Metal cube on wooden slide, metal, fluorecsent light, LED. W: 48" H: 48" D: 48"
year: 1998
The Cube
A magic square has been well known since antiquity; it consists of nine or more squares with an integer in each square (such that the numbers in all rows, all columns, and both diagonals sum to the same constant). It was considered a powerful talisman for protection against evil influences and diseases. The simplest magic square is the 3x3 one, in which the sum of all directions is fifteen:
4 9 2 3 5 7 8 1 6
Utopia is a dream of a better world. The problem is, the underlying vision of a better, alternative world that drives it cannot break away from current reality. Any attempt to implement a utopian project ends in a disaster; yet the attempts are repeated over and over with manic persistence. At the same time, utopias, being rooted in dreams, turn out to be extremely powerful instruments for the criticism of reality.
The point is that those who suggest these utopian projects to the ignorant masses have no ambitions to “educate” them in any sense of the word; they cannot afford to do that because it is not in their interest. Injecting any reflection into the public mind would, from their point of view, be tantamount to an economic collapse.
The notion that there can be a single and undisputed right point of view on every matter creates a desire to conform to it – and this is the point where authoritarian ambitions begin. An ever more popular tactic is to argue that these views and beliefs have a scientific foundation, and those who oppose them are simply ignorant.
Increasingly, people tend to believe that everything that happens is a result of factors beyond their control and of which they themselves are, by necessity, subjected to; this notion allows them to find an explanation for everything that befalls them.
A tamed myth is more accessible; it can penetrate the human psyche more deeply. It can deceive us with common goals and desires. Despite the fact that we are constantly witnessing the fall of utopian concepts, the effort to apply them in real life still continues. These attempts at making utopia real are creating a reality much worse than the one which they are trying to be an alternative to. Therefore, what we can say about them is more important than what is really true.
Ideological criteria must become more important than any other arguments. Abuse and manipulation are necessary for this system to function. In the case of such constructs, shaping the theory overrides testing it in practice. The most important factor is how attractive a theory is; even if it fails to meet the practical requirements, it will not be considered a disadvantage.
If a certain belief does not fit well within an ideology or a theory, it can be reshaped to conform. It is the only rational and effective way of handling such models. Appreciation for contradictions (not for differences) is important – perhaps the most important thing of all.
For the masses it is not clear how the system works or how completely real life conforms to the master plan; the only thing that matters is that everyone keeps on believing that such a plan exists. The creators of this plan are still trying to make it rational, or at least coherent.
The aim is not to reduce ignorance, but to adapt to the technological requirements.
Untitled (Cube)
Installation.
Metal cube on wooden slide, metal, fluorecsent light, LED. W: 48" H: 48" D: 48"
year: 1998
The Cube
A magic square has been well known since antiquity; it consists of nine or more squares with an integer in each square (such that the numbers in all rows, all columns, and both diagonals sum to the same constant). It was considered a powerful talisman for protection against evil influences and diseases. The simplest magic square is the 3x3 one, in which the sum of all directions is fifteen:
4 9 2
3 5 7
8 1 6
Utopia is a dream of a better world. The problem is, the underlying vision of a better, alternative world that drives it cannot break away from current reality. Any attempt to implement a utopian project ends in a disaster; yet the attempts are repeated over and over with manic persistence. At the same time, utopias, being rooted in dreams, turn out to be extremely powerful instruments for the criticism of reality.
The point is that those who suggest these utopian projects to the ignorant masses have no ambitions to “educate” them in any sense of the word; they cannot afford to do that because it is not in their interest. Injecting any reflection into the public mind would, from their point of view, be tantamount to an economic collapse.
The notion that there can be a single and undisputed right point of view on every matter creates a desire to conform to it – and this is the point where authoritarian ambitions begin. An ever more popular tactic is to argue that these views and beliefs have a scientific foundation, and those who oppose them are simply ignorant.
Increasingly, people tend to believe that everything that happens is a result of factors beyond their control and of which they themselves are, by necessity, subjected to; this notion allows them to find an explanation for everything that befalls them.
A tamed myth is more accessible; it can penetrate the human psyche more deeply. It can deceive us with common goals and desires. Despite the fact that we are constantly witnessing the fall of utopian concepts, the effort to apply them in real life still continues. These attempts at making utopia real are creating a reality much worse than the one which they are trying to be an alternative to. Therefore, what we can say about them is more important than what is really true.
Ideological criteria must become more important than any other arguments. Abuse and manipulation are necessary for this system to function. In the case of such constructs, shaping the theory overrides testing it in practice. The most important factor is how attractive a theory is; even if it fails to meet the practical requirements, it will not be considered a disadvantage.
If a certain belief does not fit well within an ideology or a theory, it can be reshaped to conform. It is the only rational and effective way of handling such models. Appreciation for contradictions (not for differences) is important – perhaps the most important thing of all.
For the masses it is not clear how the system works or how completely real life conforms to the master plan; the only thing that matters is that everyone keeps on believing that such a plan exists. The creators of this plan are still trying to make it rational, or at least coherent.
The aim is not to reduce ignorance, but to adapt to the technological requirements.