Thursday, December 25, 2014

Recognition

An unwritten fact of our culture gives priority to fame.  Fame equals recognition. 

Being unfamous (perhaps in some circles, infamous), I am aware of all that this implies.  Whenever I voice a strong opinion or raise an outrageous question, which I do from time to time, there hovers in the air a distinct "Who are you?"

Then there is another kind of recognition:  Total strangers recalling a particular piece I played on a particular occasion in a particular place many years ago. 

I would add another critical form of recognition: Respect for a child who earnestly seeks to produce a meaningful sound, drawing, or story.  All it needs to be meaningful is the intention.