By Leonard A. Jason
Are art and science so different? At the deepest levels, the overlap is stunning. The artist wakes us from the slumber of ordinary existence by uncovering a childlike wonder and awe of the natural environment. The same magical processes occur when a scientist grasps the mysteries of nature, and by doing so, ultimately shows a graceful interconnectedness.
The intuition of the artist is no different from the hunches of a scientist. Both draw from unconscious realms where inner voices and soaring images provide sustenance for the imagination. Distractions and blind alleys often prevent the grasping of new visions or unraveling of complex social problems. Instincts and other primordial sources can break these intellectual and emotional barriers, and provide unparalleled insights into the vital nature of reality.
Both artist and scientist are revolutionaries, trying to change our perceptions and understanding of the world. Sometimes the fuel is no more than an outrage that “this must change”. Their paths often begin with a gnawing realization that something is askew in nature, which sets the traveler on a journey into the unknown to find what is missing, such as bringing about a more just and humane society.
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) at the Winterthur Country Estate. Photo by Derek Ramsey, (c) 2007. GNU Free Documentation License 1.2.
Artists and scientists use similar strategies and tactics to confront power structures that perpetuate institutional stagnation. Resources need to be identified and mobilized to buttress dreams and inspiration, to weather the assaults of critiques and forces inimical to new perspectives. Focus and commitment against seemingly insurmountable opposition can be sustained and validated by nurturing coalitions, including professional colleagues, friends, and family members. These cadres of supportive counter-change agents often provide a life-affirming antidote to the isolation and even animosity that can be engendered by radical transformative ideas and solutions to aesthetic and social issues. New professional and community coalitions can provide alternative sources of meaning by challenging existing reference groups and standards, and by validating innovative ways of approaching formerly intractable problems.
Suffice it to say, scientists and artists are often greeted with suspicion, disbelief, or even outright disdain for their offerings. Some retreat whereas others persist in sharing their new insights and knowledge in the public domain, regardless of the ego injuries and accruing disrespect. These prophets often feel as if they are lost in a dense fog or dark forest, but their enduring resolve to pursue an unconventional line of research or provide an alternative glimpse of reality represents a sustaining force. It is not fleeting happiness nor a drunken sense of wild abandon that uphold these commitments, but rather a deep sense of conviction and faith about one’s liberating vision.
Finally, learning, experimentation, feedback, and refinement are the backbone of both the sciences and the arts. Decades of painstaking analysis and observation were critical in the development of Darwin’s grand theory of evolution. The dissection of corpses and countless sketches polished and unleashed Michelangelo’s genius in capturing the human spirit in exquisite detail. Sweat and toil nurture the fertile imagination and fine tune the ability to peer through nature’s veil and uncover eternal truths that lead to Eureka moments of exhilarating discovery.
Spectacular gifts await us as we work to unravel the DNA of equality, faith, love, and compassion, and thereby usher in a world saturated with meaning, surrounded by creative rapturous forces. True research has a soul of an artist.
Leonard A. Jason is a Professor of Clinical and Community Psychology at DePaul University, and the Director of the Center for Community Research. For 38 years, he has been studying the interplay between creative forces and the process of community change. He is the author of Principles of Social Change (2013), published by Oxford University Press.
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This is beautiful and a lovely interpretation of the theme...even though I have very negative feeling toward pigeons. I already followed my homing instinct back to my home state, and even though I haven't seen all the pieces of my life come together, at least I know I'm in the right location.
Gillian: nice to see a new face :)
I was wondering if someone would point out how much they dislike pigeons!
I have a soft spot for them because they're so discriminated against. When people put bird feeders out and shoo away certain varieties of birds, I liken it to racial profiling. Call me crazy, but that's how I feel.
I don't like having pigeons poop all over my car any more than the next person but I think they're beautiful in their own way. And yes, I even like having them stop by to visit ;)
That is a beautiful painting and a good representation of the theme. It is amazing the homing instinct in birds and animals. I live only 25 miles from where I grew up but I really feel something inside as I head up the road to the little town I grew up in and have feelings that are like none other. I haven't been there in a while and I have been thinking of it lately.
beautiful illo! well done!
What a wonderful illustration! I love the color, textures and post!
This is beautifully done!! And a great interpretation of instinct. That homing instinct fascinates me too. I love seeing the birds return from a long winter.
WOW! I love this! It is very well done and I need to come back and say some more about it. (I just wrote a series of poems about pigeons AND I have a thwarted homing instinct AND I just read Pigeon Post by Arthur Ransome.)
Put it in a glassine envelope on put a sticker on the envelope (address label sticker)
Gorgeous bird! I love that "homing instinct" thing - mine is just to be in my own cozy home, whenever possible. Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be.
I loved this post - and of course your illustration! I definitely feel a sense of home in certain places and not in others. In fact, your photos of the water below filled me with longing - home for me is near the ocean, and right now I am landlocked. I actually love pigeons. I love their iridescent feathers and the funny noises they make (even though when I lived in NYC, we called them the air force of the rats)> We have mourning doves here, which are related to pigeons. They nest all around our property and serenade us with their calls. Thank you for the nice thoughts your picture & post gave me!
The Fall that follows Triptych There's the pigeon poem--it started out as an ode to Pigeons, but morphed into soemthing really different--it's not really about pigeons. Maybe I should add something that is--I have some of those, too, but this is my newest one.
I've been transplanted to Detroit, but I have a powerful homing instinct toward upstate NY where I used to live.
(I have a pigeon for an icon picture on one of my other blogs.)
I have pigeons at my feeder and I do NOT shoo them away.
Years ago, I did a WHOLE series of poems on pigeons and would read them at open mics and invariably, someone would complain and one woman get really angry. She went on about how dirty they are and called them flying rats etc. But she didn't change my mind.
He's so beautiful. So soft and blue. We have many pigeons here in Missoula. They sun on the roofs, and then for no reason, they'll all take off and fly in an arc, just to land back on the roof again.
Maybe it's their way of exercising...we walk, they stretch their wings...
I love this Laurel!! (and sorry I missed your Raven one) The details in this are just amazing - great post too, I've always been fascinated with migration habits. They have a special event close by here for the Monarchs every year....
P.S. in answer to your question on my digi-art photography - Photoshop (I'm hoping to add Elements soon too)
I like their iridescence. Two of my favourite birds are the Little Spotted Dove and our native pigeon, the big Kereru.
i finally made it to your blog after several hours of a blogger temper tantrum! you've aced the metallic colors of this pigeon. you've got me thinking about home and homing, which is a non-art reason why i like your blog and you so much: you make me think!
:)
Great pigeons on the envelope - your lovely illustration & the cool postage stamp as well.
Oh no words for this one!!!!
So beautiful and yes amazing homing instict they have and such perseverance. Every year a pigeon will strand here completely exhausted, they try to drink from our pond. Mostly they hannnnng around 2 days and off they go again.
Which makes me worried, because I know some ugly stories about (mail) pigeons comming too late......
I feel connected with the pigeon, I get dropped all over the world and I always fly back :)
Home is important to me, I love to be home and here in Holland I don´tlike it when being away too much from home......
When on holiday we always return earlier than planned because we are homesick........
I love pigeons! We have 2 (Turkish)who come for food in our garden every day.
I painted pigeons in Soul´s mandala, green South African pigeons.
In the cities the pigeons have a bad name and I feel sorry for them, they can´t help it.....
Here where I live I see only healthy beautiful pigeons and they are not a plague.
All creatures have rights and deserve love and respect.
I love the reflection of their feathers and their eyes are just amazing......
You captured both so well!
have a nice Sunday!
what a healthy and vibrant looking bird. the homing instinct is very strong in all of us, i have had to quench mine as i can no longer return to live in south africa. i enjoy your philosophy and i liked marianne's comment too. have a good sunday dear heart, hugs and wfs.
Hi! I love the colours in this. Funny about homing instincts; I find I feel like I have past experiences of places I can't have lived in and I'm fascinated by what triggers these feelings. Man and the brain are wonderful!
No allegiances for me, wherever I lay my hat is my home. Set me on a path that leads over the next hill and I'll be happily on my way.
Did you ever read the book The Warm Place by Nancy Farmer. I think that's what it's called. There are some animals in it that talk about that....how they can tell which way is home, even from around the world. This is a really intriguing question, and it all takes place on the subconscious, I think. There are certain landscapes that, for me, feel like home, even if they are places I've never been. I could analyze it, I suppose, but it has to do with the trees, and the rocks, and even the quality of the air and light.
Sweet pigeon, and given her proper pose of dignity and beauty, by your hand Laurel.
If human instincts were as strong as the pigeon's, I suppose we would all be perfectly where we should be, guess that would make life too easy.
The address I think should be written on her beek, in teency weency letters.
Don't thank me, I'm glad I could help.
I think the irradesence of their feathers is so pretty.. not to mention their incredible survival instinct... Amazing creatures!
Home for me is where ever I hang my hat... as long as I have those I love...thats home!
I love this! When my husband and I first moved into the house we live in now, 7 years ago, I was visited every few weeks by a homing pigeon. He would come to my living room patio door and peck at it until he got my attention, then he'd fly up to our 2nd floor deck until I came out there. I learned to bring him some water and seed, he'd stay for a day and then be gone. Eventually we got to a point where he'd get on my hand, so I was able to read the numbers on his tag - I tried to figure out how to find his owners, where he was coming from etc but never did. He was so beautiful! He visited for a couple of summers, then stopped and I haven't seen him since, but I so enjoyed that welcome to this home, and your piece brings back those warm memories!
Thank you for your recent visit to my blog. I'm glad you found me too - because now I've found you :)
Karin
Love it, and I think I should win this one.
By the way Karin thinks we should have our cottage in South Carolina. I'm up for that. What say you?
xoxoxo
The pigeon is beautiful!
Yesterday we traveled from morning to night and I was so ready to come home, even though the day was fun, full of beauty to behold, and good food, and company and sights etc. Today I am happy to be at home, indoors (it's raining outside) and sew to my hearts content...only getting up every once in a while to come here to rest my hands, eyes, back from the sewing machine.
sure I'd love a chance to win the pretty pigeon paper.
Oh Yes! They're amazing postbird in ancient China!
Beautiful painting, I like how you paint his feathers!
Another beautifully illustrated envelope! Your pigeon is lovely - gentle looking and this one is slim and trim - boy can they get fat !! I've had a life of wandering, so my homing instinct is maybe a bit weak! However, I do look forward to finding the right spot when my husband retires in a few years to make our final nest!
Oh my goodness, what a totally sweet concept for an envelope! Brought to you by homing pigeon, and here's a love letter coming home to you. Aaaaah. Beautiful painting. Much too nice to cover with an address.
What beautiful glowing color in his feathers...excellent journaling as always! :)
You are too funny. Damn, to bad I know you wouldn't cheat for the world.
I knew you would love Karin and Lynne. And I know they would love you. I told them Linda Sue and Tessa should come too.
Read Karin's February 17th comments to see how we are doing.
How are the animals? Are you working with any really ill ones rights now. How was that older ladies (is it a cat).
Take care sweets.
xoxoxo
Love Renee
Wow! This is a real good post. Pigeon is a beautiful and clever bird, we have a lots of them in Malaysia too:)
I really love pigeons because they are the universal peace representative be it in US, China, Japan...just all over the world.
Yeah, the mail will arrive! Just so beautiful and zen to me:)
Thank you for stopping at my blog.
I like your illustrations and texts with a touch of good humour and a great artistic sense.
Beautifully done bird. The colors and background are wonderful.
What a great choice for instinct... I feel like it couldn't get better...
These creatures are so loyal and they definitely have no abandonment issues.
Also wonderful illustration!
Love how the colors work with the paper, that pale blue especially...
...and where did you find that stamp!
So together all of it - very grounding in a strange way... Lucky Brine Blank!
I really enjoyed this Lolo. Such a poignant post. Did you really have your mail delivered by a pigeon? :0
Well, I have a little of both, really. But, I tend to stay put. I love to explore new places. I'll have to ponder this a bit, so thank you :)
Love the bird theme we got going.
Have a terrific week, my friend!
well, i can't help inteferring: i think marianne should get the pigeon. maybe you could forget the drawing in this case and declare the drawing on its way to her.
this is really a request from the universe: it just seems like it's coming from me...
:)
I'm glad I stopped by to read this. It reminded me that I am where I'm supposed to be-even if I don't really know why.
I missed this last week - beautiful Pigeon!
Bill
I love those birds, but they seem a bit strange for me.... Always in groups, looking at you with their round little eye.... What are they thinking..... Invading planet Earth? NOOOOO, that they have already done... mmmm..... };-}
You've made a beautiful drawing Lolo! The colours are purrrrfect! :)
Great capture of the colors on this! It is such a perfectly strange choice!!! When do we see the hawk?!?! And again let me tell you how fortunate I feel to be getting your art!!!
Great illo and great question/advice. I want so badly to get back home to the west coast ... we've been trying for years and it just gets harder and harder.
I used to date a girl who had pigeon toes and i was happy when she went home.
another amazing envelope… your work stirs the soul… just look at all the sincere, crazy touching comments…
the saying goes home is where teh heart is… and I have never left my home town…
Gorgeous pigeon! I can almost see the feathers iridesce!
I like pigeons myself. I think their feathers are pretty and I love their endearingly, pudgy little bodies and I am enchanted by the cooing sounds they make... and the homing thing, how impressive is that?!
Oh, and their poop, nothing compared to seagull poop!
Another winner Lolo!
Oh, and to answer the question you put out there... I do feel the pull back to Ventura, or some coastal area. I feel so displaced living in the high desert, although it does have it's charms... punishing heat not being one of them!
We just got back from our vacation and I can tell you I was feeling that "homeing" instinct. I was tired and ready to return home. It is good to be here. Your envelope is gorgeous. I saw many pigeons while vactioning. A red-billed pigeon was a life bird for me.
another gem...
your art is really astounding!
seems crows are homing creatures... they rarely migrate...
but sometimes they just run away!
;)