Throughout Part I of our project, I was reminded of John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' - a short BBC documentary that focuses on the reproduction and relocation of art. While Berger's focus rests in the classical art forms often institutionalized by museums, his evaluation of change and the 'mystification' of art reverberate with our project. As we cut apart, reduce, and reproduce in the industrial and post-industrial age, we lose some of our connection with the community, with the past, and with ourselves. We break apart some of the beauty and mystery and refocus on one aspect or element in order to commodify aesthetics, in order to simplify work. Yet the senses are not necessarily about 'work' - they are about pleasure. Attraction/Repulsion - finding Satisfaction and connecting to a past memory through a simple smell or a taste.
As we move towards re-connection and community, Berger serves as a re-minder...
Also, for Part II, we are using the films that were mentioned in previous blog posts - charting the quest narrative and attempting to figure out the role of the characters and plot lines - the lessons these visual texts can teach us. As we move forward in an attempt to re-invision and re-interpret texts, images, memories, and meanings, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory re-minds me that not all is as it seems. There is much more behind the gates and under the soil than we know - a (w)hole system and interconnected environment. Our Konsult is an experiment. We have to be willing to imagine/image meanings that will help instigate awareness.
Our actions have affects - greed and desire can lead you astray...
(up the river/pipe without a paddle - entropy in action)
Yet, a good deed can shine in a weary world.
We have to know our role in the system - We are the theorists, the thinkers, the dreamers working to activate the literacy of electracy through aesthetics
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