To Hell with Irrelevant Art!
"... not true requirements, but the requirements of Truth; not the interest of the pro*******t, but the interest of Human Nature, of man in general, who belongs to no c***s, has no reality, who exists only in the misty realm of philosophical fantasy."
–Carl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto, p. 41
Over the years my interest in arts and in theatre particularly has changed. I am not interested in art as means of expression anymore. Today I am interested in art only if it is relevant to life in an im-mediate manner and only if it can better life even a tiny bit; even if it is a hopeless attempt as verbalized by Das Beckwerk's statement: "hopeless but necessary attempt to daily intervene in world history."
This notion has influenced the project, HamletZar in various ways and has expanded the field of research in the agenda of the project, most specifically a process where we endeavor to explore the possibilities of combining two principal notions of twentieth century's theatre practice, namely Theatre Anthropology and Theatre of the Oppressed.
This is an attempt to avoid the concentrated and largely isolated process of craft losing connection with our daily, real life and keep away from falling into the trap of "the misty realm of philosophical fantasy."
NOTE: Pro*******t and c***s are of course "proletariat" and "class" respectively. I think it is extremely important, when we read Carl Marx today, that we demystify his terminology, which is the product of the period he lived in, in order to understand the profound humane and philosophical aspect of his though. In the above mentioned quote Carl Marx is criticizing the German socialists for being influenced by "completely emasculated" French communist literature without having experienced the real historical changes and thus indulging themselves in illusory rhetoric. However the essence of what he says goes beyond the specific problem he is addressing.
This notion has influenced the project, HamletZar in various ways and has expanded the field of research in the agenda of the project, most specifically a process where we endeavor to explore the possibilities of combining two principal notions of twentieth century's theatre practice, namely Theatre Anthropology and Theatre of the Oppressed.
This is an attempt to avoid the concentrated and largely isolated process of craft losing connection with our daily, real life and keep away from falling into the trap of "the misty realm of philosophical fantasy."
Otherwise what is the point? It is extremely difficult to make it possible to do theatre; it is so at least for me. If theatre doesn't make my life better, richer and more joyous, to hell with it.
As Malcolm X has said: "When you have a philosophy or a gospel–I don't care whether it's a religious gospel, a political gospel, an economic gospel or a social gospel–if it's not going to do something for you and me right here and right now–to hell with that gospel!"
As Malcolm X has said: "When you have a philosophy or a gospel–I don't care whether it's a religious gospel, a political gospel, an economic gospel or a social gospel–if it's not going to do something for you and me right here and right now–to hell with that gospel!"
NOTE: Pro*******t and c***s are of course "proletariat" and "class" respectively. I think it is extremely important, when we read Carl Marx today, that we demystify his terminology, which is the product of the period he lived in, in order to understand the profound humane and philosophical aspect of his though. In the above mentioned quote Carl Marx is criticizing the German socialists for being influenced by "completely emasculated" French communist literature without having experienced the real historical changes and thus indulging themselves in illusory rhetoric. However the essence of what he says goes beyond the specific problem he is addressing.
Labels: Extemporization, HamletZar, Theatre
posted by Vahid at 12:33 PM
1 Comments:
It´s quite interesting to read this. I still recall talks about the meaning and relevans of art/work and what we do/how we live and interact with the surroundings as human beings in relation and conflicts with other human beings; a way of narcissistic expressing oneself in an aesthetic manner or as a reflection of real life based in a social, psychological, cultural and political context. I even recall some view about how irrelevant history, politics, religion and philosophy was … hmm
I agree with the point: if these sciences and art don’t chance anything or at least point to or reveal and make awareness of problems like for instant suppression or other problems in our lives and perhaps even visualize alternative solutions or ways to deal with it; then what’s the point of it besides entertainment or aesthetic (self) pleasure.
Anyway – I hope you are getting on and work with the stuff you believe is important.
LK
Post a Comment
<< Home