Some of you may be weary of me raving about the work of one of our own GS members, but I want to try to explain why. I have the opportunity as a museum docent to watch and listen to the viewers response to artists, including the work of many of our members. Let me tell you about one response to Centaur, a by Christina Bothwell... As artists, we rarely to enjoy watching viewers enjoy our work when we are not around. I thought Id share a very special moment with you. At the conclusion of a museum tour, I offered to stick around in case anyone wanted to discuss a particular piece of artwork. Immediately an elderly woman told me in a German accent; I want to talk about a very special piece. I asked her to lead the way, and she immediately took me to Centaur, and told me that it was to her favorite piece (we have several Henry Moores, Picasso, Chagall, 20 Matisse, on the floor). As we stood there, she told me she loved the work, and that The dolls arm is just like the arm of a doll I had as a little girl. I did not have many toys. I asked her if she noticed the tiny figure inside the piece, and she said she didnt notice that but everything about the work says joy. She surmised that the figure was pregnant with hope, and every aspect of the form is positive. The wheels are made to move forward, the animal is the perfect animal to take you forward, and it is a very hopeful piece. As we talked, she told me that she was a survivor of the Nazi death camps, and that her entire family was killed. At the end of the war, she was taken to Israel, and now 4 years after the death of her husband, she lives alone. We talked for a long time, about the war, her journey, and my favorite theme of reconciliation. I fell in love with this woman and her story. This summer I visited one of the death camps, and it was a transformative moment. Ive struggled to come to terms with all I saw there. That night I was reminded of the power of art, and the how Christinas work connected me with a remarkable woman, and that woman to her memories. In spite of all she has been through, she found Centaur hopeful, and beautiful. So Christinas work touched a stranger very deeply, a stranger who saw her past, and a positive future in your work. I was grateful to be there for that aha moment that served as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to create opportunities for meaningful dialog among strangers. With her artwork, Christina created the catalyst for one of the best moments Ive experienced in a long time, a moment of exceptional grace. What do you think?
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:31:17 +0000