Art work: “I’ve got to think.”

In college, our youngest daughter was an art history major. If my memory is correct, this degree also had a concentration in studio arts.

I often wonder how she uses that degree working in marketing for an East Asia computer company. In truth, I believe her marketing skills come from her percipient eyes and her ability to build relationships with customers.

Throughout high school and college, she dabbled enough in art to create some very pretty pieces.

Over the years, with our daughter, and my wife the Commander Supreme, I’ve enjoyed visits to art museums to view an assortment of exhibits. Although, as we have taken in these exhibits, the Commander and she are wary of hanging too close to me in an art museum.

I’m usually the guy who will be reminded by a polite, but humorless guard, “Sir, could you take a step back? You just encroached the boundary line protecting the art.”

While I always politely comply, my perspicacious eyes note that my daughter and the Commander have briskly walked away and turned their backs on me.

From my thirty one years of work in public education, I developed a deep appreciation for student art. That admiration included the skilled art teachers who were able to help these students develop their gift.

There is nothing like student artwork displayed through the halls of a school building. That artwork can impact the environment of the school.

I love when public buildings in our communities feature student artwork in their lobbies and hallways. Those are special opportunities for students to showcase their talent.

I know there are lots of starving artists in this world. I also know that sometimes an artist can become quite successful with lots of pennies flowing into their bank account.

Speaking of pennies, perhaps, you have been following the story about a recent art auction that featured a real banana taped to a wall held by a piece of duct tape.

This piece featuring the banana held by duct tape is titled Comedian. It was created by Italian artist, Maurizio Cattelan. Back in 2019, the piece debuted at Art Basel In Miami Beach.

At the time, this piece created such interest that the gallery withdrew it from public display. Artist Cattelan created three editions of the duct taped banana that sold between $120,000 to $150,000.

Fast forward to Wednesday, November 20, at an auction at Sotheby’s in New York, the banana and duct tape sold for $6.2 million dollars. It was purchased by Justin Sun who is the founder of the cryptocurrency, TRON.

Then nine days later on November 29, the purchaser, Justin Sun, ate the $6.2 million dollar banana. (Associated Press, NPR, New York Times)

I know nothing about Mr. Sun. To develop a platform for cryptocurrency, I assume that he must be smarter than the average bear. Yet, I’m not so sure this banana and duct tape purchase was his best thinking.

In a silly scene from the movie, Sgt. Bilko, actor Steve Martin, who portrays United States Army Master Sergeant, Ernest G. Bilko, is facing a surprise inspection with his unit. With the pending inspection just minutes away, and in desperate need of a plan to counter the review, Bilko blurts out, “I’ve got to think.”

As this purchase was developing, I wonder if Mr. Sun’s internal voice whispered to him “I’ve got to think”. If that quiet voice spoke, Mr. Sun failed to listen.

Even if you are barely aware of the current events where you live or in this old world, I’d wager that you know many people in desperate circumstances who could have benefitted from Mr. Sun’s $6.2 million.

For example, at this very moment, Christmas Mothers and their staffs of volunteers in metro Richmond are working to ensure they will be able to meet the needs of the families who have applied for assistance this Christmas.

Families from Florida through southwest Virginia are trying to figure out Christmas and the rest of their lives following the catastrophic devastation from Hurricane Helene.

The war between Ukraine and Russia has spiked the homeless population in Ukraine to almost twenty-five percent.

Additionally, the war between Israel and Palestine has created a severe homeless situation. Some agencies report this crisis at 2.2 million who have lost their housing.

And beyond those bold headlines, there are the silent headlines—stories of quiet people in the shadows of life who are struggling with their mental health. Those lonely struggles are in sharp contrast to the traditional December celebrations that take place with family and friends.

This time of year, I’m drawn to a line of scripture from the first chapter of Luke verse 29: “But she (Mary) was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” The angel Gabriel has visited Mary to share with her the pending birth of Jesus.

From this chapter, the words “perplexed and pondered” capture my attention.

Many times in my seventy one years of living, my thinking has been less that perfect. People around me were probably perplexed and pondered—what in the world was Bill thinking?

I feel the same way about Mr. Sun’s art purchase.

With all these real human needs swirling around this old world— what was he thinking?

No matter how much time I have left in this rapidly eroding old world “I’ve got to think.”

I must ponder and find in my heart the best path to advocate for and help the people in need.