SYNTHESIS: Alasdair Macintyre

RonPrice · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Launceston

One week ago today, on 26 May 2009, I was fortunate to have my wife tape a TV program called Artscape.1 From time to time my wife of 35 years tapes this program for me to watch after midnight so that TV’s soporific but sometimes stimulating content can help me go to sleep after a day, eight hours, of reading/research and writing. This week the focus was on an artist whose method, whose philosophy, whose approach to art was very much like my own. The artist was Alasdair Macintyre. He is a sculptor. I am a poet and writer. I write this prose-poem in appreciation to this artist for providing a helpful perspective on my own work over nearly 50 years. I wish you well, young fellow, and thank you for your articulation, your way of describing what you do. I found you and your work inspirational. -Ron Price with thanks to 1 ABC TV, “Artscape,” 26 May 2009, 10:00-11:00 p.m.

Pop culture and classical culture
collide in your work, Alasdair, as
they do in mine. Art history and so
much more—mythology & religion,
sociology and psychology—in my
case—the weight of history is found
in one great synthesis, one great and
personal autobiographical reflection
which, to some extent at least is, I
like to think anyway—everyman’s.

For you and me art is vocation,
transformative, idiosyncratic &
serious taking in the canon of the
past brought into my time, my age.
I am not a practicing Catholic like
you, Mr. Macintyre, but, rather, I
am a practicing Bahá'í, at least I am
practicing as far as I am able, like you
in your Catholicism. My work is the
whole world unto itself: intellect and
populist stuff, mainstream, coming into
confluence, creative-mix.......synthesis.

Ron Price
3 June 2009

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Priceless.

RonPrice · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Launceston

Thanking you, Devilbiss.-Ron in Tasmania

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

ditch · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Yarra Valley

Ron,
If you are are interested in sculpture & poetry and are in Melbourne between 11th July-3rd August, pop up to the Eltham Library Gallery and visit our 'Tripping the Light Ekphrastic' exhibition.

Myself, poet Fee Sievers & painters Ona Henderson & Syd Tunn have collaborated on an exhibition where poetry is written in response to sculpture & paintings.

You are also welcome to come to 'Red Chair-arts and artists' on Wed 1st july in which we will talk about The art of ekphrasis.

Hopefully you will find some stimulating content.

RonPrice · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Launceston

I just saw your very encouraging and generous post for the first time tonight, ditch....and belated thanks for it....goodness over a year ago......where has time gone?.....even in retirement life passes by quicker than the twinkling of an eye. I'm on an old age pension now, ditch, and about as far as I go is Launceston and, even then, it's only every two or three months. Mostly my travelling now is in my head after living in 37 houses and two dozen towns.....still you are to be complemented for the spirit of your invitation...it did my little old heart good.....Goodonyer, ditch.-Ron