Gary Reflects on Excellence
I have been thinking about this question of excellence for sometime now. My interest is in clarifying some terms.
For example, often you hear about excellence in reference to what is deemed to be ‘the best.’ Sometimes you hear about excellence in reference to ‘mastering’ a particular task or craft. These terms, if not clear for a person, can create some tension that hurts our art.
Again, for example, if you think that excellence means ‘the best,’ then you get into a competition with others that probably will come to no good. Regrettably, I think that is what is happening when you submit art to a show. Someone ranks the art as to what is perceived to be the best—but is it really? We all know that it is the judge’s opinion.
So I wonder; do we have a way of speaking of excellence that draws out of the artist something good, something that speaks of their talent as it is reflected in their effort or context? Contrastingly, and perhaps on a broader scale, few people in today’s cultural milieu seem willing to say that there is a standard of excellence. Anything seems to go.
Where has that led us and where is it leading us to?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:19 am
I think it leads us back to the heart. It leads us back to the reason we do things. There’s nothing wrong with opinions or judgements, it’s always good to get that type of feedback. But when things are ordered in your heart, when He comes first, the opinions and judgements of the world, will never be as important as what God’s saying to your heart, that’s where excellence is.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:45 am
gary, i LOVE that you are talking about excellence. this is a favorite topic of mine. i do want to mention that sometimes i focus so much on excellence that i forget why i am working on something, or what is really important. i need to make sure that i don’t forsake people and what they are trying to say while i am viewing thier workmanship. we need to have excellence of heart, and this spills into ALL aspects of our life. i am excited to hear more on this subject. thanks for all your hard work. darin & shannon http://balmorg.wordpress.com
October 19th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
My efforts are not excellent in and of themselves. I push myself to every limit to express as perfectly as I can, but if there is any enlightenment or beauty, it is found in the space where God condescends to meet me.