[TheForge] why make art no-one can see? was Re: smith question

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

i have found a small part of the answer to my original posting below.
today while reading the bbc news one of the articles was entitled:

"Why make art no-one can see?". 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18505221

a brief quote from the article

<begin quote>
Some of the most famous artistic creations in history such as the
Terracotta Army surrounding the tomb of the first Emperor Qin Shihuang
and the Sutton Hoo ship burial, have been entombed to honour the dead.

And it was not intended that the Tutankhamun treasure, though
exceptionally lavish and made of gold, would be seen again by humans
after it was deposited in the Egyptian king's tomb.
<end   quote>

it is the beginnings of an answer.


On Thu, 14 Jun 2012, terry l. ridder wrote:

> hello;
>
> i much appreciate the posting concerning my questions concerning silver
> storage. the conversation has caused me to think about various practises
> and traditions.
>
> i find it difficult to understand why the works of a silversmith would
> be relegated to storage to protect the works from the tarnishing
> process, the attack of airborne acidic pollutants. james binnon, is
> correct when he writes that when "silverware" was the norm for dining
> there was a person whose job it was to regularly clean the silver.
>
> there may be a few such positions left in the world but they are rare to
> be sure.
>
> the silversmith, studies and learns his craft from a master silversmith.
> the silversmith, studies design and styles. he combines and innovates to
> form his own true style. his work is refined throughout the years and is
> admired by customers. does it not cause the silversmith some sorrow in
> knowing that once the work leaves his hands it begins to be tarnished
> and to slow the process the items of beauty most be hidden away in a
> controled environment so that few may ever see his works.
>
> what drives the silversmith to keep refining his style, honing his
> skills, venturing into new daring designs; all the time knowning that
> his work is destined for decay and to slow that decay it must be sealed
> away to be unseen?
>
> i hold a spoon or pitcher and wonder what the silversmith was like, who
> were they, what were their dreams, goals, and heart's desire.
>
> my doctor's say that i am more aware of the mortality of mankind then
> most of their patients. what happens to all our dreams, goals, and
> heart's desires when we come to the close the book on this life? did our
> life make any difference to anyone or were we just another cog in the
> machine that grinds on day in and day out.
>
>
>
>

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>