belief

Belief and Intuition/// /  by Justin Harrison

Image: My own

I still like his notion of ‘intuition’ for dealing with the non factual or logic of our lives. As much as we deal with a hard reality; bills, trains, shopping and germs. We also need a system for dealing with the non factual spheres of our daily lives - a softer reality. That which sits beyond standard taxonomy /// Things which we cannot easily process with reason or even fit our language. That which resides beyond.

The ‘Nursery’ of our belief system. Where do our beliefs originate? I’m still trying to track a neurological model, but equally a philosophical model. That’s a lot of reading>>>

Then also there is that which is in us and that which is beyond us - outside of us. There is me, and then that which is not me and that which is me and not me at the same time.

Internal, external and mutually idependant or perhaps mutually interdependent?

In the sculpture we can engage with the space around the object as much as in. Creating a widening aura, and yet a blurring of boundaries///

///What belongs in a bundle? What must sit outside?

 

Imaginary Bundle 2 /  by Justin Harrison

Feels good to complete but feels incomplete///

I’m dubious of making the same work over and over again. Is it really valid? I know many artists will make a series of similar drawings exploring a theme, but somehow I feel uncomfortable to be making the same or similar drawing. I guess I am keen to see development and progression and if I am honest… then I don’t see any.

However there is a meditation in drawing that permits me to explore and think. Ideas are generate whilst drawing and it doesn’t seem to matter what the drawing is necessarily . I heard a curator say that ‘abstract art can get to heart of things’, and perhaps thats enough.

I’m also reading ‘Why we believe what we believe” by Andrew Newberg, I’m looking for an understanding of the construction of belief. As a neurologist he states that; Spinoza’s idea of intuition correlates with the way our brain creates a holistic image of the world.

“That intuition allows us to comprehend what the senses cannot perceive” and “we can enter into intuitive states through the act of meditation or prayer” and “These processes can enhance our lives by allowing us to circumvent the conceptual errors embedded in logic, reason or personal opinion. Intuition, creativity, and spiritual practice may all provide better means for apprehending reality and truth more accurately”

However I do also realise the inherent dangers of such a statement. Giving intuition the same gravitas as facts is really ‘buttering the eel’. (Made up metaphor). But I do like the idea of making space for intuition.