Midpointness Day 7

Day 7

Midpointness

http://www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/midpointness

Its been a long day. I've been drawing texts on walls and falling under spells. (Thank you Kate Southworth, your work is beautiful and profound). 

I'm going to hand this one over to my friends who are critical in the development of the project and thinking.

Firstly to Andrew for this. I appreciate it enormously.  I hope you are OK.

" I am not sure if this is telepathy, but yesterday I was thinking of the project and wondering about how things will spring from theory to practice for the show, when stuff/material is involved.

I want to be in front of the Vermeer! Surely there is no better tonic?

So pleased the blog entries are proving so useful, they will be excellent for a spring board in UK as well as for the show at Lock Up. They should go in the publication.

I made chutney yesterday for the first time, while you are doing all this, I see both as achievements, though maybe a little of the hare and tortoise in terms of long term mindsets.

As my brain is not working properly, i have decided to pick a book at random off the shelf and open a page a random and find something on the page that links it to Midpointness, I offer this to you....

Nothing, this spume, Virgin Verse – The White care of canvas

"Like Nauman, Marcel Broodthaers can be mistaken for a conceptual artist, antagonistic to the medium. His works have mimicked installation, as they mount imitations of museum galleries holding showcases filled with precious objects. With its concern for the history and medium of painting, his little film L’analyse d’un tableau (1973-74) overturns this idea of Broodthaers as a conceptualist. Structured as the pages of a book, slowly turned, the film begins with a nineteenth-century seascape through which a schooner sails on turbulent waters. The pages thus recall a history of art, beginning with Manet’s marine paintings and moving towards the impressionist concern with sailing. Cutting to close-ups of the boat, this history makes a great leap forward into modernism when the weave of the white canvas fills the screen like a triumphant, abstract monochrome. We cannot miss this culmination, calling to mind Stéphane Mallarmé’s toast to the blank page as the support for poetry itself:

Salut

Nothing, this spume, virgin verse

Only to point to the cup;

So afar many a troupe

We navigate, O my diverse

Friends, me now on the poop

You the sumptuous prow to reap

Lightnings and seasons perverse;

A fine ivresse brings me

Fearless of its very pitch

To bear upright this salute

Solitude, reef, star

To whatever is worth

The white care of our canvas

(Le blanc souci de notre toile.)

this toast to a medium renders Marcel Broodthaers another knight.

Ok so a little disclaimer. of course I approached the book case and I did pick the book directly, but i would not say at random as in a second i am sure my mind rejected lots of books and went for this one, still the page was opened at random and in my mind (telepathy might be needed here) this correlates or offers/opens up something for Midpointness.

The book is Under Blue Cup by Rosalind Krauss, page 44-45 btw.

Keep up the great work Steve,

Andrew"

and then, many thanks to Julie Harboe for pointing me towards this,

http://eipcp.net/transversal/0806 and reminding me of this text by Irit Rogoff.

In "From Criticism to Critique to Criticality"

Rogoff writes,

'Criticality' as I perceive it is precisely in the operations of recognising the limitations of one's thought for one does not learn something new until one unlearns something old, otherwise one is simply adding information rather than rethinking a structure. 

It seems to me that within the space of a relatively short period we have been able to move from criticism to critique to criticality - from finding fault, to examining the underlying assumptions that might allow something to appear as a convincing logic, to operating from an uncertain ground which while building on critique wants nevertheless to inhabit culture in a relation other than one of critical analysis; other than one of illuminating flaws, locating elisions, allocating blames.

(This text is the first section of “What is a Theorist?”, see http://kein.org/node/62. You can find Irit Rogoff's extended deliberations on criticality in her recent text: ‘Smuggling’ – An Embodied Criticality)

and finally tonight, from Leanne. On the subject of Midpointness.

DIMENSIONS ⁽¹³⁾

DISSENTION ⁽¹¹⁾

DISTENSION ⁽¹¹⁾

IMPSONITES ⁽¹⁴⁾

MISINTENDS ⁽¹³⁾

MISPOINTED ⁽¹⁵⁾

DEMISSION ⁽¹²⁾

DEMONISTS ⁽¹²⁾

DESPOTISM ⁽¹⁴⁾

DIMENSION ⁽¹²⁾

ENDPOINTS ⁽¹²⁾

IMPONENTS ⁽¹³⁾

IMPSONITE ⁽¹³⁾

INDISPOSE ⁽¹²⁾

MIDPOINTS ⁽¹⁴⁾

MISINTEND ⁽¹²⁾

MISONEIST ⁽¹¹⁾

MISPOINTS ⁽¹³⁾

MISPOISED ⁽¹⁴⁾

MISSIONED ⁽¹²⁾

NEPOTISMS ⁽¹³⁾

OPTIMISED ⁽¹⁴⁾

OPTIMISES ⁽¹³⁾

PIEDMONTS ⁽¹⁴⁾

PIMENTONS ⁽¹³⁾

PIMIENTOS ⁽¹³⁾

POINTSMEN ⁽¹³⁾

SEDITIONS ⁽¹⁰⁾

SIMONISED ⁽¹²⁾

SINOPITES ⁽¹¹⁾

TIMIDNESS ⁽¹²⁾

DEMONIST ⁽¹¹⁾

DEPOSITS ⁽¹¹⁾

DIMPSIES ⁽¹³⁾

DINMONTS ⁽¹¹⁾

DISOMIES ⁽¹¹⁾

DISPONES ⁽¹¹⁾

DISTOMES ⁽¹¹⁾

DOMINIES ⁽¹¹⁾

DONNISMS ⁽¹¹⁾

DONSIEST ⁽⁹⁾

DOPINESS ⁽¹¹⁾

EDITIONS ⁽⁹⁾

EMISSION ⁽¹⁰⁾

EMPTIONS ⁽¹²⁾

ENDPOINT ⁽¹¹⁾

IMPONENT ⁽¹²⁾

IMPOSTED ⁽¹³⁾

INOSINES ⁽⁸⁾

INOSITES ⁽⁸⁾

INSISTED ⁽⁹⁾

MENTIONS ⁽¹⁰⁾

MESTINOS ⁽¹⁰⁾

MIDPOINT ⁽¹³⁾

MINDSETS ⁽¹¹⁾

MISDIETS ⁽¹¹⁾

MISDONNE ⁽¹¹⁾

MISEDITS ⁽¹¹⁾

MISPOINT ⁽¹²⁾

MISPOISE ⁽¹²⁾

MISSPEND ⁽¹³⁾

MISSPENT ⁽¹²⁾

MISTENDS ⁽¹¹⁾

MODISTES ⁽¹¹⁾

MOISTENS ⁽¹⁰⁾

MOPINESS ⁽¹²⁾

NEPOTISM ⁽¹²⁾

NOISIEST ⁽⁸⁾

OPTIMISE ⁽¹²⁾

PENSIONS ⁽¹⁰⁾

PEONISMS ⁽¹²⁾

PIEDMONT ⁽¹³⁾

PIETISMS ⁽¹²⁾

PIMENTON ⁽¹²⁾

PIMENTOS ⁽¹²⁾

PIMIENTO ⁽¹²⁾

PINIONED ⁽¹¹⁾

POINTMEN ⁽¹²⁾

SEDITION ⁽⁹⁾

SENTIMOS ⁽¹⁰⁾

SIDESPIN ⁽¹¹⁾

SIMONIES ⁽¹⁰⁾

SIMONISE ⁽¹⁰⁾

SIMONIST ⁽¹⁰⁾

SINOPITE ⁽¹⁰⁾

SNIDIEST ⁽⁹⁾

SNIPIEST ⁽¹⁰⁾

SPINIEST ⁽¹⁰⁾

SPINNETS ⁽¹⁰⁾

SPINNIES ⁽¹⁰⁾

SPINODES ⁽¹¹⁾

STIPENDS ⁽¹¹⁾

STOMPIES ⁽¹²⁾

TENSIONS ⁽⁸⁾

TIDINESS ⁽⁹⁾

TININESS ⁽⁸⁾

TINSNIPS ⁽¹⁰⁾

TOPSIDES ⁽¹¹⁾

DEMISTS ⁽¹⁰⁾

DENTINS ⁽⁸⁾

DEPOSIT ⁽¹⁰⁾

DESPOTS ⁽¹⁰⁾

DIMNESS ⁽¹⁰⁾

DINMONT ⁽¹⁰⁾

DIPNETS ⁽¹⁰⁾

DISNEST ⁽⁸⁾

DISPONE ⁽¹⁰⁾

DISPOSE ⁽¹⁰⁾

DISPOST ⁽¹⁰⁾

DISSENT ⁽⁸⁾

DISTOME ⁽¹⁰⁾

DITONES ⁽⁸⁾

DOMIEST ⁽¹⁰⁾

DOMINES ⁽¹⁰⁾

DOMINIE ⁽¹⁰⁾

DONNIES ⁽⁸⁾

DONNISM ⁽¹⁰⁾

DOPIEST ⁽¹⁰⁾

EDITION ⁽⁸⁾

EMODINS ⁽¹⁰⁾

EMPTINS ⁽¹¹⁾

EMPTION ⁽¹¹⁾

ENDMOST ⁽¹⁰⁾

EONISMS ⁽⁹⁾

IMPENDS ⁽¹²⁾

IMPONED ⁽¹²⁾

IMPONES ⁽¹¹⁾

IMPOSED ⁽¹²⁾

IMPOSES ⁽¹¹⁾

IMPOSTS ⁽¹¹⁾

INDENTS ⁽⁸⁾

INDITES ⁽⁸⁾

INOSINE ⁽⁷⁾

INOSITE ⁽⁷⁾

INSIDES ⁽⁸⁾

INSTEPS ⁽⁹⁾

INTENDS ⁽⁸⁾

INTINES ⁽⁷⁾

INTONED ⁽⁸⁾

INTONES ⁽⁷⁾

IODINES ⁽⁸⁾

IODISES ⁽⁸⁾

IODISMS ⁽¹⁰⁾

IONISED ⁽⁸⁾

IONISES ⁽⁷⁾

ISOSPIN ⁽⁹⁾

MEIOSIS ⁽⁹⁾

MENTION ⁽⁹⁾

MESTINO ⁽⁹⁾

MINDSET ⁽¹⁰⁾

MINIEST ⁽⁹⁾

MINIONS ⁽⁹⁾

MINNIES ⁽⁹⁾

MISDIET ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISDOES ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISDONE ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISEDIT ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISPENS ⁽¹¹⁾

MISSEND ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISSENT ⁽⁹⁾

MISSION ⁽⁹⁾

MISSTEP ⁽¹¹⁾

MISSTOP ⁽¹¹⁾

MISTEND ⁽¹⁰⁾

MITISES ⁽⁹⁾

MITOSES ⁽⁹⁾

MITOSIS ⁽⁹⁾

MODISTE ⁽¹⁰⁾

MODISTS ⁽¹⁰⁾

MOISTED ⁽¹⁰⁾

MOISTEN ⁽⁹⁾

MONISTS ⁽⁹⁾

MONTIES ⁽⁹⁾

MOPIEST ⁽¹¹⁾

MOPSIES ⁽¹¹⁾

NOINTED ⁽⁸⁾

NOSIEST ⁽⁷⁾

ONDINES ⁽⁸⁾

ONSIDES ⁽⁸⁾

OPTIMES ⁽¹¹⁾

PENSION ⁽⁹⁾

PEONISM ⁽¹¹⁾

PIETISM ⁽¹¹⁾

PIMENTO ⁽¹¹⁾

PIMENTS ⁽¹¹⁾

PINIEST ⁽⁹⁾

PINIONS ⁽⁹⁾

PINITES ⁽⁹⁾

PINNETS ⁽⁹⁾

PINNIES ⁽⁹⁾

PINNOED ⁽¹⁰⁾

PINONES ⁽⁹⁾

PINTOES ⁽⁹⁾

PIONIES ⁽⁹⁾

PISTONS ⁽⁹⁾

PODITES ⁽¹⁰⁾

POINTED ⁽¹⁰⁾

POINTES ⁽⁹⁾

POITINS ⁽⁹⁾

PONTIES ⁽⁹⁾

PONTINE ⁽⁹⁾

POSIEST ⁽⁹⁾

POSITED ⁽¹⁰⁾

POSNETS ⁽⁹⁾

POSTIES ⁽⁹⁾

POSTINS ⁽⁹⁾

POSTMEN ⁽¹¹⁾

POTSIES ⁽⁹⁾

SENNITS ⁽⁷⁾

SENTIMO ⁽⁹⁾

SEPIOST ⁽⁹⁾

SINDONS ⁽⁸⁾

SINNETS ⁽⁷⁾

SINOPIE ⁽⁹⁾

SINOPIS ⁽⁹⁾

SNIDEST ⁽⁸⁾

SOMITES ⁽⁹⁾

SONNETS ⁽⁷⁾

SONNIES ⁽⁷⁾

SONTIES ⁽⁷⁾

SOPITED ⁽¹⁰⁾

SOPITES ⁽⁹⁾

SPINETS ⁽⁹⁾

SPINNET ⁽⁹⁾

SPINODE ⁽¹⁰⁾

SPINONE ⁽⁹⁾

SPINONI ⁽⁹⁾

SPINOSE ⁽⁹⁾

SPINTOS ⁽⁹⁾

STEMSON ⁽⁹⁾

STEPSON ⁽⁹⁾

STIMIED ⁽¹⁰⁾

STIMIES ⁽⁹⁾

STIPEND ⁽¹⁰⁾

STOMPED ⁽¹²⁾

STOMPIE ⁽¹¹⁾

STONIED ⁽⁸⁾

STONIES ⁽⁷⁾

STONNED ⁽⁸⁾

STONNES ⁽⁷⁾

TENDONS ⁽⁸⁾

TENIOID ⁽⁸⁾

TENPINS ⁽⁹⁾

TENSION ⁽⁷⁾

TENSONS ⁽⁷⁾

TIEPINS ⁽⁹⁾

TINEIDS ⁽⁸⁾

TINNIES ⁽⁷⁾

TONDINI ⁽⁸⁾

TOPSIDE ⁽¹⁰⁾

TOPSMEN ⁽¹¹⁾

DEISMS ⁽⁹⁾

DEISTS ⁽⁷⁾

DEMISS ⁽⁹⁾

DEMIST ⁽⁹⁾

DEMITS ⁽⁹⁾

DEMONS ⁽⁹⁾

DENIMS ⁽⁹⁾

DENTIN ⁽⁷⁾

DEPOTS ⁽⁹⁾

DESIST ⁽⁷⁾

DESPOT ⁽⁹⁾

DIESIS ⁽⁷⁾

DIPNET ⁽⁹⁾

DIPSOS ⁽⁹⁾

DISMES ⁽⁹⁾

DITONE ⁽⁷⁾

DOMINE ⁽⁹⁾

DONNES ⁽⁷⁾

DONSIE ⁽⁷⁾

EMODIN ⁽⁹⁾

ENDOSS ⁽⁷⁾

ENOSIS ⁽⁶⁾

EONISM ⁽⁸⁾

EOSINS ⁽⁶⁾

ESSOIN ⁽⁶⁾

ESTOPS ⁽⁸⁾

IDENTS ⁽⁷⁾

IDIOMS ⁽⁹⁾

IDIOTS ⁽⁷⁾

IMIDES ⁽⁹⁾

IMINES ⁽⁸⁾

IMPEND ⁽¹¹⁾

IMPIES ⁽¹⁰⁾

IMPONE ⁽¹⁰⁾

IMPOSE ⁽¹⁰⁾

IMPOST ⁽¹⁰⁾

IMPOTS ⁽¹⁰⁾

INDENT ⁽⁷⁾

INDIES ⁽⁷⁾

INDITE ⁽⁷⁾

INIONS ⁽⁶⁾

INMOST ⁽⁸⁾

INSETS ⁽⁶⁾

INSIDE ⁽⁷⁾

INSIST ⁽⁶⁾

INSTEP ⁽⁸⁾

INTEND ⁽⁷⁾

INTIME ⁽⁸⁾

INTINE ⁽⁶⁾

INTOED ⁽⁷⁾

INTONE ⁽⁶⁾

IODINE ⁽⁷⁾

IODINS ⁽⁷⁾

IODISE ⁽⁷⁾

IODISM ⁽⁹⁾

IONISE ⁽⁶⁾

MENTOS ⁽⁸⁾

MESONS ⁽⁸⁾

MIDSTS ⁽⁹⁾

MINION ⁽⁸⁾

MINNIE ⁽⁸⁾

MINTED ⁽⁹⁾

MIOSES ⁽⁸⁾

MIOSIS ⁽⁸⁾

MISPEN ⁽¹⁰⁾

MISSED ⁽⁹⁾

MISSET ⁽⁸⁾

MISTED ⁽⁹⁾

MODEST ⁽⁹⁾

MODIST ⁽⁹⁾

MOISTS ⁽⁸⁾

MONDES ⁽⁹⁾

MONIED ⁽⁹⁾

MONIES ⁽⁸⁾

MONIST ⁽⁸⁾

MONTES ⁽⁸⁾

MOPEDS ⁽¹¹⁾

MOSSED ⁽⁹⁾

MOSSIE ⁽⁸⁾

NEPITS ⁽⁸⁾

NETOPS ⁽⁸⁾

NISEIS ⁽⁶⁾

NITONS ⁽⁶⁾

NOESIS ⁽⁶⁾

NOINTS ⁽⁶⁾

NOISED ⁽⁷⁾

NOISES ⁽⁶⁾

NONETS ⁽⁶⁾

NOSIES ⁽⁶⁾

ODISMS ⁽⁹⁾

ODISTS ⁽⁷⁾

OINTED ⁽⁷⁾

ONDINE ⁽⁷⁾

ONSETS ⁽⁶⁾

ONSIDE ⁽⁷⁾

OPINED ⁽⁹⁾

OPINES ⁽⁸⁾

OPSINS ⁽⁸⁾

OPTIME ⁽¹⁰⁾

OSSEIN ⁽⁶⁾

PENNIS ⁽⁸⁾

PESTOS ⁽⁸⁾

PIENDS ⁽⁹⁾

PIMENT ⁽¹⁰⁾

PINIES ⁽⁸⁾

PINION ⁽⁸⁾

PINITE ⁽⁸⁾

PINNED ⁽⁹⁾

PINNET ⁽⁸⁾

PINNIE ⁽⁸⁾

PINONS ⁽⁸⁾

PINOTS ⁽⁸⁾

PINTOS ⁽⁸⁾

PIONED ⁽⁹⁾

PIOTED ⁽⁹⁾

PISSED ⁽⁹⁾

PISTES ⁽⁸⁾

PISTON ⁽⁸⁾

PITIED ⁽⁹⁾

PITIES ⁽⁸⁾

PITMEN ⁽¹⁰⁾

PITONS ⁽⁸⁾

PODITE ⁽⁹⁾

POINDS ⁽⁹⁾

POINTE ⁽⁸⁾

POINTS ⁽⁸⁾

POISED ⁽⁹⁾

POISES ⁽⁸⁾

POITIN ⁽⁸⁾

PONENT ⁽⁸⁾

PONIED ⁽⁹⁾

PONIES ⁽⁸⁾

PONTES ⁽⁸⁾

PONTIE ⁽⁸⁾

POSIES ⁽⁸⁾

POSITS ⁽⁸⁾

POSNET ⁽⁸⁾

POSSED ⁽⁹⁾

POSSET ⁽⁸⁾

POSSIE ⁽⁸⁾

POSTED ⁽⁹⁾

POSTIE ⁽⁸⁾

POSTIN ⁽⁸⁾

POTINS ⁽⁸⁾

POTMEN ⁽¹⁰⁾

POTSIE ⁽⁸⁾

PSIONS ⁽⁸⁾

PTOSES ⁽⁸⁾

PTOSIS ⁽⁸⁾

SDEINS ⁽⁷⁾

SEISIN ⁽⁶⁾

SENITI ⁽⁶⁾

SENNIT ⁽⁶⁾

SESTON ⁽⁶⁾

SETONS ⁽⁶⁾

SIENTS ⁽⁶⁾

SINDON ⁽⁷⁾

SINNED ⁽⁷⁾

SINNET ⁽⁶⁾

SISTED ⁽⁷⁾

SMITES ⁽⁸⁾

SNIDES ⁽⁷⁾

SNIPED ⁽⁹⁾

SNIPES ⁽⁸⁾

SOMITE ⁽⁸⁾

SONDES ⁽⁷⁾

SONNES ⁽⁶⁾

SONNET ⁽⁶⁾

SONSIE ⁽⁶⁾

SOPITE ⁽⁸⁾

SPENDS ⁽⁹⁾

SPIDES ⁽⁹⁾

SPINED ⁽⁹⁾

SPINES ⁽⁸⁾

SPINET ⁽⁸⁾

SPINTO ⁽⁸⁾

SPITED ⁽⁹⁾

SPITES ⁽⁸⁾

SPODES ⁽⁹⁾

STEINS ⁽⁶⁾

STENDS ⁽⁷⁾

STENOS ⁽⁶⁾

STIMED ⁽⁹⁾

STIMES ⁽⁸⁾

STIMIE ⁽⁸⁾

STIPED ⁽⁹⁾

STIPES ⁽⁸⁾

STOEPS ⁽⁸⁾

STOMPS ⁽¹⁰⁾

STONDS ⁽⁷⁾

STONED ⁽⁷⁾

STONEN ⁽⁶⁾

STONES ⁽⁶⁾

STONNE ⁽⁶⁾

STONNS ⁽⁶⁾

STOPED ⁽⁹⁾

STOPES ⁽⁸⁾

TEIIDS ⁽⁷⁾

TEINDS ⁽⁷⁾

TEMPOS ⁽¹⁰⁾

TENDON ⁽⁷⁾

TENNIS ⁽⁶⁾

TENNOS ⁽⁶⁾

TENONS ⁽⁶⁾

TENPIN ⁽⁸⁾

TENSON ⁽⁶⁾

TIDIES ⁽⁷⁾

TIEPIN ⁽⁸⁾

TIMONS ⁽⁸⁾

TINEID ⁽⁷⁾

TINIES ⁽⁶⁾

TINMEN ⁽⁸⁾

TINNED ⁽⁷⁾

TINNIE ⁽⁶⁾

TMESIS ⁽⁸⁾

TODIES ⁽⁷⁾

TOISES ⁽⁶⁾

TONIES ⁽⁶⁾

TONNES ⁽⁶⁾

TOPMEN ⁽¹⁰⁾

TOSSED ⁽⁷⁾

TOSSEN ⁽⁶⁾

DEISM ⁽⁸⁾

DEIST ⁽⁶⁾

DEMIT ⁽⁸⁾

DEMON ⁽⁸⁾

DEMOS ⁽⁸⁾

DEMPT ⁽¹⁰⁾

DENIM ⁽⁸⁾

DENIS ⁽⁶⁾

DENTS ⁽⁶⁾

DEPOT ⁽⁸⁾

DIETS ⁽⁶⁾

DIMES ⁽⁸⁾

DIMPS ⁽¹⁰⁾

DINES ⁽⁶⁾

DINOS ⁽⁶⁾

DINTS ⁽⁶⁾

DIPSO ⁽⁸⁾

DISME ⁽⁸⁾

DITES ⁽⁶⁾

DOEST ⁽⁶⁾

DOITS ⁽⁶⁾

DOMES ⁽⁸⁾

DONNE ⁽⁶⁾

DOPES ⁽⁸⁾

DOSES ⁽⁶⁾

DOTES ⁽⁶⁾

EDITS ⁽⁶⁾

EIDOS ⁽⁶⁾

EMITS ⁽⁷⁾

EMPTS ⁽⁹⁾

EOSIN ⁽⁵⁾

ESTOP ⁽⁷⁾

IDENT ⁽⁶⁾

IDIOM ⁽⁸⁾

IDIOT ⁽⁶⁾

IMIDE ⁽⁸⁾

IMIDO ⁽⁸⁾

IMIDS ⁽⁸⁾

IMINE ⁽⁷⁾

IMINO ⁽⁷⁾

IMPED ⁽¹⁰⁾

IMPIS ⁽⁹⁾

IMPOT ⁽⁹⁾

INDIE ⁽⁶⁾

INEPT ⁽⁷⁾

INION ⁽⁵⁾

INNED ⁽⁶⁾

INNIT ⁽⁵⁾

INSET ⁽⁵⁾

INTIS ⁽⁵⁾

IODIN ⁽⁶⁾

ISSEI ⁽⁵⁾

ITEMS ⁽⁷⁾

MEDII ⁽⁸⁾

MEINS ⁽⁷⁾

MEINT ⁽⁷⁾

MENDS ⁽⁸⁾

MENTO ⁽⁷⁾

MESON ⁽⁷⁾

MESTO ⁽⁷⁾

METIS ⁽⁷⁾

MIDIS ⁽⁸⁾

MIDST ⁽⁸⁾

MIENS ⁽⁷⁾

MINDS ⁽⁸⁾

MINED ⁽⁸⁾

MINES ⁽⁷⁾

MINIS ⁽⁷⁾

MINOS ⁽⁷⁾

MINTS ⁽⁷⁾

MISDO ⁽⁸⁾

MISES ⁽⁷⁾

MISOS ⁽⁷⁾

MISTS ⁽⁷⁾

MITES ⁽⁷⁾

MITIS ⁽⁷⁾

MODES ⁽⁸⁾

MODII ⁽⁸⁾

MOIST ⁽⁷⁾

MOITS ⁽⁷⁾

MONDE ⁽⁸⁾

MONIE ⁽⁷⁾

MONTE ⁽⁷⁾

MOPED ⁽¹⁰⁾

MOPES ⁽⁹⁾

MOSED ⁽⁸⁾

MOSES ⁽⁷⁾

MOSTE ⁽⁷⁾

MOSTS ⁽⁷⁾

MOTED ⁽⁸⁾

MOTEN ⁽⁷⁾

MOTES ⁽⁷⁾

MOTIS ⁽⁷⁾

NEIST ⁽⁵⁾

NEMNS ⁽⁷⁾

NEMPT ⁽⁹⁾

NEONS ⁽⁵⁾

NEPIT ⁽⁷⁾

NESTS ⁽⁵⁾

NETOP ⁽⁷⁾

NIDES ⁽⁶⁾

NIMPS ⁽⁹⁾

NINES ⁽⁵⁾

NISEI ⁽⁵⁾

NISSE ⁽⁵⁾

NITES ⁽⁵⁾

NITID ⁽⁶⁾

NITON ⁽⁵⁾

NODES ⁽⁶⁾

NOINT ⁽⁵⁾

NOISE ⁽⁵⁾

NOMEN ⁽⁷⁾

NOMES ⁽⁷⁾

NONES ⁽⁵⁾

NONET ⁽⁵⁾

NONIS ⁽⁵⁾

NOSED ⁽⁶⁾

NOSES ⁽⁵⁾

NOTED ⁽⁶⁾

NOTES ⁽⁵⁾

ODISM ⁽⁸⁾

ODIST ⁽⁶⁾

OINTS ⁽⁵⁾

OMENS ⁽⁷⁾

OMITS ⁽⁷⁾

ONNED ⁽⁶⁾

ONSET ⁽⁵⁾

OPENS ⁽⁷⁾

OPINE ⁽⁷⁾

OPSIN ⁽⁷⁾

OPTED ⁽⁸⁾

PEINS ⁽⁷⁾

PENDS ⁽⁸⁾

PENIS ⁽⁷⁾

PENNI ⁽⁷⁾

PENTS ⁽⁷⁾

PEONS ⁽⁷⁾

PESOS ⁽⁷⁾

PESTO ⁽⁷⁾

PESTS ⁽⁷⁾

PIEND ⁽⁸⁾

PIETS ⁽⁷⁾

PINED ⁽⁸⁾

PINES ⁽⁷⁾

PINON ⁽⁷⁾

PINOT ⁽⁷⁾

PINTO ⁽⁷⁾

PINTS ⁽⁷⁾

PIONS ⁽⁷⁾

PISES ⁽⁷⁾

PISOS ⁽⁷⁾

PISTE ⁽⁷⁾

PITON ⁽⁷⁾

POEMS ⁽⁹⁾

POETS ⁽⁷⁾

POIND ⁽⁸⁾

POINT ⁽⁷⁾

POISE ⁽⁷⁾

POMES ⁽⁹⁾

PONDS ⁽⁸⁾

PONES ⁽⁷⁾

PONTS ⁽⁷⁾

POSED ⁽⁸⁾

POSES ⁽⁷⁾

POSIT ⁽⁷⁾

POSSE ⁽⁷⁾

POSTS ⁽⁷⁾

POTED ⁽⁸⁾

POTES ⁽⁷⁾

POTIN ⁽⁷⁾

PSION ⁽⁷⁾

SDEIN ⁽⁶⁾

SEISM ⁽⁷⁾

SEMIS ⁽⁷⁾

SENDS ⁽⁶⁾

SENSI ⁽⁵⁾

SENTI ⁽⁵⁾

SENTS ⁽⁵⁾

SEPTS ⁽⁷⁾

SETON ⁽⁵⁾

SIDES ⁽⁶⁾

SIENS ⁽⁵⁾

SIENT ⁽⁵⁾

SIMIS ⁽⁷⁾

SIMPS ⁽⁹⁾

SINDS ⁽⁶⁾

SINED ⁽⁶⁾

SINES ⁽⁵⁾

SIPED ⁽⁸⁾

SIPES ⁽⁷⁾

SITED ⁽⁶⁾

SITES ⁽⁵⁾

SMITE ⁽⁷⁾

SMITS ⁽⁷⁾

SMOTE ⁽⁷⁾

SNEDS ⁽⁶⁾

SNIDE ⁽⁶⁾

SNIES ⁽⁵⁾

SNIPE ⁽⁷⁾

SNIPS ⁽⁷⁾

SNITS ⁽⁵⁾

SNODS ⁽⁶⁾

SNOEP ⁽⁷⁾

SNOTS ⁽⁵⁾

SONDE ⁽⁶⁾

SONES ⁽⁵⁾

SONNE ⁽⁵⁾

SONSE ⁽⁵⁾

SPEND ⁽⁸⁾

SPENT ⁽⁷⁾

SPEOS ⁽⁷⁾

SPETS ⁽⁷⁾

SPIDE ⁽⁸⁾

SPIED ⁽⁸⁾

SPIES ⁽⁷⁾

SPIMS ⁽⁹⁾

SPINE ⁽⁷⁾

SPINS ⁽⁷⁾

SPITE ⁽⁷⁾

SPITS ⁽⁷⁾

SPODE ⁽⁸⁾

SPODS ⁽⁸⁾

SPOTS ⁽⁷⁾

STEDS ⁽⁶⁾

STEIN ⁽⁵⁾

STEMS ⁽⁷⁾

STEND ⁽⁶⁾

STENO ⁽⁵⁾

STENS ⁽⁵⁾

STEPS ⁽⁷⁾

STIED ⁽⁶⁾

STIES ⁽⁵⁾

STIME ⁽⁷⁾

STIMS ⁽⁷⁾

STIPE ⁽⁷⁾

STOEP ⁽⁷⁾

STOMP ⁽⁹⁾

STOND ⁽⁶⁾

STONE ⁽⁵⁾

STONN ⁽⁵⁾

STOPE ⁽⁷⁾

STOPS ⁽⁷⁾

TEIID ⁽⁶⁾

TEIND ⁽⁶⁾

TEINS ⁽⁵⁾

TEMPI ⁽⁹⁾

TEMPO ⁽⁹⁾

TEMPS ⁽⁹⁾

TENDS ⁽⁶⁾

TENNO ⁽⁵⁾

TENON ⁽⁵⁾

TEPID ⁽⁸⁾

TIDES ⁽⁶⁾

TIMED ⁽⁸⁾

TIMES ⁽⁷⁾

TIMID ⁽⁸⁾

TIMON ⁽⁷⁾

TIMPS ⁽⁹⁾

TINDS ⁽⁶⁾

TINED ⁽⁶⁾

TINES ⁽⁵⁾

TIPIS ⁽⁷⁾

TOISE ⁽⁵⁾

TOMES ⁽⁷⁾

TONDI ⁽⁶⁾

TONED ⁽⁶⁾

TONES ⁽⁵⁾

TONNE ⁽⁵⁾

TOPED ⁽⁸⁾

TOPES ⁽⁷⁾

TOPIS ⁽⁷⁾

TOSED ⁽⁶⁾

TOSES ⁽⁵⁾

DEMO ⁽⁷⁾

DENI ⁽⁵⁾

DENS ⁽⁵⁾

DENT ⁽⁵⁾

DESI ⁽⁵⁾

DIES ⁽⁵⁾

DIET ⁽⁵⁾

DIME ⁽⁷⁾

DIMP ⁽⁹⁾

DIMS ⁽⁷⁾

DINE ⁽⁵⁾

DINO ⁽⁵⁾

DINS ⁽⁵⁾

DINT ⁽⁵⁾

DIPS ⁽⁷⁾

DIPT ⁽⁷⁾

DISS ⁽⁵⁾

DITE ⁽⁵⁾

DITS ⁽⁵⁾

DOEN ⁽⁵⁾

DOES ⁽⁵⁾

DOIT ⁽⁵⁾

DOME ⁽⁷⁾

DOMS ⁽⁷⁾

DONE ⁽⁵⁾

DONS ⁽⁵⁾

DOPE ⁽⁷⁾

DOPS ⁽⁷⁾

DOSE ⁽⁵⁾

DOSS ⁽⁵⁾

DOST ⁽⁵⁾

DOTE ⁽⁵⁾

DOTS ⁽⁵⁾

DSOS ⁽⁵⁾

EDIT ⁽⁵⁾

EMIT ⁽⁶⁾

EMOS ⁽⁶⁾

EMPT ⁽⁸⁾

ENDS ⁽⁵⁾

EONS ⁽⁴⁾

EPOS ⁽⁶⁾

ESTS ⁽⁴⁾

IDEM ⁽⁷⁾

IDES ⁽⁵⁾

IMID ⁽⁷⁾

IMPI ⁽⁸⁾

IMPS ⁽⁸⁾

INNS ⁽⁴⁾

INTI ⁽⁴⁾

INTO ⁽⁴⁾

IONS ⁽⁴⁾

ISIT ⁽⁴⁾

ISMS ⁽⁶⁾

ISOS ⁽⁴⁾

ITEM ⁽⁶⁾

MEDS ⁽⁷⁾

MEIN ⁽⁶⁾

MEND ⁽⁷⁾

MENO ⁽⁶⁾

MENT ⁽⁶⁾

MESS ⁽⁶⁾

METS ⁽⁶⁾

MIDI ⁽⁷⁾

MIDS ⁽⁷⁾

MIEN ⁽⁶⁾

MIND ⁽⁷⁾

MINE ⁽⁶⁾

MINI ⁽⁶⁾

MINO ⁽⁶⁾

MINT ⁽⁶⁾

MIPS ⁽⁸⁾

MISE ⁽⁶⁾

MISO ⁽⁶⁾

MISS ⁽⁶⁾

MIST ⁽⁶⁾

MITE ⁽⁶⁾

MODE ⁽⁷⁾

MODI ⁽⁷⁾

MODS ⁽⁷⁾

MOES ⁽⁶⁾

MOIT ⁽⁶⁾

MONS ⁽⁶⁾

MOPE ⁽⁸⁾

MOPS ⁽⁸⁾

MOSE ⁽⁶⁾

MOSS ⁽⁶⁾

MOST ⁽⁶⁾

MOTE ⁽⁶⁾

MOTI ⁽⁶⁾

MOTS ⁽⁶⁾

NEDS ⁽⁵⁾

NEMN ⁽⁶⁾

NEON ⁽⁴⁾

NEPS ⁽⁶⁾

NESS ⁽⁴⁾

NEST ⁽⁴⁾

NETS ⁽⁴⁾

NIDE ⁽⁵⁾

NIDI ⁽⁵⁾

NIDS ⁽⁵⁾

NIED ⁽⁵⁾

NIES ⁽⁴⁾

NIMS ⁽⁶⁾

NINE ⁽⁴⁾

NIPS ⁽⁶⁾

NISI ⁽⁴⁾

NITE ⁽⁴⁾

NITS ⁽⁴⁾

NODE ⁽⁵⁾

NODI ⁽⁵⁾

NODS ⁽⁵⁾

NOES ⁽⁴⁾

NOME ⁽⁶⁾

NOMS ⁽⁶⁾

NONE ⁽⁴⁾

NONI ⁽⁴⁾

NOPE ⁽⁶⁾

NOSE ⁽⁴⁾

NOTE ⁽⁴⁾

ODES ⁽⁵⁾

OINT ⁽⁴⁾

OMEN ⁽⁶⁾

OMIT ⁽⁶⁾

ONES ⁽⁴⁾

ONIE ⁽⁴⁾

ONST ⁽⁴⁾

OPED ⁽⁷⁾

OPEN ⁽⁶⁾

OPES ⁽⁶⁾

OPTS ⁽⁶⁾

OSES ⁽⁴⁾

PEDS ⁽⁷⁾

PEIN ⁽⁶⁾

PEND ⁽⁷⁾

PENI ⁽⁶⁾

PENS ⁽⁶⁾

PENT ⁽⁶⁾

PEON ⁽⁶⁾

PESO ⁽⁶⁾

PEST ⁽⁶⁾

PETS ⁽⁶⁾

PIED ⁽⁷⁾

PIES ⁽⁶⁾

PIET ⁽⁶⁾

PINE ⁽⁶⁾

PINS ⁽⁶⁾

PINT ⁽⁶⁾

PION ⁽⁶⁾

PISE ⁽⁶⁾

PISO ⁽⁶⁾

PISS ⁽⁶⁾

PITS ⁽⁶⁾

PODS ⁽⁷⁾

POEM ⁽⁸⁾

POET ⁽⁶⁾

POIS ⁽⁶⁾

POME ⁽⁸⁾

POMS ⁽⁸⁾

POND ⁽⁷⁾

PONE ⁽⁶⁾

PONS ⁽⁶⁾

PONT ⁽⁶⁾

POSE ⁽⁶⁾

POSS ⁽⁶⁾

POST ⁽⁶⁾

POTE ⁽⁶⁾

POTS ⁽⁶⁾

PSIS ⁽⁶⁾

PSST ⁽⁶⁾

SEIS ⁽⁴⁾

SEMI ⁽⁶⁾

SEND ⁽⁵⁾

SENS ⁽⁴⁾

SENT ⁽⁴⁾

SEPS ⁽⁶⁾

SEPT ⁽⁶⁾

SETS ⁽⁴⁾

SIDE ⁽⁵⁾

SIEN ⁽⁴⁾

SIES ⁽⁴⁾

SIMI ⁽⁶⁾

SIMP ⁽⁸⁾

SIMS ⁽⁶⁾

SIND ⁽⁵⁾

SINE ⁽⁴⁾

SINS ⁽⁴⁾

SIPE ⁽⁶⁾

SIPS ⁽⁶⁾

SIST ⁽⁴⁾

SITE ⁽⁴⁾

SITS ⁽⁴⁾

SMIT ⁽⁶⁾

SNED ⁽⁵⁾

SNIP ⁽⁶⁾

SNIT ⁽⁴⁾

SNOD ⁽⁵⁾

SNOT ⁽⁴⁾

SODS ⁽⁵⁾

SOME ⁽⁶⁾

SOMS ⁽⁶⁾

SONE ⁽⁴⁾

SONS ⁽⁴⁾

SOPS ⁽⁶⁾

SOTS ⁽⁴⁾

SPED ⁽⁷⁾

SPET ⁽⁶⁾

SPIE ⁽⁶⁾

SPIM ⁽⁸⁾

SPIN ⁽⁶⁾

SPIT ⁽⁶⁾

SPOD ⁽⁷⁾

SPOT ⁽⁶⁾

STED ⁽⁵⁾

STEM ⁽⁶⁾

STEN ⁽⁴⁾

STEP ⁽⁶⁾

STIE ⁽⁴⁾

STIM ⁽⁶⁾

STOP ⁽⁶⁾

TEDS ⁽⁵⁾

TEIN ⁽⁴⁾

TEMP ⁽⁸⁾

TEMS ⁽⁶⁾

TEND ⁽⁵⁾

TENS ⁽⁴⁾

TIDE ⁽⁵⁾

TIDS ⁽⁵⁾

TIED ⁽⁵⁾

TIES ⁽⁴⁾

TIME ⁽⁶⁾

TIND ⁽⁵⁾

TINE ⁽⁴⁾

TINS ⁽⁴⁾

TIPI ⁽⁶⁾

TIPS ⁽⁶⁾

TODS ⁽⁵⁾

TOED ⁽⁵⁾

TOES ⁽⁴⁾

TOME ⁽⁶⁾

TOMS ⁽⁶⁾

TONE ⁽⁴⁾

TONS ⁽⁴⁾

TOPE ⁽⁶⁾

TOPI ⁽⁶⁾

TOPS ⁽⁶⁾

TOSE ⁽⁴⁾

TOSS ⁽⁴⁾

DEI ⁽⁴⁾

DEN ⁽⁴⁾

DIE ⁽⁴⁾

DIM ⁽⁶⁾

DIN ⁽⁴⁾

DIP ⁽⁶⁾

DIS ⁽⁴⁾

DIT ⁽⁴⁾

DOE ⁽⁴⁾

DOM ⁽⁶⁾

DON ⁽⁴⁾

DOP ⁽⁶⁾

DOS ⁽⁴⁾

DOT ⁽⁴⁾

DSO ⁽⁴⁾

EDS ⁽⁴⁾

EMO ⁽⁵⁾

EMS ⁽⁵⁾

END ⁽⁴⁾

ENS ⁽³⁾

EON ⁽³⁾

ESS ⁽³⁾

EST ⁽³⁾

IDE ⁽⁴⁾

IDS ⁽⁴⁾

IMP ⁽⁷⁾

INN ⁽³⁾

INS ⁽³⁾

ION ⁽³⁾

IOS ⁽³⁾

ISM ⁽⁵⁾

ISO ⁽³⁾

ITS ⁽³⁾

MED ⁽⁶⁾

MEN ⁽⁵⁾

MES ⁽⁵⁾

MET ⁽⁵⁾

MID ⁽⁶⁾

MIS ⁽⁵⁾

MOD ⁽⁶⁾

MOE ⁽⁵⁾

MOI ⁽⁵⁾

MON ⁽⁵⁾

MOP ⁽⁷⁾

MOS ⁽⁵⁾

MOT ⁽⁵⁾

NED ⁽⁴⁾

NEP ⁽⁵⁾

NET ⁽³⁾

NID ⁽⁴⁾

NIE ⁽³⁾

NIM ⁽⁵⁾

NIP ⁽⁵⁾

NIS ⁽³⁾

NIT ⁽³⁾

NOD ⁽⁴⁾

NOM ⁽⁵⁾

NON ⁽³⁾

NOS ⁽³⁾

NOT ⁽³⁾

ODE ⁽⁴⁾

ODS ⁽⁴⁾

OES ⁽³⁾

OIS ⁽³⁾

OMS ⁽⁵⁾

ONE ⁽³⁾

ONS ⁽³⁾

OPE ⁽⁵⁾

OPS ⁽⁵⁾

OPT ⁽⁵⁾

OSE ⁽³⁾

PED ⁽⁶⁾

PEN ⁽⁵⁾

PES ⁽⁵⁾

PET ⁽⁵⁾

PIE ⁽⁵⁾

PIN ⁽⁵⁾

PIS ⁽⁵⁾

PIT ⁽⁵⁾

POD ⁽⁶⁾

POI ⁽⁵⁾

POM ⁽⁷⁾

POS ⁽⁵⁾

POT ⁽⁵⁾

PSI ⁽⁵⁾

PST ⁽⁵⁾

SED ⁽⁴⁾

SEI ⁽³⁾

SEN ⁽³⁾

SET ⁽³⁾

SIM ⁽⁵⁾

SIN ⁽³⁾

SIP ⁽⁵⁾

SIS ⁽³⁾

SIT ⁽³⁾

SOD ⁽⁴⁾

SOM ⁽⁵⁾

SON ⁽³⁾

SOP ⁽⁵⁾

SOS ⁽³⁾

SOT ⁽³⁾

TED ⁽⁴⁾

TEN ⁽³⁾

TES ⁽³⁾

TID ⁽⁴⁾

TIE ⁽³⁾

TIN ⁽³⁾

TIP ⁽⁵⁾

TIS ⁽³⁾

TOD ⁽⁴⁾

TOE ⁽³⁾

TOM ⁽⁵⁾

TON ⁽³⁾

TOP ⁽⁵⁾

DE ⁽³⁾

DI ⁽³⁾

DO ⁽³⁾

ED ⁽³⁾

EM ⁽⁴⁾

EN ⁽²⁾

ES ⁽²⁾

ET ⁽²⁾

ID ⁽³⁾

IN ⁽²⁾

IO ⁽²⁾

IS ⁽²⁾

IT ⁽²⁾

ME ⁽⁴⁾

MI ⁽⁴⁾

MO ⁽⁴⁾

NE ⁽²⁾

NO ⁽²⁾

OD ⁽³⁾

OE ⁽²⁾

OI ⁽²⁾

OM ⁽⁴⁾

ON ⁽²⁾

OP ⁽⁴⁾

OS ⁽²⁾

PE ⁽⁴⁾

PI ⁽⁴⁾

PO ⁽⁴⁾

SI ⁽²⁾

SO ⁽²⁾

ST ⁽²⁾

TE ⁽²⁾

TI ⁽²⁾

TO ⁽²⁾

Midpointness Day 6 Appendix from Leanne

Day 6 Appendix

Midpointness

http://www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/midpointness

Many thanks to Leanne Schubert for this.

LINKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMJnix5Hw0M&sns=fb

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=regent+bower+bird&FORM=HDRSC3 - view=detail&mid=4F37CEFABF21E39116D94F37CEFABF21E39116D9

http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/bird-profile/regent-bowerbird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

Midpointness Day 6

Day 6

The exercise yard in the Lock-Up, serving as a reading room
and a symposium space from for the period of Midpointness.

Midpointness

http://www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/midpointness

2 x 0 ÷ 1 = 0

Many thanks to the contributers of the reading groups over the past couple of days. Far too much to get down onto paper/screen here. My respect and gratitude to Jude, Penny, (who's equation above refers to my habit of creating nothing from something),  Rosemary, Leanne (A.K.A. 'Spanner' ), Fern, Christina, Alex, Sean, Penny,  Emily, Sarah, Liz, and  Jess. Interesting gender imbalance.  

We are indebted to the authors of the texts.  

We have all  been round the houses and back but the whole thing might be summed up in the spirit of a comment from Leanne, following on from discussions about Blanchot, Social Work, the work of the Work of art and the 'lack' which haunts the image. Leanne's parting words at the end of the third session were,

"The Work of Art is the renunciation of Desire"

These were the texts we were working through.

Text. Jan Verwoert. “Exhaustion and Exuberance: Ways to defy the pressure to perform” in Tell me what you want, what you really, really want. (Rotterdam: Pier Zwart Institute, William de Kooning Academy Rotterdam University and Sternberg Press, 2010), 13 - 41

Text. Andrew Warstat. “Unteachable and Unlearnable: the ignorance of artists” in: On not knowing; how artists think ed. Elizabeth Fisher and Rebecca Fortnum. (London. Black Dog in association with Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge and supported by the University of the Arts London, 2013), 42-52

Text. W.J. Mitchell “What do pictures want” in What do pictures want: the lives and loves of images (Chicago. The University of Chicago Press, 2005) p 28-56

Text. Elizabeth Grosz “Chaos. Cosmos, Territory, Architecture ” in Chaos, Territory, Art ( New York, Columbia University Press, 2008 ) 1-24

It would be impossible to fully recount the range of discussion here but I have no doubt that things will surface through the coming week and hopefully merge somehow into this blog and into the project as a whole as I hope things will for all the contributors in their own endeavours, all of which seem wonderful.. 

These texts are providing something of a back bone to the project, thinking through  (and beyond) performance culture, not knowing, the Blanchotian student, the weak image (causing  a particular stir in the group), framing chaos, zones of transaction between image and text, three forms of enlightenment, (the historical enlightenment, the enlightened sophisticated reader, and the spiritual), ventriloquism, (twice cropped up), taboo, the subaltern, how inverting pictures is bad for the soul, radical unsatisfaction, the impotent, the anamorphic blur and art as an instrument of the mind (thanks to Christina for that one).

back on Monday

Midpointness Day 5

Day 5

Image courtesy of Andrew Bracey ( and Vermeer )

A strange coincidence

Midpointness

http://www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/midpointness

I received a telepathic message from Andrew today wondering if I was ready to open the package he had given to me back in the UK, which was not to be opened until I was ready and settled in the development of the project. This I did (see above). What a strange thing. The telepathy exceeded itself in order to be itself. This seems somehow appropriate. Instead of me opening the package and following the instruction, I was instructed telepathically to open the package in order to share telepathic thoughts. Which I do (don't I Andrew?) and am doing as I write ( don't you agree A? )

Midpointness Day 4

Day 4

Midpointness

http://www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/midpointness

A glint or a twinkle?

Whilst having a very pleasant dinner this evening  with S, J, F and H (thanks to all for wonderful hospitality) the conversation turned once again (between S and I) to the the ‘cul de sac’ of irony. An issue, or plight, or predicament (thanks to Michael Phillipson for those terms)  that some of us have been ‘struggling’ with (see, even here, I can't struggle with something unless I'm 'struggling' with it! ) in our various practices. There was a very pithy comment from S (I’ll project that one into the future and predict that S will return to this as a huge problem with his own observation as we have a coffee with E before a reading group tomorrow at the Lock-up at 10 a.m.) which was that he perceived, or felt a ‘vulgarity’ in a passion which didn’t have a glint in it's eye. 

This  struck me as profound for (at least) two reasons. Firstly, it made a terrible and disturbing kind of sense, it  felt like a fact. Secondly (and this occurred to me a bit later) was that I found the application of the word ‘glint’ too steely and cold for my 'delicate' sensibilities (there it is again).  I would have preferred a ‘twinkle’. Now, this thought reminded me of my late Dad, who most definitely pretty much always had a twinkle in his eye, especially when we were earnestly discussing pressing matters of art, sex, politics and/or Scrabble. The twinkle was the 'permission' which allowed us to move past 'ourselves' and enter the conversations and territories that as so-called 'normal' working class Mancunians (and lets not forget also men) might not have felt so comfortable negotiating. It allowed us to ask,"what does this feel like if I say this, or that, or think this or that, who do I feel like when I say or think this or hear this?".

As the default position of certain men of certain ages from certain areas of Manchester is to avoid  at all costs any accusations of pretentiousness, this intimacy and openness felt (and still feels) like something of a relief.

*

Sometime  ago in the studio, I had been thinking  about this matter of the sincere statement

(through 'the lens of art' as S puts it) and I tried to think of what I considered to be one of the (probably pretty few) unequivocal sentiments in my life of which I could speak. 

The simple declaration I wrote with a marker pen on an A1 sheet of paper was this.

I LOVE MY CHILDREN

At the time, I felt that although this statement was profoundly 'true' for me, it's very 'trueness' was put at risk by it's declaration from within the the realm of aesthesis. At the risk of totally overstepping myself, I figured that what might be at stake (for me) in this declaration within the sphere of art might be the very limits of language, that it marked a place of oscillation between ontological realms in which truth and art were opposed. 

And yet, following on, thinking of the 'twinkle' in the eye, I'm now not so sure. Perhaps, I can declare my love for my children here and now through the lens of art, precisely because of a twinkle in the eye, and maybe, just maybe, that gives a possibility for a small path to be found at the bottom of the cul de sac, which leads down to the open meadow. If this were the case, considering this declaration of love felt between my Dad and myself,  and my love for my Daughters, wouldn't it be really something if there had indeed been a cul de sac where I had lived as a child which had a path leading down to the playing fields known in local parlance as 'the Meds'?