27
Apr
Resonant Ideas
Illustrations and designs are 'resonant' when they reflect a sublime order or understanding of nature and the cosmos which resonates with the observer. Aspects of colour and tone can have similar effects as music or poetry, connecting human thoughts and emotions, which artists have explored to understand the human condition and history.
Art which connect ideas
Image of cross with circle pattern connects spirituality of religion. The light behind, appearing as a glimpse, represents spiritual illumination in this setting. Photographic observation connects resonance of meaning.
Tulip Sunset Silhouette
Flower silhouette resonates with Celtic cross image by way of its shape (circular with stem) and its background of sunset. The Celtic circle is likely representing life from sun, as does the flower form which 'resonates'. People feel a poetic resonance in sunsets.
My plant photography is drawn towards shapes reflecting aspects of the cosmos, such as stars or spirals, a resonance with universal nature.
Artists and Resonance
"Peace and Plenty and domestic happiness is the source of sublime art'" ~ William Blake
William Blake was concerned with resonance; showing meaning through his poetry, illustrations and paintings. Two aspects of Blake's concern - 'heaven and hell' - family happy lightness vs mankind's struggle.
'Teach These Souls to Fly' - A mother guides her baby to fly in lightness and happy colours.
'Second book of Urizen' - Blake's mythical figure Urizen from a series of related works, is always depicted as being part of the struggle of humanity, controlling, forcing things, working against harmony. In this painting he has a red orb which may signify the world on fire with wars, as Blake lived through the French Revolution and free America. More on Blake
The Value of Vision - Art for the people or as artist self indulgence
Popular, commercially viable art has to be valued by the majority of people. Most people want to see 'pleasant' 'nice', 'pretty' representations of the world, which is why nature photography is perennially popular; because nature always shows balance of design. People also recognise emotional stories they can empathise with, so artists who can show this are respected.
Nature images please us by reminder of the natural world or of abstract ideas which portray a vision: then we might say by comparison that art which does not have an inspiration from 'beautiful vision' lacks a philosophy which might be important to communicate - and ultimately to enhance society in any era.
Art is made when the artist wishes to resonate with a perception he has. We can ask if there can be a point at which such expression has little or no quality to resonate with viewers: whether it is a 'good' or 'uplifting' visual experience, or mere subjective self indulgence. Art Nouveau, Pre Raphaelites, Romanticism and Impressionism depict uplifting images and scenes. Surrealism and some Abstract Expressionist painting expressed 'angst'. [Ernst war, Kooning women]
All art is a synthetic representation of life experience, as seen or felt by the artist. However, if we hold that art with a powerful resonance to move people inspirationally is beneficial to society, then we can suggest that 'Synthetic' art may be considered as having been made with no real 'vision' to resonate inspiringly with others.
With some art the meaning becomes confused, obfuscated or meaningless; nowadays seen in 'synthetic' art. [link] Postmodernism has had a strange influence on art which has come to light in exhibitions and public sculpture, where it has become more concerned with political agendas and nihilism. In an era where we do not experience war first hand, people seem to invent their own persecutions as victims.
