The woman in blue are from a Swiss painter, Ferdinand Hodler, the men are from Velasquez. This, for me, is what Hy-Art is all about. I feel like I'm creating love children, plucking one artist from one century and mixed his creative DNA with that of another artist from another century. I thank my lucky stars that I have actually figured a way to get a drugless high every day with zero toxicity or downside. Hail Computers. Hail the Internet. Hail Art.
I guess that's as good a sequeway as any to discuss the topic of the day: pregnancy. I was watching Desperate Housewives last night and Teri Hatcher's pregnant character referred to how unattractive she felt, like a "cow," I think she said. This came after renting Juno the night before and hearing oh so many references to her being a "planet" etc. There are many other examples, which aren't surprising considering comedy writers will grasp at anything to make a joke. But overall, I see a trend. Popular media seems to doing a pretty good job of equating the weight gain from pregnancy with the kind of weight gain that provokes dieting and low self-esteem.
I know the actresses don't write their own dialogue, but I just wanted to weigh in on the sane side of the equation. My mom was pregnant 5 times, and most her peers were pregnant at least 2 times and some many more. Beyond the occasional affectionate tease, I am quite sure my father and most of his fellow husbands never made fun of their wives, nor did their wives make fun of themselves. My father was properly in awe of my mother, amazed at her doing the most sacred thing a human being can do--not to mention bearing his own offspring. Whether or not my father was turned on or off sexually by her pregnancy was never something that occurred to my mother, the whole idea that one would worry about desirability in the very state caused by it seems absurd on its face.
Pregnancy is no picnic, to be sure. Why would something as amazing and complex as creating another life be anything simple or easy? In fact, in this insane world, the very act of getting intentionally pregnant can be viewed as the ultimate folly or the ultimate act of courage. In either case, I do think it is always an act of hope. It should be honored as such.
MCO 2008
P.S. Another reason I love the internet is how old friends who've fallen out of touch can track you down. I just had a long catch-up with my friend Bob, with whom I went to Stony Brook and got into much trouble in New York in the 80s. What a blessing.
I admit that I am biased, but I think that contemporary society does equate any weight gain with unattractiveness. The highest praise one can give to a new mother is, "You've gotten your figure back so quickly, what's your secret?" Every women's magazine consistently sends the message that women are imperfect. Articles tell us how to dress to look thinner, make our legs look longer, make our faces look younger, and make our skin glow. For some reason, the term "nuclear reactor" is now flashing in my mind. I think that it has something to do with the glow part.
I like your commentary on pregnancy, especially calling it an acot of hope that should be honored. Did you see the sci-fi movie, Children of Men, by any chance? Your observations made me think of the themes of the film.
The Hy-Art for today is a delightful mix of centuries and quite a sensual blend as well.
Hi Marc,
I have nothing profound to say while I sit in here in a cold-induced fog, other than hello, and that I was thinking of you. In particular while I was in Montreal for the weekend and remembering you say you had a penchant for Québec, and l'accent kbékouis.
I hope you are doing well.
Also, it has been a year now, it was you with whom I initially spoke to after the relapse, and I'll always be grateful for that.
Brian