Magic. A beautiful word, its recorded Western etymology goes back through time from English, to French, Latin, back to the cradle of Western civilization, Greece, and from thence eastwards to civilizations like Persia and the Zoroastrians. In various ways and forms, haven’t all cultures believed in magic?
In that dramatic span of time its meaning has been closely linked to the various cultures that have pressed themselves into the word, and therefore its interpretations have changed dramatically. From divination, to the power of Nature; from harnessing supernatural forces to witchcraft and sorcery, to alternate realities, sleight of hand, and many others, meandering to its current, mysterious lodgings. Which is to say, I’m not sure anybody uses this word much without thinking twice about the consequences. Broadly speaking, science and scientists do not yet include this word in their texts. It is not the tool they use for rational divinations of reality, so we don’t know if magic is alive today, or even if it is, what is it and where might it exist?
Presently, I like to to respond to those hard questions around my specific interests in life, painting, and art by responding that I’m interested in magic. Usually people perk up. Magic? Did he say magic?
Yes. I believe in magic, and some of my paintings are trying to reflect this notion. Here is one example of what I’m talking about:
Is there is a place that is special to you, where, by being there you feel differently? And by some process, let’s call it magic because I do, it interrupts the way you think, stops the looping mental processes that we get caught in like a spiders web, and gives you the space and breadth to relax, expand, and elevate your spirit?
By being in this place you’re physically, perhaps spiritually altered, if only during that time, and for a lingering short time thereafter. That’s one kind of magic. Portal magic. You’re transported to the here and now, and you feel more alive. Know what I’m talking about?