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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------The above images/text are pages that are in progress from the book that I am working on.
As the project continues to evolve the concept of the project evolves as well. I am beginning to see the project as a comment on 'religiosity'. I am approaching the concept without a premeditated 'agenda' or 'message'. Rather, I am emptying myself 'spiritually' into a place of discovery, where through the manifestation of art, I am able to tangibly express abstract/metaphysical ideas.
Comments or Questions about the above postings would be helpful in understanding how the viewer approaches the piece.
Tim,
ReplyDeleteI am very intrigued by what you have been developing here. The images and the words LOOK inviting, and LOOK like they want to be explored. When you initially look at the image you have an idea of what is going on, and then you read the words and you find out you weren't wrong in your judgement, but that there is more to it than meets the eye. This is interesting, because I think it relates back to religion. Religion is synonymous with faith. Faith is something you can't SEE, but something that if you believe, is always there. Faith goes a lot deeper than just believing in a certain God or gods. It is about believing in a higher power, something that beyond YOU, something that WE can't actually fully grasp or understand. These images say a lot about what we would like to understand, but do not. For example, (my personal favorite) the picture of the "soul." If you look at philosophical readings, there has always been debate about what happens to the soul after the body dies, and what the soul actually "is." I can give you some readings we've been looking at in my Ancient Philosophy class, that deal directly with the soul. You might be able to incorporate them in your work. I think what you're working with here is something that can go far, and you can develop a lot of material out of. Keep discovering more and experimenting with image and text. I look forward to seeing it.
Those are really captivating images. It's always kinda funny to see something like the almighty bible or koran advocating open violence. As well as the kind of confluence of all of these things, science and children versus religiosity and such.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'm wondering how all of it will be integrated as a whole. I think the images and the touch of humor keep it from being too heavy or perhaps stereotypically preachy. Personally I kind of glance over the scientific stuff until I get the drift, but I think in a sense it's sterility is offset by poems and offsets the prime religious focus, which hopefully means it spans that gap in audience.
The visual representation of the text is very inviting to me. The typewriter font and the black and white layout of the images gives the impression of an older scientific manual of some sort. The title fits in beautifully - "The Book of Man", an appellation with both scientific and religious connotations. So far on each page I'm seeing a balance of two often polarized concepts - Scientific illustrations paired with Poetry, a way of linking head and hands, the rational mind with the creative soul. The other pages link religous texts, usually an instruction or guideline, with contemporary action/consequence.
ReplyDeleteYou said you are turning more toward a theme of religiosity - the trend for peoples across the world to develop a belief system of some form. I'm looking forward to seeing texts from all sorts of holy books and scriptures, and I hope that while the consequences they are paired with do not shy away from the obvious terror and violence they have led to, that you also include pages in which teachings, from every religion, have also prompted good works. I hope to see the whole breadth of humanity, splayed out and examined in the cold, scientific, typewriter script: People who die for their beliefs - be it flying planes into buildings, or running into burning buildings to rescue others. People who act, good or bad or foolishly, because logic or self-preservation is overridden by the power of belief.
The pages look awesome so far. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Hey Tim!
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing project to be working on. I think the first thing that popped out at me was that it looks extremely professional. As for the material...very intriguing. I agree with the other comments about the scriptures. It's a risky move intertwining scripture with violence and then homosexuality on top of it but the way that you used different elements and styles to get across your point works. By mixing pictures with your text it really gives readers a feeling of connection to the piece as a whole. I think a song would go great with this. Or some sort of media to add to its versatility. It would just give another side to this textual project and one that I think would be powerful. I'm also interested to see if you track this story about the murder of the boy throughout the entire piece or if you just have different characters and situations to come. All around great job man and I look forward to seeing more. -Joey
I've never really gotten into writing my own visual poetry, mostly because I'm not very inclined in that direction, always leaned toward the audible over the visible. I have always been fascinated by those who are. You, sir, are one of those people. I enjoy the visual aspect. It's more immediate and has more of an impact than just the written word. I don't know why I seem to continuously rag on the written word, though! I have the utmost respect for those who can take a blank piece of paper and using only words can build worlds and then populate them with the MOST interesting characters. But I digress...
ReplyDeleteI think you're on the right track with this versus the original thing you talked about with the immigrant idea. Soul searching and religiosity are things I also find particularly fascinating, I'm very stuck on that topic myself for my final project. I wish I had some more constructive suggestions for you, but I think every person's quest for answers has to come from within their own searching and any suggestions I could make would make your own conclusions somewhat less, i don't know, you, maybe?
Timothy,
ReplyDeleteInteresting images. For the first one, I cannot read the text in the diagram, but I can make out right atrium. So given the diagram of a heart with its anatomical parts labeled above a poem, you've created a juxtaposition that seems to critique organized prayer. I think what matters here is that I'm thinking about it, and I'm interested in what you are saying as an artist. I'm curious about the inclusion of the word "sine". i wonder if you are saying that organized prayer is induced by a sort of equation (a blend of words and songs that are essentially repetitive-and familiar-sounds).
I like that I am having trouble articulating my understanding of these images. I think this is a good thing, because it points to the complexity of the images. The eye sees a lot, but surely I cannot sum up what I see in a logical, coherent sentence. We are encouraged to look closer, think about what we see, think about connections between image and text. I like the 3rd page, with the Leviticus quote. That the bible can promote such violence and hatred is very upsetting; the murder of the 15 year old teen is a literal manifestation of the quote, so putting the two together seems to say that parts of the bible are really distorted and fucked up. the good book is so championed, yet it validates, and encourages, the murder of the 15 year old boy.
I'd like to see your progress, as I think the nature of this project is fascinating. i am not familiar with the exact meaning of the term 'religiosity,' but I have pretty good idea. your last image takes us into the human interior. What I like about it: the language informs the image completely, b/c without the langauge, it's just an exclamation point and dark wiggles
God, so many comments on this one...yet so many things to say.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite authors is J.D Salinger( we hare a birthday) and one of my favorite books of his is Franny and Zooey. If you havent read it, go do so immediately. If you have, keep reading...
There's this theme throughout the book of "constant prayer" that Franny is trying to achieve. Your first image especially was reminiscent of that idea, with the prayer and the beat of the heart being a potentially simultaneous action. Then, to pair this idea with a scientific diagram of the heart...really cool ideas at work there.
Awesome job, keep it coming!