In the Eye– Now at West End Gallery
The infinite wonders of the universe are revealed to us in exact measure as we are capable of receiving them. The keenness of our vision depends not on how much we can see, but on how much we feel.
–Helen Keller, Inward Visions, 1908
How often do we see something yet not have any feeling for it nor any understanding of it? Is it a rare thing or a common thing?
I tend to think it’s a common thing. Perhaps seeing without feeling is the most common part of our vision.
I certainly fall prey to this quite often. I can’t tell you how often I find myself stopping and remarking on something I have passed innumerable times as though it were the first time I had seen it. I can’t recall exactly what it was but this happened just the other day. I glimpsed a tree that I could not recall seeing before.
That doesn’t sound too bad but it was within a hundred feet or so of my studio and I had literally walked by it thousands of times over the years.
It made me wonder how many other things and people I had overlooked in this same way in my life. Or how many times I was the one being overlooked. I know that the idea of having my work overlooked was a motivating force in its development. Seeing folks walk by my paintings in early group shows without giving it a first let alone a second glance made me want to yell out for them to stop and see the work. Feel it.
Of course, I would find out that the connection between the viewer and the painting is a private matter, a private conversation to which I am only tangentially connected in a small way.
I am not saying here that our lack of sight and feeling for all things is a bad thing altogether. It would be impossible to see and feel all things. Not sure we could bear it. But we need to see and feel and understand many things if we are to maintain our humanity.
Phew. Wasn’t planning on writing anything this morning so I can’t vouch for the reasoning or presentation this morning.
Below is the classic Who song, See Me, Feel Me from Tommy. Seems right this morning.
Here’s an update from the West End Gallery on the upcoming Gallery Talk:
All seats are filled for the GC Myers Gallery Talk on Saturday, August 19th from 11am-Noon. Any remaining availability will be STANDING ROOM ONLY, up to the point of maximum building occupancy.
WAITING LIST: Please use our Contact Form, if you have not already done so, if you would like to be added to the WAITING LIST for a chair in the event another attendee cancels. Link provided below. On the form, please provide your full name, contact information (where we can reach you on the day of the event), and the names of any guests that may accompany you. You should receive a Confirmation Email to be added to the WAITING LIST within 24-48 hours after you have filled out the form: westendgallery.net/contact/
Redtree Times 