What artists can do in war times? ~
Writing frequent letters involves opening eyes and hears to find inspiration and ideas in the environment. And of course trying to cherry pick interesting topics for a conversation with art enthusiasts.
Pretending it's business as usual
 |
| Hold my Hand - Watercolor by Francesco Fontana |
Universality of art
Artists are very sensitive to the human condition, but at the same time we are warned not to openly take a political standing. In same cases we don't want to upset segments of the public or customers. In the best cases it's because being partial seems to betray a sense of universality and connection with the condition of all humanity.
To me establishing who is wrong and who is right seems to be mere speculation. My ethical position is simple:
Anyone who attacks defenseless people is wrong. It doesn't matter it's an action or a reaction. Killing innocents is never justified.
I don't think I'm politically biased if I say that those who attack young people at a music festival and kill in cold blood more than 1,000 in their household, are dead wrong. And I don't think I'm being politically partial if I say that murdering thousands of civilians, including 3000 children as an unavoidable price to target terrorists, is not less wrong. More than wrong. These actions are mass crimes!
Life to resists death
People here seem trapped in their own daily business, and although they are hunched over their cell phones, they look like no one has told them thousands of people are dying. I don't want to think that it's just selfishness. Perhaps silence is a form of resistance, of emotional defense. Ultimately, not losing sight of the path of a constructive life can be our most powerful weapon, the life that does not recede in the face of death.
Grow the beauty that unites
As artists, between our ego trip and our sense of guilt, there is a third way. Feel responsible and honored to exalt, defend and propagate the expression of vitality in the world through our creativity. Insist with our artworks on the universal value of a deeper truth and beauty, cultivate a form of love that unites all people. We did it during the pandemic. Looks like our job is not over.
Happy Art Life! -- Francesco
Learning Opportunities
Follow me on Instagram
Small Works New Selection
I post the following on behalf of Davy Lim:
ReplyDeleteHi again Francesco, I am in full agreement.
I was horrified by the original Hamas outrages but the continuing slaughter of innocents in Gaza is appalling and intolerable. Artists cannot abstain when fundamental ethical questions are asked of us.
Banksy is one of my favourite contemporary artists.
"Guernica" is my favourite Picasso painting.
"Imagine" by John Lenon is my favourite song and has become a universal anthem for peace.
"Dulce et Decorum Est" by war poet Wilfred Owen is must-read for crazy Gung Ho patriots everywhere.
"The times they are a changing" by Bob Dylan was the song we all sang back in the day...
sadly times don't change and our so called leaders are as cowardly,corrupt and evil as ever
That means everyone must continue to resolutely protest in the face of injustice,and artists everywhere should be in the vanguard of that movement.
Davy Lim, Paris, 27/12/2023