What makes for master-class art?

[O Donna]

What makes for master-class art?

IMO, to the degree it produces an intense personal experience (IPE).

Here are four related IPE’s all centered around self/ extension of self:
1) Absolute conviction of death as immediately pending.
2) Escaping death by the very thinnest of margins.
3) Experiencing ones death or near death externally.
4) (theoretical) Discovering death of mortal life as an illusion.
5) ???

If so inspired, share your most intense experiences and/ or those shared by others and/ or found on your journey via forms of media etc. How, if any, has this changed your perspective of your ‘now’?

This is of the opinion I currently hold, others may not view an intense experience as art and so your view of masterful art may vary. This is a place to share those as well.

I went through these four tangible intense personal experiences in my current life:

1) Skydiving with parachute lines tangled at less than 3,000 feet before impact. If I had not figured out entanglement of the lines severe injury or death was certain.
2) Very close to falling off a cruising ship far out at sea in a situation where few if any would have seen the incident.
3) Blowing through a stop sign of a moderately used road near the crest of a hill with the cross road having no stop sign. I did not realize I had run it until less than a second after passing it.
4) Near drowning in a lake with a steep underwater drop off when very young and not yet learned to swim. I remember struggling to stay above water and with strength lost and going down for what I thought was the last time a woman (as I would later find out) had dove in and scooped me up and saved my soul. I tried later as I got older to find out who she was so I could thank her and learn more about her and what led up to saving me but by then the path to finding out had grown cold.

A bit of internet art to go with thread. Interesting word ‘numinous’:

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/558fdcd8e4b0b62583b40bb4/t/559bcc59e4b0ee9660c98006/1436273763184/numinous_leaving.jpg

https://i0.wp.com/www.jordanlassonde.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/numinous.jpg

[Patient]

Confused by the relationship between title of the thread and the content. I understand your content (at least I think I do. But if I am missing it by a little, I might be missing it by a lot), but I do not see how it relates to "Master-class Art" as one would expect. Interesting topic but title change might help.

Perhaps drawing upon the incident one experienced as the content for art - but then we can go back and forth on what is art - been there, done that. Lol

When I was a kid, I almost drowned in a river. I would have drowned, if whoever it was did not jump into the river and pull me out. I do not recall seeing them although they spoke to me briefly. I think they asked if I was ok. After throwing up water and getting my senses back, they were gone and I was sitting alone at the side of the river. I often think of that moment, quite often actually. I do recall looking up at the blue sky while I was at the river bottom (maybe 3-4 ft deep) and being totally relaxed and at peace and thinking 'what a beautiful sight'. I would have stayed there if that person did not pull me out.

Now for me, a picture of that moment - what I was looking at - would be a very beautiful and powerful image - but perhaps not to anyone else. If I could paint it so that others' thought it was beautiful, then I could be a master painter. :)

[Valerie Villars]

For me, this came when I was listening to the live version (done for the Vietnam Vets) of "Holly Holy" by Neil Diamond, in my very natural and beautiful back yard. All became suffused with light. Then I became suffused. It lasted for days and days, weeks. That sense of light in everything. But that song, oh that song. That's what really kicked it in.

Master art is a catalyst, for sure.

[O Donna]

Confused by the relationship between title of the thread and the content.

Yes, I see the confusion. I think something or a series of somethings that opens one up to a sort of paradigm shift. Where what was once thought as mundane is cleverly disguised master-class art. A good example can be found in the movie American Beauty (1999) that, at one point, I did not fully appreciate its message.

Ironically, at the end of the movie, the dialogue goes "You have no idea what I am talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry, you will someday."

(Open to a change of title to the thread if the idea comes to members)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHxi-HSgNPc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOOEFd22i4

There are many clues on what life is about, though even now, I often miss them when I am busy with paying bills and washing dishes for an example.



Master art is a catalyst, for sure.

That a excellent way to put it. A catalyst for sure.

Master art isn't just in a museum or what is typically thought of as media.

In a way, our role in this dance of life is both part and the whole of master-class art.

[O Donna]

Not the version you described, Valerie, but what a beautiful addition to thread. I too have experienced that very distinct "All became suffused with light."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ero_zy_O3fA

[Valerie Villars]

What a spiritual song. It still gives me goosebumps and bought tears of joy to my eyes. Master art.

[Foxie Loxie]

This might sound odd, but B.B. King is what touches my own soul. :Music::Music: Who knows why???!!! :Angel:

[Valerie Villars]

It doesn't sound odd at all to me Foxie. B.B. King is very special to me too. :handshake:

[O Donna]

I agree with Valerie, Foxie.

That is the beauty in sharing what clicks for us. Sometimes in the sharing what clicked for us then clicks for others. In both Valerie and Patient's share I swear I could put myself in those moments through an often unseen commonality. Goosebumps? Oh yeah!

Maybe that is why we hesitate to share our otherworldly moments in life for fear 'they' will not understand and possible ridicule/ be dismissive of the experience. That somehow our personal special moments in life are degraded somehow by this. For me it was once that way but now, if anything, it makes for more certainty of their meaning.

[Valerie Villars]

Here's another one involving music. This happened about two and one half months after the above experience. I was listening to the Who's Quadrophenia and I got the most exquisite internal communication with God. I mean tears just started pouring down my face and all questions were answered as they came up, simultaneously, about my life and God answered questions about things I had wondered about my whole life.

And then I internally asked how God knew where to find me and when to wake me up and he pointed me to a poem of Rumi's. It was an exquisite experience.

Master art=Numinous

[O Donna]

From what I can surmise, there are artist that have clear clues to what makes for master-class art and subsequently the master key to everything.

https://img.memecdn.com/Yet-another-reason-to-appreciate-Kevin-Spacey-as-an-actor_o_146747.jpg

[Valerie Villars]

I agree and have experienced what you state O'Donna.

I loved the movie American Beauty.

With all respect, I have major doubts about Kevin Spacey's integrity in general. I may be wrong and would be happy to find out I was. But, with him, I doubt it.

This is a beautiful idea for a thread.

[Mike]

I may get some pushback on this one, but I think fighting is the most honest art there is.

At some point during the fight, you'll feel almost every emotion there is to feel.

There is absolutely no room for pretension.

You'll likely never feel a higher level of alertness or readiness.

You'll be challenged in every way imaginable, forcing you to bring out your very best effort.

It's totally pure and honest in those ways.

I'm not some tough guy btw. Far from it. Nor do i think people should go out seeking fist fights in the name of art. But i think there's some truth to this.

[Valerie Villars]

That's absolutely brilliant Mike. And there are many kinds of fights such as fighting for your life, fighting for someone else's life or just plain fighting forces that are out to get you. You are absolutely there, purely, in the moment.

[Mike]

That's absolutely brilliant Mike. And there are many kinds of fights such as fighting for your life, fighting for someone else's life or just plain fighting forces that are out to get you. You are absolutely there, purely, in the moment.


Right, exactly, you nailed it Val. Many kinds of fights. I shoulda included that.

(Btw that's a lovely pic:))

[O Donna]

I agree and have experienced what you state O'Donna.

I loved the movie American Beauty.

With all respect, I have major doubts about Kevin Spacey's integrity in general. I may be wrong and would be happy to find out I was. But, with him, I doubt it.

This is a beautiful idea for a thread.

Freedom recognizes the brilliance of art, not getting bogged down on its supposed origin. I bet there are many a person that have benefited from an artist's work without knowing perceived imperfections of the artist. I do not condone the actions of an artist but if the work is masterfully done, it itself, has a right to be elevated for consumption.

Excellent point, Mike, the clarity found at the apex of a fight is 'something else' to behold. That is right in line with the outline of personal experience in the OP.

Adrenalin, an artist's muse?

[O Donna]

https://img.memecdn.com/Yet-another-reason-to-appreciate-Kevin-Spacey-as-an-actor_o_146747.jpg

When a true artist creates, do you think they want the observer/ the experiencer to think of the creator first? If the creator is thought of first, the art has failed as master art.

[Lettherebelight]

I disagree.
Art is an expression of the artist’s message, views, perspectives, world,
using the skills and talents in their grasp.
Art cannot be separate from the artist.

[Valerie Villars]

I used to think the artist was synonymous with their work. That the work was who the artist really was. A real expression of their inspiration.

I get confused these days because I see so many "artists" sporting "I love satan" t-shirts or flashing illuminatti signs. Just who is what anymore?

It almost led to a crisis in my faith in art and music. I have somewhat redeemed that and now try to focus only on how the art or music makes me feel.

There are so many masks these days, it's really hard to tell the difference between authenticity and manufactured artifice.

[O Donna]

I disagree.
Art is an expression of the artist’s message, views, perspectives, world,
using the skills and talents in their grasp.
Art cannot be separate from the artist.


Perfect.

To believe that is art as well.

[Lettherebelight]

Artistic expression is found not only in the most highly idealistic.
It runs the entire spectrum of humanity right down to morally bereft individuals,
...some of them can be extremely talented.
Some people hide behind their talent.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3123036/Rolf-Harris-s-vile-jail-song-shock-letter-cell-shamed-star-reveals-country-rock-lyrics-damn-sex-victims-greedy-wenches-brags-cushy-prison-life.html

[Bluegreen]

I can understand what Mike is saying ...

You never hear team sports described as an 'art'.
Tennis? Golf? Not really.
Fighting? Yes. The Art of Pugilism


0JXCnNh8x4o
http://assets.fightland.com/content-images/contentimage/53241/poster.jpg

[O Donna]

I used to think the artist was synonymous with their work. That the work was who the artist really was. A real expression of their inspiration.

I get confused these days because I see so many "artists" sporting "I love satan" t-shirts or flashing illuminatti signs. Just who is what anymore?

It almost led to a crisis in my faith in art and music. I have somewhat redeemed that and now try to focus only on how the art or music makes me feel.

There are so many masks these days, it's really hard to tell the difference between authenticity and manufactured artifice.

What if the 'artist' is themselves a living canvass?

A mark of a true artist as a vehicle to thinking outside their box/ transcending circumstance. If that hasn't been accomplished then the 'art' is nothing more then a mundane object. Nothing worth lingering on.

Saying an artist and their work are inseparable is like saying someone who writes dark and twisted tales is themselves fundementally dark and twisted.

Master art makes it near impossible to differentiate it from the real within the minds eye.

[O Donna]

REACTING to art whether positively or negatively, what is that? At some level it is BELIEVING the art is REAL. If the creator and its creation are non-differentiable then they are both art or they are both real.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L45Q1_psDqk

[Foxie Loxie]

Well, BG....I do think there is art in football! The beauty of watching a QB loft the football waaaay down the field & hitting his target! C'mon man! I remember how my late F-in-law loved watching the beauty of a 3-pointer being shot in basketball!

Maybe beauty IS in the eye of the beholder! As a little girl I can remember always looking forward to Fri. nights because we would go to Grandma's house & I could get to watch boxing with my Grandpa!(We didn't have a TV :p) I can even remember the Gillette song that would play during the commercial! :Music: So I CAN see the "beauty" in a boxing match as well.

I keep a book of VanGogh's paintings on the table beside me & just drink in the energy he put into his painting...the colors!!! So I guess
each of us see art & beauty in many different ways! I stick to things that "uplift" me at this stage of the game!

It has been such a journey for me here on Avalon.....I'm totally NOT the same person I was when I joined a few years ago!! :Party:

[O Donna]

Wonderful and spot on IMO, Foxie. Art is IN the eye of the beholder and hold sway in that moment or moments. Proof of this is to remember a reaction to art years ago and if one's perspective has change over that time then so too will ones reaction to that same art will often have changed as well.

http://img.picturequotes.com/2/65/64710/the-eye-sees-all-but-the-mind-shows-us-what-we-want-to-see-quote-1.jpg

Art demonstrates the above meme time and time again.

[thepainterdoug]

This is a most unusual and stirring post! thank you O DONNA . AVE MARIA by Aaron Neville is the closing song for the amazing movie " Alive", the true story of a soccer team that was lost in the Andies due to a plane crash . This is as inspirational a movie and match to a final song that you can find . unfortunately, this video lacks adequate sound. try to listen and search another source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MDHL8QWs00

[O Donna]

Very nice thpainterdoug. That song is complemented by this song:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-m_6KN5ISA


Alan Jackson - How Great Thou Art (Live)

Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And then proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art"

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art



Another sign that something is Master-art is the overwhelming awe inspired feeling that erupts from within.

[O Donna]

How powerful the pull it is for that which is within to find its way home and furthermore, realizing home was and is just a heartbeat away, always.

https://www.soulseeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/find-way-home.jpg