Upcoming Posts

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve had a lot of topics come up that I want to write about. In order to keep myself on task about cleaning those ideas up, I’m giving this little preview of upcoming topics.

All of these topics will be relating to the general theme of ‘what’s next?’, reflecting the general trends I see in culture and the arts.

The Themes (da-da-da-dum…)

  • US Politics
    Politics: One of the Big Three taboo subjects that are always talked about, I want to take a look at what we’re learning from the incredibly extended presidential race and some recent state elections as well. This post will end with a segment that ties very closely to my next topic…
  • Christian Cross
    Religion: Number two in the taboo category. In a similar vein to politics, I’m going to take a look at some of the general movements that are happening among my peers and in Christian leadership. There are some not-so-surprising-but-still-surprising ideas that are cropping up more and more. Specifically, I want to examine some of the things that relate Christianity to the changing of generations and cultural backlash.
  • Mime Face
    Art: Skipping to something a little less taboo, but no less awkward than the traditional third topic. There are couple things I want to relate that I’ve been learning/identifying for the past few months. Particularly in regard to how the transition from student to professional is taking place. Also, I want to mention a few points of a growing movement that is simmering behind the tatters of postmodernism.
  • Two-headed Turtle
    Bringing it all together: This is actually what is prompting the whole themed posting idea. I’ve been seeing some unifying themes between these various subjects lately. There is a lot that I want start to identify where these three things intersect and how they are reflecting a general change in culture and social interactions.

Whew. I think I just jumped in way over my head, but I’m determined to go out kicking.

One final note. None of the ideas I will be expressing are gospel truth to me (well, aside from THE Gospel). I not only welcome comments on all of the above topics, but I want to go ahead and ask for them. You’ll see why in my bit on politics.

Well, here’s hoping I finish these sometime before the Second Coming.

To Be or Not To Be… That is the Post

It’s been a while since I posted, not because I forgot, but because there’s been a lot going on recently. I won’t go into details, but I’m going to try to put some ‘fruits’ of the week up here.

To begin, I would like to start by offering you a podcast. I’ve recently begun listening to all sorts of NPR productions and I’m loving it. If you can stand to listen to something besides your current favorite band, give these guys a listen.

A Favorite Story

This American Life is a particular favorite of mine. In short: it’s amazing. An hour-long broadcast of stories, some fiction, most true that are just great listens. I’m posting a broadcast this show did on a prison putting on Act V of Hamlet.

Here’s a short description.

Hamlet SchoolThat’s right. A medium-security prison performing Hamlet. It’s real.

I won’t go into details of the show because it must be heard. Succinctly put, this is like a real life version of ‘Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?’ only with Shakespeare.

I couldn’t manage to work things so you could play the podcast here, but you’re only two clicks away if you go to the show’s website and look for the ‘full episode’ link down the left side of the description.Act V cast

Pure awesomeness set aside, it’s a great thought-stirrer for those artsy/theatrical thinkers out there.

Pure awesomeness added back on, it’s a great thought-stirrer plus awesomeness. It’s a killer whale!

Glued Together on Common Ground

I just finished reading an excellent post by Chad Miller about the future of the arts. Chad and I have had many conversations regarding this subject before and I believe he has set the stage for some excellent thoughts on the subject.

The Cyclic Viewpoint

nautiluscutawayspiral.jpgChad takes a look at movements in the arts from a cyclical perspective. Specifically, he uses a ‘redemption cycle’ analogy that compares the philosophical underpinnings of art and culture to other cycles in man’s history. His view is that we are going to see a change in these areas that amounts to ‘putting the pieces back together’.

Adding to what Chad has already put forth, I would like to point out that the cycle he mentions is not without precedent. Although we are in a ‘postmodern’ world currently, similar views have been held by previous cultures – most notably the Romans. One has only to compare the mechanics behind ‘American Idol’ the gladiator arenas to see how similar our two civilizations are.

The fact that a thousand years separates the Roman existentialism from the modern version should clue us in to the fact that there must be a change following. Unfortunately for us, the change for the Romans was the decline of their civilization and the wild Middle Ages.

A Different Outcome

While I don’t think it is possible for a second period of the ‘Dark Ages’ to occur today, I do see the potential for our culture’s ruin. Again historical similarities point out the corollary between the Germanic tribes to the radical Islamists.

roman-coliseum_.jpgSo, what does this have to do with Chad’s ideas? Simple. Chad puts forth the option of redemption vs ruin. In a way unlike the Romans, we have the opportunity to put our ‘broken vase’ of postmodernism back together. This is not to say that we will recreate a classical ideal. However, we can create a new set of standards that address the shortcomings of postmodern assumptions.

The Challenge

Horizon FlareThe challenge I want to lay down is to forge ahead. The problems are too easily seen to be ignored, and postmodernism has given us an enormous boon for the next step: research.

We can view postmodernists’ work as a huge archive of experience and knowledge – they tried almost everything. Some of it worked, some didn’t but all of it can inform our construction of the next step. I don’t pretend to know what that next step will be, but I can say we have taken the preliminary steps toward this ‘fusion’ of postmodern discoveries.

The trick is to build that step one person at a time. Each individual, whether they are aware of their postmodern heritage or not, is capable of finding common ground – empathy if nothing else. My personal art form is built upon creating hybrid techniques, and I am not a singular example of cross-training.

So find that common ground. How can you glue people together?

In a cloud far, far away…

This is just hysterical

Darth Vader Balloon

This brings a new perspective to the whole Star Wars phenomenon. We can construe this balloon to be a social commentary on Star Wars, while at the same time promoting enjoyment. I see Star Wars as an experience providing momentary joys through fantasy and geekiness. However, internally I always remember that this happiness is only skin-deep and that ultimately Star Wars is full of nothing but empty rhetoric… or hot air.

Take take that Lucas! I only memorized half of the Expanded Universe content!

Movin’ Right Along

So, I am now about 1200 miles from Jackson, MS. I have spent the past three days mostly driving that distance.

I love the open road – especially the mornings. There’s a great sense of purpose and adventure when you’re rolling down the highway with cool morning air blowing through the open window. I really enjoyed the trip, but that’s not to say that I wasn’t tired by the end of it. Last night I slept VERY well.

Now I’m in Rochester, NY – ready to start my search for housing and a part-time job in preparation for starting work with PUSH next week. Hopefully, at least the housing part won’t take long and I’ll be able to spend this week settling in.

It’s funny trying to update a blog after a long trip like that. I had an enormous amount of time to myself when many thought crossed my head. On the flip side of that road, after I pull into the last driveway, I really don’t have much to say about it. Strange.

You would think I would be bursting with profound thoughts or questions I can’t answer, but I’m not. I think most of what I experienced on the lonely road could be equated to a sorting of my life. It wasn’t so much of adding to my experiences as identifying them and categorizing, making sense of a great many things. Boil it down and I arrive at Rochester ready to start on the next phase with a largely de-fragmented brain.

Movin’ Right Along…!