|
Joe, who taught ceramics and Asian art history at Knox from 1967 until his retirement in 1995, explains (although "explains" never quite fits the context of Zen) that his goal is to "open up a dialogue on American art, music and literature, all of which were heavily influenced by Zen."
In particular, he seeks to present Zen thought from the perspective of artists of the East who were influenced by Zen. He uses extended excerpts from sources gathered during his nearly thirty years of study and work and teaching at Knox.
Joe says there are significant differences between Zen and the traditional view of Western art, especially in the concepts of beauty and of the artist's role. He presents an excerpt from "The Potter's Craft," by Bernard Leach -- the Japanese tea ceremony, Leach writes, aims not for individual expression, rather "the art of the people as a whole is endowed with the richest significance." Beauty is achieved through "utility and the adornment of life without refinement." The tea ceremony reveals "an aesthetic of actual living in which utility is the first principle of beauty..."
The anthology, "Mystery of Beauty and Zen" is published by the Archie Bray Foundation of Montana, a center for the advancement of ceramic arts. All proceeds will benefit the Archie Bray Foundation. For more information, contact the Archie Bray Foundation, 2915 Country Club Ave., Helena, Montana, 59602; archiebray@archiebray.org
|
