We live in a time when those who favour "the collective" above and beyond "the individual" are drawn to the age-old power of storytelling. The story is usually a tale about past events, eras, and happenings OR a total fantasy. I prefer the fantasy to the anecdote [but I am guilty of recalling many war stories to my sons... ha, ha, ha... clearly, I am a flawed individual... ha, ha, ha]. When it comes to appreciating art; perhaps, the stark realities of the past are too much for my pee brain to comprehend. Whereas the fantasies of times not yet, or never, lived inspire me to trust that my life is not just an empty vessel.
Art is full of possibilities, open to different interpretations, loaded with ambiguities, and bound to trigger our imagination [see photo]. Imagination is being left to artists in a time when the "one think" and "the collective will" of the unimaginative are in control of our world. Sure we all complain [from time to time] about the monsters who rule us; but, we allow them to continue their reign over us. We often complain, criticise, dump on, or deride the art of out times too; however, I suggest that when we do this we are engaging in an act of imagination, creation, and discombobulation. Art becomes a real presence for each of us whenever it attracts us and prompts us to comment on it. At the core of human existence there has always been some form of art that can reach down into our souls to find the roots of our discontent [or confusion] while illuminating our scope for growth.
In a sense... My version of minimal-you is a work of art. It is an expression of what is possible if each and every human strives to meet his or her essential needs. Just like many works of art this one is a fantasy, a narrative, an illusion, a mirage, etc that has to be shaped or maybe performed by an individual. Indeed I like to think of my version of minimal-you [for myself] as my Tardis... It is plain, ordinary, and recognisable on the outside yet demonstrably offers me an infinite array of possibilities on the inside. It has taken me a long time to be able to produce this artwork though I suspect that the seeds of it were always present within me.
Art.... what is it really?
The best answer I have is that it provides us with a portal into our soul. Art is the expression of us as an individual which we embrace, shun, wrestle with, or eventually grow to accept. The artist who produces something which is highly valued [in monetary terms] has invariably discovered himself or herself and therein has forged a unique version of minimal-you. From that position of power [over self] he or she is free to create art that is able to shock, titillate, amuse, confuse, inform, teach, and improve the viewer in an instant.
More power to art and the amazing artists who inform, create, and propagate its messages.
Richard.
My mind as a minimalist is developed on a unique sense of what I call minimal-you which, in turn, is based on individual needs not collective wants. For instruction on how to establish your sense of you: go to minimal-you.com and hit the "become a minimalist" button in the banner heading. This will take you to a payment scheme for a 10 day programme that will teach you how to design, enforce, and live with mind filters: these help you to be the best person you can be.
Comments