A few nights ago brillig posted a fine diary of musical covers. As I was exploring those, on one of the YouTube pages was a link to a ‘related’ video that I clicked on. It was 2CELLOS covering a remarkable Johnny Cash song (that itself covered the Nine Inch Nails song!), called Hurt.
Quite a few years ago, now, I was introduced to the genius of Jonathan Larson, when his musical, RENT, came to town. I have loved that musical ever since. But i have also sensed a deeper wisdom in it, not least in the lyric that I chose for my sig line (back when Daily Kos supported those, auto-adding them at the bottom of every comment).
Since it no longer shows, here is that sig line, by Jonathan Larson, from the song La Vie Boheme in RENT.
The opposite of war isn't peace, it's CREATION.
I have written about it a number of times, along with diaries on my appreciation of human creativity, and the critical role it can play in peace. The diary that seemed to me to most closely approach what I wanted to say at the time was inspired by a visit to a Cirque du Soleil performance of Alegria.
At the end of the diary, after quoting the above Larson lyric, I wrote:
For me it is one of the most profound truths I have ever encountered because it offers a real key to peace (and an always available one!), both in insight and in inspiration and challenge. During the time we spend appreciating Alegria, I feel the peace within, and not just from myself, but from everyone there. From the artists and performers. From the spectators, young and old, female and male, black and white, short or tall. The same joy may be read in every face, Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, Israeli or Arab. It just doesn't matter, there, because creativity has no hidden agenda, just a special power to unite and inspire, empower and provide hope. Isn't that the key to peace on earth? Can't it be?
Watching the 2CELLOS video of Hurt, I was taken back to that intense appreciation of the power of human creativity, and some of the inner consequences I experience when in the presence of such creativity, such genius. 2CELLOS affects me as profoundly as any human creativity ever has. Music … what is it about it!? It isn’t words, it isn’t an articulated philosophy, and yet it touches so deeply. I can describe THAT it gives me great pleasure, that it nurtures something essential within me. But I can’t describe how this note or that note, or this passage of music, or that one … I can’t describe HOW it does what it does for me and within me. I just know that it does. I just know it completes the joy of life, its majesty, its overwhelmingness, in ways nothing else does or ever could. I just know it is something I always want with me, something I always want to be a part of me, of my experience on this planet.
While contemplating it, I clicked on another 2CELLOS video, of them playing in one of the most spectacular natural settings I’ve ever seen. It was filmed in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, in their native country.
And I was captivated anew by their great creative, their great artistic genius. How magically they incorporate percussion into their stunning gifts to us. Watch this and see if you agree!
But then there is the question: Why does creativity WORK? Why is it, as Larson suggests, the true opposite of war for us?
And I thought at least a little bit of the answer came to me.
Surely you have seen the picture below. (I am sorry I do not know who created it, and no sample of it I have checked included attribution. If one of you knows I will be delighted to edit and credit!)
Beautiful woman or old woman?
Some call it an optical illusion. It takes no work or imagination to be able to see either of the two ‘interpretations of the image. I can see the beautiful young woman, neck exposed, face turned away, eyelash and nose just visible, choker around the neck. And I can see the old crone, lips parted, largish nose, prominent chin.
What I cannot do, what I can’t imagine anyone doing, really (though I can’t say that it is impossible just because I can’t do it), is see BOTH the beautiful young woman and the sober old crone at the same time. I can see one OR the other. I can let it SWITCH. But I can’t see both at once.
Just so, for me, drinking deeply at the well of human creativity and brilliance occupies me completely, in peace. War, thoughts of violence and hostility - they just can’t be there the same time. Any hostile thoughts I have fall away. Disappear. LEAVE. My mind, my heart, can’t do both at once. And while there may be no value choice to be made looking at the young woman and the crone, with creativity and peace and war, I think there is. I know (and am AT PEACE) with the choice I make.
Thank you for reading and watching! On to tonight’s comments! Special thanks to gizmo59 for the format assist!
Top Comments (July 11, 2016)
From lone1c:
This one from lynn47 is truly a gem and deserves consideration. Pithy, concise, and hilarious. From Leslie Salzillo’s recommended post Over 200 from Trump’s alma mater send scathing open letter: ‘ You don’t represent us.”
Top Mojo (July 10, 2016):
Top Mojo is courtesy of mik! Click here for more on how Top Mojo works.
Top Photos (July 11, 2016):
Tonight’s picture quilt is courtesy of jotter!