The exact challenge was to “Make something beautiful. Say why it is.” Several High Mowing sophomores did just that, submitting their artwork and written statements to the Beautiful Minds art competition at Marlboro College. The challenge, open to all teens, asked the not so simple question: what is beauty? Elise Drapeau '15, Jeremy Elder '15, Jacob Kydd '15 and Kameron Rhone '15 endeavored to answer that question with words and images. Individual entries were submitted by Jacob and Kameron, while a group submission was made by the two-person team of Elise and Jeremy.
In the statement accompanying his work, Shattered Beauty, Jacob wrote, “Beauty is not necessarily perfection. Sometimes an object’s flaws are more beautiful than its flawlessness. The natural perfection of an apple itself is beautiful, but its flaws make it unique and therefore more real and tangible. The question is: why do flaws accentuate beauty? I believe that although absolute perfection can be beautiful in a way, it is never unique. Flaws are what really bring out the individualistic nature of something. A unique object is more beautiful than a perfect replica. A hand-made flowerpot is more beautiful than a factory made one even with, and because of, its flaws. In my painting the cracks on the apple demonstrate how flaws can increase something’s beauty by unifying the perfect and imperfect.”
Chosen as one of 20 winners, Jacob has been invited to attend the Beautiful Minds Symposium at Marlboro College in February. He will join current Marlboro students and faculty to share ideas and learn about the creative process. Marlboro College will also offer these winners a taste of college residential life by hosting their stay on campus.
Congratulations Jacob, and all who entered the competition!
This article was originally published in High Notes, Winter 2013.
