The Art and Science of Perspective

It's another quiet Sunday morning and I'm up earlier than I'd like - I always seem to be - my companion cup of coffee by my side, my thoughts scattered across a multitude of work projects and personal to-do lists; of changing seasons and new beginnings and comforts in the smallest things. The gazebo beckons, but I'm hesitant, though a sit down, listen-to-the-world type morning might be just what I need to still the turbulence inside.

The neighbour's cat pops in through the broken screen on our front door, helping himself to our hospitality and the bowl of dry cat food on the kitchen floor belonging to our resident feline, who allows this with mostly indifference but sometimes makes an effort to display his dominance and reminds the free-loading neighbour who the real boss is. I would fix that screen, but the door is slated to be replaced soon (we hope) with the upcoming renovation - it has been upcoming for quite some time, hasn't it? - and, really, the other cat is pretty darned cute and loveable, and purrs when you pick him up, and you know how that goes...

The boy's football season is underway again, and after 2 games the Falcon's sit atop the standings at 2-0, a great start but they haven't really been tested yet.

He's playing strong-side linebacker and is a punishing defender with amazing closing speed who loves to hit. And you know he's still 12, right? His defensive coach came over from another city team that didn't have enough players to field their own squad this season, and I think the boy has caught his eye. I'm not coaching this year, and it's nice not to be so close to the team; to be able to enjoy the games from the stands and not from the sidelines. I think the distance helps him too, and allows him to develop within his own comfort zone and personality far enough out of our eyes and ears to become who he will be. But it's still nice when he asks for my take on his performance after games and practices, and I try to be a supportive parent first and a former football coach second.

* * *

Spent last Sunday afternoon checking out the touring Da Vinci exhibition downtown. An inspirational couple of hours spent walking in the footsteps of an amazing, inquiring mind. His desire to completely understand his world led to scientific and artist breakthroughs that we take for granted today. A visionary who over 500 years ago had designs for a parachute, a diving suit and tank-like vehicle, also gave the world the genius of his talents with a brush and paint. His detailed notes and sketches of his ideas are fascinating to behold, and his anatomical investigations and subsequent renderings pioneered and forever altered the world of physiology and started us on our journey towards understanding how the human body works.

Say nothing of great works of art like The Mona Lisa or The Last Supper.

We walked through rooms full of recreations of his inventions and mock-ups of some of simple machines that would forever change our world. Things we take for granted today like ball bearings and meshed gears; eccentric cams and pulleys and levers. The boy enjoyed trying to understand how they worked, and you could see his mind's gears and wheels turning as he studied and handled the wooden contraptions.

It was difficult not to walk away from that exhibition in awe of Da Vinci's vision and understanding of his world. As we drove home we discussed what we had just learned and I wondered how many more discoveries were waiting to be unearthed from the everyday around us, and whether another mind of Da Vinci's genius would ever grace our time.

* * *

I was on the road this week for work, overseeing the final weeks of a new retail store build out a couple hours away, while trying to finish 3 more back here in the city at the same time. It's the 'feast or famine' scenario, and even though we knew it would likely be like this, the delays and changes and unforeseen issues that inevitably pop up on all the sites take their toll on me. It's a delicate balance, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed and out of control. The detail oriented perfectionist who understands and respects the designer's and client's needs and concerns but can't deliver as he'd like due to conditions beyond his control, can easily forget that this is all really just business, and solutions will present themselves and things will work out with patience and an open mind.

Especially when it seems the people onsite directly responsible for creating the final product appear not to share the outcome-driven focus and willingness to accept challenges as a means for creative problem solving. Herding cats would be easier most days...

It's nice to return home after a stressful few days on the road where everything gets magnified by your proximity to the situation, back to the familiar surroundings of comforts like your own bed, the slightly worn bearing in the kitchen exhaust fan that squeals just so as you try to nap on the couch, the disorganized desk that calls for you to get it back in order (which you dutifully ignore) and the welcome-home-how-do-you-do of a hot water heater that waited for your arrival before leaking water all over the laundry room floor and the dishwasher that decided you needed to investigate the flashing error code on its display...

Disconnecting and checking the dishwasher's electrical and water supply/drainage lines is straightforward mechanical logic rooted in science. As is the replacement of the worn hot water tank's temperature/pressure relief valve. Identify the problem, locate the required resources to correct said problem, then proceed through the necessary series of actions to solve said problem. Managing others to do the same or similar on a jobsite within a myriad of fluctuating timelines, external conditions and agendas under the constant constraints of time and money takes a different set of skills and a different mindset. And a huge dose of patience and an ability to and willingness to work well with others. Some days I have them. Some days I don't so much.

I didn't make it to the gazebo - not yet anyway - but I've found some solace in the week's events. Da Vinci reminded me that art and science aren't separate entities but rather share a relationship within the framework of form and function. Perspective is the key to understanding in all areas, whether it be trying to solve a logistics issue on a commercial jobsite or the reason why gallons of hot water are running across the floor. How you view a problem directly determines how you will find a solution for it. Da Vinci was blessed with the ability of exceptional perspective and it allowed him to uncover many mysteries of his world. He used it to create amazing works of art and a multitude of scientific inventions and designs that helped get us where we are today.

The familiar comforts of home and family, whatever they may be for you, can and should be used to better frame your perspective of the world, from which you can move forward confidently and with purpose, knowing you can solve the problems you will undoubtably face. Identifying those issues and solving those problems is really a science. Finding comfort in the face of those problems and issues?

Well, that parts the art.