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Sunday 11 April 2010

nihilism. art and all points between

it should be noted that nihilism as first and foremost a declaration of intent. just because i say: 'let's soak everything in the last of the petrol and stick a match to it' doesn't (necessarily) mean i've been siphoning off fuel from my neighbours petrol tanks in preparation for such an event.

here we can make a comparison to the creation of a piece of artwork. if the artist prepares for making some art by thinking 'when this is complete, i shall burn it.' they enter into the process of creating said artwork unconstrained by worries about whether anyone will like it, whether they'll be able to sell it, etc. you will notice these thoughts will quickly render any piece of art formulaic and/or redundant. by promising themselves they will burn the artwork (even if they don't actually burn it) they free themselves to truly enjoy creating for the sake of creation. they stop worrying about the future and start enjoying the moment.

as in art, as in life. by promising yourself that your only political/personal/ethical concern is the fact that it's all gonna burn, you free yourself from worrying about the future and what it may or may not hold. then you are free to truly start living.

(thanks to sofia for the psychic wall).

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