“The world is not made up of tiny pebbles”, Carlo Rovelli says. Instead, “It is a world of vibrations.” A reality of continuous fluctuation. A constant thrumming. Everything we presume to be fixed or stable is composed of its opposite. Beneath the surface of what seems solid is a frenetic aliveness. A well-spring of motion and unfolding. Relations, events, and interactions.
Art is in the everythingness. That can be a huge point of friction for many, through judgement or gatekeeping or fear. But when you're drawn to a crack in a brick in a random wall, it has your attention. And that, as you say, is art.
Perhaps for a moment and perhaps for an eternity. Art-Attention/Attention-Art
But what happens when the attentiveness that is needed feels too immersive, too hard , like it will sap all the energy out of you? Leave you bare and panting in its wake - no room for anything else - demanding your Full presence - all of the time - that’s how
I feel about one of my projects that’s been begging me to get back to it-even little bits at a time - so that’s how I am managing it / bite sized bits of attention- followed by another and so on…frustrating in some ways , wonderful in others …
I think there’s always an element of vulnerability and exposure involved in paying close attention. Attention opens you up to the world and to what you’re attending. There is a kind of risk, and overwhelm, and danger. And part of that process of attention means paying attention the to our selves and how we’re feeling. Paying attention to what attention does to us internally. And sometimes that means knowing when to turn away from what we’re closely observing in our to care for ourselves and to preserve the energy necessary to continue the work. In that regard, it seems like that that is exactly what you’re doing. Keep doing what you’re doing. Thanks so much Vanessa!
Hello Duane. Love this amalgamation of moments. And as always, your collages–as well as your words–are ripe with meaning, beauty and YES...conversation - between our inner and outer selves.
Your words—vibrations, sediments, folding and unfolding all brought me to envision the cycles of the earth. Its movements, pushing, pulling, melding, recreating, its instability creating stability.
That’s so good Carrie! I wish I had made that connection! There’s a kind of rhythmic inevitability there. An ebbing and a flowing! An emergent, reemerging. Thank you so much!
Not only do you create amazing collage but now I equally look forward to reading your insights. I am starting to finally figure out that everything is about energy, about our frequency, and if we can raise that frequency it makes a profound difference to our lives and our art. Love you back.
Thanks so much for this comment Barb! I appreciate it! I’m always baffled by intricate interconnections of all things.! So much wonder! Love ya back too Barb!
Lean into your darlings! - Oh that's so interesting Ann! That's really given me a pause, and I feel myself really wanting to ponder and muse on this for while. There's really something fascinating in this idea. Thank you for prodding me!
Art is in the everythingness. That can be a huge point of friction for many, through judgement or gatekeeping or fear. But when you're drawn to a crack in a brick in a random wall, it has your attention. And that, as you say, is art.
Perhaps for a moment and perhaps for an eternity. Art-Attention/Attention-Art
“the everythingness” - YES!! exactly this! So well said Martin!
💚
I like that “art is attention” - noticing, and demanding.
Thank you! Glad it struck a chord!
"desperate to shed the skin of its noun-ness, and longing to arise in the fullness of its verb-hood."
These phrases are so full of meaning, Duane! I often think of art just this way!
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad to be in good company! ;-)
Thanks so much! Glad you like that line!
But what happens when the attentiveness that is needed feels too immersive, too hard , like it will sap all the energy out of you? Leave you bare and panting in its wake - no room for anything else - demanding your Full presence - all of the time - that’s how
I feel about one of my projects that’s been begging me to get back to it-even little bits at a time - so that’s how I am managing it / bite sized bits of attention- followed by another and so on…frustrating in some ways , wonderful in others …
I think there’s always an element of vulnerability and exposure involved in paying close attention. Attention opens you up to the world and to what you’re attending. There is a kind of risk, and overwhelm, and danger. And part of that process of attention means paying attention the to our selves and how we’re feeling. Paying attention to what attention does to us internally. And sometimes that means knowing when to turn away from what we’re closely observing in our to care for ourselves and to preserve the energy necessary to continue the work. In that regard, it seems like that that is exactly what you’re doing. Keep doing what you’re doing. Thanks so much Vanessa!
As always, beautiful.
So kind of you! It always great to get your feedback!
Thanks Duane. That is SO excellently articulated. I very much appreciate your insights and feedback 🙏
My pleasure Vanessa! Thank you so much for that amazing reply!
Yes, art is more than a product, an object, or a piece. Art is about interaction, experiences...life
beautifully said! Thank you!
Hello Duane. Love this amalgamation of moments. And as always, your collages–as well as your words–are ripe with meaning, beauty and YES...conversation - between our inner and outer selves.
Thanks so much for reading Andrea! So glad it resonated with you!
Your words—vibrations, sediments, folding and unfolding all brought me to envision the cycles of the earth. Its movements, pushing, pulling, melding, recreating, its instability creating stability.
❣️Beautiful and resonating work❣️
That’s so good Carrie! I wish I had made that connection! There’s a kind of rhythmic inevitability there. An ebbing and a flowing! An emergent, reemerging. Thank you so much!
Not only do you create amazing collage but now I equally look forward to reading your insights. I am starting to finally figure out that everything is about energy, about our frequency, and if we can raise that frequency it makes a profound difference to our lives and our art. Love you back.
Thanks so much for this comment Barb! I appreciate it! I’m always baffled by intricate interconnections of all things.! So much wonder! Love ya back too Barb!
A world of vibrations. That's it, isn't it?
"Paying" attention costs us something: Time. But maybe knowing that makes all the difference.
Love what you're doing with the neutrals + shots of color, both vintage & new.
Don't kill your darlings, right? Lean into them.
Lean into your darlings! - Oh that's so interesting Ann! That's really given me a pause, and I feel myself really wanting to ponder and muse on this for while. There's really something fascinating in this idea. Thank you for prodding me!
Wonderful words of wisdom. W3
Super collages!
Thanks Elise! I appreciate it!!
Fabulous collage art and text as always!
Richard! I appreciate you my friend!