Red

Please read the description (I KNOW IT'S LONG)

For the last couple of weeks not a day goes by that we are not reminded of the devastation in Japan. As if to echo the waves of destruction that fell upon the country's coast, we have all witnessed waves of sadness, collective fear, feelings and images that remind us of our vulnerability. At the same time we have seen waves of compassion, selflessness, strength and hope in the people that survived and the people that work day after day to recover and rebuild. Almost simultaneously we have seen how the art community everywhere is flooded with artwork that chronicles or draws inspiration from the incidents. Some of it focuses on the negative, the fear, the sadness; some of it shows the rays of hope, the human solidarity, the hard work of volunteers and everyday people.

As it is expected when things of this sort happen, people react, and being artists we react in the form that comes most natural to us: art. Given that art is a phenomenon that evokes a reaction on people, it is needless to say that people react to this all these images as well. I've seen how people that would not move otherwise finally realize a will to do something, yet it pains me to say that I also regularly encounter the critic who questions the "selfish" motives of the artist might have to profit on another person's tragedy, "if they really want to help," I've heard, " they shouldn't waste time making stupid drawings. They should donate money..." To me this is a most ridiculous notion. You see, we're artists, we don't design simply because we see profit in something, we do so because we don't know any better. Art is not our job, it's our first language. And we do believe that one should give the best we have, but to us our craft is the best we can give, not just ten bucks. If through it we can get five people to give ten, we have done more than we could have on our own.

Being an art community, DA is not the exception: we see the art, both the positive and the not so positive, in all its beauty. Not a day goes by that we don't see a picture on the main page or the DD page that does not show Japan. Oddly though, here we see the same criticism, and also a special type of critic. I've seen people say "Don't pray for Japan just because you like manga/anime..." Though I would say that they might be a few whose reason is solely that one, for most of us it has nothing to do with it. Furthermore, even if it was, is it really that wrong? People are drawn together by the smallest of things. A lot of people around the world first got in contact with this culture through their art. More than half of the DA community got introduced to art through anime, so it is more than expected that they would feel close to the people in Japan. To all who criticize, instead of questioning the reasons that bring people closer and judging people with your self indulgent sense of ethic, try to be glad that they can find something that brings them together. If you are mad because you think that liking someone's art is not "the right reason" to feel compassion for them, you are in the wrong art community. Period.

Now, a few words on the piece... I tried to stay away from all the negative and focus on an icon of Japanese culture. Geishas are icons of beauty and grace, apparent vulnerability yet undeniable power of inspiration. I believe that , although the time is one of definite vulnerability for the country, the people will overcome like they always have. I thought I'd take advantage of the colors and makeup to remind people here in the US of ways in which they can help. If you are among the people that have made art, have spread awareness, or has prayed for Japan, do not stop doing so, but also, please donate.