High Culture better?

We are going through David Bruce Hegeman's book Plowing in Hope in our Wednesday morning IAM discussion group and today we discussed his  perceived argument that high culture is better than folk and popular.  Yeah, you can imagine the sides to this one!  The greatest thing I received from the discussion is that the purpose(Noble or not) of the art's form should be the deciding factor not physical form (Phil 4:8; II Tim 2:20). When there was such a degree of classes in our work (nobility, servants), there was a more defined culture grid - everything is so accessible now and very much dependent on taste. It is hard to "label" something specifically in one of these 3 categories.  Should culture be based maybe on a horizontal scale rather than good, better, best?  I leave it with you...

Chelsea Art Tour

Sydney and I took a tour with IAM and several friends this past Saturday of several new art openings in Chelsea (the premiere art district of NYC).  One of my favorite galleries was the Marianne Boesky Gallery showing the works of Barnaby Furnas.  Sydney is pictured here in front of one of the pieces entitled "Red Sea."  It was amazing to see her face light up at the different showings from installation art to sculpture to photography.

Tugboat Music

I started today a new part-time job (5-10 hours a week on Fridays) with a wonderful couple here in the city - Barbara Siesel and Keith Torgan.  Check them out at Tugboat Music.  I will be assisting them with contracts for performances, database management, and bookings (in the future).  They have such a passion to see children embrace classical forms of music in a creative and innovative way.  I am really excited about this!  Todd and I have been praying for something like this for me to do on the side from home since we moved here in December so we are thrilled with this opportunity.  More to come...

Reflecting on 9/11

My songwriting partner, Donna Stroud, and I wrote a song in response to 9/11 called "Fragile."  It talks about how breakable this life is and how we have to treasure very moment.  As I see all the news reports that have started up this week and the ABC special that is getting a lot of heat, I wonder if we as Americans have forgotten really what 9/11 was all about.  I remember where I was when it happened and I remember knowing that life had changed as I knew it.  I watched my 2-year old daughter walk through a metal detector barefoot at the airport last week and thought," She will never know a world before 9/11."  I live in New York - everyday there are constant reminders of the aftermath of 9-11 - national guard with AK-47's at Penn Station; random searches of backpacks on the subway.  What has this taught us?  I know I value life everyday more than ever.  I treasure the moments I share with my husband and my daughter.  But most of all, I realize how much I am not in control and God is. He holds my future and has my days here on this earth in His hands (Psalm 139:16).  So, as you see the media get all over the technical stuff about 9/11, take a moment and think - how did 9/11 REALLY effect you?  Are you better or bitter about it?  Did life become more precious? Have you forgotten? 

You can listen to "Fragile" if you click on my sidebar link to my myspace account.