Welcome back to Code Of Posture! (it refuses to die.)
This blog was started as a means to retool my sanity. The full potential of C.O.P. has been accessed a few times over the past few years, and my mental and physical state are aging well because of this. You see; this blog is a resource for: reflection, guidance, sorting things out, finding definition, deconstruction and construction, accepting anger and finding peace. This blog has allowed me to throw ideas at the wall to see what sticks. Sometimes when things stick it's because they are gross, and a new perspective is gained!
My interests shift at an alarming rate and C.O.P. is helping to set a nice pace for me as I evolve. At some point C.O.P. itself evolved and mutated and birthed my other blog Almost Naught! All of this is happening as naturally as I ever could have hoped. The evolution of the blog(s) is undoubtedly carrying my art productivity to unprecedented levels.
With this post I'm urging you to flip through some of my old posts (I find it interesting to start with the first post and move in chronological order from there- but do your thing.) Sometimes it's very therapeutic for me to do the same every-now-and-then. You can read about the universe, learn some of my secrets, and maybe, most importantly, trigger a new stage of evolution in your own life. Go! Go! Go!
Monday, November 18, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
CONTROL
"...these quasi autonomous creations play out complex patterns of behavior in which deviation and individuality balance determinism and repetition," is a line gleaned from a description of artist Zimoun's installation pieces. The pieces consist of large arrangements of cardboard boxes with tiny whirring motors attached to selected surfaces of the boxes. The motors are triggered by sensors that can sense the viewer in the vicinity of each motor; ultimately creating multitudes of buzzing acoustic cardboard chambers. But so what?
It's understandable that a layperson amongst such an abstract installation would blurt out, "I don't get it..." or, "Cut the crap. This is just a pile of boxes with buzzers glued to them!" but it's also understandable that the artist was intending to represent an intriguing complex subject in an unusual way, either with the materials at hand or materials most challenging for the same expression, I'm not particularly sure. (not to mention it's actually visually stunning.) OR! more simply: Art imitates life.
Let's also be clear that when it is expressed that "art imitates life" this does not pertain only to realist portraiture that wants to but can never be alive. Art also imitates life in perhaps just as desperate a way, but a way where in some instances it truly does come alive!
If the pile of boxes with motors glued to them can really 'play out patterns of behavior... etc' then is it not doing that? Those are systems found daily and historically and universally in mechanical and natural happenings... life. Zimoun has found his way of pinning down this otherwise cageless and formless spirit. Ironically this may mean that art is actually a meandering science. Once an artist has mastered and experimented with their mediums they can finally have control and be able to dismantle their own ideas, confident that they can be put back together again. Much like a child would destroy a watch or some fragile mechanical device; Curiosity matures into awareness. One may even become so aware of the components that a completely different device could be made from the available gears and springs.
These resources and materials are available to artists at every glance of the world around us. Artists are limitless with how we can experiment with life itself. We can not only manipulate life, but we can also evoke emotion and create clumsy models that perform just as confidently as a clumsy human.
It's understandable that a layperson amongst such an abstract installation would blurt out, "I don't get it..." or, "Cut the crap. This is just a pile of boxes with buzzers glued to them!" but it's also understandable that the artist was intending to represent an intriguing complex subject in an unusual way, either with the materials at hand or materials most challenging for the same expression, I'm not particularly sure. (not to mention it's actually visually stunning.) OR! more simply: Art imitates life.
Let's also be clear that when it is expressed that "art imitates life" this does not pertain only to realist portraiture that wants to but can never be alive. Art also imitates life in perhaps just as desperate a way, but a way where in some instances it truly does come alive!
If the pile of boxes with motors glued to them can really 'play out patterns of behavior... etc' then is it not doing that? Those are systems found daily and historically and universally in mechanical and natural happenings... life. Zimoun has found his way of pinning down this otherwise cageless and formless spirit. Ironically this may mean that art is actually a meandering science. Once an artist has mastered and experimented with their mediums they can finally have control and be able to dismantle their own ideas, confident that they can be put back together again. Much like a child would destroy a watch or some fragile mechanical device; Curiosity matures into awareness. One may even become so aware of the components that a completely different device could be made from the available gears and springs.
These resources and materials are available to artists at every glance of the world around us. Artists are limitless with how we can experiment with life itself. We can not only manipulate life, but we can also evoke emotion and create clumsy models that perform just as confidently as a clumsy human.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
PABLO AND ME
In addition to framing an original Juan Miro; a few months back I had the honor of framing an original Pablo Picasso. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to capturing a photo of it until it was all bagged up and ready to go back to the customer.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
CHICKEN SOUP
Today is approximately day 5 of recovering from having the flu. There were two really strong days of chills, body aches, sinus problems and a deep cough (cough still persisting DAMN IT!) Now I'm just afraid to go outside in the 'perfect for getting sick again'-rainy gross weather. My immune system has not been strong this past winter and I'm not quite sure why. I exercise regularly and I eat healthy foods. I have a moderately active life walking to and from work and running back and forth at work for 8 hours. Could it be lingering stress?
My life is great and I generally don't make it through a day without laughing and smiling. Good things happen to me often enough that I'm really being somewhat rude if I ever allow some dark areas of my life to overshadow the light. The gloomiest corners of my mind are host to ridiculous things like jealously and bitterness. I'm Jealous and bitter that friends have more artistic success or liberties than I have. My own "lack of success" being of my own design, of course. I also worry that I've not yet graduated to an honest "adult" status since I often can't/don't pay my bills! Yet here I sit in front of my computer not doing much to change my life, and instead I pitifully reflect in hopes to gain some sympathy(?)
My girlfriend is also considering a job in New York, and the place of potential employment has had her on stand-by for months now since her first interview. Will we be moving to New York soon? Can I afford it? Will I miserably fail my own girlfriend with my lack of preparation for such a move? and why have I been asking myself this for months and am not looking for more work to afford such a change? Do I even deserve the good life that I have? Am I actually a baby? ... and so on...
Of course my girlfriend tells me not to worry, and my parents tell me I impress them with my independence; but, what do I think about me? I know I can be impressive and confident, but I have pretty high standards for myself, and when those standards are not met, I guess I simply stop trying sometimes. Then my will power gives out a little, and my finances shrink, and my confidence glazes over, and then stress surfaces and illness finds me and I want to hide under the covers.
Tomorrow I will remove the covers and go back to work after missing 3 days. I will be catching up on production all the while mindfully monitoring the congestion in my chest. If I'm so good at reminding myself to keep my chin up and look forward, then what piece of the puzzle am I missing that could really take me there... Up and out... *cough*
My life is great and I generally don't make it through a day without laughing and smiling. Good things happen to me often enough that I'm really being somewhat rude if I ever allow some dark areas of my life to overshadow the light. The gloomiest corners of my mind are host to ridiculous things like jealously and bitterness. I'm Jealous and bitter that friends have more artistic success or liberties than I have. My own "lack of success" being of my own design, of course. I also worry that I've not yet graduated to an honest "adult" status since I often can't/don't pay my bills! Yet here I sit in front of my computer not doing much to change my life, and instead I pitifully reflect in hopes to gain some sympathy(?)
My girlfriend is also considering a job in New York, and the place of potential employment has had her on stand-by for months now since her first interview. Will we be moving to New York soon? Can I afford it? Will I miserably fail my own girlfriend with my lack of preparation for such a move? and why have I been asking myself this for months and am not looking for more work to afford such a change? Do I even deserve the good life that I have? Am I actually a baby? ... and so on...
Of course my girlfriend tells me not to worry, and my parents tell me I impress them with my independence; but, what do I think about me? I know I can be impressive and confident, but I have pretty high standards for myself, and when those standards are not met, I guess I simply stop trying sometimes. Then my will power gives out a little, and my finances shrink, and my confidence glazes over, and then stress surfaces and illness finds me and I want to hide under the covers.
Tomorrow I will remove the covers and go back to work after missing 3 days. I will be catching up on production all the while mindfully monitoring the congestion in my chest. If I'm so good at reminding myself to keep my chin up and look forward, then what piece of the puzzle am I missing that could really take me there... Up and out... *cough*
Saturday, February 23, 2013
MIRO IMAGE
The below image is of me holding an original Miro. Indeed I am holding it ever so carelessly without gloves or anything. As a matter of fact it felt appropriate to be so nonchalant for some reason which I can't yet understand.
A customer dropped this off at my job to be custom framed. I suppose my coworker somewhat blindly took the order, but I later filed the paper work with the art work and then noticed the signature; Miro. I then noticed the signature was shiny, the way graphite is shiny. My heart started to beat a little faster. "I think this is an original Miro," I stated out loud to whomever was or wasn't around. After a few minutes of visual- and some very subtle physical- forensic analysis I decided to call the customer for confirmation.
It's an original alright! This piece may not be an example of Miro's best work, but in it's own little way it's still quite the celebrity to me. What a special thing it is to have an intimate experience like this with the work of a very special artist. I am humbled and excited at once.
A customer dropped this off at my job to be custom framed. I suppose my coworker somewhat blindly took the order, but I later filed the paper work with the art work and then noticed the signature; Miro. I then noticed the signature was shiny, the way graphite is shiny. My heart started to beat a little faster. "I think this is an original Miro," I stated out loud to whomever was or wasn't around. After a few minutes of visual- and some very subtle physical- forensic analysis I decided to call the customer for confirmation.
It's an original alright! This piece may not be an example of Miro's best work, but in it's own little way it's still quite the celebrity to me. What a special thing it is to have an intimate experience like this with the work of a very special artist. I am humbled and excited at once.
Friday, January 11, 2013
BIRTHDAY BUDDHA
The lady came through again for my birthday... *ahem* HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ME!
One of my amazing gifts was a fourth generation Buddha Machine. If you aren't familiar with the Buddha Machine, they are somewhat hard to describe despite their simplicity. The little rascal's creators, Christiaan Virant and Zhang Jian are a music/design duo based in China. The two create minimal meditative music that loops seamlessly and repeatedly. Nine of these simple compositions are then housed in a little plastic box with a built-in speaker. Other features of the box include an eighth-inch jack (for headphones and such) and two control dials; one for volume and one for pitch shifting. The pitch shift ability is an amazingly intimate feature as you can really tune the music in to your own frequency to find that perfect harmony between man and his machine!
Not only is this a unique and wonderful gift idea for anyone, but it is a splendid therapy and could be the key to severe peace for everyone.
One of my amazing gifts was a fourth generation Buddha Machine. If you aren't familiar with the Buddha Machine, they are somewhat hard to describe despite their simplicity. The little rascal's creators, Christiaan Virant and Zhang Jian are a music/design duo based in China. The two create minimal meditative music that loops seamlessly and repeatedly. Nine of these simple compositions are then housed in a little plastic box with a built-in speaker. Other features of the box include an eighth-inch jack (for headphones and such) and two control dials; one for volume and one for pitch shifting. The pitch shift ability is an amazingly intimate feature as you can really tune the music in to your own frequency to find that perfect harmony between man and his machine!
Not only is this a unique and wonderful gift idea for anyone, but it is a splendid therapy and could be the key to severe peace for everyone.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON LIVING
Melanie Hoch bought me an incredible album for Christmas; Kreng's Works for Abatoire Ferme 2007-2011. Within the past twenty-four hours this frankensteined masterpiece has become my favorite album (I'll consider all four 12" LPs and the 10" record in the box set to be one complete album.) Thank You, Mel, for being an amazing friend and sharing a very wonderful 2012 with me.
For everyone who reads C.O.P: You might absolutely want to listen to this...
For everyone who reads C.O.P: You might absolutely want to listen to this...
Monday, December 24, 2012
"CHRISTMAS TIME TRAVELER" RETURNS SAFELY TO POST-12-21-12-CHRISTMAS EVE! (AGAIN?)
Merry Christmas, Everyone! And Happy Birthday , Mithra, you old fart (not the Son of God, but the God of the Sun- whose birthdate was lent to Christianity in order to nail down a day for the merry-making we know today to be Christmas)
Christmas certainly does garishly mark the passing of a year for me and most Americans. Even New Year's Eve/Day doesn't have a marketing campaign that completely envelopes the senses the way Christmas does. We always seem surprised that Christmas is here again, and that it's over so quickly, and then we're quick to look forward to Spring and Summer. I remember teasing a friend, who was exhausted from the holidays at the start of the year, by saying, "Before you know it, it will be Christmas again!" I feel that just by repeating that phrase in my head now, I have managed to somehow skip those 360 days and here I am back on Christmas Eve. I time traveled! Even the same tree found its way into my living room, and if it wasn't for a few new ornaments on that tree I could almost assume I traveled back in time. Yes, Christmas is here again. Familiar holiday sights, sounds, and smells have been assaulting me for over a month now and I can only hope to make it safely back to my time machine to do it all again next year... or last year... or maybe on another planet...
Saturday, December 22, 2012
NUTS ABOUT DROSE
Drose is a band from Akron Ohio and they have problems. The music is irritated and distressed. The singer is scared and may be a ghost. I love the minimal complexities of the instrumentation (and how that oxymoronic description embodies said tension). The singer pretty much displays the same cadence in each track, but it's a style that's pretty unique so I allow it to do it's haunting on me.
Hear for yourself! click here!
Also, kudos to the band for making one of the creepiest album covers. Look at that thing!
Hear for yourself! click here!
Also, kudos to the band for making one of the creepiest album covers. Look at that thing!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
THE END
The Mayan calendar ends on the fast approaching 21st of December, 2012. Does this mean the world as we know it is going to come to an end? No. It's certainly more likely that I'll be filing my taxes come February.
Suppose, just for the sake of this post, that the world is going to end on Friday the 21st and maybe we're even as ill-prepared as ever. How can one say his goodbyes to everything? If you're made aware of your own passing; you can muster up some noble form of reflection, but knowing that everything will be gone along with you is a different breed of eternity.
My long farewell would go something like this:
Does a peace need to be made now? Or will it be made regardless? Will my enemies finally face their doom? Or will I just think about them a lot less? I won't miss my loved ones. That seems to make the most sense of all. Don't miss your loved ones. Friends, Family, Pets; they have connected with, and not missed, you. Beautiful architecture that I have not hardly begun to understand will finally be relieved of its duty. All color will turn off the light and sleep in an abyss of non-color and the abyss itself will suddenly be nothing more than awake. Goodbye to every small item on the far side of this planet, and at the far edge of this universe, to where I never travelled. Were those items ever real? or were they only illusions? Now they are as real as gods and I too will soon be that real. Although, anything that might survive to bear my footprint would remember the impact as having lacked any god-like oomph. Goodbye silly words like 'oomph'. Goodbye.
Suppose, just for the sake of this post, that the world is going to end on Friday the 21st and maybe we're even as ill-prepared as ever. How can one say his goodbyes to everything? If you're made aware of your own passing; you can muster up some noble form of reflection, but knowing that everything will be gone along with you is a different breed of eternity.
My long farewell would go something like this:
Does a peace need to be made now? Or will it be made regardless? Will my enemies finally face their doom? Or will I just think about them a lot less? I won't miss my loved ones. That seems to make the most sense of all. Don't miss your loved ones. Friends, Family, Pets; they have connected with, and not missed, you. Beautiful architecture that I have not hardly begun to understand will finally be relieved of its duty. All color will turn off the light and sleep in an abyss of non-color and the abyss itself will suddenly be nothing more than awake. Goodbye to every small item on the far side of this planet, and at the far edge of this universe, to where I never travelled. Were those items ever real? or were they only illusions? Now they are as real as gods and I too will soon be that real. Although, anything that might survive to bear my footprint would remember the impact as having lacked any god-like oomph. Goodbye silly words like 'oomph'. Goodbye.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
STUDENT LOANS
Student loans haunt me every day and they are impossible to pay. Hey, that rhymes! But seriously, I make around ten dollars and some change an hour; Take some taxes out of that and my income is basically minimum wage. Sure, my job as a custom framer and printer is stimulating enough. My work environment also encourages me to do the art that I love, and for the first time in my life I have a decent full-time benefits package, but quite simply I do not make enough money to pay rent and bills and groceries AND pay $250 dollars a month for student loans. The math is just not there. So I resort to a bit of dreaming. I've always been good at drawing but, hell, I'm even better at dreaming! I dream of winning the lottery (even though I don't play the lottery, but that one time I do, my number will definitely hit and I'll be an instant millionaire!) I dream my art will get recognized (even though my art is in a stack on the floor in my room, because even with my employee discount, I can't afford to get all of my pieces framed to prepare for a show) and I dream other dreams that also make everything okay.... sigh...
When I started this blog I was in a pretty low point of my life, but I managed to breathe and think positively and think thoroughly, and that helped me grow a lot and keep a clear and healthy mind and body. I still breathe and will not let the pressure of student loans destroy me. The responsibility is another subject, and I'm working on keeping the ball in my court. Good luck to everyone who faces the same dilemma that I am facing. It can really make you feel vulnerable and worthless at times, but that is exactly how you should not let it win. Keep your chin up, breathe, find good ways to make money to feed that hungry dragon, and stay happy. If I can do it, so can you!
When I started this blog I was in a pretty low point of my life, but I managed to breathe and think positively and think thoroughly, and that helped me grow a lot and keep a clear and healthy mind and body. I still breathe and will not let the pressure of student loans destroy me. The responsibility is another subject, and I'm working on keeping the ball in my court. Good luck to everyone who faces the same dilemma that I am facing. It can really make you feel vulnerable and worthless at times, but that is exactly how you should not let it win. Keep your chin up, breathe, find good ways to make money to feed that hungry dragon, and stay happy. If I can do it, so can you!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
SERIOUSLY. THE F?
On my other blog Almostnaught.blogspot.com I have been posting pictures of my creations. Lately, my inky brush strokes have taken on the form of, what I call, bubble people. I made one particular picture of my bubble people black-and-white and posted it as my Facebook profile picture. My co-worker Jesse saw this and was reminded of a Jan Svankmajer animated short. I'm pretty sure Jesse hadn't even seen the color version of my image but the likeness, in both black-and-white and color, is certainly there in the first two parts of Svankmajer's film. I can only hope that I'm channeling this genius somehow...
Thursday, August 9, 2012
DON'T WORRY...
...Be happy.
Today I visited the Institute of Contemporary Art to see a show by graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. I recommend that anyone who has the chance go see it! The theme was happiness and boy did it ever deliver. Interesting perspectives, challenges, and motivational tag lines bombard the visitor from the moment you enter the exhibit; ultimately resulting in a fulfilling and thought-provoking experience.
If you don't make it there, you can at least watch a bit of Stefan here:
http://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_shares_happy_design.html
Today I visited the Institute of Contemporary Art to see a show by graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. I recommend that anyone who has the chance go see it! The theme was happiness and boy did it ever deliver. Interesting perspectives, challenges, and motivational tag lines bombard the visitor from the moment you enter the exhibit; ultimately resulting in a fulfilling and thought-provoking experience.
If you don't make it there, you can at least watch a bit of Stefan here:
http://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_shares_happy_design.html
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
ALCHEMY
.JPG)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
HAPPY BELATED, C.O.P.!
Monday, June 18, 2012
JUDGEMENT DAY
Somehow I've managed through my other blog- Almost Naught- to become enthusiastic about making art, thus I've been neglecting C.O.P. for some time. A fair sacrifice. My art is evolving and my mind is expanding. I'm a self-proclaimed over-thinker, so an expanding mind needs to be heavily monitored or else it will run rampant.
For example: I've noticed my sensitivity level has risen in the past month. My boss has encouraged my department to do better with sales and production and I've been taking these encounters very personally; which isn't the case(?) My girlfriend has heard me whining about needing more of her attention; which is not even really my style! And I've placed plenty of ill-judgement on the heads of strangers and friends and family alike. Just as likely as a good thought may spiral down, I can still breath and make the bad times spiral up. The spirals are just feeling a little wobbly. I'm a touch out of whack. More so than normal? Not so sure, but I have been made aware of it.
So might I suggest that you bear with me as I sort and file my scattered brain? As always, you really don't have to do anything but enjoy the show... maybe strike the gong when you've seen or heard enough!
For example: I've noticed my sensitivity level has risen in the past month. My boss has encouraged my department to do better with sales and production and I've been taking these encounters very personally; which isn't the case(?) My girlfriend has heard me whining about needing more of her attention; which is not even really my style! And I've placed plenty of ill-judgement on the heads of strangers and friends and family alike. Just as likely as a good thought may spiral down, I can still breath and make the bad times spiral up. The spirals are just feeling a little wobbly. I'm a touch out of whack. More so than normal? Not so sure, but I have been made aware of it.
So might I suggest that you bear with me as I sort and file my scattered brain? As always, you really don't have to do anything but enjoy the show... maybe strike the gong when you've seen or heard enough!
Monday, May 21, 2012
ALMOST IS OVER THERE!
Almost Naught is my new blog. Click that link and you and I will both try to keep up!
Thanks and enjoy.
Thanks and enjoy.
Monday, April 30, 2012
NUTS ABOUT EMPTYSET!
This is the fourth installment of Nuts About __(previous posts: 1, 2, &3).
Emptyset are soon releasing their new EP titled Medium. This Bristol duo always puts out well-produced heavy-as-hell minimal electronic music. Presently, I can't think of another modern act that can compete for my adoration. Listen for yourself! If you know anything about bass music, then you should certainly be impressed. If the sound is too foreign to you, don't give up, just concentrate on exactly what it is you're hearing.
Emptyset are soon releasing their new EP titled Medium. This Bristol duo always puts out well-produced heavy-as-hell minimal electronic music. Presently, I can't think of another modern act that can compete for my adoration. Listen for yourself! If you know anything about bass music, then you should certainly be impressed. If the sound is too foreign to you, don't give up, just concentrate on exactly what it is you're hearing.
Monday, April 23, 2012
(T)ART
After a couple years of Code of Posture being an insightful, if not a bit aimless, blog which has regurgitated the randomness that pops in and out of my brain, I've noticed a trend laced into my last five or so entries. Art. My art, even. I'll have you know, with this blog, I had no early intention of showcasing my art here. I'll have you also know that I'm still a bit wary of using C.O.P. as such a tool, and I'm certainly keeping a watchful eye on myself to make sure I don't go too far out of bounds. I'd be slightly terrified to know the public- friends and family alike- are getting too close. That's just how I am.
This is not my art. Just a snapshot from my television screen.
So, in all fairness, here is a heads-up and an unlikely invitation to look at what I've done. The extension of an invitation seems appropriate since even I almost didn't realize this was happening.
This is not my art. Just a snapshot from my television screen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)