Why Not: A Blog

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Mirror Mirror

Among the most fascinating of objects in our lives and world is the mirror.

We begin our day looking into one and we end looking usually into the same one. Throughout the day we see reflections in store windows, passing cars, silver and any suitable material. We use mirrors for reasons of vanity, necessity and for safety in and on our vehicles. Any polished object to be described to being as shiny as a mirror is the highest compliment.

Mirrors are important in the arts from painting to literature to film. Contemporary artists depend heavily on reflective mediums. Amish Kapoor and Jeff Koon s are examples of sculptors that love highly polished almost glass like chrome and paint in their creations. Robert Rauschenberg produced silk screened mirrors among the vast array of materials in his body of works. Picasso’s “Girl with a Mirror” is one of the most important and beautiful examples of 20th century painting. The mirror in the rear of “Las Meninas” is central to the narrative of the 17^th century master piece by Velasquez. “Through the Looking Glass” is a classic of children’s literature and where would the wicked stepmother in “Snow White’ be without her magic mirror and her famous line”Mirror, mirror…?” Writer Neil Gaiman loves the concept of the mirror world and has written on the theme in several stories. “Smoke and Mirrors” is the title of a collection of his short stories and where would any self respecting magician be without these critical props.

Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean co-created an intriguing little film “Mirror Mask” another reverse (mirror) universe themed piece. Michael Jackson’s “The Man in the Mirror” is one of the most poignant as well as popular songs in modern music. Why so much attention to mirrors?

Mirrors allow us to see the one person in the room that we never see; ourselves. They also save us from a certain amount of embarrassment; can be somewhat consoling and are an aid to us when injured. They are an instant portal to another mystic place; our visual imaginations. Every image for this entry is computer enhanced and a mirror image.

Mirrors certainly are worth looking into.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Annunciation

When the angel Gabriel visited The Virgin Mary the seed was sown that would in time effect and influence both directly and indirectly every human life to follow.

The event we call “The Annunciation” is equally dramatic and sublime. This moment, this event remains important. From over two thousand years past into the present and into the duration of mankind’s existence; it remains. Great artist have depicted and continue to laud and cherish “The Annunciation.”

This gallery of mankind’s greatest masterworks consists exclusively of variations on the theme of “The Annunciation”.

El Greco, Jan Van Eyck, Botticelli, Leonardo, Mani Klarwein, Rubens, Giotto, FraAngelico, Henry O. Tanner, Rossetti and still others are represented here. The beauty of their work is a testament to something far greater and infinitely grander. The magnificent scope and range of God’s love and promise to we who inherit the earth.

The Christmas season is in full bloom at this point and has totally engulfed us. This season of perfect love of faith of hope is truly remarkable. We embrace it whole heartedly. We cherish it completely. By this time the Scrooge and Grinch that inhabits our existence at other times of year should be dispelled from our souls. We can share in this compelling story and celebration with all of Earth and Heaven. We can feel, see and hear the glory and sharing of “The Christ Child” and the promise of his life like no other time. We are fortunate and blessed as the generations before and those to come will be.