Dynamism

Cultures are controlled and manipulated, but this need not be the case.

Under normal conditions, culture and the arts function interactively. When developments in one or the other are brought to a standstill, both succumb to a state of stasis that is ideal for the impress of any form of totalitarian, centralized, collective control.

The critical element that must be reigned in is information, but this cannot be done through direct, visible, means, or contention will ensue. Yet it is a simple matter to narrow the focus of the public discourse to a few vexing issues, and to make those appear to be the central facts of social reality, removing the creative impetus from the cultural setting-- to a great extent, if not altogether.

The result is darkness, and its perpetual increase, unless the visionary rise up against the benighted.

Changing Tide

Action leads to more action; control, to more control.

The necessity of both is obvious, and more necessary than these is balance.

Upend

Predictability reflects both expectations and the opposite of those expectations.

The act of genius, in its most elevated sense of reaching beyond the known, reflects neither.

Foreseen

No narrative replaces experience; it is without substance.

No ideology is a substitute for knowledge and wisdom; it always forms an untenable perspective.

Critical Mass

Knowledgeable, critical thought is one thing; ignorance is another.

Simply put, it is no longer possible to accept or tolerate inferior perspectives on art and culture. All these stultify vision and promote complacency, regardless of their origins.

The artist is urged to action; the supercilious and benighted, to silence.

Rising Tide

Give attention to the social, cultural, academic, and political norms of the present day.

It is the totalitarian culture and society that suppresses expression, artistic and otherwise.

The Sudden and Unexpected

While cultural progress typically moves slowly, it does, from time to time, evolve rapidly.

Regardless of the cultural catalyst, change is always subject to forces of history as well as those unforeseen events that come about in the present.  At such times, one may look to the arts for insights, and, not surprisingly, lies and absurdities.

Thus the essential nature of the aesthetic sense is empowered by the force of reason.

Dynamic Projection

Rather than be deceived by appearances, the critical mind observes with patience.

Some artists apply technique and medium to conceal, others, to reveal what can neither be seen nor heard directly, but nonetheless grasped intuitively.

Distant Note

In Lovecraft's story, strange music emanates from a room on Rue d’Auseil.

My perspective is that what is generally accepted to be "music" exists within the dull confinement of expectations and conventions that may be consciously put aside. Beyond these, consciousness begins to perceive sonic tones, patterns, and their combinations in novel, interesting, ways, these being more or less suggestive of the uncanny sounds the author describes. Yet the total effect I am most interested in is one of elevated perception in an aesthetic sense, something different, but not alien to, the sensibilities of Lovecraft and other artists of that particular modern period.

Balanced Focus

There are always clashes of perspective.

These take various forms, among them complaint, argument, insult, injury, and so forth. The arts are no exception, and these forces are continually at play.

Essentially, the sole alternative is silence, so the artist acts, takes the responsibility, and accepts the results.

Clear

If nothing else, eliminate cultural detritus.

Media obsessions, "conversations" and "issues" comprise a single burden; it is an unnecessary one.

Vision, Gesture

The virtue of art resides in the finished aesthetic creation.

This does not mean intent and action are to be discounted, but understood as critical elements that are subsumed in the final work and its total effect.

Phantom Loss

Discard freedom of expression and it will be permanently lost.

Were I to speak only from experience as an educator, I would aver that the world is awash in a sea of ignorance and stupidity.  It is never so simple, and foolish to take so narrow a view.  Yet it is of some moment to acknowledge the disintegration of cultures over the course of the historical record that have failed to transmit ideas and ideals to upcoming generations.  Those who never experience freedom, regardless of what manner or form it takes, whether in individual, artistic, or political terms, will be incapable of comprehending its loss, a loss immeasurable.

Leap

See the world.

Move beyond the limits of irresponsibility.  Be the one to discover what has not been seen, heard, and expressed.  This is self-reliance, existential clarity, and the virtue of contemplative being.

Separation and Unity

Creative thought necessitates many perspectives.

Clarity of perspective necessitates critical and creative responses.  Each implies both, and for the artist each will be revealed and expressed.

Reversals

Hubris engages the pursuit of nemesis.

Thus are fortunes changed in the Greek tragedies, and the mighty decline and fall.

These are cautionary tales of cultural moment and permanence.  In the mind's eye, Icarus against the sun, Orpheus turning at the threshold of the underworld, crying out "O Eurydice, look upon the world I have won you back to!"

The artist must live in reality, regardless of the ways in which worlds and visions might be expressed and represented through artistic works.  To do otherwise invites disaster, arrayed in myriad forms.

Look, and Regard

Art, of every variety, establishes links, connections between realities and perspectives.

Nonetheless, it is dangerous to assume the mere appearance of a thing is, in fact, the reality.  What is necessary, for art, and its adherents, to thrive is the ability to discriminate between the two. This is depth of vision, and an understanding of a central element of reason, one essential to an engaged and perceptive life.

By no means does such critical understanding exist as natural insight.  It demands thought, and the discipline required to take a full measure of objective facts.  It is also incompatible with acting in a state of unselfconscious ignorance or in the easy yolk of subjection to ideological cant. Yet these are common points of view reflecting, predictably, common hubris, particularly among the highly, yet poorly, educated.  Little can be done for those who fear questioning the foundations of their own self-regard, even through the ministrations of the arts-- fine, popular, or otherwise.

Beyond the Present

Necessity demands.

There can be no pretense to the artist's position. One's only recourse in every setting is the truth.

Same / Never the Same

Art depends on risk, or it will not be.

Without risk, nothing changes. The only complete failure is the failure to act, even in the face of the impossible.

Time Past. Time Present. Time Future.

Time present and time past. Are both perhaps present in time future. And time future contained in time past. If all time is eternally present.

from BURNT NORTON (No. 1 of 'Four Quartets') by T.S. Eliot

Published on Feb 15, 2016

Filmed among modern ruins in Caroline du Nord.
Arranged and Performed by Moderan
Vocal by Dr. S.G. "Trashpile" Hunter, Antiquary.

Words & Music © by David Bowie
from "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" (1972)

Licensing: Harry Fox Agency

TINTORETTO MUSIC
CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP INC DIGITAL ONLY
EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING LTD.