Reflections on Aesthetics

I just finished up my first course in my last semester. At times frustrating, at times very rewarding, I think I can leave this course being able to put into words a bit better, why an aesthetically obedient life is of value.

I am not an artist, dare I say, much of my creative juices can be traced back quite easily to a few influences in my life. And I am quite content with that. Yet, I realize that even though I don't produce works of art or create groundbreaking ideas regarding aesthetics, I do feel that part of my life is closely tied to enjoying the richness of goods creation, and accordingly cultivating that richness where possible.

There are two themes that have really stuck with me from this course. First - take time. Take time to enjoy a cup of tea, take time to become aware of the places you reside daily, take time to recognize the abundance of goodness in God's creation and act accordingly. Two - surround yourself with those willing to learn. While there are aesthetic and artistic leaders present around me, most of the people any of us know, are not that different from us. Which makes it even more crucial that we surround ourselves by those who are willing to learn, experiment, challenge, and engage some of the peculiar things that a playful aesthetic life opens up. Surround yourself by friends, family, somewhat familiar "experts" on culture and listen.

To finish this post... Here are some links to some artistic leaders or worksAn close to me or in the broader community which are worth following.

Dr. Suess
Simon & Garfunkel (Currently loving Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.)
Sigur Ros (His newest album Med Sud I Eyrum is simply amazing)
La Sagrada Familia (The Sacred Family by Antoni Gaudi, construction began in 1882 and will hopefully be completed in 2026 - Gaudi said "My Client is not in a hurry" here is a floor plan, with the significance of the towers and architecture - I am slightly very exited to visit thisplace in May)
Annie Ling

Post Scriptum

It is remarkable how God can prepare you for months to hear a message and it can still hit you very hard.

Furthermore it is remarkable in a negative way how badly the season of Lent ties in with papers and exams.

Remarkable

This morning a long time friend of mine walked into the library - it is remarkable how the presence of a friend can encourage someone.

Yesterday, I needed to hear something specific - it is remarkable how encouraging and godly words of friends can be without them knowing

I think a lot, in fact I worry a lot, sometimes this is warranted sometimes it is not - it is remarkable how God's plan trumps my worrying

In the news...

Sometimes it is hard not to feel grim about this world, and how badly we take care of it. Wikipedia has an In the News section on their front page. This is what it read this very morning..

• American businessman Bernard Madoff pleads guilty to the largest investment fraud in U.S. history.
• Cougar Helicopters Flight 91 ditches in the Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland, Canada, killing 17 people.
• An oil spill in Australia's Coral Sea is reported as Queensland's worst environmental disaster (affected Sunshine Coast pictured).
• A school shooting kills at least 15 people in Winnenden, Germany, and another shooting spree kills at least 10 people in the U.S. state of Alabama.
• A suicide attack kills at least 28 people and injures 57 others in Baghdad, Iraq.
• Two British soldiers from the 38 Engineer Regiment are fatally shot in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Three shootings, one suicide attack, a crash, and two environmental disasters... Ironic perhaps, that the last item in the news is this...

• NASA launches the Kepler spacecraft, a mission to search for Earth-like planets.

Unless there is some sort of awareness that we are perhaps not doing a very good job at being stewards to this earth at being Ambassadors of Christ's reconciliation why would we look for other Earth-like plants.

It is not the case that I am currently in some kind of state of disillusion and unbelief at our failures. Reading these few news items serves more as a reminder of the enormous task, and our call or renewing - one step at a time.