simple as that, and do your best to go home together.
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