Wednesday, April 21, 2021

April 21, 2021

Inspiration

(From a lecture by Agnes Martin at Cornell University, January 1972)

    I want to talk to you about “the work”, artwork. I will speak of inspiration, the studio, viewing artwork, friends of art, and artists’ temperaments. But your interest and mine is really “the work” - works of art.  Artwork is very important in the way that I will try to show when I speak about inspiration.

I have sometimes put myself ahead of my work in my mind and have suffered in consequence. I thought me, me; and I suffered. I thought I was important. I was taught to think that. I was taught: “You are important; people are important beyond anything else.”But thinking that, I suffered very much. I thought that I was big and “the work” was small. It is not possible to go on that way. To think I am big is the work as big. The position of pride is not possible either. And to think I am small and the work is small, the position of modesty, is not possible.

I will go on to inspiration and perhaps you will see what is possible.  As I describe inspiration I do not want you to think I am speaking of religion. That which takes us by surprise - moments of happiness - that is inspiration. Inspiration which is different from daily care. Many people as adults are so startled by inspiration which is different from daily care that they think they are unique in having had it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Inspiration is there all the time. For everyone whose mind is not clouded over with thoughts whether they realize it or not. Most people have no realization whatever of the moments in which they are inspired. Inspiration is pervasive but not a power. It’s a peaceful thing. It is a consolation even to plants and animals. Do not think that it is unique. If it were unique no one would be able to respond to your work. Do not think it is reserved for a few or anything like that. It is an untroubled mind.

Of course we know that an untroubled state of mind cannot last. So we say that inspiration comes and goes but really it is there all the time waiting for us to be untroubled again. We can therefore say that it is pervasive. Young children are more untroubled than adults and have many more inspirations. All the moments of inspiration added together make what we call sensibility. The development of sensibility is the most important thing for children and adults but is much more possible in children. In adults it would be more accurate to say that the awakening to their sensibility is the most important thing. Some parents put the development of social mores ahead of aesthetic development. Small children are taken to the park for social play; sent to nursery school and Head Start. But the little child sitting alone, perhaps even neglected and forgotten, is the one open to inspiration and the development of sensibility.

(submitted by Kathleen Dickey/artwork by Misha)

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Special bows for today: 

  • Please continue to offer bows in honor of:
    • Kenny Merrill, Misha's cousin, who died from ALS on March 20, 2021
    • Lally Hass, Kathleen Dickey's aunt, who died 3/7/2021  
    • Jesse Schouboe, dear friend of GJ Scove, who died on 2/27/21 in a car crash
  • Please continue to offer bows of well-being for: 
    • John Hass, Kathleen Dickey's uncle who has entered hospice
    • Les Kaye, who will need to undergo another round of chemotherapy
    • Flip Dibner, dharma brother and friend, who is continuing  chemotherapy treatments  
    • David Shaw, who is continuing the process of recovery
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Wonderful links/recommendations shared by sangha members and friends:
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