It’s a great joy to share with you this evening the lifework of a world renown creative genius: artist James Hubbell, who for over 50 years has built out his vision of Change through Beauty and the Architecture of Jubilation.
When he and his wife Anne married 50 years ago, they bought 10 acres on top of a mountain near Julian, California, an hour east of San Diego, and here James started building the family home - structures that showcase his art
There is a KPBS special on his work and San Diego honors him with a James Hubbell Day. He has been commissioned all over the world to build public buildings, private homes and parks; he is equally at home creating sculptures, bronzes, stained glass, jewelry, watercolor and poetry.
His creations are mesmerizing displays of color, texture and form as you can see. And they always bring nature in, with its surprises.
Why do we need art? James says “To remind ourselves that we are not machines. We are humans and things begin with our heart, minds and hands.”
James says “Houses are really sculptures that you can live in.” He sees himself as a human being, as a person in love with life, and primarily as a sculptor.
James says “It is amazing what can be accomplished with a little ignorance.”
He says “ Beauty can soften the hurriedness of life. “
He believes “If you want a beautiful life or a beautiful building, then you must make the moments beautiful.”
James says “If the tiny things are right, the big things work.”
There are three words central to the way he approaches life: trust, balance and beauty. James believes beauty is the place where the pathos of being human (death, loss, pain and fear)…
… meets the joy of being human (pleasure, friends, music, peace.). Beauty is the place between the two. It is where joy and pathos enrich each other, and as humans we walk on both paths.
It is his belief that we are passing through a gate from one age to another perhaps more profound than the changes medieval man faced with the rise of Humanism and the Renaissance.
He believes we have spent the last five hundred years trying to understand the world by dividing it into parts. We are now at the task of putting our world back together. We are seeking a vision of a whole world, with ourselves as part of the whole.
James says “All change begins with the heart; and only then will the mind find form.”
I’ve heard James say “Not to act on the dreams that you have is almost immoral.” And that “It’s more trouble in this culture to do something different.” He is a living example of what is possible if you believe in yourself and in your work.
James and Anne created a foundation 22 years ago called Ilan Lael, which means “a tree growing, rooted in the earth and reaching for the sky.”
You are all invited to the Ilan Lael open house next Father’s Day at the Hubbell property.
I volunteered there this summer when over 500 people strolled the property and visited with the family. I hope you will come join us and learn,
As James says: “The world we inherit will be the world we imagine.” Thank you very much and be well.
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Ignite Atlanta (#IgniteATL) debuted on September 4t more
Ignite Atlanta (#IgniteATL) debuted on September 4th with 18 presentations, each with 20 slides that advanced every 15 seconds. It was dynamic and fun, like living inside Twitter. Julie Squires, CEO of Softscribe Inc., presented "Beauty for Change: The Art and Vision of James Hubbell." The audience grew quiet and my impression is that they were very moved. Afterwards, several friends came up one-by-one and gave me a big hug. James is right, our culture is hungry for beauty. (Disclaimer: The Ilan Lael Foundation is a client of Softscribe Inc.) less
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