Do we have fire in the belly...

I have to confess, it was not that I liked Elbert at hello....
When I moved here from California, many impressions
needed space to sink in. In this European style quaint village,
one building I could not place: The castle-like structure on Main.
I learned eventually about the Roycroft, the Chapel, the
founder. Being familiar with most art movements, this one had not
entered into my art knowledge, in spite of the Art Deco, and The
ART Nouveau and artists from that period I enjoyed.
I learned soon more, as I got involved with teaching as a way to
paying rent for the Children’s Museum. Temporary housed in the
basement of middle school, across from the AG building where
classes were held in Illuminations. Same room, same wooden
beams, same books and watercoloring, this time hundred years
later, with maybe great grandchildren of the ones who were in the
old picture, displayed in the room.
Attention to HEAD, HEART and HANDS, was the motto.

So, I learned about this while a lot of attention went into restoring
the inn. Ever since, some fundraising and restoration has taken
place. The Roycroft movement has become one of the protected,
guarded and well respected treasures in our Village.
What did not touch me upon moving here, is strangely enough
striking a cord now, especially this year.
During the last decennia we could have heeded Elbert’s huge
warning and reaction towards the Industrial Revolution. After all
that started his movement: Cheap production needed to get
reevaluated, and quality over quantity would become his norm.
How I wish, we all had followed this more intense than we
did. Since the Industrial Revolution, Scientists all over the world
came to the same conclusion:
This planet is burning up, from the onset of the Industrial
revolution. A straight but steady red line on any graph will show
the emissions and consequential warming off mother Earth.
Elbert’s strong reaction to Industrial scale production, has been
embraced, however limited to books, art and philosophy. The
movement reached national interest. The strong connection with
Britain, William Morris with the Natural world in stylistic wonders
of beauty drew the interest of many. However the Industry was
never attacked strongly enough to reduce their power over
people.
We have reached a point, where we have been drowning in
cheap produced knick knacks, with a value not even that of the
material it is needed to create them in the first place. Currently we
are drowning in trash, we do not have the space to get rid off.
Elbert would have probably blasted every week on social media:
The problem of stuff... When your head, heart and hands are not
really involved in what you make, it turns into detachment of items
we easily toss. Not even worthy or possible to repair.
This is where my re-evaluation of Elbert Hubbard comes from.
If only we had been able to listen longer? Better? Connecting dots?
The group of artists belonging to the Roycroft are all knowing far
better the influence that this movement had and still has.
I would like to connect it stronger to what we need for our health
and survival in today’s world:
Protect Nature, break with mass production that depletes this
planet of regenerating herself, put your HEAD in your work, Your
HEART for your work, and Your HANDS back to work.
Fortunately this Village still shows some of this philosophy in daily
life.

My second rekindle of Elbert’s spirit: This year something
happened, that changed our sense of security:
A war in Europe broke out, we can watch daily in the news.
Helplessness starts, when one feels not empowered to change
course of disaster. In the Spring this year, people from different
nations booked flights to Europe to help: either in combat or in
humanitarian ways. When Elbert, hundred plus years ago, took
similar steps, trying to arrange a meeting with the Emperor to
change his mind, thereby changing the course of war, I thought of
it like: a bit looney? Swelled ego?
Ever since this War broke out, I felt the urge of so many, that we
needed to do something. I understand that acting alone is not the
best way to bundle powers. However, the one causing problems,
acts fully in singular power, any dictator does.
Elbert had the fire in his belly, to go. Pack up with Alice and go.

I never thought that I would end this short talk, thanking you all for
the honor of receiving this award, ending with the phrase:
WHERE IS ELBERT WHEN WE NEED HIM?

To sense what it is to be in Elbert’s head, please you are invited to
try it out, even two heads might fit. Freud had a bit of a hold on my
brush, when I worked on this cut out, larger than life size, even for
Elbert’s standard.

Thank you so very much.