The best art has the ability to hold everyone's own meaning. I think maybe that is the greatest failure of Conceptual Art, and where the institution of academia / the curator has led us: determining meaning. Also, I think you bleed Cleveland the same way I bleed Houston, maybe two cities that resemble each other more than most.
Thanks for another lovely column Michael. I’d never seen that photo or read that piece by Carl Sagan (or any of his writing) but both were extremely powerful. I’m reminded of the power of the earthrise photo taken by astronaut William Anders, another example of our place in the Universe.
I’ve only been to Cleveland once, but it happened to be one of the top five days of my life (my wife will tell you it was my best day ever; she’s probably right). Earlier in the day I’d been at Canton to watch my sports hero Dan Marino get inducted into the pro football HOF. Then it was an hour drive north to Cleveland to watch one of my musical heroes, Neil Diamond, perform an incredible 30-song set at the Gund Arena. A fine day to be sure.
Like you, I’ve been on a lifelong journey of discovery. What I’ve learned, as I’ve continued to peel back the layers, is that the last thirty years have been an exercise in surrender. Ultimately it is through relinquishing control that I’ve managed to find the most serenity and acceptance in my life.
Thank you, Mark, for your always kind, supportive, and encouraging words. I really appreciate it. I am so glad you have fond memories of your visit to Cleveland. The last time I was there, I was invited to attend a Cleveland Browns Summer Training Camp and game (Baker Mayfield was there and I met him and Myles Garrett). I grew up a die-hard Browns fan and once would have said that I bled orange and brown, but then they signed DeShaun Watson with all of his horrible allegations for disgusting amounts of money, and that was the last straw. I would have rather remained a laughingstock bottom-feeder team than sell our soul in a desperate attempt to win. I have since walked away and closed the door on them and the NFL. Some things in life are bigger than a game, and this was it, for me.
I guess, in many ways, walking away and closing the door on such a huge part of my life for several decades has been part of my journey of discovery. To be honest it's also been nice reclaiming my Sundays! My wife definitely appreciates it. Especially as for decades, the Browns just depressed me, anyway!
It would’ve been the same for me if the Dolphins had signed Watson as I couldn’t have stomached that. Been a diehard dolphins fan for 40 years and it would’ve been said to say goodbye but Watson would’ve been the last straw
Absolute loved this piece, Michael. I often come back to The Pale Blue Dot for the same reasons as you.
I'm excited to check out some of Steve's work. I know I've heard a bit from him, but I've never sat down and properly given him a listen. The older I get the more I gravitate towards instrumental music that creates its own atmosphere. I find I have more visceral reactions from the feelings those atmospheres evoke and it usually unveils some kind of emotion I've been carrying that I had not yet recognized. You described this phenomenon beautifully.
Thank you, Bob, for reading and for your kind words. I really appreciate them.
The Voyager 1 photo and Sagan's words are so profound that one would think they are all we need to change our course of action and gain perspective - not just with the environment but most things in life. Politicians, no doubt, should take greater note of them.
Steve has a lot of albums out there, especially when adding in his many collaborations. It depends on what you want. A couple of very good ones to start with might be 'Eyes On The Line' or 'Way Out Weather.' If you like those - 'The Unseen Unbetween' and 'Other You' are perfect companions. From there, you can go in any direction. I also really love his collab with Mike Gangloff called 'Melodies for a Savage Fix.' If you end up going down a Steve Gunn deep dive, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Great piece, Michael. While I'm generally a lyrics person, I've tended to find with Steve Gunn's work that I focus less on the words than on the voice, guitar and general ambience of his tracks, so I appreciate you analysing the song in this way. The sound of this track puts me in mind of a kind of gentle psychedelia and some of the West African guitarists whose work I enjoy, people like Djelimady Tounkara.
Thank you, Richard. I always appreciate your thoughts. I know Tounkara, and I like your reference point with Gunn. I also hear a lot of raga in Gunn's music. Especially with some of his collabs, the gorgeous track, 'Topeka AM,' comes to mind. Regarding Mali, I do have a brilliant record from Mali called 'L'Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti,' but Tounkara isn't on it.
I love what you say about art, and the way you expressed it: that the emotions a certain piece evokes are just as important as the artist’s intended message.
That picture of the Earth from a distance is mind-blowing. It definitely brings some perspective and helps us realise the finite character of our existence.
Thank you, Andres. I appreciate your feedback. My wife often asks what my paintings are about, or when we're at an art gallery, "What does it mean?" I always flip the question back to, "What does it say to you?" I truly believe that is as important, if not more so, than what the artist was thinking. Same with music, which I value as highly as fine art.
And yes, that photo from Voyager 1, better than any, makes me realize just how small we are. It also makes me realize that we can't be the only life form amidst such vastness.
As always, our essay gives me so much to think about. I love the way you weave Cleveland, rock, EPA, Sagan, art and music together. Random thoughts: 1. Coming from Santa Barbara County, I always thought EPA wasn't triggered by the great oil spill along its coast that blacked so much of the shore and killed so much marine life. But I'm sure other disasters like what happened in Cleveland led to it as well. All this at a time when Climate Change hadn't even been an issue. 2. Carl Sagan's book Cosmos has been a huge influence in my life and my thinking about the universe, but I haven't read his other books. Maybe I should. I also find it fascinating to learn that he was a "pothead" and used psychedelics. I don't know why that surprises and pleases me. 3. I firmly agree with this: I firmly believe that the essence of art lies in its ability to evoke emotions, communicate, and establish connections with individuals on a profound level. The personal significance of art to an individual is just as important as the intentions behind its creation by the artist. 4. I love your interpretation of Gunn's song "Other You". I do believe that we each have so many layers of identify and those layers lay not only inward but outward into the world around us, this beautiful Blue Dot, and the universe that surrounds it. I don't think of humans as insignificant though. We are, in some ways, the universe reflecting on itself. It's only our ignorance of our true being that leads us to destroy ourselves by destroying this larger Self that surrounds us. Thank you for this thought-provoking post this morning.
Hi Deborah, I am sure the 1969 California oil spill, the Cuyahoga River fire, and the choking Great Lakes (from the poisonous rivers pouring into them) all acted as catalysts for the development of the EPA. If we can thank Nixon for anything, it can be for the formation of the EPA and the Clean Water & Clean Air Acts, as well as The Endangered Species Act and other environmental policies he created (and achieved bipartisan support for). I vividly remember those commercials in the '70s with the crying Native American. They, too, must have helped.
Sagan's words, marijuana/LSD influenced or not, are so insightful to me, and I often find myself returning to them.
Thank you for your comments regarding my thoughts on art. As I said in a reply to another comment, My wife often asks what my paintings are about, or when we're at an art gallery, "What does it mean?" I always flip the question back to, "What does it say to you?" I truly believe that is as important, if not more so, than what the artist was thinking. Same with music, which I value as highly as fine art.
'Other You', which I hope you enjoyed, is such a beautiful and thoughtful song. I adore it. Regarding our insignificance - I think what I meant, when looking at Earth in the photo from Voyager 1, the sheer vastness of space makes me think that our self-importance is completely insignificant in the greater scheme of what lies beyond.
And, I think humans often destroy, harm, and kill what they fear, which, as you said, is born out of ignorance.
I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments. They, in turn, make me think more as I write my responses.
The best art has the ability to hold everyone's own meaning. I think maybe that is the greatest failure of Conceptual Art, and where the institution of academia / the curator has led us: determining meaning. Also, I think you bleed Cleveland the same way I bleed Houston, maybe two cities that resemble each other more than most.
100%, my friend. I appreciate you and couldn't agree more with every word you typed. Thank you.
Love this. Never heard the track or the artist. Very interesting sound world. I'll definitely be checking out more of his music.
Check him out, Phil. I recommend starting with any of these: Way Out Weather, Eyes On The Line, Other You, The Unseen Inbetween.
Thanks for another lovely column Michael. I’d never seen that photo or read that piece by Carl Sagan (or any of his writing) but both were extremely powerful. I’m reminded of the power of the earthrise photo taken by astronaut William Anders, another example of our place in the Universe.
I’ve only been to Cleveland once, but it happened to be one of the top five days of my life (my wife will tell you it was my best day ever; she’s probably right). Earlier in the day I’d been at Canton to watch my sports hero Dan Marino get inducted into the pro football HOF. Then it was an hour drive north to Cleveland to watch one of my musical heroes, Neil Diamond, perform an incredible 30-song set at the Gund Arena. A fine day to be sure.
Like you, I’ve been on a lifelong journey of discovery. What I’ve learned, as I’ve continued to peel back the layers, is that the last thirty years have been an exercise in surrender. Ultimately it is through relinquishing control that I’ve managed to find the most serenity and acceptance in my life.
Thank you, Mark, for your always kind, supportive, and encouraging words. I really appreciate it. I am so glad you have fond memories of your visit to Cleveland. The last time I was there, I was invited to attend a Cleveland Browns Summer Training Camp and game (Baker Mayfield was there and I met him and Myles Garrett). I grew up a die-hard Browns fan and once would have said that I bled orange and brown, but then they signed DeShaun Watson with all of his horrible allegations for disgusting amounts of money, and that was the last straw. I would have rather remained a laughingstock bottom-feeder team than sell our soul in a desperate attempt to win. I have since walked away and closed the door on them and the NFL. Some things in life are bigger than a game, and this was it, for me.
I guess, in many ways, walking away and closing the door on such a huge part of my life for several decades has been part of my journey of discovery. To be honest it's also been nice reclaiming my Sundays! My wife definitely appreciates it. Especially as for decades, the Browns just depressed me, anyway!
It would’ve been the same for me if the Dolphins had signed Watson as I couldn’t have stomached that. Been a diehard dolphins fan for 40 years and it would’ve been said to say goodbye but Watson would’ve been the last straw
Absolute loved this piece, Michael. I often come back to The Pale Blue Dot for the same reasons as you.
I'm excited to check out some of Steve's work. I know I've heard a bit from him, but I've never sat down and properly given him a listen. The older I get the more I gravitate towards instrumental music that creates its own atmosphere. I find I have more visceral reactions from the feelings those atmospheres evoke and it usually unveils some kind of emotion I've been carrying that I had not yet recognized. You described this phenomenon beautifully.
Thank you, Bob, for reading and for your kind words. I really appreciate them.
The Voyager 1 photo and Sagan's words are so profound that one would think they are all we need to change our course of action and gain perspective - not just with the environment but most things in life. Politicians, no doubt, should take greater note of them.
Steve has a lot of albums out there, especially when adding in his many collaborations. It depends on what you want. A couple of very good ones to start with might be 'Eyes On The Line' or 'Way Out Weather.' If you like those - 'The Unseen Unbetween' and 'Other You' are perfect companions. From there, you can go in any direction. I also really love his collab with Mike Gangloff called 'Melodies for a Savage Fix.' If you end up going down a Steve Gunn deep dive, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
It does boggle the mind that those words don’t affect everyone so deeply.
Awesome! I’ll be checking all of these out, thanks!
Great piece, Michael. While I'm generally a lyrics person, I've tended to find with Steve Gunn's work that I focus less on the words than on the voice, guitar and general ambience of his tracks, so I appreciate you analysing the song in this way. The sound of this track puts me in mind of a kind of gentle psychedelia and some of the West African guitarists whose work I enjoy, people like Djelimady Tounkara.
Thank you, Richard. I always appreciate your thoughts. I know Tounkara, and I like your reference point with Gunn. I also hear a lot of raga in Gunn's music. Especially with some of his collabs, the gorgeous track, 'Topeka AM,' comes to mind. Regarding Mali, I do have a brilliant record from Mali called 'L'Orchestre Kanaga De Mopti,' but Tounkara isn't on it.
I love what you say about art, and the way you expressed it: that the emotions a certain piece evokes are just as important as the artist’s intended message.
That picture of the Earth from a distance is mind-blowing. It definitely brings some perspective and helps us realise the finite character of our existence.
Thank you, Andres. I appreciate your feedback. My wife often asks what my paintings are about, or when we're at an art gallery, "What does it mean?" I always flip the question back to, "What does it say to you?" I truly believe that is as important, if not more so, than what the artist was thinking. Same with music, which I value as highly as fine art.
And yes, that photo from Voyager 1, better than any, makes me realize just how small we are. It also makes me realize that we can't be the only life form amidst such vastness.
As always, our essay gives me so much to think about. I love the way you weave Cleveland, rock, EPA, Sagan, art and music together. Random thoughts: 1. Coming from Santa Barbara County, I always thought EPA wasn't triggered by the great oil spill along its coast that blacked so much of the shore and killed so much marine life. But I'm sure other disasters like what happened in Cleveland led to it as well. All this at a time when Climate Change hadn't even been an issue. 2. Carl Sagan's book Cosmos has been a huge influence in my life and my thinking about the universe, but I haven't read his other books. Maybe I should. I also find it fascinating to learn that he was a "pothead" and used psychedelics. I don't know why that surprises and pleases me. 3. I firmly agree with this: I firmly believe that the essence of art lies in its ability to evoke emotions, communicate, and establish connections with individuals on a profound level. The personal significance of art to an individual is just as important as the intentions behind its creation by the artist. 4. I love your interpretation of Gunn's song "Other You". I do believe that we each have so many layers of identify and those layers lay not only inward but outward into the world around us, this beautiful Blue Dot, and the universe that surrounds it. I don't think of humans as insignificant though. We are, in some ways, the universe reflecting on itself. It's only our ignorance of our true being that leads us to destroy ourselves by destroying this larger Self that surrounds us. Thank you for this thought-provoking post this morning.
Hi Deborah, I am sure the 1969 California oil spill, the Cuyahoga River fire, and the choking Great Lakes (from the poisonous rivers pouring into them) all acted as catalysts for the development of the EPA. If we can thank Nixon for anything, it can be for the formation of the EPA and the Clean Water & Clean Air Acts, as well as The Endangered Species Act and other environmental policies he created (and achieved bipartisan support for). I vividly remember those commercials in the '70s with the crying Native American. They, too, must have helped.
Sagan's words, marijuana/LSD influenced or not, are so insightful to me, and I often find myself returning to them.
Thank you for your comments regarding my thoughts on art. As I said in a reply to another comment, My wife often asks what my paintings are about, or when we're at an art gallery, "What does it mean?" I always flip the question back to, "What does it say to you?" I truly believe that is as important, if not more so, than what the artist was thinking. Same with music, which I value as highly as fine art.
'Other You', which I hope you enjoyed, is such a beautiful and thoughtful song. I adore it. Regarding our insignificance - I think what I meant, when looking at Earth in the photo from Voyager 1, the sheer vastness of space makes me think that our self-importance is completely insignificant in the greater scheme of what lies beyond.
And, I think humans often destroy, harm, and kill what they fear, which, as you said, is born out of ignorance.
I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments. They, in turn, make me think more as I write my responses.