Surrealism

Wow. The world is a different place than it was a month ago. Everyone is worried about their loved ones, their health, the future, financial uncertainties and so on - and rightfully so. This is a modern day plague and it doesn't give a fuck who you are. However, I, much like I'm sure you are as well, am sick of hearing about it. So here is this.

The plague that tore through Europe went on for about 4 or 5 years in the middle of the 14th century decimating the population at a time when the world was an absolute shithole. Their living conditions were dismal, people that had enough money to own a horse were probably envious of the living conditions of said horse, no indoor plumbing, no electricity. The only art you could find were either creepy Jesus or other people from the bible, or a grisly display of warriors beheading each other while their dogs ran around their horses' feet baring their teeth at all the wild hogs that might be for some reason present at the battle. And the only way you could see these masterpieces was in a church or a palace.

A hundred or so years after this terrible affair, and we are in full blown renaissance times. Art and science start to flourish, and the human race begins to place even more importance on art. Everything from meticulous portraits of people that weren't creepy Jesus to whimsical pictures of girls surrounded by cherubim suspending strategically placed crepe paper over their naughty parts.

So, here's my theory on a couple of things:

1. People that were naturally talented with art became REALLY REALLY good at it. Aside from all the pesky dealings such as surviving sickness and making it to the golden age of 40, and otherwise successfully evading beatings, murder, and all the other fun trappings of lawlessness in 15th century Europe, you could focus on your craft with attention to uninterrupted detail that we could only dream of in modern times.

2. There was a bright side. I would imagine that the 2/3 of people that survived the plague emerged with an appreciation of life. Say what you will about people, but when the wood and forged iron hit the rut, we do pull together.

Step back and look at this isolation. Think about the masters of 600 years ago, painting in the dim and flickering candle light, or at their easel, outside on a beautiful day. Then look at the things you're hearing us complain about now. Did any of them sob on social media about not having any toilet paper? No - most of them didn't have a fucking toilet! They weren't distracted by Karen memes or The Tiger King, or any of the flat out asinine brain garbage we entertain ourselves with. If you think we aren't distracted, just imagine Michaelangelo setting his chisel down alongside the unfinished 'Pieta' to see how many likes his progress pics got on Instagram. Ridiculous. Did DaVinci take a break from the 'Mona Lisa' to clear his head with a biscotti and double tall chai latte at Starbucks? Of course not.

Art is one aspect of entertaining yourself off the grid, and its something we can share of ourselves with the others around us. We're still here, and we can still share. Unfortunately I'm seeing social media being wielded as a depression weapon, and a lot of complaints about things we are truly blessed to be in everyday possession of. In modern times, we like to take things personally, but this isn't about me OR you. This is about all of us.

Hopefully some of you will appreciate the little bit of humor I'm trying to get across.

Please friends, listen to the CDC guidelines and stay home and stay healthy. I promise to be here on the other side of this, if you do.

Love to everyone.