Repost: Old, Old Stuff by anahata.c

Photography • Historical • posted on Oct 02, 2021

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sorry, technical gltich...I deleted my upload by mistake. I have a whale of a cold and am not at 100%---I don't have covid, but I feel I've been hit with a truck... Anyway: I thought this might be interesting since it's part of my art training (and we're all artists). I had to rewrite it, but it's mostly the same. Hope you find it interesting. ------------------ Recently, my graduate studies came up with several people---totally by chance. Barb/goldie was one, as I saw a post of hers that said she was an anthropologist. So I commented that I'd taken a few courses in her field when I was in gr. school. I also told her that her background shines through her art (which is magical and mystical). I was in grad school in the 1970s (university of chicago), and this was the first time I'd thought about grad school in years. So I went to my storage area and dug up my research materials; and, since my field was "the Interrelation of the Arts," I thought it might be interesting here... First, the images: (Top:) This is one of 4 file cabinet drawers packed with notes from my graduate studies. (You can't believe how much paper one accumulated before computers. And note cards too. Boxes of 'm...) (Bottom:) This is some of the music I used in my studies. (If you're interested, I used western classical, jazz, some folk traditions, the classical musics of India and the Middle East, and so on.) The scores are worn to a nub as you can see. You'll notice two masks too, which have nothing to do with my grad studies. But if you're interested, the top one is a Balinese dancer: Her headdress is a traditional 'wedding' crown, w/ numerous Hindu motifs. (See the "raindrop" on her forehead? That's the traditional "third eye of wisdom" from the hindu and buddhist traditions.) The bottom mask is a (rough-hewn) "Barong" mask---a spirit who chases away evil. Since someone once asked, the mask isn't blackface,: It's based on ancient asian prototypes, not american racial stereotypes. (The large red lips and bulging eyes brought blackface to mind, but that is not the intention of this mask.) But here's the crux: In grad school, I studied forms in four arts to find the common ties beneath them all. For example, I studied "line" in music, art, poetry, etc, and what they all have in common. Or how 'color' is experienced in music, art and literature. Or how brush strokes and rhythms have the same inner basis. We were trying to develop a catalogue of the forms of all the arts, to determine the archetypes, the core patterns that make up all artistic expression, even of thought and feeling. A kind of 'Rosetta Stone' of the soul. As you can see, this was way too massive: it required many people, more than a single degree, and a lifetime of research. I never completed it---I was working, trying to stay close to my then-girlfriend (who was studying painting at the time--we used to say grad school was a "relationship killer"), and building a small business on the side. Still, for all its too-big qualities, my grad work was some of the most exciting work of my life, and I felt blessed to be able to do it, and I try to draw on it every day. I just wanted to share---thanks for reading, people. I'll be back soon, and I hope you're all well, healthy and inspired, m ------------------

Comments (11)

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Richardphotos

11:03PM | Sat, 02 October 2021

I was in college during the mid sixties. memories can help us retain sanity or lack of the same. superb memories Mark. My mother threw away my college books when I was in California. I have nothing to show for my drafting days.

I enjoyed metallurgy and drafting was my favorite. Psychology was my least favorite. I was able to use drafting for drawing up plans for work several times

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UteBigSmile

2:11AM | Sun, 03 October 2021

I also have such a drawer, unfortunately there are also things hidden in it that I would rather not see every day, so it usually stays closed! I hope you are fine and wish you peaceful Sunday!

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Wolfenshire

7:20AM | Sun, 03 October 2021

I still make boxes and boxes of notes. Never trust a computer, it knows which notes you don't have on paper and will lose those files every time.

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eekdog

10:59AM | Sun, 03 October 2021

you have a cold? so do i. running nose like crazy and coughs. i tried commenting on this yesterday, but you removed it before i could. great clarity in this shot of your files and masks. wonder what that Bach file is and love those masks. my drawer has nothing like what you have mark. hope you get better my friend. love your description of your great shot. god bless you. / steve

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bakapo

7:28PM | Sun, 03 October 2021

I didn't go to college. I do have an entire house that looks like your filing cabinet, though. Why is it so hard to toss things out? Those masks are absolutely amazing, everything about them is fascinating. As an entire image, this collection is cool; the coloring is warm with all those yellows and golds, and the topic is filled with memories, stories, and lessons of life. This is a great glimpse into your life, thanks for sharing this!

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RodS

8:20PM | Sun, 03 October 2021

OMG... Just looking at all those notes packed into that drawer almost makes my head explode... And it's visual confirmation of your ability to see things in my artwork that I didn't even realize was in there. I always learn from your wonderful, thoughtful comments, Mark - and I can't begin to imagine the store of knowledge you have tucked away, my friend!

I used to have several file cabinets that looked like this (though the contents of those was not anywhere near as fascinating as what lives in yours..) until I picked up an Epson pass-through scanner. Now all that stuff is stored on pretty, silvery discs, and weighs a lot less! LOL

Those masks are pretty cool, and I love that you also have a treasure trove of musical history and information. It would be soooo cool to sit down with you for an afternoon's discussion and exploration of all things art.

Get better, buddy! Hope that nasty cold goes away, leaves you alone, and visits a few of our current political figures..

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JohnnyM

7:46PM | Mon, 04 October 2021

Thanks for giving us an insight into your wonderful art training, it sounds like you were in a program that you enjoyed a lot! I am impressed by how well you stayed organized, as its always nice when you can open a drawer and quickly find what you are looking for. Sometimes what one finds are pieces of you that were once lived or left behind, yet always the memories are triggered by what you find! I hope you are feeling better today and that nasty cold has started to rapidly disappear! :-)

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goodoleboy

3:36PM | Wed, 06 October 2021

Exquisite detail and lighting effects in these photos, Mark. I have drawer after drawer of stuff: envelopes, folders, artwork, etc., much of it looking out of place. And, sorry about your upper respiratory infection, ergo, take care of yourself.

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dochtersions

11:36AM | Wed, 13 October 2021

A whole life full of adventures and music, what more do you want, right? An excellent idea to make us part of this wealth. If I look this, I could write a book about it, putting excited about these heads, a creep novel about paper where rats kept their festivals; but unfortunately, I can't smell it, your treasures, plus it'sis private. So I have no rights, but admiring you, I can. Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend, and I dearly hope, that truck driving away quickly.