Please don’t think I’m going to sit here and cleverly explain to you the ability of artwork to strike up a conversation between two individuals. That would be an insulting of intelligence to the nth degree. But, let me explain another concept which I hadn’t really taken into consideration — the idea that artwork can change perceptions.
As I rounded the corner onto 7th Street in downtown Las Vegas during the inaugural “Life is Beautiful” festival, I was mugged by one massive and impressive mural. Zio Zieglar’s masterpiece titled “Rise Above” was part of the decor for this inspiring and intriguing festival that combines music, art and food unlike any other. There I met Trevor Martin who is the Gallery Director for Fifty 24SF located in the Bay Area. To say Martin is a people person would be putting it mildly. I could tell that he had something to say — and wanted to say it. I’m all about giving people a platform and I’m glad he became my selection. His theory: artists are some of the happiest people in the world. My reaction: huh?
The idea that perception is reality, I learned recently, is only true if you subscribe to one side of the perception. There is a whole other side we often overlook. In this instance, I just always had it in mind that artists were among the most highly creative, misunderstood, sensitive and overly analytical people in search of the right stage or spotlight for them to shine. And please note, as an artist myself I mean that as no insult. I just hadn’t assumed that artists were happy first, then all those other adjectives second. Be honest, the word “happy” probably wouldn’t be the first word to pop into your mind either if asked.
As a writer always in search of an interesting, intellectual interview I quickly opened the voice record app in my iphone for Trevor to elaborate. In five minutes, a man whom I’ve never met changed my mind. I’ll look at artists as happy first, then everything else second. More importantly — Trevor Martin’s mind works like one I wish there more of in the world. That is, approaching ideas, concepts and situations from the positive perspective first. Some of Trevor’s thoughts will also be included in my upcoming book “It’s a Sign, Stupid” due out early next year. Listen to my interview with Trevor.
“Rise Above” by Zio Zieglar
