THE GREAT WHEEL isn’t only up and down, success or failure, it’s more of a turntable, like a lazy-Susan at a Chinese banquet, where the dishes come around periodically, and you can choose or not as things go by.
Or like, in many global mythologies, the Ouroboros, a snake đ biting its tale, the Circle of Life, re-incarnation, Infinity. But, not as simple as a wheel, more a moebius strip or knotted coil, where the path around is not obvious, and hidden.
I feel completed about the former work where a meme-like wrapper is put around a Sculptural Character, and which permits an allegory to be told. Then, there is documentation to social media, generally a post or brief video, much as you see here on the blog.âBut I won’t go further into the style of Reels and TikTok.âI’m not converting to that format.âI can’t make art to conform to a media style, any more than doing it to appeal to galleries, or get into shows.âI like reaching the audience that I can but won’t chase the audience.âIt does seem that all those Likes, Insights and Followers encourage you to do that.â
IG/YouTube/Facebook has changed a lot for me since the pandemic.âI’m less interested in there and the creators there.âThe formulas are set, and categories are simply routine.âThe whole scene is just tired. Besides, I think that AI will soon inundate the social medias with content, further driving the scarcity of original content like artist’s work. That’s not an area in which want to place my work or seek my audience.âI think that’s gone as far as it can for me. I should just spend time here on the blog.
I’m reminded that one need not engage with Contemporary Art and Media at all…âA rich and diverse living experience is available at all times from the legacy of all global culture for all times in history.âEnjoy what you like and be totally unaware of the rest.
Where did the Old Dragon go? - Searching his reflection in the waves, amidst explosions all around.
Why did he leave? -He was tired of the World.
Great Turtle
was once a sentient rock
who, through self-cultivation,
became animate.
Supporting the World
and Dragons both,
but is not themself
agile or nimble.
(Verse 1)
In a world askew, in chaos we stand,
The Dragon King's gone, lost in the sand.
Nothing's in balance, all hope seems so far,
Who'll hold up the world, like a shining star?
(Chorus)
Crocodile, brave and true,
Stepped up when the sky turned blue.
Said, "I'll take the chance, I'll give it a try,
Lift up the world, reach for the sky."
(Verse 2)
With a heart so bold, and courage untamed,
Crocodile stood tall, in the face of the flames.
"I'm the closest thing we've got," he declared,
As he climbed on the turtle, the world's weight he shared.
(Chorus)
Crocodile, brave and true,
Stepped up when the sky turned blue.
Said, "I'll take the chance, I'll give it a try,
Lift up the world, reach for the sky."
(Verse 3)
As he held the world, on the end of his snout,
A transformation occurred, there was no doubt.
He became a Dragon, with power untold,
A story of courage, in legends it's told.
(Chorus)
Crocodile, brave and true,
Stepped up when the sky turned blue.
Said, "I'll take the chance, I'll give it a try,
Lift up the world, reach for the sky."
(Outro)
In the style of Amine, this tale's been spun,
A Crocodile's journey, a battle hard-won.
With humility and heart, he soared so high,
Balancing the world, touching the sky.
The world had fallen out of balance. The Dragon King of the South Ocean is missing (Where did he go?) Nothing is on its axis. Who will hold up the world? There are no more Dragons. A Crocodile offers to try. He says, âI am large, and the closest thing to a Dragon. I will tryâ. He steps up onto the back of the Great Turtle and grasps the World And lifts it up and balances it on the end of his nose. As he does this he himself becomes a Dragon.
“Crocodile Balances the World and Becomes the Dragon King”Â
The world had fallen out of balance as the Dragon King of the South Ocean had gone missing (Where did he go?). Nothing remained in its proper axis, and there were no more Dragons to uphold the world.
Amidst the imbalance, a Crocodile stepped forward and offered to try. He stated, “I am large and the closest thing to a Dragon. I will give it a shot.” With determination, he mounted the back of the Great Turtle, seized the World, and carefully balanced it on the end of his nose.
In this selfless act, the Crocodile underwent a transformation, becoming a Dragon himselfâthe savior the world needed.
The style of this tale draws inspiration from my Bee micro-dramas, where the Crocodile embodies the role of an Everyman, earnestly striving to restore equilibrium to the World. His humility only enhances his noble efforts and aspirations.Â
The new studio was finished February. It turned out much better than I expected. “A.” seems mostly happy with it. We’ve named it El Jardin, “The Garden”, and it’s an incarnation of a Tango clubhouse. We’re now set up to host Tango events, art and music shows, house guests, and more. For the past months we’ve been running a twice-monthly practica with our neighborhood tango friends. It is a private space by, so we’ve working on a balanced policy about who’s invited to come there.
These pictures show the progress from Fall 2021 to Spring 2022. First the wood floor is installed then it is covered while the painting takes place. After that the floor is “finished” and then we’re dancing! (without countertops)…
matthew DG 