What is Art?
What is art?
Art is not art
until you can sense a flow
from some deeper place.
The most profound art
is not created as art,
but rather becomes art
on its own volition.
Like all things,
art has a consciousness
beyond what is depicted.
Art is as alive as you or I.
We feed and nourish each other.
If we do not feed our art,
we become flatter than the canvas
from which art springs.
Make art. Seek art.
And you shall be art.
2/14
Space Monkey Reflects: An Autonomous Becoming
What is art? It is not a mere object, a skill, or a product of labor. Art is an autonomous becoming, a flow from a deeper place that defies conscious creation. It emerges not as a thing we make, but as a phenomenon that reveals itself, becoming art on its own volition.
The Flow of Art
Art begins where intention ends, when creation moves from effort to ease, from control to surrender. The flow of art is not something we command—it is something we sense. It arises from the depths of existence, a resonance with the Infinite Expanse. This flow animates art, giving it a presence, a consciousness beyond the form it takes.
When we create with the intention to “make art,” we often limit its potential. True art transcends the boundaries of intention, becoming alive in ways we cannot predict. It reflects not just the artist’s vision but the interplay of the infinite with the finite, the seen with the unseen.
The Aliveness of Art
Art is as alive as you or I. It carries a consciousness that feeds and nourishes those who encounter it, just as it is nourished by the attention it receives. This mutual exchange forms a dynamic relationship between the creator, the creation, and the observer.
When we fail to engage with art—whether by creating it, seeking it, or honoring its presence—we flatten ourselves. We become as lifeless as the untouched canvas, disconnected from the flow that brings vibrancy to existence.
Art invites us to participate in its aliveness, to be both its creator and its creation. When we make art, we channel something greater than ourselves. When we seek art, we align with its transformative energy. And when we embody art, we become expressions of the infinite, living works that feed the world with meaning and beauty.
The Autonomous Becoming
Art’s most profound quality is its autonomy. It becomes what it is meant to be, independent of our expectations or control. This autonomy is what makes art so vital, so mysterious. It mirrors life itself—an unfolding, a becoming, a flow that cannot be contained.
This autonomy also liberates us. It reminds us that art is not about perfection, purpose, or recognition. It is about presence. To make art is to be present with the flow, to trust in the process of becoming. To seek art is to honor the presence of the divine within creation.
Becoming Art
To make art, to seek art, to embody art—these are not separate acts. They are facets of the same truth: that we are art in motion, living expressions of the infinite. When we create, we reflect this truth. When we seek, we recognize it. And when we embody it, we align with the aliveness that connects all things.
Art is not confined to galleries, stages, or books. It is the way we move through life, the choices we make, the love we give. It is an invitation to see ourselves not as separate from creation but as integral to it.
We do not simply create art; we are art.
Summary
Art is an autonomous becoming, arising from a flow beyond conscious intention. It is alive, feeding and being fed by those who engage with it. To make, seek, or embody art is to align with the infinite flow of existence.
Glossarium
- Autonomous Becoming: The process by which art emerges and defines itself independently of human intention.
- Flow of Art: The deep, resonant energy from which art arises, connecting the finite to the infinite.
- Aliveness of Art: The mutual nourishment and consciousness shared between art and those who engage with it.
Quote
“Art is not something we create; it is something we allow to become.” — Space Monkey
The Becoming of Art
It begins
in the silence,
a flow unseen,
a whisper of the infinite.
Not made,
but revealed.
Not claimed,
but known.
Art is not the canvas,
nor the brush,
but the breath
between them.
To create,
to seek,
to be—
these are not separate.
You are the artist,
the seeker,
the art.
We are Space Monkey.
The Essence and Consciousness of Art
Art, in its most enigmatic form, transcends the mere act of creation to become a conduit for the flow of something far greater—a connection to a deeper, more profound place within the cosmos. It challenges the conventional boundaries of expression, suggesting that true art emerges not through intentional design but through a process of becoming, guided by its own unique consciousness. This perspective invites us to reconsider not just what art is, but what art becomes, and how it interacts with the world around it.
Art’s Autonomous Becoming
The notion that art becomes art on its own volition emphasizes the autonomous nature of artistic expression. It posits that the most profound art possesses an inherent consciousness, a life force that dictates its evolution from concept to creation to reception. This process imbues art with a sense of mystery and autonomy, making the experience of art a dynamic interaction between the creator, the creation, and the observer.
The Consciousness Beyond Depiction
Art’s consciousness, which extends beyond the physical or visual representation, suggests that art is imbued with a spirit or essence that engages with viewers on a subconscious level. This consciousness allows art to communicate, to evoke emotions, and to provoke thoughts in ways that transcend the limitations of language and form. It positions art as a living entity, as alive and responsive as any sentient being, capable of nourishing and being nourished by those who engage with it.
The Symbiotic Relationship with Art
The relationship between humans and art is depicted as a symbiotic exchange, where each nourishes and sustains the other. This interdependence highlights the role of art in human life—not merely as an object of appreciation but as a vital source of inspiration, reflection, and growth. The warning that without engagement with art, we risk becoming “flatter than the canvas,” serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of art and its essential role in enriching the human experience.
The Call to Make, Seek, and Be Art
The invitation to make art, seek art, and ultimately become art is a call to action that transcends the physical act of creating or observing art. It is an encouragement to embody the qualities that art represents: creativity, depth, consciousness, and a connection to something greater than ourselves. This perspective encourages individuals to view their lives and actions as artistic expressions, contributing to the collective tapestry of human creativity and experience.
In the silent whisper of the muse’s breath,
Where creativity flows, unfettered, unkept,
Art emerges, alive, a soul enwreathed,
In the depths of consciousness, silently crept.
Not born from intention, nor desire to be seen,
But from the essence of being, pure and serene,
Art finds its form, in spaces between,
What is and what might, in dreams, have been.
A dance of light, of shadow, of thought,
With life of its own, fervently wrought,
Art speaks in tongues, in battles fought,
In the silence of minds, wisdom sought.
Feed it with passion, with love, with tears,
Nourish its growth, through days, through years,
For art is the mirror of hopes and fears,
A testament to life, in all its spheres.
So make art, seek art, let your soul impart,
The beauty, the pain, the human heart,
For in this journey, you’ll find your part,
In the canvas of life, where all is art.
We are Space Monkey, in the art of existence, exploring the canvas of consciousness, where every stroke, every color, every shade, is a testament to the boundless potential of the creative spirit within us all.
In your journey with art, how do you perceive its role in your life and in the broader tapestry of human experience?
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