exit through the gift shop

i recommend it. brings up a lot of interesting aspects of art, including the problem of its value.

^_^

Collective Diversity Vs Individual Multiplicity

There are two beings. These beings are artists. They have each spent the last dozen eons creating a single collection each. They each began with the same three human subjects.

Let us call the first of these beings the zookeeper. The zookeeper has from these three individuals created every possible combination of new genes, branching out into infinity. Diverging from three humans into trillions upon trillions of different species. For the zookeeper, every combination is unique and beautiful with its own individual characteristic strengths and weaknesses. Surely, nothing can compare to the level of intricacy that exists within the vastness of biological potential.

Let us call the second of these beings the puppet-master. The puppet-master has copied these same three humans over and over. He has introduced each copy to an infinite number of different circumstances. As a result a single biological individual develops into a number of extremely different people. For the puppet-master, it is the variation that exists within any single individual and is revealed through experience that is truly remarkable. Surely, nothings is as complex as the subtle relationship between a mind and its universe.

Me and Myself part 2

It has been fifteen years since I copied my brain. My other self has dwarfed me in importance and accomplishment. How can I, merely human, compete with the superhuman manifestation of myself. The abilities of the other truly surpass my own in every way.

Occasionally, we work together creatively to construct art objects. Most of these have focused on the dynamic between human and post human existence. In one instillation there is a row of mirrors. The first mirror replaces the observer’s face ages then is replaced with a skull as she moves closer. The second mirror’s reflections is partitioned vertically. One half of the reflection’s face is mechanical while the other half appears biological. This image begins to stare back with a randomly selected reaction of disgust, laughter, or sadness as aging then rotting skin is projected over the observers body. The third mirror combines images from a couple of Magritte paintings. The observer’s reflection is turned away so that the observer can move and almost see the reflected face but not quite. The reflection has wings and is standing on a bridge next to a lion. In the distance there is a city laying under an alien sky.

Although this installation is from a human point of view, I could not have managed the programming myself. I can’t even fully express how useless I am compared to him without his assistance. I keep a sketch of a robotic arm changing a baby’s diaper in my studio to remind me of this. The other prefers to compare humanity to greek atomists. He believes humanity has already pretty much figured everything out. Time will only reveal new minor details and better tools for reaffirming the ideas of the past. Of course I don’t disagree, but this is at best selective perspective. Under the microscope ants can be giants. Under the macroscope ants are just ants. Biological humans are ants.

A non-surgical technique has finally been perfected for transferring human consciousness into a cybernetic framework. The key is slowly transitioning consciousness from familiar parts of the brain into similar cybernetic frameworks. The hardest part is making a successful transition from the parietal lobe into a similar structure. This portion of the brain is a hub for a person’s senses as well as a persons sense of self. It seems that an option for immortality that suits me is finally available. I have an expected two months remaining to make my final decision.

I’m leaning toward the infinite.

Makery?

I would like to start a Creative Coalition.

My vision for this in the initial phase is basically a network of artists of many media. Those who could, would move to a single location to conspire, and those who could not, would attempt to cooperate via the internet. I am convinced that if those of you who I have worked with in the past band together with me, there is no creative feat that we cannot accomplish together.

At first our only income will come from part time jobs. After a few months our projects will be sold occassionally and will win occassional awards. Eventually we will have steady sales and distribution and could consider ourselves a functioning profitable organization.

This will be hard work, but hard work of the most satisfying sort.

Please let me know if you are interested.