Deconstructing Life (In Art And Science): A Philosophical Rambling

Lito Casaje

In 1937, when world renowned cubist painter, Pablo Picasso, exhibited his Weeping Woman, his art instantly revolutionized the representation of space and time by breaking objects into their basic geometric shapes and then rearranging them. Weeping Woman conveyed distress through the break-up of the woman form. Recently this year however (2006), I saw an exhibit of UP based artist-friend, Aman Santos, with whom I will soon collaborate with for a theatre piece on the
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transcendence of time and space, and which now reminds me that I should write an essay refracting on the recurring themes of deconstruction in matters of art (and science) in life and vise-versa. Santos oversized mural is an abstract work which expresses the fluidity of life against the backdrop of space and time continuum. His large and prominent brushstrokes which, to me, represents a series of struggling sperm images in the pursuit towards lifes survival, is a clear indication that our life indeed is dependent on the relativity of space and time, or rather, putting it simply, the aspect of the when and where a particular event happened. His visual dissertation was further enhanced by a written commentary of a UP Physics professor by comparing two approaches in interpreting space and time relations, namely, the entopic version, which asserts the idea that time moves nowhere but forward and that it is independent of the space the event took place, vis--vis the philosophically radical idea that one can only remember a given experience by identifying the givens of when and where.

TWO APPROACHES Thus with these two approaches, the relativity theory, (which is somehow akin to Einsteins theory of relativity), is further validated. So now, could we bravely declare through this theory that life could be deconstructed in the guise of special space and time relations? It is a special form of reality that we should dare unfold to experience. But what does this have to do with our current day-to-day experience in our lives? One cannot simply dare go on and philosophize for its mere sake. Something concrete should come out of it. And what better and practical way to apply and test this theoretical experience than though the musings of art.

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ON IMMERSING WITH ART One basic rule of thumb on art immersion is to continuously live life with relentless and immense passion. Although it is undeniably true that keen observation on life and the unfathomable use of ones imagination and creativity by even using whatever psychic abilities we have are non-negotiable requisitions, the total immersion of art can only succeed when all our senses are open to all sorts of stimuli for the next step after the immersion is the weeding out of these non-essentials. This process of filtration is also another specialized skill. It can be honed by a constant dose of model masterpieces which will subconsciously be ingrained into the psyche of the artist-in-progress. Then as the programmed models have become part of his system, everything will eventually fall into place. It will soon conform, almost effortlessly, to the standards already set by these given paradigms. However, in this exercise, one should not forget to always put into practice the universal virtues of patience, humility, compassion and temperance. They are all needed weapons towards the pursuit of realizing the very heart and matter of what art is really all about -- being purpose driven that which is the constant and relentless search for truth forever questioning, provoking, probing and disturbing the reality of our existence, its purpose, its being, and as to whether such and such philosophy or theory can freely float face to face within the mystical realm of our so-called life.

DISTURBING THE CHRONOLOGY OF TIME / UNCHAINING THE BOUNDARIES OF SPACE We can only successfully deconstruct life if we possessed the ability to disturb the chronology of time by the use of either flashbacks or flash-forwards at a drop of a hat, or unchain the boundaries of space so we can transport ourselves whenever and wherever we want to in order to understand ourselves, our life, as well as other people, with more wisdom and insight. Literary devices such as the use of ones memory, dreams, impressions, and stream-of-consciousness play a fantastic role in this wonderful journey of the heart and mind.

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ON DREAMS AND MEMORY Memory and dreams play intriguing roles in our process of knowing thyself more. Through them we transcend time and space by either playing them back or flashing them forward no matter how incomplete or selective the recorded images and thoughts maybe. Salvador Dalis celebrated masterpiece, The Persistence of Memory, reaffirms the transfusion of blood art into the theory surrounding the special relationship of time and space in identifying events in our lives. Being the sole progenitor of surrealism, Dalis painting is a visual statement alluding to the idea that times existence is relative by picturing locket-sized clocks literally melting under the heat of the desert sun. The surreal presence of dreams in our lives is also one enchanting metaphysical phenomenon. We involuntarily, albeit a few times voluntarily, experience them during all our non-waking moments a fact remaining that it absolutely plays a major role in understanding more fully the mystical side of ourselves. Internationally renowned maverick filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was once quoted saying that man is a genius when he is dreaming, an insightful conclusion asserted by his superlatively alluring, Dreams, a visual parable composed of a series of impressionistic narrative shorts about his personal experiences when dreaming.

EXPRESSIONISM THROUGH THE EYES OF A WEEPING WOMAN In fact, we appreciate more the psyche of the Weeping Woman when broken apart. We see her entrails more, its microscopic details, yet magnifying the brokenness and distortion to show her dysfunctional, horrifying emotions, in a jagged, stylized, and expressionistic fashion, so we can introspectively succumb into the very depths and reason as to why she weeps. This inter-marriage of disciplines is clear for it is now possible in art and in metaphysics yet still theoretically and highly probable (while still under research in Geneva) in quantum physics a connection which is arguably gaining international recognition.

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REARRANGING LIVES Now, on the matter of rearranging our lives, following after Picassos cubist aesthetics, one can only successfully put back the pieces together, even in another dimension if one had seen all the possibilities of what life had to offer. It is important that these given theoretical possibilities be laid out so one can see its many doors towards a more exciting, insightful and fulfilling reconstruction. This exercise may just be as rewarding, if not more, than undergoing tummy tuck or liposuction. At least you become your own soul-searching surgeon. Try art for a change.

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