Thursday, October 29, 2009

Practice Theory: Michael Jackson, Bathrooms, Beauty, Symmetry - My thoughts

With the idea left at the end of class on Tuesday – to find connections with bathrooms, fantasies, architecture, and beauty – and with such broad abstract terms I can’t help myself, but come up with connections that I swear I never knew existed.

I will begin with my fantasy, Micheal Jackson a.k.a King of Pop. Ever since I was eight years old I’ve been infatuated, head over heels, in love, obsessed, whatever you want to call it with Smooth Criminal. There was just something about the way that whole music video worked that I could not get enough of. Most of my after school days began and ended with vhs recordings my dad had of Michael Jackson and Madonna – Play. Rewind. Play. Rewind. Play. Rewind. (Mom taking remote.) Homework. Dinner. Play. Rewind. Play. Rewind. Stop. Sleep. Fast Forward through school. Play. Rewind.

There was a naturalness within Michael Jackson that still flabbergasts me. It was almost as if he was singing and dancing for himself first and then for his audience. It made me wonder about performance and entertainment – yes, the ultimate goal is to entertain the audience, however can one entertain without truly entertaining themselves? There were moments that Michael Jackson would dance and sing with such an inherent feel of himself that I wondered if he even noticed the thousands of eyes were glued to his skinny dancing legs.

The reason I bring up his “naturalness” is that most people cannot be “natural.” I do not mean this in a rude way – however, self-consciousness consumes us from head to toe from capital letter to period – how often do we not think about what we are doing?

I have one answer: When we are in the bathroom!
(I bet Michael Jackson sounds the exact same on stage as he does in the shower.)

There is some simultaneous symmetrical connection between cleaning/bathing, being alone (or with those who are of utmost comfort to you), and being in a different space that allows every movement and act to come together:

Symmetry is the correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point. Therefore, one side of the plane/line/point is me, and the other side of the plane/line/point is the space. The correspondence is how much does this space allow me to express myself, and how much I express myself. The size depends on how big/small my expressions are and how much the space can handle or let’s say evokes. The form depends on personality of the being and the personality of the space. If in some way each side of the plane/line/point balance out – symmetry is achieved.

Now to put this in bathroom sense: The correspondence depends on how at ease I feel with the space and how at ease the space feels with me – now this is a tough one to achieve – for does my self-consciousness melt away in large spaces that are all mine or small spaces? Do I like bathing in showers, tubs, both, glass shower doors, shower curtains…it’s endless – this is my job to figure out to hold my end of the plane/line/point. On the other hand, the space must know ahead of time who I am, yet give me full permission to touch it, feel it, rub it, squeeze it, talk to it, dress it, scream at it, undress it, love it, and ultimately kiss it! The space must have its arms open – and I must allow myself to feel them.

At times I feel examples of symmetry are so literal that symmetry itself must feel absolutely violated. For if symmetry is not a “symmetrical” word then how on Earth must everything born from it be? I believe symmetry is in our life. Isn’t the ultimate – balance? Symmetry is a form of balance – it is when one side mirrors the other – both sides have an inherent understanding of each other, yet function as opposites - just as architecture and client. (bathroom and user)

This is what I feel artists struggle with their whole lives – trying to achieve a balance. That point where it is “just right.” However, at times I feel we spend more of our time trying to figure out HOW to do this – instead of maybe just doing it. I agree much easier said than done, especially for me. However, words and words have been written, said, preached, screamed, whispered over and over exploring and dissecting the animal of symmetry of balance. We’ve carved into every muscle, every joint, every nerve. We’ve amputated its legs and arms and replaced our own. We’ve gently extracted its eyes and transplanted them into our sockets. Oh how we’ve not only dissected the animal of symmetry and balance, we’ve practically dissected ourselves as well! For our arms, our legs, our eyes – they are not ours!

Some go forever not noticing that they are indeed dissecting themselves – life is symmetry – what happens on one side happens on the other (mirror image). With this said, maybe we should stroke the animal of symmetry and balance and watch it run around. Watch it lick up water. Watch it scratch its ear. Watch it bark, meow, roar – whatever you please. Watch it be. Watch it be itself. And then maybe we can be ourselves. Our natural selves.

Oh how I love words that should make sense, but in reality don’t – “Be your natural self.” Maybe if architecture became as natural as taking a shower or shit – we would all become the Michael Jackson’s of architecture a.k.a King/Queen of
The Drawn & Constructed Line.

2 comments:

  1. so my mom thinks this is "immature" - yea I can see that, but not completely - it's my mind going on and on trying to make sense of abstract terms and space - once again, someone please provide her with a parenting help guide.

    my dad said he wants to give me a hug. perfect. they think i'm insane.

    whatever. I am - number one rule of an actress admit to your insanity and use it!

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  2. i think it is lovely. this is so much more your medium than anything else i've really seen with you aj...what can i say? i think yourwriting is more selZ-expressive than drawing Zor you. some people draw pictures to convey themselves (agustin?), you make chickenscratch with your number 2 pencil. we all have our ways...i'm just excited that i get to see this side oZ you. 2 way mirror darling. love it!

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