By Mark Stash, Editor
Why are humans drawn to beautiful things, to the aesthetics that are all around us? Simple objects and symmetry make things beautiful. The attraction to familiar and uncomplicated forms draws us in. When it comes to art, we sometimes like warmer colors and other times we prefer cooler. Most people like representational art because it creates a sense of connection, of something we know. Abstract art also taps into a part of the brain that wants us to interpret ideas for ourselves.
Symmetry and the beauty of simple forms brings to mind a craftsman who makes beautiful pottery, day in and day out. Jamie Kozlowski, the Wizard of Clay owner, only knows too well what symmetry means (page 74). His father, a true creative person and artist, started the business back in 1979. Jamie took over eventually and thinks of himself not as an artist, but a craftsman, one who can create a large number of pottery pieces by hand that are almost identical to each other in a short period of time. Customers are drawn to the simple shapes of the pottery and the unique glazes and firings on them.
Art is well represented in each issue of this magazine brand. Not only is it important to me, since I am also a creative and enjoy painting, but I believe it’s important to most people, even if they don’t quite know why. Melissa Talma’s representational art attracts us to the everyday objects in life that we appreciate (page 84). Another way to enjoy art is through music. There are several music festivals during the summer that present not only chamber music but also bluegrass and other styles (page 88). This is more of an audio experience than visual, and there is familiarity as well with the rhythm and beats of songs that attract us.
Ellen Dissanayake, an anthropologist at the University of Texas, states that “Artistic production entails effort, and effort is rarely expended without some adaptive rationale. Art is ubiquitous and costly.” We as humans appreciate effort and the energy it takes to be creative. Artists of all mediums strive to communicate what they feel, what they think and through their art. We feel pleasure experiencing a beautiful piece of artwork, listening to a wonderful composition of music. As Richard Keys writes on byrslf.co, “Invest time in the creation of beautiful things. Take the time, once per week to create: bake, draw, paint, dance — do what you need to do to feel creative.”
