Art is
aesthetic,
pleasing to the eye,
but also
utilitarian
as in pottery
the warmth of a woven
blanket...
and whether it is
primitive
or modern
simple
or complex
art reaches across
time-
transcends nations and cultures
it's beauty
unites
and can be appreciated
by all.
It is intertwined with
history
and is unique to region
( though not always)
examples are:
the embroidery of Eastern Europe,
Latin America,
parts of South Asia-
where there is a commonality
of motifs-
and flowers,
birds,
and butterflies abound.
And I remember learning
that in Islam,
the human face
cannot be depicted
it would be an affront to God,
a mockery of His creation
something that mere mortals
should not and cannot reproduce
so the face is left
blank,
devoid of features
a white void-
an orb of light...
Still, art flowered
in the Islamic world
with intricate mosaics
and tapestries,
tiles of Andalusia
- the exquisite blue mosque.
While here, today
The National Endowment of the Arts
is threatened
by those who disregard
the importance of art
who forget how all indigenous
people
revered the artist,
so my hope is
that we can learn these lessons
of the past,
and again celebrate, cultivate
art-
recognize it as something
utterly vital.