The recent massive 8.9 earthquake in Japan reminds us all as to the fragility of our civilizations on this planet. Modern civilization has only existed for a fraction of the geological age of the earth. I live within about 400 miles of the great caldera in the center of Yellowstone National Park. The chances are that it won't explode in my lifetime and maybe not for another 100,000 years. However it will explode at some time, and everything I consider normal will be altered forever, it not exterminated. Much of the wildlife and plant life of the mountain west may not survive the blast. How does this relate to art you might ask?
Everything we know and see will not survive forever. It is temporary. Art is a way to appreciate the world and the life we find around us, Flowers have existed for millions of years. Hopefully the flowers we see will exist millions of years from now. Yet I know that the plants and animals we see, at this point in history will not exist forever. Extinction is inevitable. This is not meant to be a lament. It is a statement that we should appreciate the moment. Appreciate the world and those around you. It is a very special moment in time.
In my perspective, I make no distinction between a single flower and a range of mountains. Each has value and beauty. Each exist, but will not exist forever. The zen of life and art is to create in this moment of time and to know that it will not last.
The flower is
it has no need to know
to understand
no desire to clarify, justify, or falsify
The flower does not wonder what is
yet it is
a fingerprint of that which is.
Robert
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