Archives for March 2014

"No one shows such a knowledge of God as he who says one can know nothing." Thomas Aquinas "I define “scientism” as the ideology of science, the way that science tells stories about itself, especially stories that are supportive of the social status quo." Curtis White I over heard a discussion not too long ago on the subject of aesthetics. It was of course related to film. And then I read another brief discussion the other day that took place on social media. What came out of both these discussions was what I think is a threshold phenomenon in how artworks, visual arts anyway, are percieved. It is almost as if certain images, certain tropes in narration, provide a sense of freshness, … [Read more...]

"The history of white people has led them to a fearful baffling place where they have begun to lose touch with reality – to lose touch, that is, with themselves… They do not know how this came about; they do not dare examine how this came about.” James Baldwin " A national culture under colonial domination is a contested culture whose destruction is sought in systematic fashion. It very quickly becomes a culture condemned to secrecy. This idea of clandestine culture is immediately seen in the reactions of the occupying power which interprets attachment to traditions as faithfulness to the spirit of the nation and as a refusal to submit. ... the oral tradition - stories, epics and songs … [Read more...]

"The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced." Tao Te Ching Lao Tzu "Doctors are no doubt correct in warning us not to touch wounds; and I am presumably taking chances in preaching as I do to a people which has long lost all sensitivity and, no longer conscious of its infirmity, is plainly suffering from mortal illness. Let us therefore understand by logic, if we can, how it happens that this obstinate willingness to submit has become so deeply rooted in a nation that the very love of liberty now seems no longer natural." Etienne de la Boetie The Politics of Obedience "Clear water all the way to the bottom; a fish swims like a fish." Master Dogen 13th century … [Read more...]

"Mystery is the essential element in any work of art" Luis Bunuel "The question remains as to why the government had need of it {war}, as to why it was necessary to impose the improbable reality of this lie. The reason was apparently to create consent in order to wage war. But why start a war if the danger was known not to be real? Out of anticipation? Due to possibly exaggerated feelings of insecurity? If remains necessary to invert the terms of the problem. Imagined feelings of insecurity did not neccessiate the war; the war was necessary to impose feelings of insecurity." Jacques Ranciere "The petty bourgeoisie is undoubtedly the social class most sensitive to the fascination of … [Read more...]

Gloucester : When shall I come to the top of that same hill? Edgar: You do climb up it now: look, how we labour. Gloucster: Methinks the ground is even. Edgar: Horrible steep. Hark, do you hear the sea? Gloucster: No, truly. Shakespeare, King Lear A few thoughts on space, and on the idea of teaching playwriting. I don't think its possible for writing courses, in theatre at least, to get things more wrong. This is born out by the quality of the plays coming out of University programs, and/or those being developed in big institutional theatres every year. The first thing that seems to have been forgotten is that theatre occupies, and simultaneously, creates a space. A place. … [Read more...]