Welcome to February's "Mysteries of the Mind" monthly newsletter!

Art vs. Craft

Is the child who dances in the rain, in their backyard, between mud puddles performing art? Are they a skilled craftsman? Or are they merely exuding their joy for life?

If a parent of that youth takes a lovely photograph of their child dancing, leaping in the air with a face full of joy and water splashing all around them... is that art?

I believe that it becomes art the moment that someone else sees the creation and says, "I am deeply and profoundly touched by that experience, that is art." Art, to me, is defined by the other. The experience of the outside individual who experiences it defines it. I become an artist through the interaction of my art and the audience. It is also my contention that context has a lot to do with art: the frame, the museum, the theater, and the space within which the art is displayed.

As shown in this video.
And Washington Post Story

Showcasing the performance of expert violinist Joshua Bell performing classical pieces in the subway station to see if anyone would stop for free art on the same week he had performed for $100 per ticket at Boston's stately Symphony Hall.

Is Sophia Lucia an Artist or Craftswoman? Watch Here

Sophia Lucia

She clearly has nearly perfect technique and execution of the moves, but has she performed art with her skill? Perhaps you would enjoy her work more if played on the Ellen DeGeneres Show: Watch Here

Certainly we now pay greater attention. But even in this venue, is it art or craft?

So to define the separation of artist, variety artist, performance artist and craftsman is a very difficult one. In England and throughout the UK they separate the joiner from the carpenter. One builds things out of wood as a craftsman and one creates art with wood. In the US we use the same word for both. Perhaps something is lost in that transatlantic translation within the same language.

For now I will say that I work on my craft with the intention of creating art and my audience decides after seeing my performances if I am an artist. What are your thoughts on the difference between Art and Craft?

Here is a recent 44-second clip from my show performing some bubble magic for a Birthday Boy. Is it art? Watch Here

Paul Draper

Please contact me if you have an office ororganization in your area that would like an anthropologist / Vegas Mentalist to present a clean corporate show, or come to lead workshops on communication, motivation and change management!

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
wwww.PaulWDraper.com
www.MentalMysteries.com
www.MentalMystery.com (agent friendly site)
www.helpinghospitalsheal.com
www.AnthropologyOffice.com

"To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind of food that it is very good but that most people can't eat it."
- Leo Tolstoy (Famous Russian author of War & Peace, Anna Karenina and others)

"He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."
- St. Francis of Assisi

Corporate Training
December 20
Las Vegas, NV

Lecture Tour
February 2
Albuquerque, NM

Lecture Tour
February 4
Tucson, AZ

Country Club Private Event
February 12th
St. George, UT

Eagle Eyes Fundraiser
February 22nd
Salt Lake City, UT

Lecture Tour
March 11th
Las Vegas, NV

Private Event
March 22nd
Salt Lake City, UT

Film Festival
April 12th-14th
Las Vegas, NV

Odd Gathering
April 26-28
San Francisco, CA

UK Lecture Tour
June 3rd
Portsmouth

UK Lecture Tour
June 4th
Birmingham

UK Lecture Tour
June 6th
Nottingham

UK Lecture Tour
June 9th
High Peaks

UK Lecture Tour
June 10th
Manchester

UK Lecture Tour
June 11th
Blackpool

UK Lecture Tour
June 12th
Liverpool

UK Lecture Tour
June 13th
Leatherhead

UK Lecture Tour
June 17th
The Magic Circle, London

UK Lecture Tour
June 18th
Medway

UK Lecture Tour
June 24th
Aberdeen

UK Lecture Tour
June 26th
Leamington Spa

The Happiest Elephant in the World

This elephant plays on the beach in India

Watching this made me so happy I watched it 3 times in a row!

If you didn't know I am a big fan of Elephants, Rhinos and other large mammals.

I received this as a share from my wonderful friend (and animal activist)

Watch Here

Joanie Spina Artistic Director/Casting Director! Learn more about Joanie and her work with David Copperfield and buy her DVD's for magicians and performers here

EagleEyes Project

Click Here

Utah Friends: Friday, February the 22nd I will be the MC for a charity show at Olympus High School supporting the EagleEyes efforts to supply heavily disabled people with the tools necessary to use computers and communicate with others. This will be one of the last shows on the Olympus High Stage before it is torn down to make room for the new building. Come and support this wonderful charity. Live and Silent auctions, local artists, performers, music and more!

Olympus High School EagleEyes Extravaganza

Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family with all proceeds going to The Opportunity Foundation of America EagleEyes Project!

Friday, February 22nd 6pm-9pm
Olympus Sr. High School
4055 S. 2300 E.
Holladay, Utah 84124