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

Faithfulness

Currently reading:

The Fabric of Faithfulness - Steven Garber
Jesus Wants to Save Christians - Rob Bell

Currently musical love:

Simon and Garfunkel - Wednesday Morning 3AM and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Sufjan Stevens - 5 set Christmas CDs - it's a bit early I know
Hymns... lots of hymns.

The greatest albums ever

Best albums ever, perhaps, according to me...

(just so you know I love live concerts made into albums)

Simon and Garfunkel - Concert in Central Park

The interaction you get to hear between the two artist on stage is amazing. Like they say, "there is nothing like a neighbourhood concert". Simon and Garfunkel give us stories, it is like every song is another narrative, it makes you feel at home.They were and still are amazing.

Babyface - MTV Unplugged 1997

Mainly a song writer for R&B ans soul artist, babyface is a musical genious. Besides that, the songs that he records himself, comparatively there are only a few are masterworks, in which he cuts deep by talking about pretty significant issues. Songs like How Come, How Long, and Change the World are just... brilliant.

David Crowder Band - A Collision

They are just awesome, they combine, old school traditionals, hymn's, and their own songs with key-tar's, synth's, weird voice overs and Jesus. Let's say it's a beautiful collision of melodies, words, creativeness, and meaning.

Bob Dylan - The 30th anniversary Concert Celebration

Bob is brilliant, on this double-disc great legends come together with him and vocalize some of his greatest tunes. People like Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Johny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, Lou Reed, and of course Bob Dylan himself give a new character to each song, it is really refreshing, in an old folk songwriter kind of way.

Nelly Furtado - Folklore

She reached her artistic and musical peak with this album. Songs like Try which became quite popular are honest and brutally open stories. Saturdays the best song on that album (according to me) is a one-time recording without any practicing in which the laughing and mistakes are not cut out, it shares the story of her youth helping her mother clean hotels on saturdays. Please old Nelly come back, I don't like the promiscious girl you are trying to be.

Thanks Felix.