Vincent
The “Beyond Van Gogh” exhibit (https://vangoghhalifax.com/) is new multi-media performance bringing a famous artist’s work to world-wide audiences. The show came to Halifax. I have seen original paintings by Vincent Van Gogh. I was amazed by the intensity of his paintings and their emotional impact.
Beyond Van Gogh
‘Beyond Van Gogh’ exceeded all my expectations and generated a visceral reaction. I was awestruck by the quality and quantitiy of Van Gogh’s paintings. I also applaud the artists/ technicians who created the multi-media presentation. The imagery, animation, quotations, choreography and music created an immersive story of complete fascination and absorption.
The quoted excerpts from Vincent’s letters to his brother Theo were deeply moving to read. His humility and sincerity contrast to the values of today’s society. Ego, competitiveness, outragiousness for publicity, and arrogance have little presence in Vincent.
I left the exhibit with great reluctance and wondered about a good souvenir. I could buy a T shirt, or a mug with a starry night or sunflowers.
Maybe imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I made a self portrait based on a selfie that I took at the show, with Vincent as inspiration.
Legacy
Vincent Van Gogh’s life could not have been easy. He struggled to find meaning and purpose in his pursuits. He faced failure many times, but carried on.
Perhaps by today’s standards we would judge him to be a loser. He didn’t sell any paintings, he was not wealthy, and he held little status.
Despite all this, or because of this, he created an amazing repertoire of art. We can tell from his paintings that he loved doing what he was doing.
His story shows me that it’s not what you get in life that is important. It’s what you make from what you are given.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
…
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
...
attributed to an unknown soldier in the American Civil War
,http://sites.rootsweb.com/~allawren/military/confedprayer.htm
In the end he did find beauty in the simplest of things. He showed us what really counts is not how many paintings we sell, or how many patrons we can find. What counts for the artist is the satisfaction from the process of making art.
For my birthday my wife gave me an illustrated book of Vincent’s letters. It will keep me inspired.
