LETTER

Elections and “straw man” arguments       

The election platforms are taking shape, and it is going to be interesting to watch this 2019 election. There are real issues, most presented as win/lose (the simple ‘duoset’ in action). I see also plenty of “straw men” being constructed and we must be alert to this.

My own work has dealt with many challenges – economical, efficiencies, priorities (a balanced family-unit progression)-- with my responsibilities to that unit and my own personal and professional goals, which faced adversities of it’s own.  That was the milieu of the ‘competitive spirit’ faced an Immigrant, and as depicted in “The Legacy of Vinland”. Our younger son Theo (co-owner of the Betakova Hlavina Art Collection)commented to me about my own art development, “how is it that I can understand what you did, see it, touch it, absorb it and it is real, but when you explain it to me, you feel you have to use ‘The fallacy of the straw man’.” Of course he was right;  I still use it, just read my letters to the editor!.

My work was the result of cooperation with my partner Danica, in all positive and negative figurations (M/M Sculpture).  Our research and work was presented in Canada, USA, and Japan, very different societies, but it did not always pass the rules of the “Guardians of Art”. It was an Art not yet invented -- but here we follow rules! Thus was born my use of ‘the fallacy of the straw man’ where we construct and describe a simplistic opponent to explain what we are doing. You will meet him often in many denominations and colours! Especially during elections.

Lastly, with this letter, I honour Danica on the tenth anniversary of her passing. 

Rasto Hlavina, 

Pontiac