Follow Instructions

The basis of art as propaganda lies in direction toward conformity to type.

Predictability in the context of a museum is no less tedious, produced for and producing unthinking acceptance and bellicose ignorance in the service of inflexible repression-- in all its stale glory.

Perceived Atmospheres

Let silence speak.

Discover that there is no real silence, but only the silencing of expression.

Black & White

Generally speaking, it is not difficult to take perspectives that allow enduring clarity and wide latitude of thought.

The so-called "black and white" viewpoint, denounced by its detractors as "narrow-minded" and "absolutist" is neither intellectually nugatory nor intolerant, rightly understood.  Fundamentally, an attitude that takes absolute ideals into account must acknowledge the dynamic nature of reality in order to be viable, and open to the increase of wisdom, that is to say, to expanding critical analysis and judgement.

Reality is no "sealed system", and its nature is a continuum of change.  One can speak and think with a great deal of certainty, while comprehending fully the fact that it is always possible to know more, and modify assessments accordingly.  Conversely, it is also necessary to understand that the dynamic in reasoning between poles, those "grey areas" between the black and white, is constantly shifting as well, making it clear that their ultimate disposition is in one direction or the other, reality being an ongoing affair not conforming to a static set of expectations.  One cannot simply expect reason, or the lack of it, to negate the truth of cause and effect.  Neither should one be subject to impermanent and biased whims simply to conform to social, political, academic, or artistic norms, regardless of the settings and circumstances in which they occur.

Simply put, it is a mistake, as Cicero stated, "to attempt to force others to believe as we do", and "to believe that success is made by crushing others".  It is possible, indeed, be right, regardless of any and all arguments to the contrary, no matter how cleverly or "passionately" they are proposed against objective evidence and experience.

Find the Future

To retrieve cultural vigor and autonomy it will be necessary to reject certain bad ideas.

Bad ideas are many, and they dominate cultural discourse.  Most revolve around failed visions of a Utopian nature that do not exist and cannot be willed into existence.

Speak against these and social, academic, and political forces unite with condemnation generally reserved for blasphemers and ex-communicants in ancient times.  These demand silence, and will tolerate nothing less than absolute conformity.

But there is no "we".  There is only freedom, and those opposed to it.

Balance, Rise, Decline

Find the mysteries of reality. Perceive within them.

What is viewed as an unknowable future inevitably becomes ancient history.

Opposing Forces

Recognize the dominant forces in play throughout cultural settings.

These are forces of control, and particularly in terms of discourse, intellectual judgement, and the arts.  All such spurious "authorities" are media driven, and are owed no loyalty or subjection as mere appearances of reality, shallow and unjustifiable.

As such there is no rebellion beyond individual choice, as a matter of personal integrity.

Made once, it is the choice of liberation, and it is permanent.

Fall in Line

Observe the predictable and the "new".  Apparently, they are synonymous.

This is the continuing legacy of groupthink.  All must conform to type, express no more or less than approved attitudes, and commit to reflexively perpetuating rigid, narrow points of view.

So what is new is old again, no less benighted than it once was, a morass of subjective ignorance.

Ephemera

Varieties of artistic experience dominate the cultural landscape from time to time.

Novels, films, music and fashion create interesting effects through their interactions. These are for the most part transitory, though for some they are difficult to abandon when they run their courses.

It is difficult to envision and create those things of lasting value. More difficult is to recognize the desire for them.  But such desire exists.

Hidden, Waiting

Inclusive language is ubiquitous, and insidiously manipulative.

While the implications for art and culture are obvious, they have not always been so, with the result that conformity of thought is now more rigidly enforced than in previous, less dangerous times.

The danger lies in loss of vision, followed by loss of freedom.

The Lake, The Sky, Disappear

When there is only darkness, or noise, perception declines.

But endless argument is pointless as well, and there are always those who will call day, night, and night, day.  So forward, from there, to evil ends, or beyond these to unknown tomorrow.

Nova Sound

The indiscriminate ear reflects the intellectual nature as well.

A simple bias toward things "random" is a key indicator of the mental laxity that will not put forth the effort to determine cause and effect or its impact on ideas and events.  Such minds cannot be troubled with "meaning", and are easily set in perpetual, escalating conflict with all who have the wherewithal necessary to acknowledge simple, objective perspectives.

Thus was established the environment of din and clamor that has plagued the past half-century and eviscerated its cultural arts.

Posed Little Time

Ideas are shaped and colored to purposes.

Some purposes are intentionally clear; others are crafted to be intentionally obscure.  What is necessary is to be cognizant of the ideas, rather than of their appearances only.

Mindful

The general Western perspective on living recognizes a central idea of continuing progress.

This is natural, given historical experience and the impetus to invent and to refine and improve existing technologies.  Even so, human progress, that is to say, the ways and means by which the human condition and state of being may be elevated, cannot be neglected without consequences.

And, again, it is often the artist who is first to recognize this fact, and to act upon it.

Stone

Access to knowledge is not culture.

A culture that countenances the belief that any view of the nature of reality is no different than any other is one step removed from barbarism, and may anticipate the immediate arrival of what will be known as a dark age.

Image and Sensation

Observe the extent of vicarious and "second hand" experience.

Art is direct representation, experienced directly, not filtered through "media".  Remember that.

Fading False

Without common vision and purpose, there is no culture, but only its false appearance.

What remains is nihilism, centered upon obsessive and bellicose disputation over long-past failures of moral reason and creative vision, ideas rendered obsolete by the test of time.

The real goal of those engaged in conjuring such a state of affairs is one of totalitarian control.

It is the artist who is often the first to realize that the single, essential struggle is one for individual freedom and personal autonomy, regardless of whether society as a whole is capable of it.

Sounds Real and Imagined

Give conscious attention to the full spectrum of sounds in the surrounding environment.

This is a difficult task, and one that demands intent. Like any critical mental exercise, it does not "just happen".  Ultimately, over an extended period of time, one begins to imagine sounds one has not previously heard.  

This is an arduous journey, but a worthy goal, and one that the artist and composer may realize.

Momentary and Continuing

Attend to culture as it is experienced in personal ways.

This is how culture is extended and transformed.  All the rest is noise and debris.

Real Light

A balanced, yet critical and incisive state of mind is not effortless.

The purpose of my compositions and recordings, beyond the application of experimental and aesthetic principles, is to promote and enhance the emotional state of equanimity.

In terms of contemporary music, very little is done in that regard, and very little of that is done effectively.

Movement of Ideas

Culture includes both convergence and dissolution.

One may therefore realize both possibility and loss, choice and crisis.