During
winter break I received a Middle Eastern rose wood cane from a friend. My
friend who gave it to me knows about my middle eastern family ties and that I
would value it greatly. Traditionally made rose wood canes are grown as a single
stem, knotted at the top, and grown into straight, strong trunks that are
trimmed into the shaft of the cane. I thought it was gorgeous. Because I had
grown up seeing my Iranian uncles grow, make, and cherish these kinds of canes,
I thought it was one of the greatest gifts I had ever received. When I showed
the cane to another good friend of mine, expressing my joy in the gift, he
didn’t understand what was so great about it. This contrast in reaction
reminded me of our discussion on art having extrinsic beauty. Because I had
previously valued symbols, which I brought with me and applied to the cane, I
saw the cane as far more beautiful and valuable. Because my friend did not
carry the same symbolic significance regarding Middle Eastern rose wood canes, he
did not associate the same beauty with the object or “art”.
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