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LIVING WITH ART BLOG

News: Blog: Connecting Through the Arts, March 19, 2020 - Joy Reed Belt News: Blog: Connecting Through the Arts, March 19, 2020 - Joy Reed Belt

Blog: Connecting Through the Arts

March 19, 2020 - Joy Reed Belt

In a time when all of our lives have been put on hold and we are not in control of decisions that affect us, it is important to connect with our best selves, and with the people and things we love and value. Art provides that connectivity and it comes in so many forms. Think about the profound changes in your life and what anchored you during that period. Use the arts to reconnect with those things.

One of my touchstones in times of crisis is the documentary “Civilisation,” by Kenneth Clark. For those of you not familiar with, “Civilisation,” it was an award-winning British Television series created by Clark and based on his book of the same title. In the early 1970’s, which was a very tumultuous time in my life, I taught Humanities at Tulsa Junior College. “Civilisation,” published in book form, was selected as the text. Furthermore, it came with video tapes, a lifesaver for a beginning instructor. In addition to being the greatest art historian of his time, Clark was the Director of the National Gallery during World War II.  In that role, he removed the art to safety, storing it in Welch slate mines. He also buoyed the spirits of the British people during the bombings by making the National Gallery available for a series of daily concerts.

The book “Civilisation” presented cultural heritage from the collapse of the roman empire until the birth of modernism, including visual arts, architecture, music, drama, literature, and philosophy in 13 Chapters. I sometimes referred to it as “the Reader’s Digest Crash Course in Culture.” “Civilisation” brought everything into focus for me. Regardless of what was happening in the world at a given time, I learned that it had occurred in some form in another century. I learned that collectively humanity will overcome and that beautiful things are created in times of crises. While “Civilisation” puts me in touch with the arts and humanity, I realize that all of us must find our own touchstone. Below you will find some potential resources that will allow you to connect with the arts.

  • The Great Courses is a company that provides courses on many subjects that are taught by the top 1% of college professors, in formats uniquely designed for the lifelong learner. Started 25 years ago by a Harvard Law Student, Great Courses offers courses in the arts such as: “How to Draw,” “Travel Photography,” “Urban Sketching,” “Understanding Great Art,” “Leonardo DaVinci, “Modern Masterpieces,” “Writing Great Fiction,” “How to Play the Guitar,” and a “History of Impressionism.” https://www.thegreatcourses.com/
  • The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City is offering “The Museum from Home.” https://www.moma.org/
  • Arnet Auctions has a wonderful collection of things to see in the comfort of your own home: “8 Things not to Miss in the Virtual Art World This Week.” They also have a live “Icons of Photography” online auction coming up soon. https://www.artnet.com/auctions/
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) Represents 5,000 years of human civilization’s creative output. You can experience the MET online at https://www.metmuseum.org/
  • Literati Press Bookshop is now announcing delivery to the OKC Metro Via Peda Exchange! Only $6 throughout the OKC core, then $2 a mile after that! http://literatipressok.com/index.html
  • JRB Art at The Elms represents over 100 local and regional artists, including Michele Mikesell, whose available work can be found on our website. We are currently offering free delivery for all artwork purchases in the OKC Metro area and free shipping on all orders outside the Metro. https://www.jrbartgallery.com/

 

Images:

Michele Mikesel, "First Outing," 2017, Oil on Canvas, 48 x 40 in. 

Kenneth Clark, "Civilisation"


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