Friday Fun: The Dummy of Aberystwyth
Sometimes, you just need to kick back a little and take time to smile. And that’s what this video is about. No deep reflection – or shallow reflections either, for that matter – no symbolism, no ulterior motive, just a little fun.
A year or two ago I posted a video by Anton Hecht, an artist and indie filmmaker in Britain who, among many things, specializes in what I would describe as “community art” – making art and film by engaging community members in, for instance, playing the paino in a bus station or playing the harmonica in the cause of civic wellness. Anton got in touch to say thank you and since then he often drops me a note when he releases a new video and more often than not I post it, usually on a Friday as I’m ready for a bit of recreation at the end of a long week. This particular video was created as part of an installation at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre gallery in Wales where he engaged the community to help him make a fairly elaborate stop-action video.
And as you’ll see if you watch it, there is no particular “point”; it’s simply fun.
But it does get one thinking…. What is it about us as a species that we don’t just like art (and, yes, I see this as a form of art), but actually need it. That is, why would anyone go to the serious lengths it took to make this 3 1/2 minute video for, well, 3 1/2 minutes of fun? Or, to put it another way, what purpose does art play in our lives? What needs does it meet? Why do we engage in this rather frivolous activity that also, curiously, can bring such delight, even joy, to our lives?
I think we value art – high art, pop art, art that makes you cry, wonder, or laugh – because we are inherently creative and seek to connect with others via our imagination. Perhaps this is what it means when in Genesis it says, “Let us create humans in our image.” Maybe that is the elusive imago Dei (image of God) – our nature as creative beings that deeply want to create in order to share ourselves and connect with others. And maybe that tells us something about God, too; that God creates out of a desire to share and connect.
Oops! I promised no reflections – you can decide whether they’re shallow or deep – and yet there I go again. Well, maybe that’s part of my nature. 🙂 Enjoy Anton’s work and have a great Friday and weekend!
Note: If you receive this post by email, you may need to click on the title at the top of the post in order to watch the video.
Cute!
Never posted before but, thanks for all you do – you encourage me.
This reminded me of his American “dummy” cousin – one of my very favourite Youtube videos.
https://youtu.be/TCvX2N-RoEg
thanks again and have a blessed Easter!
Thanks for connecting art, God, creativity and imagination as these cannot really be disconnected or departmentalised. I heartily agree with your sentiments on ‘imago Dei’ we reflect God and have been created with creativity. I work with children and they are creative; art being just one language they use to express how they see the world around them. Adults need art too and art and faith coincide.