This Reader

This Reader explores the subject of the human mind, and its limitations to control and manipulate physical and future events. The following series of art references, texts, projects, films and websites shape the essential question, what is human? Each reference addresses issues and forms examples and arguments which suggest that the human mind has a direct effect upon external factors, in both individual and mass scale. The gathered material proposes a greater self power over physical circumstances, and questions the individual and mass collected power, to control and change reality. This knowledge could then be asserted to address larger issues which may confront our current reality. The choice of material is in no chronological order, but explores varied approaches and methodologies all with similar concepts. The varied size and form of the material allows the information to be considered in the form the viewer finds most effective, it also allows for the choice of both brief viewing and more careful consideration. All the references suggest how the human mind holds a greater significant influence than we normally percieve, through intention, imagery, spiritual connections, altered states of conciousness and simple observation.



Wednesday 13 April 2011

Marcus Coates

Marcus Coates questions what is human; his video pieces reintroduce ritualistic practices which we have become disconnected too. He calls himself a shaman spiritually calling upon animal spirits for guidance upon modern day world issues such as war, poverty and the destruction of natural habitats. Through his work he ‘Questions the arrogance of our human species in its disregard for the environment.’ The work asks us to consider whether ancient rituals and wisdom of the human mind connecting to the spiritual self, could hold some value in the western world or should be dismissed as trivial. He explains ‘… you can’t escape your humanness, but the point of my work has been to explore the degrees to which you can test that boundary and entertain the possibility of becoming something else.’
The photograph below is called Journey to a lower world (2004) and is a performance still from a shamanic performance, in a condemned tower block in Liverpool.


The below link contains a video called Dawn Chorus (2007) which explores the similarities of human nature to that of birds. The video is 18mins long and was originally a multi- screen installation, it recreates a dawn chorus using humans mimicking birdsong which has been sped up to replicate bird movement and song.

http://www.picture-this.org.uk/worksprojects/works/by-date/2007/dawn-chorus