|
| ||
| published November 2007 | ||
![]() | ||
|
To see more examples of Adi Da's art, please visit: |
Book Excerpt Transcendental Realism Section 6 "My Process of Creating Images"Part Two of "The Unobservable Totality of Light"
My process of creating images brings together two principal elements, in a complex approach. One is the comprehensive element of form, and the other is the element of fundamental content (or essential meaning). On the one hand, I constantly exercise the formal element, and, thus and so (and by means of an always spontaneously free process of improvisation), I strictly control and order the structure of the images I invent. On the other hand, I am, likewise constantly, intent upon maintaining and profoundly enlarging the characteristic of meaning. Indeed, the meaning-content is always primary. The meaning-context (rather than the formal context in and of itself) is always the "subject" to which I respond by making the any image I make. Therefore, the work I do with the formal aspects of an image must (I insist) always responsively coincide with the preservation and enlargement of the fundamental context of meaning — no matter how much of an abstraction the image may become in the formal process of improvisational invention. Consequently, the tension between meaning and form is fundamental to all the image-making work I do.
The idea (expressed by Cézanne, and by various other artists and artistic movements since the time of Cézanne) that artistically fashioned visual form is to be based on primary geometric elements has also been fundamental to the artistic training and familiarity I have developed with art, from the time that I was a boy. Indeed, if the deep process whereby the brain makes perception happen is profoundly felt and (thus) understood, then it can also be understood that the basis of the natural world's construction as perceptual experience is primary geometry, or elemental shape — curved, linear, and angular. Everything perceived is a structure that demonstrates the interaction of these three all-patterning forces of shape. The intrinsically unobservable (and, thus, unknowably complex) intersection of circles, squares, and triangles (or of curved, linear, and angular geometric, or geometrically-organizing, forces) makes (or structures and organizes) virtually every perceptible natural shape. The natural world itself is (inherently) a self-morphing and self-limiting construction (or a naturally improvised and spontaneously self-organizing art-form), formalized and fabricated by means of a plastic interaction between primary forces and structures — but the natural world is so complex in its combinations of root-forces of shaping-energy (and, thus, of primary geometries) that (except in some generalized and, generally, non-specific sense) the primaries are, characteristically, not perceived by any natural perceiver. However, it is altogether possible to tacitly feel that whatever is actually being perceived in any moment is something structured in the primary geometric manner, and that (consequently) all apparent complexity is based on very simple primary elements.
My image-art is (on this basis) a demonstration (by spontaneously responsive formal artistic means) of the naturally perceived world (or any naturally perceived "subject", or meaning-context) as multiples of primary geometries — always (in every instant of conjunction) intersecting with each other (often numerously, or even uncountably), such that the naturally perceptible resultant form is (itself) a unique and discretely perceptible structure of "meaningful form", wherein the root-geometries may (or may not) remain (themselves) discernible. My image-art is not (in any instance) merely a "something" in and of itself, or an "objective something" that has, in the conventional sense, "subjective" meaning that only I can understand or know. My images are about how Reality Is (in and of and As Itself), and, also, how Reality appears (as a construction made of primary shaping-forces) in the context of natural perception. My image-art is, therefore, not merely "subjectively" (or, otherwise, "objectively") based — but, rather, the images I make and do always tacitly and utterly coincide with Reality As It Is (Itself, and altogether). Therefore, I have called the process of the image-art I make and do "Transcendental Realism".
Reality (Itself, and, also, in the context of conditional, or perceptual, appearances) has (inherently, or As It Is) no "thing" in it, no "other" in it, no separate "self" in it, no ideas, no constructs in mind or perception, and, altogether, no "point of view". The irreducible paradox of unobservability and unknowability is the actual (Real) state of every one and every thing — even in the apparent context of all things arising. The living body inherently wants to Realize (or Be One With) the Matrix of life. The living body always wants (with wanting need) to allow the Light of Perfect Reality into the "room". Assisting human beings to fulfill that impulse is what I work to do by every act of image-art. My images are created to be a means for any and every perceiving, feeling, and fully participating viewer to "Locate" Fundamental and Really Perfect Light — the world As Light, all relations As Light, conditional (or naturally perceived) light As Absolute Light. My images, well-met, should bring tears to the eyes, restore laughter to the life, and, altogether, both show and give a perfect equanimity to the total world. The "room" is how and where the construction (or always illusory and temporary fabrication) of ego-"I" (or "point of view") and even all "locality" happens. Ultimately, when "point of view" is transcended, there is no longer any "room" (or any separate "location" and separate "self") at all — but only Love-Bliss-"Brightness", limitlessly felt, in vast unpatterned Joy. Adidam Revelation Magazine - Home Page
— from The Dawn Horse Press —
Transcendental Realism
The Image-Art of egoless Coincidence with Reality Itself by Adi Da Samraj Adi Da's own writings on the methods and purposes of His art. A collection of thirteen essays by Adi Da Samraj, written to appear in conjunction with the 2007 collateral exhibition at the Venice Biennale. Quality paperback, 104 pages plus insert with 18 color illustrations. $19.95 | |
| Find an Adidam Event Near You
Home :: Love and Blessings :: From the Editor :: Multi-Media :: Book Excerpts :: Features |
||