THIS GIFT by an anonymous donor in 1984 is a large tapestry by Barbara Heller that hangs at the entrance way of the Eye Care Centre in Vancouver where I visited recently. The similarity of the branches in the tapestry and the live tree (pictured below) outside the front doors had me wondering: does art imitate life or is it the other way around?
The tree was no doubt just a little sprout 29 years ago when the tapestry was first presented to the centre. It seems farfetched to say that art influenced how the tree grew to be envisioned. But if life is made up of vibrating energy connected to everything, it is fluid, changing and open to all manner of interpretation. We know that nothing is the way it appears to be at a glance. The world is not flat and the stars are not twinkling lights small enough to wrap around a Christmas tree.
Some philosophers carry these ideas further by suggesting that life is an illusive transforming entity that requires the foresight and imagination of artists and writers to show us how to perceive it. The images they create shape what we come to know as reality. The name for this thought provoking theory is
anti-mimesis. It is explained in detail at Wikipedia
here and makes interesting reading for a rainy day.
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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
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Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride.
Beautiful shots and art. I love the idea of turning the expression around.
ReplyDeleteThe tapestry is incredibly beautiful! WOW!
ReplyDeleteToday is a rainy day here so I'm thinking I WILL check out the link you provided.:)
What beautiful workmanship...that's stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love trees, in any form...and yes it is so similar.
Jen
Oh, I do agree with the others, what an incredibly beautiful tapestry! Wonderful captures! Thanks for sharing and now is a good time for me to check out the link!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and I enjoyed looking at and comparing the images.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tapestry! Some works of art of any genre open my eyes toward nature to see more essence and variety (than I see) in it like different colors, forms, or patterns. Things what we see is relative.
ReplyDeleteDid you go there for routine medical checkup? Take care of your eyes, penelope.
Yoko
Her style reminds me of an artist friend of my here in the valley. Love it!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful tapestry. I did a search on the artist, she is incredibly talented. The trees tapestry reminded me of a fellow artist friend's painting style. Thanks for sharing this artist work.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about anti-mimesis, but it sure is a lovely coincidence if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteNow I see a poodle-dog on your blog and must investigate further. I've been a long time gone (both physically and mentally).
Luv, K
How fascinating! I stared at both real and painting until I wasn't sure which was which....just like with your idea of turning the whole saying upside down and backwards!
ReplyDeleteMore food for thought from your brain to mine, and I feel the better for it, Penelope :) I will say that reading the Wikepedia article confused me, but I found your explanation much easier to digest. In the mean time, there is no question that there is an uncanny resemblance between that gorgeous tapestry and the tree outside the door of the eye care centre.
ReplyDeleteI can't always find a way to comment on your posts -- do you do that on purpose? Or is it me (highly likely!). Loved the poodle chew toy. And fascinating how good your "pope pictures" are..where did you get those?
ReplyDeleteHi Sallie, That poodle dog sure is cute, isn’t it? Although I have visited Vatican City in the past, my pope pictures were taken from live shots on tv. I am not sure which station as I was switching channels at the time. There is nothing wrong with your commenting skills and I appreciate your visits very much. However, I often turn the comment box off when I don’t include text of my own and just post pictures. :)
ReplyDelete