Current Practice – Philosophical Stance (very rough notes)
My approach:
holistic, essential, integral, non-manipulative (not geared
towards audience “affect”) metamorphic.
I work in response/relationship with material/medium/subject
as collaborator – even “author”.
In this current practice, the terms material/medium/subject
are conceptually interchangeable on the most part.
The material/medium/subject “dictates” the piece – it is
asking me to do something quite specific in response to it.
- It is not about “Me” – needing to “express” or “show”
something (self-indulgence)
- It is not about trying to have a specific “affect” on an
audience (manipulation)
- It is purely a response with as much integrity as possible
towards the material/medium/subject & what it is “asking” me to do.
… I understand that some consider this as a form of “naïve
essentialism”.
I need to find a lens (or lenses) through which to view this
method of working in order to articulate & present my approach clearly
& favorably.
I’m afraid that most forms of post-modern, deconstructive,
critical theories could be quite unkind to it. I need to find some sympathetic
lenses with which to view it.
……………. So far in the “Raw Material” series, I have been
responding to material/medium/subject in the realm of nature … specifically in
the temporal aspects of harvest – what is growing now? – what is ripe &
ready now?
There is an urgency to respond “now” – as the fruits are
ready & cannot wait.
……….. I have no intention to be deliberately “Transgressive”…
I will be taken by a creative idea & it begins to take
hold of my imagination – not only aesthetically, but in very practical terms –
in my mind I begin plotting out all the details of how it can become a reality
– it’s a very logical & practical thought process.
I will continue to pursue a creative goal until it has been
accomplished – or until some insurmountable obstacle stands in the way.
Sometimes this pursuit may lead to “trespassing” or
“strange” public behavior or some such “abnormality” – but those rules are for
the general order of society & I usually adhere to them under regular
pedestrian conditions – however, when in pursuit of achieving a creative goal
then they have no application just for the sake that they are “rules”…
So, in this context, I may “transgress” something as a
by-product of my creative pursuit – but I am not ever TRYING to be
“Transgressive” – EVER.
……. I don’t consider my self as really TRYING to “BE”
ANYTHING, actually.
& I am never really trying to have a specific AFFECT
“ON” anyone either.
… if I decide to deliberately use theatrical tools in order
to affect an audience in a specific way – or to come across as “being”
something in particular, then I would approach the work in a very different
way.
- It would be more contrived … devious? … manipulative?
So ….. for example …… in the Raw Material video sketch
“Sand” – I am not “trying” to be “erotic”.
I approach the piece with total integrity towards the
material/medium/subject – which is sand on the beach in the warmth of the sun.
Of course my response to this is a full-bodied, blissful,
sensual absorption of the energy of the most powerful body in our solar-system
(the sun) & the warmth & texture of the sand, which has also absorbed
the power & energy of the sun.
- Of course there is a natural eroticism to a nude,
mid-aged, healthy adult body in this state of being (male or female – although
there is more historic erotic baggage associated with the female form that I personally
focus on transcending)
- If it were a child, or an elderly person – or someone
obese or disabled … how would this same sensual response to the same elements
affect a viewer?
The “eroticism” is one thread in the holistic tapestry of
humanity … not to be singled out in a one-dimensional analysis of the whole
picture.
…….. For the “Raw Material” series, I have decided to keep
my own body as “neutral” or natural in appearance as possible – with variations
of “costume” depending on what seems to be appropriate for the specific
relationship with each material/medium/subject.
So the colour is always flesh-tones that are somewhat
similar to my own.
Sometimes it will be total nudity – if full skin is the most
appropriate connection/response to material/medium/subject.
Sometimes it will be a “second skin” layer – if flesh needs
to become muted in order to blend with material/medium/subject.
Sometimes it will be a texture of clothing that relates to
material/medium/subject
- or, in some cases, a more “pedestrian” style of dress –
but still in neutral tones.
There are some sketches in which THE BODY itself – or AN
ACTION of the body will become material/medium/subject.
Here, it is about Self in relationship/response to one’s own
body – or the body’s relationship/response to an action ……… rather than the
SELF/BODY in relationship/response to “other”.
…… In the same way as I never deliberately set out or intent
to be “Transgressive” (or erotic – or anything else) – I also never set out
deliberately to be “edgy”.
If my material/medium/subject provokes or demands a response
that creates an “edge” – then my response will automatically produce one
without my having to “make” one (or even think of making one)
… & if there is no “edge” emerging, then why would I
invent one just for the sake of “effect”?
(Again – I might decide to us this contrived &
manipulative tool theatrically to have an affect on an audience in a totally
different context than this current project)
…. As for being a “good girl” or a “bad girl” – I would like
to leave this way of thinking in the dark ages!
(However – I’m happy to own the term “Utopian Girl”!)
……………………
If a certain response seems totally integral to the
material/medium/subject, it is just essential to do it.
…….
I think perhaps that you (Linda) may be looking for how my
spiritual beliefs & practices manifest in the work – but I don’t think it
has anything to do with terms of “transgression” in any way
…… it is more to do with “Transformation” &
“Transcendence” – metamorphosis.
It is the “voluptuous surrender” of body & soul to the
Universe ……….. to Creation – Creator – Spirit ……..
LINDA - in response to my last message: (Sept 19)
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