Page 12 - maxim art monograph

From Thinghood to Personhood
The origin of both divine and human creativity occurs in a space we cannot access. Art is a dynamic process, more than a momentary
snapshot, more than the imposition of order: “You must carry a chaos within yourself in order to give birth to a star.” Yet, although we are unable to ex- plain this secret of fashioning, artists can still try to relive the moment of creation. It seems that God cre- ates not simply as a scientist, but as an artist. This great artist brings life out of nothingness into matu- rity. Kandinsky said: “Painting is like a thundering collision of different worlds that are destined in and through conflict to create that new world called the work. Technically, every work of art comes into be- ing in the same way as the cosmos—by means of ca- tastrophes, which ultimately create out of the ca- cophony of the various instruments that symphony we call the music of the spheres. The creation of the work of art is the creation of the world” (Complete Writings on Art [Boston, MA: Da Capo, 1994], 373).
In the crucible of pain, modern man does dwell, Amidst social struggles, human woes, a tale to tell. Loneliness, a burden heavy to bear,
Aching dramas play out, in heart and in air.
From the outset, I found myself pondering the identity of the simple man—the one who navigates his interactions with those around him without re- sorting to any false, theatrical facades.
It then dawned on me that the biblical narrative of humanity’s estrangement from God, leading to our fallen state, highlights a profound truth: one of the consequences of the separation was the loss of simplicity in perception, particularly in how we see or view the world. The Gospel elucidates that a per- son’s gaze can be a window into the soul, revealing either a state of simplicity or malevolence. Simplicity means seeing the world as it might appear in the fu- ture Kingdom – uncorrupted, pure, and unblem- ished. In contrast, a wicked gaze perceives the world as hostile, viewing everything through a lens of sin and constantly seeking escape or mere survival amid perceived threats. The Fall led to a loss of simplicity and inner light, plunging humanity into a state of darkness, despite the illusion of sight. This complex and malevolent perception dominates, obscuring the inherent goodness of creation and replacing inner light with darkness. Consequently, the simplicity of the soul and clear vision, which reveal the world’s true nature, have been diminished.
As a young boy, I stumbled upon the enchanting world of colored glass marbles, and it was like dis- covering a simple yet magical treasure. I quickly found that I had a knack for playing marbles, and my skill led me to victory in games against the other kids in our street. As a result, I was generously rewarded with a whole sack filled with vibrant and colorful glass marbles, becoming the proud owner of this de- lightful collection. Those marbles held a special place
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