ThinkPoint for Yo MAMA!

Sooo, it's 3:47 am...and I was sitting on my bed-Indian style, rationalizing and combing out some of my thoughts- AKA- settling down for bedtime.(Sometimes the best reflection is interviewing yourself.) After several minutes of probing myself, my mind began to warm up...which probably isn't the most lulling thing...but whatever...we can never think TOO MUCH!

I often wonder what Today's thing is.
During the early 1800's we have Gothic Revival; during the 1800's America was influenced greatly by the advancements of the Victorian Era; after the end of the Civil War, there was a boom of Blacks baking up some poetry and composing serious musical literature-challenging preSet ideas of what quality Western art was, and there was also the Art Nouveau movement; during the 1920's we have the Harlem Renaissance along with the Art Deco movement...and you can fill in the gaps in between and beyond.

Maybe it's because we have textbooks, pictures, the History Channel,and Wikipedia to higlight and (skim over) the advances of the past. But I have trouble naming significant artistic movements of the last ten years.(besides the Neo soul thing, the hipster/Blipster craze, and the reworked/retouched talkbox/synthesized/70's-80's revival thing.)
I am making reference to original movements.
Yes, we have many phenomenal artists, but nothing I can say that has remained consistent across the board.

During the conversation with myself, I discussed the affects iPods, microwaves, cars, vertical cities, computers, and I realized that we don't have as much space as people had even 100 years ago.

If you look at any of the old pictures of Manhattan in 1901 or even 1929...shux even in the 60's...you will see that a lot of streets were larger, more open, and there were not nearly as many buildings...and the same goes for Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore etc...
People were probably inspired to concoct a lot more when they felt that they had not yet arrived at a state of stability or completion. There was so much space. The physical space, influenced their mental space.
They were able to see.

Today, I think we have trouble seeing beyond what we see. [hmmm...think about it]
Those of us that do pride ourselves in going as far left as we can, playing with different textures, tastes, and sounds- have to work hard to see beyond what we see.
Most people of today, probably feel trapped with all of the amenities available.
My God, it's a blessing to have so many luxuries...but it can surely destroy some good ole creativity.

I am not sure if my hypothesis is correct. But I think it is a provocative idea.
So think on it.
And in the mean time...try to create something.
K?


Your beloved,
Docteur Johnston Michaels