We humans are an imaginative lot. When the first light breezes of any sort of change comes rustling through our leaves, our imaginations go into high gear, filling our minds with images of worst possible scenarios. So we brace ourselves and struggle against the wind as it becomes stronger and stronger. Some of us topple over and some lose all our leaves as the wind’s intensity continues to grow.
But some of us set aside our fears and adjust to the wind. We give a bit and relax, finding a comfortable position to endure the wind and trusting that our roots will hold us fast.
We adjust and find that we stand as easily in the new day as we did in the days before.
Change is an inevitable force of nature. It is our adjustments to these tides of change that determine whether we fall or stand, fail or prosper.
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That’s just one reading for the new painting at the top which is titled, of course, Tides of Change. This 12″ by 36″ canvas will be at the Kada Gallery in Erie for the Gallery Talk there that takes place at 1 PM this Saturday, April 11. The talk and the drawing to win one of my paintings is open to all. So if you have a different take on this painting and want to share it, come down to the Kada Gallery on Saturday and we’ll talk.
I came upon this lovely animated film on Brain Pickingsthis morning. It’s titled Iterations and is produced by hitRECord, a global creative community and mulitmedia production company formed a decade ago by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. You might remember him as the teen Tommy on the sitcom Third Rock From the Sun but he has matured into a very fine actor and director with an eye for challenging material. His work at hitRECord falls into that category.
It’s a sweet film that concerns its self with self transformation, a theme that is visited often here on this blog. The idea that each phase, each new iteration, of our life is an experiment and that it is under constant recalibration appeals to me.
Change is a part of who we are. At least, I know it is part of who I am. For a while, I came to view it as a weakness, this need for constant change. I mistakenly thought that finding a state of being static was the answer. This little film reminds me that it is not.
Below is a description of the film along with the names of the many artists involved in its making from Gordon-Levitt and below the video are the lyrics to the tune. Hope you’ll enjoy.
“….are very pleased to present ITERATIONS — a short musical film to come out of our collaboration regarding ‘The Road.’ The road can represent many things including escapism, change, and personal growth. And, while many people may identify the themes of ‘The Road’ with artists like Jack Kerouac and others of the beat generation, the story told in ITERATIONS is a slightly different interpretation. Based on ‘The Journey of Jeanine’ by hitRECord artist, SophieRumi (Hungary) and developed in collaboration with mirtle (Cyprus), ITERATIONS tells the coming of age story of a girl’s sometimes difficult and sometimes reluctant path to adulthood. Jeanine has a guide (Wolfred the wolf) and gets help and support along her journey, but in the end must set off on her own path. The piece is set to Metaphorest’s (Scotland) wonderful song, ITERATIONS and orchestrated by Robo_J (USA). The eye-popping animation is provided by the incredibly talented artist, fajigajiga (Canada). The worldwide community of hitRECord artists provided additional illustrations and instrumentation.”
Have you seen my old self? I think I must have lost her I wonder if I cost her Her life?
Have you seen my second self? She seems to grow younger More delicate than ever But never better
I’m an experiment Each trial is a test Constant recalibration
I am recycled cells I learn to like myself more with each iteration
Where is my restore point? I found an old sore point All disjointed My file corrupted
Where is my replacement part? I need another new heart The other one’s beat was Interrupted
I am recycled cells I learn to like myself more with each iteration
I’m an experiment Each trial is a test Constant recalibration
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
