Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Writing Is On The Wall--Simulated Akashics



Simulated Akashics, 17X22", Mixed Media, 5/3/11
    
The very idea of Akashics sends my imagination into overdrive.  The Akashic Record refers to all things known and to be known.  It is said that these records show up sometimes to the highly accomplished sage who can actually read them, and copy them down.  They are coming directly out of the ether (akasha in sanskrit) in the form of the multifarious variations of the AUM (Amen), "... the faithful Witness and true, the source of God's creation." (as discussed in Revelations 3:14).

The Akashic record sort of spells out the very first encoding of the reality we all inhabit, and everything about it.  Examples of this direct interfacing with the creator are found in the holy books of all religions, from Danial's interpretation of the 'writing on the wall' for the idiot King Belshazar, to Mohammad taking dictation, to Gautama accessing every detail of all his incarnations, and so of course he was the Buddha.

Now I ain't no New Ager, and Madam Blavatsky scares the crap out of me,  but this is cool--especially if you bypass all the crazoid nonsense for the past 4,000 years, which essentially takes us back to the Vedic sources--a bunch of rishis staring out into space and writing down stuff  (the ponderous Vedas).   I mean, the very idea of all this lights me up.  What were they seeing?  What do you see?  All I see is dust, which is actually fun to watch.  But never in public.    

This is another mixed media piece using sanded mortar and white glue mixtures, acrylics, acrylic-latex--the standard goop--colored pencils and oil glazes with Liquin--hardboard panel.


A Poem.



Greek Sages were deep.

100 Greek Sages = one Cervantes. 
100 Cervantes = One Bobdylan.
100 Bobdylans = one Tom Wait.
100 Tom Waits = one Zen Master. 
100 Zen Masters = one Yogananda.
100 Yoganadas = one Patanjali. 
continued in some book.





\\///\

29 comments:

Caroline Simmill said...

This is very beautiful Bill is this your work? I think the mystery and magic is very apparent in this fine painting.

Casey Klahn said...

I like the ascending values of light. I love the understated/not understated colors.

The story about knowledge outside of time - I was just writing about that, too. Cue the Outer Limits theme...

William Cook said...

Hi Caroline--So interesting that you are the first commenter. I thought of you often while doing this piece. There are certain compositional similarities to your horizon and sky pieces, don't you think. Thanks for thoughtful comments.

Hi Casey--How interesting. Of course time is overrated [the older I get]. Good music choice. I'll be on the lookout for you time post. Regards.

hw (hallie) farber said...

Love it; this is one of your best.
Shades of Edgar Cayce and the Seth Material--I think I remember this from Atlantis.

Is there such a thing as time?

Sonya Johnson said...

Always some interesting philosophical and out-of-mainstream topic to go along with your artwork here, William. I'm not familiar with Akashics, but as someone whose beliefs are most closely aligned with Theravada Buddhism (and combined with science), this is right up my spiritual alley, so to speak.

The faint markings on the painting - they could be ancient alphabet scripts? Aramaic or cuneiform, perhaps? Or even Japanese Katakana.

Neat.

William Cook said...

Hi Hallie--It does smack of Edgar, doesn't it? I wondered if I'd even find it on the net, thinking the idea of Akashics was obscure. But nooo. Ran in to this Edgar stuff reading Wikipedia--and all the new age stuff. Had no idea. As for time, I suppose that all depends on if you're God or not.

William Cook said...

Hi Sonya--Thanks. You got me on that branch of Buddhism. Haven't heard that term in decades. Makes sense though, Buddhism being so matter of fact, not unlike the scientific method. This is suffering--this is the end of suffering. Perfect belief structure for an on the go scientist. My friend the Zen Buddhist thought the markings looked Islamic. I'll take all of the above as long as it looks ancient and un-recognizable. All the best!

Myrna Wacknov said...

A very elegant construct. The painting is as mysterious as the explanation.

Sharmon Davidson said...

How very esoteric- and eclectic- you are, Bill! I admire your readiness to explore any and all artistic or philosophical paths open to you. I think I've heard a theory that the Akashic Record may be encoded into the number Pi. Is this is "Contact" by Carl Sagan, or am I thinking of something else? Rats, now I have to look it up!
Anyway, I think the piece is simply stunning; Tom Waits himself couldn't have done better. But how about sharing your esoteric knowledge regarding the use of sanded mortar in artworks?

Autumn Leaves said...

Yeesh, Bill. The depth of your knowledge is amazing and sometimes I admit that I haven't a clue what you are speaking of (and I used to credit myself with being pretty darned bright)! LOL I love the sense of something in the mist that this piece brings and I am both excited and afraid to see what is lurking beyond! Love your imagination!

Sophie Munns said...

What a treat of a post William... that first sentence!
Really with you on that whole mind-blowing thing about the Akashic Records... but minus the new-age blah-de-blah!
The painting I'd love to actually see ... and as for that poem... continued in some book... which book would this be? ... I was in there with 100 Tom Waits = one Zen Master!
Good to have your recent visit and comment ... Looking forward to seeing what other tangents await!
Sophie

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

I completely agree. At least I think I do. If I understood what you had to say. Which is entirely likely. Unless it's not. In which case, my comment will not be relevant and it will be followed by the sound of crickets.

I have become increasingly convinced that our modern age is too taken with Scientific Method and Cognitive imperatives, and has lost the wonder of the unknown. And the possibility that discovery can happen by breathing the air.

For the person for whom things must be proven in order to be true ... I have sympathy and sadness. I am curious about those things that can't be proven but remain true or pointing to truth, carried by a dust mote or a shaft of light through a dew covered bough.

William Cook said...

Hi Myrna--Thanks so much for stopping by. It means a lot--I've become quite a fan of your work. Your use of transparencies and translucencies within a representational framework--and portraits no less-- drives me wild. I know these descriptions seem cryptic, but in a sense, that's all the fun--especially the usual train wreck at the end. Seriously, best regards.

Thanks Sharmon--That point about Pi is really interesting. It sort of brings up something that's been occurring to me for a long time. That is, we did not invent mathematics. It's the other way round. Mathematics is divine. We are just discovering it in bits and pieces with our man-made notation/crutches--the universe being so consistent and all. Anyway, I have no doubt that divine mathematics (including Pi) is woven into this "Akashic Record", and that this record presents itself to us from time to time.
As for the esoterica of sanded mortar, that's the beauty of mixed media, isn't it? Nothing is sacred. It all goes in according to what is called for. I found an old peanut butter taffy wrapper--orange. Held it up to a piece I've been working on that has no focal point. Do IO have the guts to add it in? What a dilemma! This mixed media stuff is not for the wimpy.

Hi Autumn--Thank you for the acclamation--means lot. But alas, I am ten pounds of nonsense in a five pound bag--a half wit with access to a blog site. I'm not sure if the art is the excuse for the writing, or the other way around. In any event, I'm having a blast getting to know you and all the truly accomplished artists out there. It's rejuvenating me--and I am humbled that anyone would think enough of my offerings to leave a comment. Thank you again. That bit of foreboding in the mist is curious--sure fits--hmmm--a different twist.

Hi Sophie--Exactly. The new age stuff does get tedious. Nice music though. You're right this picture of the painting doesn't do it any justice. The piece has depth. There's at least two dozen layers of clear goop with a little craziness going on every few layers. Strange surreal surface qualities. Could you imaging 100 TWs all at once?

William Cook said...

Sophi--I forgot to mention that I think I read something like this poem in the Upanishads--which I highly recommend--I read it every summer. My copy has fallen to pieces, however and I can't find it at the moment. I'll let you know later--its very cool.

William Cook said...

Hi Katherine--Crickets? Me? Never. In many ways the modern age is to be lamented in its never ending quest of conclusions, with no room for wonder--especially of the unknown. But isn't all that the trappings of the mainstream? And is the mainstream not a bit retarded (unbalanced) in the sense of right brain issues? I'm so glad you're out there--I feel like I'm amongst my own kind. Best regards.

Shelley Whiting said...

There is something very quiet and intellectual in your work. I love the subtle use of light and textures. The piece is very graceful.

William Cook said...

Hi Shelley--Thanks for your wonderful comments. I visited your blog, not recognizing your name, and wow. Those are interesting faces surrounding your mother's death. My deepest condolences.

My mom passed away in 96. Though I miss her every day, the harsh immediacy of the loss has softened a lot, to where when I think of her I smile inside--happy to have had her as long as I did.

I did giant sheets of faces not unlike yours when I was younger. Mine were masks. Hundreds of them on a sheet--and women's torsos (which look very much like faces). Perhaps I'll post some soon just for you.

After I dealt with all this self exploration, I went into the Horizontal Series of just very peaceful horizontal compositions more related to the peace of a stable universe. Have you tried anything like this? I'd love to see them.

Best regards.

Wm

illustration poetry said...

youre so very kind to me...
sorry didnt reply you earlier.
blog-hacked problem :'(

illustration poetry said...

hope youare fine wherever you are.

William Cook said...

Hi Mita--Yup Wherever I am, I'm fine--plus I'm always here wherever I am. I don't like blog hacked. Hope it's all OK now. All the best. \\///\

SamArtDog said...

Heads up and hats off!

JANE MINTER said...

very subtle william .. beautiful

Celeste Bergin said...

the piece is quiet and still with a "knowing" quality...yeah, like confident knowing

William Cook said...

Hi Sam--As alway, pleasure to hear from you.

Hi Jane--Thanks so much for visiting, and for your kind comments. I've been enjoying the subtlty too.

Hi Celeste--Thanks for such a thoughtful assessment. I think so too, now that I'm a viewer. Interesting comment.

Anonymous said...

Bill- I got so caught up in your lesson I nearly bypassed your beautiful mixed media piece. I'm positive my computer screen doesn't do it justice. I like the neutral palette with just the line/streak of orange.

Throughout my childhood and occasionally into my adulthood, I would have angst filled dreams about a book of knowledge, seeking it, and knowing it held the answers. For some time, I believed that dream was mine alone. Then, I saw some other people discussing online their dreams, and the book of knowledge dream was a recurring theme. When I read of the Akashic record it felt related. Perhaps it is transferred in our DNA?

Anyhow, I love your poem. Mostly, I love that you are an artist. You explore everything and see connections everywhere. I gladly follow along.

William Cook said...

Hi Pam--Wow! What a recurring theme. Actually took the form of a book? Very cool. Oh, I think it's related--even if it all turns out to be some balance function from the deep subconscious or unconscious state, which is probably collective as opposed to individualistic. The interesting question is, is this "Akashic Record" part of DNA, or the other way around--the DNA being just another function of it. I like the latter--more expansive (and arty). Thank you for your discussion and your wonderful comments. As always, best regards to you and Jeff. Bill

Jan Yates, SCA, Canada said...

hey Bill, this is fascinating-and as usual am devouring your post at the end of the day with no proper brain function left for words to articulate my response--i am also quite enamoured with your renderings of Kore -from your previous post-will have to come back when more alert--oh--and i love the poem-

Jane said...

Hi Bill, I love your work and the profoundness of your words, I will be honest, sometimes I am not sure I know what you are saying ( my fault ), but on the emotional level, love it, and this one really speaks to me.

William Cook said...

Jan--There's a lot of that going around. The other night I was answering Pamo's comment and fell asleep while typing. Sitting up! When I came to, all I had was "HI Pam--". Gave up for the night. I'm really glad you're seeing these--and wish you could see the originals. Very engaging surfaces. Thanks for checking in! Best regards.

Hi Jane--What a nice thing to say. Thanks. (I wouldn't worry too much about understanding my written nonsense, I'm just having fun trying to sound witty and intelligent. In the end I'm just another crazy artist.) I suppose the actual art by itself always functions on the emotional and spiritual levels. Thanks for visiting. Hugs.