Sitting in Plato’s Cave- The Miracle of Artists
An Artist’s View
mired in the silhouette
of imagination
Creativity
marks
forms impermanent
slipping through
before the shadows
march across
Plato’s stage
Creation, in any form, is extremely rewarding, but also a significant challenge. Of course, creation applies to everyone. You don’t have to be an artist to be a creator. We all create the lives we live.
Artists, though, are acutely aware of the burden of expression, of giving meaning and substance to something.
Artists must exist in two spaces – the form-less and the formed. We hold in our minds and imaginations what could be, and we, bravely, try to convert these imaginations to the physical world.
Our existence in these two states can be fleeting, tangential, and sometimes difficult to grasp. The great idea that pops into your head on the drive home from work is gone by the time you hit your front door. The image that sparkled in your mind does not translate well to the paper and tools you have purchased.
As artists, we sit in Plato’s cave- holding and viewing the shadows, while at the same time attempting to bring the shadows to light and reality. Every act of creation carries this energy of manifestation. How wonderful are artists for being willing to engage in this manner.
Great words.
thanks! I have really enjoyed seeing your work. You have a great eye.
This is terrific! Love your words. I teach The Allegory of the Cave in Freshman Composition and every semester it takes a different slant that I am unable to predict based on the composition of the class! May I share your poem in class?
HI! What an honor- I would love for you to use the poem! I bet it is such an interesting experience to see what the students develop and how they respond to the work. It must keep your sense of teaching very “new”.