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Archive for January, 2013

Jan 22

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On Politics and Art

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (Photo: National Park Service)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (Photo: National Park Service)

by Andrew Swensen

The occasion of recent political events and the celebration of past political achievements are on our minds this week, and The Muse Dialogue takes a moment to reflect on the role of arts and artistry in both realizing those moments and memorializing them. Andrew Swensen writes, “I cannot help but come to the conclusion that we need the arts specifically because of these and all the issues of realizing the good in our world.” Join the conversation by reading more, and taking your own stand on the place where politics and art meet.

Click here to read the full text of “On Politics and Art.”

Jan 16

Finding the Beautiful Before Us: When Craft Becomes Art

SF-1975-1-1373Often creative works are dismissed as mere “craft” because they have a useful function, and their utility may prompt us to overlook their artistry. Andrew Swensen argues that this prejudice could prevent us from finding  remarkable art works in our immediate environments, some of which we discover only after time has removed their usefulness. We may also find profound artistic statements in places where creative expression takes the form of traditional crafts.

So step into the world where transforming craft into art may be a function of altering our reception, and giving credit where credit is due. Step into “Finding the Beautiful Before Us: When Craft Becomes Art” (click here to read full article).

Jan 7

The Allure of Liquid Fire: A Look at the Art and Craft of Glassblowing

"The Transportation of Water" by Zach Layhew (Photo: Nathan J. Shauils)

“The Transportation of Water” by Zach Layhew (Photo: Nathan J. Shauils)

The Muse Dialogue opens 2013 with a continuation of our consideration of art and craft, and the places where the two meet…and the places where they diverge. Today we consider the art and craft specifically of glass blowing. The medium of glass offers an opportunity to create things of great beauty and things of commonplace utility. Kelly Englert investigates where the art lies and where the craft, with the help of glass artist Zach Mayhew.

Read on for a look at beautiful craft and well-crafted art in “The Allure of Liquid Fire” (click to read full article).

 

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