Figure and Ground

So, I've been reading this book lately. It's called Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff and in it he talks about the concept of figure verses ground. He cites the illustration above as an example of what he is talking about. When we focus on the figure we see one thing and when we focus on the ground we see something totally different. He uses this as a metaphor with which to examine contemporary society and I've found his conclusions to be thought provoking. And it got me to thinking about needlepoint and how often needlepointers confuse figure and ground. Often people come into the store -- why it just happened today and they are apologetic about the mistakes in their piece and I am always telling them that it is okay and that there is nothing wrong with a mistakes in our stitching but more often then not they choose not to hear me. And it got me to thinking about figure vs. ground. 

Needlepoint is a craft. It is a means of self-expression. It is a form of relaxation. It is leisure -- pure and simple. And, if you are lucky, you end up with something nice to show for your efforts. Needlepoint is not a machine process. It is created by humans, not machines. And like all humans the products of our endeavors are not perfect. We ourselves are not perfect; most people can readily admit that. But somehow they miss the connection to the fact that therefore the product of their hands is also imperfect. And that this is a good thing. This is a human thing. To be perfect is to be a machine. Why is it that people desire perfection in their needlepoint? Is it because they cannot stand the reminder staring them in their face that they themselves are not perfect? Is this not a good thing to be reminded of?

When we first opened our shop we used to have a group of tony women who would disparage anything that looked like "loving hands" had created it. Can you imagine? As if they themselves would never settle for anything so lowbrow, so revealing of low standards and lack of skill and weakness. The horror!

I'm digressing. My point is that needlepoint is not the product it's the process. To focus on the product (regardless of its perfection or lack thereof) is to confuse the figure with the ground. It's the process that it's all about. The meditative state of stitching, the hours spent creating, the delicious serenity of needle and thread. This is the treasure of needlepoint. Not the product. Let go of perfection. News flash -- you are not perfect and neither is your needlepoint. (And that’s okay)