A Professional Artist Observes

by compound complex 22 Replies latest jw friends

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  compound complex

  Dear Friends,

  That I am an artist by profession as well as an art dealer does not necessarily make my observations of any greater weight or value. However, I am quite aware of what I create and what I sell in our gallery. Specifically, I set out with a general idea of a scene then allow the paint to "drool," as we say. Then I work the paint. The client will observe a face in a rock formation, an angel in the clouds, or a sail boat on the sea's horizon. And what is my response? " What you see I did not deliberately create." Another individual may or may not see said images. Then there is the work of other artists, internationally known, who consciously hide faces in a forest scene amongst the rocks and trees. There is no question whatsoever that there is "hidden" yet readily observable secondary imagery.

  Now to the point. Countless subjects are discussed on this board, some of mild human interest and others enormously controversial, causing the blood to boil. The passion jumps off my screen, grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me vigorously. At this time I will withhold my conclusions regarding Watchtower art, but I must say I have studied it objectively. Others have weighed in, too. Professionals and the laity. Leaving out all speculation, possible hidden agendas and conspiratorial theories ( unless, of course, you feel the need to tie these in ), kindly give me your opinion as to why this subject fosters such a torrid flurry of emotion.

  Yours truly,

  Compound Complex

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  jgnat

  Watchtower art

  Controversial? This must be the week for b-grade controversial.

  IF I WERE to characterize what brings out a flaming response from the board is unfounded or poorly founded conspiracy-theory fluff. We host a fair number of dedicated researchers that have spent hours confirming their information before they post it. There's enough factual information on the excesses of the Watchtower society to be extremely damaging for them.

  IF WE GAVE EQUAL AIR TIME to conspiracy theorists, hidden-message art, freemasonry, kingdom hall satanic covens, and other such blather, the hard evidence would be buried under the weight of misinformation.

  IF NOTHING ELSE, the Watchtower experience should make skeptics of us all. "Show me" we say, "prove it" or put up.
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  compound complex

  Dear Jgnat,

  You were kind to reply to my inquiry and I thank you for doing so. I am new here and still learning, so I appreciate that one with your background on JWD would qualify to give such an apt reply. I am weighing all that I read and research - hours daily - and taking time in drawing conclusions. My basic point is that however thoughtfully and well-researched a subject is and then presented publicly ( look at what happened to Galileo ), it will be contested, mildly or vehemently. Vis-a-vis Watchtower art, the latter comment seems to apply. I have studied art for over forty years, and there is something absolutely distinctive about WT art. But, of course, it simply is not everyone's field of interest. Bible chronology has its place, for example, but not everyone on this board comments on those threads. Again, I thank you for your reply as it has benefited me.

  Yours truly,

  Compound Complex
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  jgnat

  You are welcome, compound complex, and welcome to the board. I agree that there is something very distinctive about Watchtower art. I just don't think it's sinister. Like everything else they do, I suspect they've found that certain images have a profound emotional impact on people. So they repeat what works. I've tried to interest the board in a fascinating essay on the subject several times, with lukewarm interest. Perhaps you will take up the torch for me.

  Check this link out, and let me know what you think.

  http://www.unc.edu/~elliott/icon.html
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  greendawn

  There is no doubt that there are subliminal images in their art what I don't know is whether these have a real subconscious effect on those looking at them. On the other hand the WTS had dabbled in the occult for at least 60 years.
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  compound complex

  Dear jgnat and Greendawn,

  Thank you both for your meaningful responses. Greendawn, there is validity to what you have said; the connection to occultism is a salient point. Jgnat, I have already given Mr. Elliot's essay a cursory reading and it is fascinating, intellectually stimulating and masterfully written. I will contact him and request his advice/permission as to how I might convey his research in a manner more easily understood by individuals who utilize and comprehend simple sentence structure rather than compound/complex. The terms could use simplifying, too.

  This is not a dead issue as individuals whom I know personally have, per your reference, jgnat, "taken up the torch" for what they and I fervently believe is righteousness' sake. They are about to be burned at the stake, as it were, for not backing down. Ed Dunlap was my teacher at Bethel, and I learned only six months ago of the scandalous treatment meted out to him. He did not back down. He is my hero. The training that I received at Bethel in connection with writing will be used, I pray, to promote the release from captivity of the poor, broken and ever-trusting sheep. Quoted before in an earlier post is my currently favorite quotation: "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."--- Thomas Jefferson.

  Yes, jgnat, I will take up the torch. Peace and love to you both.

  Yours truly,

  Compound Complex
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  jgnat

  There is no doubt that there are subliminal images in their art

  Then show me one image that gives no doubt. You can't. I therefore say it remains doubtful.

  As for the occult references, that's all back in Russell's day. You don't see THAT in the modern organization. If it DOES show up, I would chalk it up to clerical error. Such discoveries only serve to EMBARRASS the society. Again, I see no sinister motive in the accidental or ancient inclusion of these images in their art.

  Now as to theme and composition, sure! Scenes show clean-cut multi-racial family and group gatherings. There is always beautiful scenery, and food. That tells a lot about what the society is trying to promote and the kind of people they hope to attract. I've also mapped the general composition, and you see the usual circles and triangles to guide the viewer from one grouping to the other. That tells a lot about what the Watchtower wants the viewer to see, too.
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  MsMcDucket

  Comp, you definitely write like an artist. But, me thinks that the Watchtower art is like imagery from a comic book or for children. It reminds me of my third grade Weekly Readers and such. You know, they probably can hide images in the art. They did in the Weekly Readers. Remember can you find the hidden object game? They'd hide pencils, balls, cats, birds, and such into the art.

  Any artist worth his while can do it.

  Here's a pretty simplistic one.

  http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/crafts/pirateship_hiddenpic_july26.pdf
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  MsMcDucket

  http://www.weeklyreader.com/
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  compound complex

  Dear MsMcDucket,

  Thank you very much for your reply of 6 October and jogging my memory of happy days in school and "The Weekly Reader"! Yes, there are those deliberately hidden items. I will check out the links you provided and get back to you, if you don't mind. As I'm not totally up on procedure, does one get back to a poster by PM or here, the original post? Responses to date have been very useful in providing me direction in my ongoing research. Thanx again!

  Yours truly,

  Compound Complex