This is art...

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.