Selections from Art and Ecology
Diversity, Freedom, and Confidence
by Ben Huot
Like phenomonology and theoretical physics of the early half of the
20th century, the modern art of Picasso was visionary for his time. The
variety of his interests in art and the diversity of his creations
reflect a complex person. His bold
break from tradition showed a confidence in his vision. Picasso and his
work are the epitome of freedom of expression.
The twentieth century has brought in many concepts that are poorly
understood, because they are strikingly different, than any ideas in
the past, and they are so sudden, that there are few frames of
reference for evaluating and relating to the revolutions in: art,
science, philosophy, and politics.
Although few people understand Picasso and can describe his art in a
way that gives him the credit for the changes he inspired, and his
personal creativity, confidence, and unquenchable freedom of human
spirit, we can see his art bringing about a fundamental shift in the
range of forms in which artists are able to express themselves and be
accepted by part of the population.
It is hard to understand abstract art and it is even harder to create
good abstract art. This is partly because our imaginations are often
confined to what we can see, hear, and touch. We do not dream big
enough, to allow ourselves the freedom to capture ideas, that we have
not been told by others.
Art is not what people think photography is. It is not a Science, and
it is not intended to be a reproduction of images or an exact duplicate
of what was seen. Art is a way of expressing emotions and if we want
everything to be recognizable without thinking, we would probably
prefer photography.
Art transcends the limits of a strictly empirical and rational approach
to life, where we observe things in a way that can be measured, and
hold to some predetermined beliefs about life that other people have
come up with. Artists have to have the freedom, to imagine a world of
possibilities, and their works are meant to elicit emotions, beyond
just what the subject can be described in words.
Abstract art also allows more freedom of interpretation and encourages
diversity in points of view. It is not as accurate as a worded
description, but is not limited to narrow interpretation either. The
whole creation is greater than the sum of its parts in art, which is
much harder to so with words.
It is not an understanding of life that is academic, in its strictest
sense. It is something that must be experienced. The feelings it brings
about, in the observer, are more important, than a technical
understanding of how it was made, or the exact intent of the artist.
In a world when we get into wars over words, try to explain phenomenon
in purely mathematical formulas, and reduce morality down to legalese,
we need something to get us to see the world with our heart, instead of
pursuing understanding, with only our heads.
The Theoretical and Everyday Life
by Ben Huot
In the first 30 years of the 20th century (1900-1930), discoveries made
by leading physicists, challenged the old order of thought. Where we
first saw the world in only three dimensions and fundamental particles
as simple, solid objects, we now found that the absolutes, rules, and
language that we were educated in did not hold true in many situations
which we found ourselves.
Most people who believe in Science as a world view do not really
understand the Scientific process. Science was never meant to be a
world view, but was a creative process that would evolve its beliefs
over time and continually change the foundations of its theories, as
more evidence came in. Science does not have any definite assumptions,
that which it does hold true is under a constant evolution, and science
can not say anything about God one way or the other, but scientists are
just as bigoted as anyone else.
Scientists are experts about the scientific process and established
theories, but they are not experts on ethics or spirituality. And we
dont figure in the circumstances under which scientists work:
scientists are usually employed by research institutions and get
funding from the defense department and big business. They are taught
to reject theories that are not approved, not only by independent
verification, but also by the culture of assumptions that the
Scientific community perpetuates. Announce to the world that you are a
Creation Scientist and see how many publishers will
publish your books, feature your work in established Scientific
journals, or what research institutions will hire you.
Modern physics challenges everything we were taught in school. We are
taught that the more we know, the more our questions will be answered,
the more we will understand the world, and the easier things will get
for us in life. But 20th century physics has proved just the opposite
for us. And it is true as much in our everyday lives as it is in
theoretical physics.
In the Postmodern world, nothing holds up as an absolute and their is
no central or dominant world view. We have nothing to guide us, but our
own intellects. For every view, there is a counter and the only thing
that is believed as wrong is actually believing anything is absolutely
true, or being committed to anything besides your job. We have no
compass in this brave new world and the more we learn, the more we
realize our limitations.
We understand that we live in a world carefully crafted for us and we
are standing at the edge of a cliff, trying to balance between chaos
and totalitarianism. We cannot be free to the point of having no
beliefs and no direction morally and expect to keep our affluent
existence. We have to realize that building prestige and building
wealth is not the answer to our problems.
There are two worlds in violent opposition to each other. We have the
first world where we are dying from being so well fed and are biggest
problem is getting rid of all our waste, where we are technologically
advanced but morally
bankrupt. The other side of the world is rich in culture, history, and
diversity. But it is at the stone age in technology and the greatest
problem is where the next meal is coming from.
We have to learn from each other if we are to survive, because
technology doesnt always win. And when someone else is defeated, we
lose more of our soul.
Animal Epic Poem
by Ben Huot
Ecclesiastes 3:19
In a blink of Gods eye
We share the animals lifespan
No one knows the fate of the beast
Back to the earth or raised to glory
We are made of clay
And share in its instability
From nothing but matter we were designed
And back to organic sludge we will return
How are we different
From those we lead to the slaughter?
Jeremiah 9:10
Drowning in our own pollution
Our mega cities vacant as a ghost town
All this comes from sin
And Gods wrath
God mourns for the livestock
Which he can no longer hear in the fields
Wild animals roam
In what has become badlands
Daniel 1:8
With nothing but the fruit of the vine
We need not feast on anothers life
Daniel was stronger than the kings best men
Living on nothing but herbs and clean water
Wisdom and understanding, health and vitality
Do not arise from piles of carcasses and the devils water
Matthew 25:40-43
Your dog was hungry
And all you gave him was the scraps from your table
Your dog was hot in the car
And you let the heat damage his brain
You left you dog chained up outside
And he came back with frostbite
Your dogs brother was in the kennel
And you left him to die
Youre dog needed to visit the vet
And you said you couldnt afford it
As you have done to those which society does not value
So you have done to the Son of God
Hebrews 2:10-11
Christ was the supreme sacrifice
With his death, no animal needed give its life
As a sheep transformed into lamb chops
Jesus identified with our woolly friends
Paying the ultimate price
He asked us to eat His body
And drink His blood
And we are His sheep
To be sacrificed in our choices
Plush Valentine
by Ben Huot
Strong hooves and a beaming smile
I reach out wide to hug you
I give you my plush heart
And shower you with muzzle kisses
I know you like chocolate
Would you like your very own
Plush M and M friend
We can move to the beat
We can boogie-woogie the night away
We can sit together under the plastic tree
And find shade under the brown tent
Lets share the grass
And roll around in plush meadows
You are always on my mind
Even in my dreams
From when we are set on the couch
To when we count the sheep
Each day my love for you grows
As our friendship progresses
I even care for your child
As if he were my own
Lets be more than friends
Lets make memories together forever
And walk into the everlasting pastures
Hoof in hoof
New Calf
by Ben Huot
I am so excited
About your new friend
The little calf
Who follows you around
And looks up to you
And shines when he sees your smile
He can barely stand for long
His legs are wobbly
And his balance isnt developed
But he has the heart
Of a seasoned ox
With each new step
You record his progress
And he surprises you each day
He still talks in simple words
And is puzzled with most of life
Everything is new to him
And he feels awkward and uncomfortable
When he is alone
He looks to you for guidance
And he is impressed by your wisdom
I look forward to meeting
Your little one
To watch him graze
For the first time
And jump over the fence
For greener grass
Today an Ox
by Ben Huot
Today is the day
You become an ox
I have seen you grow
In stature and wisdom
Over these last few years
As the grass grows and withers
You have learned about
Your fellow grazers
The folly of revolution
How to cheer each other up
To not wander outside
Developing your inner joy
Seeing beyond toys and entertainment
To a bond of friendship
And taking time to rest
Along the way
You have a love of learning
And have grown capable
To lead entire herds
As each day passes
I enjoy each stage of your growth
You are now capable
Of making decisions for others
And see the bigger pasture
And seek to stop the suffering
Of the steer