Here are the four paintings in the recent 3' x 3' Knotwork series. Although I've been living with various renderings of these knots for almost twenty years, this is the first time and place where I've articulated the idea(s) behind these designs.
The most obvious of the subtle ideas is this: together, these knots represent the fundamental and Systematic elements necessary to nurture a sustainable relationship with Music.
These elements also map generally to the four quadrants of a certain Music System that has also been in public circulation since the late seventies. If these paintings were to hang together at 6' x 6' in a gallery, the best 24/7 soundtrack to accompany them might be Let the Power Fall.
Here is my own, semi-clunky, semi-poetic, raw description of what these images mean to me:
Capacity represents the discipline and drive required to move from potential to actualization of our aim. The Crimson color represents the Royal ingredient that separates the significant from the arbitrary and mundane. The five terms represent our relationship to inner and outer, potential and actual.
Commerce represents the investment, transactions, and transformation required to sustain relationships necessary to our aim. The Gold color represents that most-conductive and valuable element of and from the earth. The seven terms represent the currency of music in seven notes of the diatonic scale, as well as the active transformations that occur between energies and currencies.
Craft represents the body of techniques and process available to help us reach our aim. The Blue color represents all that is true Blue, from and as limitless as the sky and heavens. The nine terms represent a completing process.
Community represents the body of people and relationships required to help us reach our aim. The Red color represents the life-blood and sacrifices required to work in Groups. The twelve terms represent the ideal society.
Each of these knots has a common overlapping Alpha and Omega at their origin. And each symbol can act as a sort of non-verbal but visible bull's eye reminder of these four pillars that Work together to characterize, support and sustain the Musical Life.
* * *
Not Unrelated: In 1999, Elliott Smith wrote a beautiful song called "Everything Means Nothing To Me" -- and many know that Elliott committed suicide on 10/22/2003. The poor guy had Commerce, Craft, and Community -- but he had little Capacity to sustain himself beyond 34 years.
On January 10th, 2005, I wrote a song for Elliott (who I only ever saw and met once in person, 1996 in Redmond Washington -- but his performance left a life-long impression) called Everything Means Something To Me.
There may or may not be an objective Meaning of Life, but I believe that there is ample meaning in life that is not arbitrary or hidden beyond our ability to find it -- it is often hidden right before our eyes, often in the most mundane places.
Need to find some meaning right now, in this moment? Do something kind, necessary, and unexpected for someone else, and it will come flooding in like Seattle rain.
* * *
Post-Painting Idea: after posting these paintings in this form, I also see that, together, they could represent a beautiful CD cover. I wonder if I know any musicians or 40 year old bands releasing new CDs this year?
Production Note: these dink-oid 2D photos don't really capture the actual 3D nature of the silver lines, but perhaps an embossed paper cover would help capture the physical essence of the actual paintings?
* * *
Recent Comments