Paul Laffoley Cambridge, MA, 1935-2015
Homage to the Black Star of Perfection, 1965
Oil, acrylic on canvas
50 x 50 in
127 x 127 cm.
127 x 127 cm.
$ 110,000.00
Subject_ Achieving Perfectionism and Being Perfect. Symbol Evocation_ The Aristocratic Vision of the Perfect. Comments_ The concept of perfection has two overlapping meanings. The first is “completeness,” “wholeness,” or “integrity.”...
Subject_ Achieving Perfectionism and Being Perfect.
Symbol Evocation_ The Aristocratic Vision of the Perfect.
Comments_
The concept of perfection has two overlapping meanings. The first is “completeness,” “wholeness,” or “integrity.” Something is perfect when it is free from all defects. The second is the achievement of an end or a goal. The Greek word teleios means “perfect” and the word telos means “end” or “goal.” Both words lead to the Latin telo – the origin. As a phenomenon perfection has been examined, first, under its aspect as an element of religion, and second, in relation to its moral or ethical aspects and both aspects are connected to the notion of change_ no change or changing.
The future of the perfect is now called perfectionism. It is an ethical vision according to which individuals and their actions are judged by a maximal standard of achievement. While no fully worked-out system of perfectionism has been attempted, aspects of this doctrine have appeared in philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE). As an attitude perfectionism may depart from or dispense with standards of the conventional, which then appear to be non-moral values. This is a search for rare levels of human achievement like artistic and other forms of creativity. These activities are often deemed noble such as heroic endurance in the face of great suffering, the rare genius, the inspired few, and the suffering but courageous artist. The perfectionist would tend toward a non-egalitarian or aristocratic vision of humankind.
The black hole is the perfect celestial object. Since it emits no light it is not subject to change and is always present, therefore, at its discovery light emitting bodies are born, mature, and die and are always subject to the past capacity of our physical senses. A black hole is a black star and is perfect.
Symbol Evocation_ The Aristocratic Vision of the Perfect.
Comments_
The concept of perfection has two overlapping meanings. The first is “completeness,” “wholeness,” or “integrity.” Something is perfect when it is free from all defects. The second is the achievement of an end or a goal. The Greek word teleios means “perfect” and the word telos means “end” or “goal.” Both words lead to the Latin telo – the origin. As a phenomenon perfection has been examined, first, under its aspect as an element of religion, and second, in relation to its moral or ethical aspects and both aspects are connected to the notion of change_ no change or changing.
The future of the perfect is now called perfectionism. It is an ethical vision according to which individuals and their actions are judged by a maximal standard of achievement. While no fully worked-out system of perfectionism has been attempted, aspects of this doctrine have appeared in philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) and Aristotle (384-322 BCE). As an attitude perfectionism may depart from or dispense with standards of the conventional, which then appear to be non-moral values. This is a search for rare levels of human achievement like artistic and other forms of creativity. These activities are often deemed noble such as heroic endurance in the face of great suffering, the rare genius, the inspired few, and the suffering but courageous artist. The perfectionist would tend toward a non-egalitarian or aristocratic vision of humankind.
The black hole is the perfect celestial object. Since it emits no light it is not subject to change and is always present, therefore, at its discovery light emitting bodies are born, mature, and die and are always subject to the past capacity of our physical senses. A black hole is a black star and is perfect.
Exhibitions
Paul Laffoley_ The Sixties. Kent Gallery, New York, 2009Paul Laffoley. New York_ Francis Naumann Fine Art. March 2 – April 13, 2018. (folio with text)