simcoe/ART

Francisco de Goya, "The Witches' Sabbath", (1797-8) Museo de Prado, Madrid

 Concerning the enormity of crimes, it is asked whether the crimes of witches exceed, both in guilt, in pain, and in loss, all the evils which God allows and has permitted from the beginning of the world up till now. And it seems that they do not, especially as regards guilt. For the sin which a man commits when he could easily avoid it is greater than the sin which another man commits when he could not so easily avoid it. There is great wickedness in sinning when it is so easy not to sin. But Adam, and others who have sinned when in a state of perfection or even of grace, could more easily because of the help of grace have avoided their sins — especially Adam who was created in grace — than many witches, who have not shared in such gifts. Therefore the sins of such are greater than all the crimes of witches.

- Malleus Maleficarum (1486)

Mark Rothko, "The Syrian Bull" (1943), Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin

“We do not intend to defend our pictures. They make their own defense. We consider them clear statements. Your failure to dismiss or disparage them is prima facie evidence that they carry some communicative power.” In a letter published in The New York Times in 1943, artists Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb put forth their first thoughts about this thing they were helping to create — abstract-expressionism. In this important piece they cited two of their own creations: Rothko’s Syrian Bull and Gottlieb’s The Rape of Persephone – and to my surprise I saw both of them today.

These paintings are part of the permanent collection at the Allen Memorial Art Museum in Oberlin, Ohio. Though their subject matter has a bookish, mythological source their presentation is both primitive and surreal. When they were first shown in New York, Times art critic Edward Alden Jewell wrote: “You will have to make of Marcus Rothko’s ‘The Syrian Bull’ what you can; nor is this department prepared to shed the slightest enlightenment when it comes to Adolph Gottlieb’s ‘Rape of Persephone’.” To this critique they wrote their now-famous letter. It is because of this letter and the principles it laid out that these paintings are so important. Historical importance aside, when I stood in front of The Syrian Bull it spoke to something more personal, simple and fundamental — it reminded me of what great art can really do. It can make you feel human.

At a charity: water well in Northern Uganda by Esther Havens

I still can’t believe it, but a lot of people read this blog. I have been lucky, lucky, lucky in this little hobby of mine. So somehow my voice is out there, and I really would like to do more with itI . Starting this month am going to be supporting charity: water, “a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.” So help me help them by clicking on the charity: water widget to the right, participate in the sponsor’s quick little promo and they will donate to charity: water. Or help more directly by going to their website to join, donate or start your own fundraising efforts. Thanks so much for your time.