Shree
Mind operates at some levels:
(interpreted from The Search for a Form…By Eliel Saarinen)
Subconsciously mind can only
directly feel the flow of creation happening from internal world to external
world and it knows that the internal world informs external world. The external
world “therefore” becomes an “extension” of the internal world. We think that
the “form” of external world is different, BUT such an operating subconscious
mind does not consider external world separated (or as a separate form) from
internal world – both are so intimately tied. When any object is seen, or an
activity done, it is done with the inherent intent of internal world’s
behavior. For such attitude, the external world cannot exist independently of
the internal world’s existence. Tribal architecture, primitive or indigenous
architecture talks of such expressions. I think that the issues that we face
and articulate have no place in this mode of “thinking” - indeed the
word “thinking” takes on a dimension spanning inner and outer worlds and hence
may have all components from myth, traditions, ancestors, spirits, social relations,
humans, other life forms, environment, spirits, to livelihood. That is what
“makes” something tangible for them – be it an element or a façade or a space
or a movement between or through spaces.
In conscious working of the mind,
it is aware of this relation and perhaps starts to refine this relation wherein
principles of aesthetics seem to get contemplated, discussed, debated and
expressed. Herein the emphasis is on refinement of the Invisible Order and
whatever it takes to do it – ought to be done. The emphasis continues on shared
world views or shared values yet a kind of sophistication, hierarchy also seems
to govern this process. Medieval cities or pre modern architecture was said to
express this attitude towards architecture.
In self conscious workings of the
mind, the mind does action for the sake of doing action! The burden of
“external expression at whatever cost and articulation” is higher than the
voice of inner world (which is independent of any conditions). The level of
sophistication is extremely high to the point of total disconnect with the
inner world of thoughts and feelings. The issue of complexity, style, critique,
verbosity, power, social constructs and so on are used as tools for
understanding the creative process. Space and form may get to much
verbalized at the cost o getting divorced from contextual understanding of the
place. Commercial interests may take a higher preference than social
preferences or even sacred preferences. We may find environment getting plundered
for satisfying self interests and the rate of change and the intensity or the
scope of action may leave a very large ‘carbon footprint’.
As the mind moves from one form
of working to another, it finds the other form quite alien or hard to
comprehend – yet in reality it is the same mind that has operated in the three
levels. Today at times, we find ourselves moving from subconscious working to
self conscious working (linear progression – if that is the idea of origin) or
we may also find all three forms of mind working in our contemporary world.
A difficult question
is - it is not a choice of the three ways of working that is to be
‘selected’ for obtaining ‘best/ favorable results!’ – since choice and
selection are also seen from self conscious perspectives, so can become short
sighted. Then perhaps it is about discovering or unfolding.
Hari Om.
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