Graphic design-
which fulfils aesthetic needs,
complies with the laws of form
and the exigencies of two-dimensional space;
which speaks in semiotics, sans-serifs,
and geometries;
which abstracts, transforms, translates,
rotates, dilates, repeats, mirrors,
groups, and regroups-
is not good design
if it is irrelevant.
Graphic design-
which evokes the symmetria of Vitruvius,
the dynamic symmetry of Hambidge,
the asymmetry of Mondrian;
which is a good gestalt;
which is generated by intuition or by computer,
by invention or by a system or coordinates-
is not good design
if it does not co-operate
as an instrument
in the service of communication.
-Paul Rand (who knew he was a poet?)
What do I know of you?
What do I know of unbound love,
Or favor without favors asked in return?
What do I know of un-jealousy?
I can’t identify or comprehend.
You are pure, whole, sufficient, overflowing
Just dying to share the fruit of yourself
While I reach, like a grubby-fingered child
For what I don’t deserve
And yet
You give it to me joyfully
And to others also—you don’t have favorites
Like we do. You love us all
And demand we do the same.
But you forgive us for failing in that, too.
In fact,
You overflow with second chances
And forgive over-faithfully.
Oh, joyful one. Happy unfairness!
Steadfast lover-savior,
What do I know of your unfathomed grace
And perfect justice fulfilled?
What do I know of holy you?
The camera is an artist’s single eye
Which captures in its view a scene of worth.
No value may it hold for passers-by
But the photographer sees idea’s birth.
And next, transfers from film, the retina
Where the image is implanted firm,
Straight to paper; light will give it a
Peculiar trait—an image it will turn.
What joy to find potential in the sights
That to another symbolize some thing
Altogether diff’rent! Bring to light
The gift the Creator is bestowing:
Art’s ability is such a gauge
Allows to us a glimpse of His image.
...We’ve had a lot of ‘em lately.
What is it about rain? Those calm, drizzly days that are either frightfully dreary or blessedly peaceful (depending on your perspective). Mist lurks on the edges of hills and distant clusters of trees. Droplets cling to the trembling petals of spring flowers. Leaves, leftovers from last fall, rest in puddles.
I watch my hallmates jump and splash, hearing the joy in their shrieks of laughter. We happen upon the surprise of an erupting fire hydrant… they require no persuasion to run through, screaming.
Eventually, their excitement carries them much farther than I with my bulky accessories can traverse, but no matter. I walk around the neighborhood of the Island alone, listening to waves lapping, wind wuthering (well, perhaps not quite), and the occasional car rumbling past. The drivers probably wonder at the odd girl with the huge camera meandering past their houses.
After a brief reunion with my hall girls, I find myself past Rodeheaver, as sprinkles of rain again begin to escape from the laden clouds. Now I’m glad I brought the umbrella. Miniscule droplets patter down.
Stray locks curl damply around my face.
The color green is so lush and vibrant under the clouds.
A sense of calm pervades the air. Or is it my mind that has been calmed?
(see post below for photos)
Last week in chapel our speaker delved into the topics of masculinity and femininity. While his thoughts were stimulating (and controversial to some), what remained in my mind was a tangent he touched on a few times. Bear with me as I explore this new thing called writing (I know, what is this? I thought blogs were for art and photographs! Well, maybe I’m branching out. Maybe.).
We long for relationships. God created us to know and to be known, through friendships, family, and romance. We long for understanding, intimacy and unconditional commitment. Unfortunately, all too often relationships end up stale and unfulfilling. The ache never goes away.
Why?
We’re fallen. We won’t ever get it perfect, at least in this life. Since God Himself is the ultimate example of Personhood, we only fulfill the true meaning of personality as far as we imitate Him. The fact that we rebelled against Him has guaranteed struggle and hurt when we get close, and loneliness when we shield ourselves from others’ influence.
I often hinder the growth of relationships in my life by staying too quiet. I fear looking stupid and being rejected or ignored. I don’t want anyone to see my flaws or mistakes. What if I end up looking like an idiot? But when I avoid talking, when I encircle my mind with the barriers of silence and reserve, the result is no better. Invisibility. Utter solitude. I begin to think that no one can ever sympathize or offer guidance. I end up on my own.
Is this truly better than rejection? If I really examined my own heart and mind, I think I would conclude that risk is better than avoiding intimacy. Losing the race is preferable to not attempting it at all. How can we succeed unless we give it a shot? Not just once, but persistently.
Again, WHY? Why should we try, over and over again?
Because God created us for fellowship.
Because our sincere relationships honor Him.
Because they point us towards His plan and help us experience greater joy.
Because they prepare us for the uninhibited intimacy we will experience in Heaven, both with the triune God and with others.
Even the best of relationships leave us hungering for more. The ache comes hand in hand with the joy. But if we let it, the ache can remind us of our need for more.
How do we channel our ache into motivation?
The bottom line is that GOD DOES IT ALL. He created us. He made us personal. He is love, and He shares Himself with us. He saves us from our failures and messes in spite of everything we do to prevent Him. All we can do is submit to His grace.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.”
~1 John 4: 7-17
Hope I haven't rambled. At least not too much.
(Special thanks to Kent and Carla (I'm guessing on the spelling) Denlinger for getting my thoughts going. Also, credits go to C.S. Lewis, Winston Churchill, and Batman Begins for ideas or thinly-veiled quotations embedded in this post.)
