Black Mountain College

This week I’ve been doing a deep dive into Black Mountain College. It’s definitely an instance of orbiting ideas as Black Mountain College and artists have caught my attention many times over the years.

This is my first deep dive and I’m fascinated that so many things I’ve been studied and been drawn to over the years (Buckminster Fuller’s visionary design, John Cage’s Happenings, John Dewey’s educational approach, Ruth Asawa’s interaction of life and art) all converged in these mountains.

I want to really go deep this time as I draw inspiration for a new project. I’ve ordered some books, but in the meantime I’ve been watching YouTube videos.

Here are 3 of my favorite quotes with the videos they are from below.

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I watched the third mini documentary this afternoon while Davy made LEGO art.

I’m struck by how the concept of hands on learning through art aligns with my own views about home education. It’s all very exciting.

Chronic Illness & Art

“The functioning of our bodies affects what is possible for each of us in physical and temporal spaces. During active illness, the limitation that comes from the mismatch between the rest of the world and the universe of sickness increases. You think and plan around the ways you don’t fit into the world.”

“Artists often see possibility and opportunity where others may not, so our role is to lead others into new ideas or ways of doing things.”

Jocelyn Mathewes

Image Journal, Issue 118.

Being different in science fiction

“There is a thing that happens in science fiction where there are characters that have something that makes them special and important and valuable in the science fiction universe that tends to mirror something that when it expresses itself in our prime universe it makes them weird.

So I always felt like a weird outcast kid cause of the stuff that I liked. And I really identified with characters, especially in Star Trek where the thing that made them weird made them special and valuable.”

Wil Wheaton, The Ready Room

Season 1 Episode 3

Maybe Art Only Needs to Be

“I used to think that art had to be great to be worthwhile. Now, I only think it has to be to be worthwhile.” John Green. Maybe Art Only Needs to Be. Feb 21, 2023.

Me too, John, me too.

Golden Age of Television

These have been two excellent months for television.

I am (of course) watching Rings of Power. It's designed by Weta Workshop so its visually stunning, but I'm also impressed at how this show is taking its time. As a hobbit at heart I really love the Harfoots (even if they may be taking liberties with the Middle Earth timeline.)

The casting is perfect. And I am in love with the costume design for Numenor - just look at that Art Nouveau / Pre-Raphaelite inspiration. 😍

And I appreciate the representation.

Years ago, I was horrified to realize the only people of color in the Peter Jackson film’s were orcs. 😳

(Check out this video of every line spoken by a POC which only adds up to 0:46 seconds total.)

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We’ve also started watching Star Trek Strange New Worlds and… it is SO GOOD.

It is by far the best Star Trek show out there and captures everything about what makes Star Trek worth watching.

The heart of Star Trek is about respect and collaboration among people from different cultures as well as exploring contemporary ethical issues with some metaphorical distance from real life. It’s amazing how different issues look when they are separated from their well worn context. This is (one reason) I love sci fi and fantasy.

Growing up Star Trek was only vague a cultural touchstone for me (even as a kid I related to Data), but as nerdlyweds Nathan & I watched through every series (…except The Original Series. Captain Kirk felt deeply misogynistic for me and I just couldn’t stomach it.)

While I have a special place in my heart for Captains Picard and Janeway, I really love Pike and hope this series will have many seasons to come.

Art & Advocacy

Part of my graduate studies encompassed Art for Social Change and I’ve noticed my own art practice converging with my advocacy. It feels like coming full circle.

When I make art that speaks to my lived experience it is intrinsically tied to my neurodivergence. This wasn’t conscious when I titled the My Brain on Motherhood series, but adds another layer of meaning and focus to the body of work.

Then there is the direct advocacy and educational work I began this summer.

There is so much potential for these practices to overlap and inform one another.

I’m interested in exploring this intersection further as I create more pieces about neurodivergence and autism.