Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future.
– Albert Camus
Due to lively procrastination in the first two weeks of January, I’m not as timely with this post for the dawn of the New Year as I planned. But according to a recent N.Y. Times article, procrastination leads to mind wandering i.e. creative thinking – a habit employed by Steve Jobs, Frank Lloyd Wright and other creative mavericks. Ah, yes mind wandering… But ok, my tardy post may also be attributed to indulging in an eclectic menu of elegant cinematography, live performances, investigative journalism and dreamy words. Samples include the seductive gay and transgender films Carol and The Danish Woman, the retro stardom of Stallone in Creed (released on the 40th anniversary of the original Rocky), the moral exposé of the immoral in Spotlight, the chilling ravages of The Revenant, Willie Nelson live at 82, Patti Smith rocking the deco off the walls of the Wiltern, plus an evening immersed in her provocative new memoir, M Train. All this followed by tributes around the world for the unexpected loss of David Bowie.
I suppose for me as an artist it wasn’t always just about expressing my work; I really wanted, more than anything else, to contribute in some way to the culture that I was living in. It just seemed like a challenge to move it a little bit towards the way I thought it might be interesting to go.
– David Bowie
Indeed the mercurial artist Bowie reinvented the future. And I’ve procrastinated so long, now I must add another music legend, founding member of the Eagles, Glen Frey, to my list of testimonials. Fans will conjure up palm-fringed sunsets as they listen to the title song of his 1976 Grammy Award winning album. On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair…Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light…
As we move into the open road of 2016, a retrospective of previous accomplishments and loss helps us to accept the challenge to move forward. As I peruse the selections on my menu above, I realize only the orange sunset on Frey’s Hotel California album cover stands out against the predominant whiteness. In 2015, I indulged in a more diverse cultural extravaganza (which does not in any way diminish the contributions of the artists above) but I also applaud the outspokenness of Spike Lee and others in drawing attention to the Oscar whiteout this year by not attending.
I’m not going to make some corny New Year’s resolution, but if I could wave a wand, my vision of the distance up ahead would be filled with shimmering light and all the colors of a school of Koi as they swirl around a turn. According to Japanese belief, Koi have the ability to transform the observer into otherworldly states of perception. And these altered states attract energy that manifests in many forms of prosperity. In Chinese legend Koi fish have the ability to swim upstream against strong currents.
Although I have clearly taken a circuitous route in this post, I’ve finally arrived at what I’ve come to say. In 2016 let’s stir up the conversation (whatever it might be) and champion cultural diversity, let’s celebrate the contributions of the past and work towards authentic creativity. Let’s swirl and radiate – to the future!
And if I procrastinate any more we will be headed into yet another year. So I’m going to hand it over to The High Priest of Soul, a man with true vision.
I remember distinctly, going on Chapman College World Campus Afloat in 1974, we took along a record player or cassette deck (who remembers what we had back then?) And listened to Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane (Jean Genie, Panic in Detroit) as we traveled the world at age 20, he forever defined for me my formative, college years, remember the persona The Thin White Duke? Young Americans, Modern Love, wow! Love it all! It is so shocking to lose him so suddenly…same with Glenn Frey, we grew with the Eagles, those songs were anthems for our teens and twenties…rest in peace, both of you. Make some unbelievable music in Rock Heaven!
When an artist, or any creative person in the pantheon of human expression, passes away, especially untimely, too young, we have a chance to think about that time in our lives when they were making a mark on us. A time to, again, fully appreciate what they meant and represented to us, and how they "anchored" us to that time and space. I know in both Bowie and Glenn Frey's case, many memories came flooding back to me, mostly good, it was a young and exciting time, with many changes going on inside and outside my head…
David Bowie was an inspiration and pioneer in art and music and film. In my opinion he was one of, if not the greatest musical influence of all time! Aside from his amazing performances and many many incredible albums, he demonstrated to the world that you can take any approach you want when it comes to music or just the way you live your life! He proved that it doesn’t matter if you are different or gay or bisexual that u can be anything you want to be and succeed at it and to take things your own way! I really believe he is the reason that music and art are so diverse and eclectic, without him who knows where we would be. It’s truly sad and a terrible loss to see David Bowie go but what he did for the world and his art, music, legacy will never die!! Rest In peace Ziggy Stardust!
Bowie was our Koi; he transported us to other worlds through his talents. I wholeheartedly believe that there will never be anyone else like him ever again. I am so grateful to have been part of a generation who got to experience him and all he had to offer. Even though he is gone now- and dearly missed, what he gave to the world is transcendental and will continue to illuminate the world. Rest in peace, Starman.