Hluch - Kevin A. on sun 3 mar 02
Upon waking , Aestheticus wanted immediately to go to the pottery.
Hearing the Master's insistent knocking at his door, Ergotimos
tried to block the piercing sunlight that stabbed his still half-closed
eyes. He tried to rise but almost tripped over the lovely bodies of Opis
and Arges lying soundly asleep in a disheveled heap on either side of him.
Surprised to see them, he struggled without success to remember
the terminus of the previous evening.
Ergotimos thought," Would that the gods had blessed my memory as
they blessed me with slumber... I certainly would have risen a radiant
man like the loathsome sun that now pains my eyes!" Pulling on his now
wrinkled dress he met his Master at the door.
"I trust you slept well, Ergotimos?" Aestheticus asked.
"Yes, indeed, as the dead," the apprentice answered with a
consternation and a scowl modifying his brow.
"Our endeavor today is to visit the pottery and see how our words
mesh with our actions. I hope you can recall some of the principles that
we have labored over in our quest to wrest Beauty from the jaws of the
Grotesque?" the Master ventured.
Ergotimos, gaining steadiness and purpose responded,"The gods have
blessed my memory on at least this subject. We had discussed numerous
issues regarding Beauty: that is, those things that please the senses and
exalt the mind.
For example, we have spoken of numbers essential to framing
beauty, particularly the numbers one, two, three, and four that give us
the mystical sum ten: the source of all numbers.
We have also seen that these first four numbers also give us
point, line, plane and solid, the currency of the plastic arts just as
these first four numbers give us the materials of our craft: earth, air,
fire and water.
We have seen that the number ten also illustrates the dualistic
character of our world. That one and zero are components of ten comprise
everything: something and that which is nothing. We have found opposite
qualities to be the stable mates of unity in pottery. Just as unity is
created when humans join in begetting.
We have also examined the ten principles of the Pythagoreans in
regard to this dualism which also effect the character of our craft.
In addition, we have found it is in the begetting of art that most
reminds us of the reflexion of nature as a desirous for
immortality. Eros, in his wisdom compels us to draw near the beautiful so
as to continue the generations that are heaped upon one and another
forever and ever without end," the young apprentice answered with some
pride.
Hearing the moan of a female voice from the other room Aestheticus
remarked, "Apparently, you have learnt well, as it seems you have already
put these thoughts to practice".
Having not remembered the better half of the previous evening
Ergotimos stared dumbly at the floor and muttered quietly, "Perhaps this
apprenticeship may yet bear fruit".
Kevin A. Hluch
e-mail: kahluch@umd5.umd.edu
http://www.erols.com/mhluch/mudslinger.html
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