Minimal Thought

Interconnectedness in the world has at times surprised, comforted and even humbled me in many ways.

Along with the rest of the world, I watch and listen to the daily reports of where things are headed. The markets rise and fall, families are devastated by joblessness and homelessness, our environment is challenged by our recent history of ignoring sustainability...AND it seems it is happening EVERYWHERE. Even if we all work together, I wonder to myself if it will ever be enough.

I started thinking about it again after watching "GLASS: A Portrait of Philip Glass in Twelve Parts" - A part of the "American Masters" series last night on PBS. A brilliant man and an interesting documentary, I recommend checking it out if ever given the chance. Anyway, even though he may not like the term, people often refer to Glass as a minimalist composer.

'Minimalism seeks the meaning of art in the immediate and personal experience of the viewer in the presence of a specific work. There is no reference to another previous experience (no representation), no implication of a higher level of experience (no metaphysics), no promise of a deeper intellectual experience (no metaphor). Instead Minimalism presents the viewer with objects of charged neutrality; objects usually rectilinear, employing one or two materials, one or two colors, repeated identical units, factory-made or store-bought; objects that are without any hierarchy of interest, that directly engage and interact with the particular space they occupy; objects that reveal everything about themselves, but little about the artists; objects whose subject is the viewer.' -Michael Craig-Martin, Introduction to the collection of minimalist works at the Tate Gallery in Liverpool.

Though Glass' talents have long since been classified as Minimalistic, the interconnectedness of things pops back into my head and I think more about how this all relates to today.

Even in the Ad industry, there is buzz recognizing the resurgence of Minimalism. From fashion to packaging design, people are talking about runways full of black and gray and the continuation of the cola wars as Coke and Pepsi battle it out in the sparsity of their designs.

I then think about how Minimalism is being implemented in my life in other ways. NGAGE, the agency I work for, is even playing a part by moving into a LEED certified building and going "green".

Sure, these examples may all be viewed as trends, and admittedly they are trivial when you think about the seriousness that the world finds itself in today. But I can't help letting it give me a little hope that people are listening, we are not necessarily doomed and change may be on the way. The power of interconnectedness at work again? I like to think so.