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The Glass Bead Game
16 years ago
I have an idea for art tradez!
One of my favorite books is by Herman Hesse, "The Glass Bead Game," which describes, in the process to telling the story of its main character Joseph Knect, a system of higher education-- a series of universities collectively referred to as "Castalia," or "the Pedagogic Province."
All of the Arts and Sciences, philosophy and music, are taught in Castalia. But above them all, the crowning discipline, is a "game." The Glass Bead Game.
And the idea of the Glass Bead Game is this: that its players, all consummate scholars and artists, compose "games" that set artistic, philosophical, musical, and scientific expressions together in a way that reveals common points between different modes, and composes them into a coherent point/counterpoint.
In the words of Hesse: "...the quintessence of intellectuality and art, the sublime cult, the unio mystica of all the separate members of the Universitas Litterarum."
"...under the shifting hegemony of now this, now that science or art, the Game of games had developed into a kind of universal language through which the players could express values and set these in relation to one another. Throughout its history the Game was closely allied with music, and usually proceeded according to musical or mathematical rules. One theme, two themes, or three themes were stated, elaborated, varied, and underwent a development quite similar to that of the theme of a Bach fugue or a concerto movement. A Game ... might start [with a given theme,] ... and from this theme, it could either further explore and elaborate the initial motif, or else enrich its expressiveness by allusions to kindred concepts. Beginners learned how to establish the parallels, by means of the Game's symbols, between a piece of classical music and the formula for some law of nature."
Today, I was reading about somebody's plans to do art trades. And I got to thinking and wondering about, you know, what are the unspoken rules about what you draw for somebody. What if, instead of saying "Could you draw my fursona playing baseball," the choice itself was an intensely creative exercise.
What if two artists agreed to do an art trade this way:
MELODY
1. Each player picks a favorite piece of art, a poem, a philosophical statement, a species, a piece of music, a television program or movie, favorite book, or anything else along these lines.
.....1.a. Don't make it something the other player can't readily become familiar with. That is, don't pick "The book War and Peace," unless you know the other player has already read it. A short poem, a popular song, your favorite Goya or your favorite sow drawing by Louvelex is a better idea.
.....1.b. Pick a medium that is NOT one of the strongest suits of the other player, so s/he will still be able to use that medium later. That is, you know. If you're dealing with somebody who really only does (visual) art, don't present them with your favorite art... or at least, not in the same genre.
COUNTERPOINT
2. Interpret the other player's submission in one of your favorite media.
HARMONY
3. Collaborate with the other player in some medium you're both good at, and make your part of the contribution based on the interpretation the other player submitted in step 2 based on your submission in step 1.
The result will be 3 works that can be presented together, along with references to their original inspirations.
One of my favorite books is by Herman Hesse, "The Glass Bead Game," which describes, in the process to telling the story of its main character Joseph Knect, a system of higher education-- a series of universities collectively referred to as "Castalia," or "the Pedagogic Province."
All of the Arts and Sciences, philosophy and music, are taught in Castalia. But above them all, the crowning discipline, is a "game." The Glass Bead Game.
And the idea of the Glass Bead Game is this: that its players, all consummate scholars and artists, compose "games" that set artistic, philosophical, musical, and scientific expressions together in a way that reveals common points between different modes, and composes them into a coherent point/counterpoint.
In the words of Hesse: "...the quintessence of intellectuality and art, the sublime cult, the unio mystica of all the separate members of the Universitas Litterarum."
"...under the shifting hegemony of now this, now that science or art, the Game of games had developed into a kind of universal language through which the players could express values and set these in relation to one another. Throughout its history the Game was closely allied with music, and usually proceeded according to musical or mathematical rules. One theme, two themes, or three themes were stated, elaborated, varied, and underwent a development quite similar to that of the theme of a Bach fugue or a concerto movement. A Game ... might start [with a given theme,] ... and from this theme, it could either further explore and elaborate the initial motif, or else enrich its expressiveness by allusions to kindred concepts. Beginners learned how to establish the parallels, by means of the Game's symbols, between a piece of classical music and the formula for some law of nature."
Today, I was reading about somebody's plans to do art trades. And I got to thinking and wondering about, you know, what are the unspoken rules about what you draw for somebody. What if, instead of saying "Could you draw my fursona playing baseball," the choice itself was an intensely creative exercise.
What if two artists agreed to do an art trade this way:
MELODY
1. Each player picks a favorite piece of art, a poem, a philosophical statement, a species, a piece of music, a television program or movie, favorite book, or anything else along these lines.
.....1.a. Don't make it something the other player can't readily become familiar with. That is, don't pick "The book War and Peace," unless you know the other player has already read it. A short poem, a popular song, your favorite Goya or your favorite sow drawing by Louvelex is a better idea.
.....1.b. Pick a medium that is NOT one of the strongest suits of the other player, so s/he will still be able to use that medium later. That is, you know. If you're dealing with somebody who really only does (visual) art, don't present them with your favorite art... or at least, not in the same genre.
COUNTERPOINT
2. Interpret the other player's submission in one of your favorite media.
HARMONY
3. Collaborate with the other player in some medium you're both good at, and make your part of the contribution based on the interpretation the other player submitted in step 2 based on your submission in step 1.
The result will be 3 works that can be presented together, along with references to their original inspirations.
Kwan
~kwan
I LOVE this idea, because it both challenges the participants, and helps the participants to grow & develop.
