Interrelatedness. An Ideal Image of Contemporary

By addressing the work of Alex Grey this paper will argue the existence of a universal consciousness accessible to everyone. The analysis will take place within Anthony Talmage’s theory of Cosmogenic and Doctor Susan Blackmore’s conclusions in regards to her studies and experiments.

In his book In Tune With The Infinite Mind, Anthony Talmage is bringing in discussion the Theory of Formative Causation of Doctor Rupert Sheldrake as well as many aspects of Quantum Physics as sources of his answer to a few existential questions.

He decides that the humankind is influenced by forces around us. Moreover, he is convinced that both the Universe and thought are energy. Talmage is sustaining his theory by quoting in his book the well know scientist Albert Einstein ‘After years of thought, study and contemplation I have come to the conclusion that there is only one thing in the universe and that is energy – beyond that there is a supreme intelligence’(Talmage, p.6). Another argument in favour of his view is The Double Slit Experiment. The experiment proves how photons react under certain circumstances. Jim Al-Khalili is explaining the experiment in a YouTube video of The Royal Institution. At the end of his speech he addresses the public a request ‘Now, if you can explain this using common sense and logic, do let me know because there’s a Nobel Prize for you.’(The Royal Institution, 2013). One might ask why mentioning the quantum world? The answer is that ‘The manifestations of the quantum world are out of this world. Those of us for whom the quantum realm is the stuff of frizzy-haired geniuses can take heart. Frizzy-haired geniuses don’t know what’s going on either. But something remarkable is happening, the greater understanding of which could change human destiny. And you are part of it.’(Talmage, p.11) Many other scientists conducted experiments intended to understand what is happening. For example, up-close analysis of the Einstein-Podolski-Rosen paradox served as an important cue to the theory that everything is interconnected. Another worth mentioning thing is the explanation of Quantum entanglement which is the existence of a connection between two particles separated by huge distances where one can affect the other immediately without a time lag of the action of travel.

If science can prove all that, a logical assumption is that ‘We influence ‘out there’ and ‘out there’ influences us, which is where inspiration, music, art, inventions, new ideas come from.’(Talmage, p.2)

Awareness is knowledge in the form of an ability to perceive a situation. Its existence is leading the current society towards change.

The author J. D. Rhodes writes about this topic in her book Awareness…Something like Spirituality vs. Religion. She is pointing towards the change within the society ‘Awareness is infiltrating the ranks. People all over the world are questioning where we’ve been and where we are now going. Not technologically. That’s where we’ve been. I’m talking spiritually, intellectually, philosophically, intuitively. Those things with which we’ve lost touch and feel, hear and see.’ (Rhodes, 2007). Furthermore, she is observing that ‘Consequently, people are allowing themselves to question the norm, to try out new ways or even very old ways, to challenge the supposedly tried and true.’ (Rhodes, 2007). Another person alluding to this idea is the artist Alex Grey. He is doing so within his artworks and his writings ‘The current cultural situation is calling for individuals to transcend the fractured vision of and awaken to some transpersonal and collective spiritual basis for truth and conscience.’(Grey, p. 30-31).

Returning to Talmage’s idea of the Cosmogenic Mind and quantum entanglement Grey relates one of his to something called The Hwa-yen ‘The Hwa-yen Buddhist description of the Jewel Net of Indra was one such reference: In the abode of Indra, Lord of Space, there is a net that stretches infinitely in all directions. At every intersection, each “eye” of the net there is a jewel so highly polished and perfect that it reflects every other jewel in the net.’ Not only him but his wife as well managed to materialise, the unseen interconnection ‘Allyson started sacred geometric gridlike yantras using the title Jewel Net of Indra.’ (Grey, Allyson, 1988) (Grey, p.39) ‘I started a series of paintings called the Sacred Mirrors, which featured a view of the Universal Mind Lattice. Whatever work either of us does refers to the insights from that state and related spiritual experiences.’(Grey, Alex, 1981) (Grey, p.39).

In Alex Grey’s opinion, ‘Art can demonstrate the intricate interconnectedness of the web of life, as in magnificent landscapes or the cosmological mandalas from Native Americans, Australian Aborigines, and Tibetan Buddhists.’(Grey, p.43). Moreover, he is contributing to the validation of this statement through his works. One of the most powerful paintings showing this idea is Collective Vision(Grey,1995 ).

Putting the artist Alex Grey in the spotlight one must mention The ‘The mission of CoSM is to build an enduring sanctuary of to inspire a global community. The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, CoSM, is supported by charitable donations from the community and sales from our shop. CoSM provides a ceremonial context for fusing artistic and spiritual practices and a public exhibition of the Sacred Mirrors and other works of mystic art.’ (CoSM, 2018). Somehow, he accomplished to create a hybrid space. He and his wife Allyson Grey merged the idea of religious space and the purpose of a white cube space such as a gallery or a museum.

Grey writes in his book about previous happenings related to the relation between art as spiritual form and the formal space of a gallery or museum ‘Though seeking a direct way to make visible the transcendental domain, the early modernists could be said to have “camouflaged’’ the spiritual in abstract forms.’(Grey, p.55). In a way, he envisioned unity of art and spirituality and he materialised it.

Besides the efforts of a few people, within the current society art is not regarded as a form of tapping into the spirituality’s territory ‘The fact remains that we are inundated with massive amounts of information: information that blinds and deafens us to our own situations and needs, and makes us forget what we came for.’(Rhodes, ). The reasoning behind the society’s blindness is the implication of the ego ‘An overemphasis on ego-driven artworks has lead to a culture of narcissistic spectacle and nihilist fragmentation.’(Grey, p.30).

In one way or another, it has been created an internal fight ‘Like breeds like. If you simply fire right back at this person, the situation will only escalate and grow more bitter and resentful with every passing hit. (Open your eyes to the pattern … dissension bleeds off into spite and revenge, it leads to divorce, it leads to war …).’(Rhodes, 2007). The Fifth Element (1997) is a movie which underlines not only the existence of the alienation but also the consequences and the possible solution. Whenever the evil planet was attacked, its dimension increased. The only salvation was love.

Indeed, quantum entanglement is saying that one’s action has an instant reaction. The question arises which is the magnitude of the effect that an artwork has on the public and vice versa. Mark Rothko is one important example of the initiative to imply the idea of art with spiritual connotations ‘Mark Rothko, an abstract painter who was embraced by New York’s modern art world, early in his career acknowledged his art as related to the search for the transcendental, and then later in life he felt that it had become difficult to speak openly of it.’(Grey, p.56). Fortunately, his works can be associated with spirituality within the context of the Rothko Chapel.

The ‘Formal novelty and egoic struggles for marketplace recognition’ (Grey, p.57) is blinding both the public and the artist to the potential spiritual oriented function of art.

Material thoughts which serve as the purpose of a painting might poison the viewer 'Obviously some work that is disturbing and repellent is also great art. But unlike Dostoyevsky or Baudelaire, contemporary artists are just interested in sensationalism for sensation’s sake. Their peek into the abyss isn’t philosophically interesting; it’s just an excuse for a self-congratulatory smirk. The so-called artists are obsessed with money and selfpromotion.’(Kakutani, p.30). Maybe the maliciousness of materialist artists brought the idea of art for art sake ‘The artist is not responsible to anyone. His social role is asocial; his only responsibility consists in an attitude to the work he does. There is no communication with any public whatsoever. The artist can ask no question, and he makes no statement; he offers no information, and his work cannot be used.’(Baselitz, 1983). The artwork is no more in connection with anything but the artist. It is stripped of any purpose within the society ‘If Baselitz were an isolated crank with a bad attitude, unnoticed by the rest of the art world, his statements would not indict our culture. However, Baselitz is fully canonized by the art world and is regarded as one of the best that contemporary art has to offer. Therefore his statement provides insight into both the individual and cultural pathology of alienation.’(Grey, p.59). A proper example is the auction of the clown paintings of serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

Alex Grey thinks that ‘These paintings would probably be worth very little if not for the infamous and sinister the murderer brings to the works’(Grey, p.61).

The society’s obsession for money makes impossible to refer to the pure meaning of spirituality in association with art ‘Now we find it indescribably embarrassing to mention ‘art’ and ‘spirit’ in the same sentence.’(Krauss, 1987).

Greed, hatred, and ignorance lay under the current crisis of our society. Is the world a lost cause? ‘Can enough individuals personally awaken to a reverence for life, as Schweitzer called it, and then, through their creative actions and interventions, redirect the tendency of society away from self- destruction?’(Grey, p32).

Time is not lost and neither is the cause. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson said ‘Happy are the artists who look only into their work to know if it will succeed, never into the times or the public opinion; and who create from the love of imparting certain thoughts and not the necessity of sale—who create always for the unknown friend.’(Emerson, 1961). But what can one do in the confrontation with the ultimate sceptic?

Talmage’s idea of the ultimate sceptic is someone who intensively studied an issue by proving themselves wrong. Doctor Susan Blackmore is the one that gets this title in Anthony’s book.

A normal sceptic is the one that does not care about the truth but only about their truth ‘Just as we cannot talk of visual beauty if we are blind, so we cannot discuss inner spiritual beauty if we have never received it.’ (Plotinus quoted by Grey, p.47). Whereas, that is what a common sceptic is, Doctor Blackmore is not just any sceptic. She started her research in the field of paranormal to prove her belief. After conducting rigorous scientific experiments to prove the psychic reality, Doctor Blackmore failed to grasp what she was convinced that existed. She is quoted in Talmage’s book when saying that she gave up on her 25 years of research ‘I am a scientist. I think the way to the truth is by investigation. I suspect that telepathy, , psychokinesis and life after death do not exist because I have been looking in vain for them for 25 years. I have been wrong lots of times before and am not afraid of it. Indeed I might add that finding out that you are wrong, and throwing out your previous theories, can be the best way to new knowledge and a deeper understanding.’(Blackmore quoted by Talmage, p.182)

Doctor Blackmore is one of the few scientists who began her research as a strong believer. She analysed the psychic world form a scientific point of view and tried to prove the surety of the paranormal. While working to prove her beliefs, Doctor Blackmore obtained a degree in physiology and psychology from Oxford University. Moreover, seven years later she attained a PhD in . The scientific career of Doctor Blackmore is rolling in a variety of examinations of the peculiar phenomena. The studies resulted in books such as Beyond the Body (1982), Dying to Live (1993), In search of the Light (1996), Test Your Psychic Powers (1997) and many others.

The failure of proving indemonstrable after long research can be regarded as a time of deep transition, an exploration towards new paths in equivocal times when nothing seems valid anymore. The attitude of the researcher at the end of the road is what establishes his/her true beliefs.

Similarly can be said that spirituality nowadays is seen as consumerism but what if one tries to see spirituality for what it is and not only what is supposed to be? What if one fools himself and starts engaging in this matter at a deeper level than the superficial start?

Frank Stella said that ‘I always get into arguments with people who want to retain the old values in painting—the humanistic values that they always find on the canvas. If you pin them down, they always end up asserting that there is something there besides the paint on the canvas. My painting is based on the fact that only what can be seen there is there. [. . . .] What you see is what you see.’(Johnson, 1982). But what if there is something more? ‘True creativity depends on fostering independent thought, and the ability to peek beyond the current cultural horizons.’(Grey, p.41).

Opening up to various possibilities implies acceptance. Rhodes is talking about the reciprocity of opening up ‘These are just words and opinions written without malice, without judgment, without cement. This is all observation from my life. I like to question and explore it all. No rules, no pushing, no preaching; just wondering and possibilities. I try to keep an open mind to other’s perspectives, and I appreciate an open mind in return.’(Rhodes, 2007). Likewise, Ejaz Bhalloo is saying in a Ted Talk ’I do not believe in 'tolerance'. We should never be tolerant of other people’s perspective. We should never be tolerant of other people’s religion’ (2017). Harsh words but very true when he continues with ’Normally, you tolerate something you don’t like. *...+ I believe, instead of tolerance, there needs to be 'respect'.’ (TEDx Talks, 2017). By respecting other people’s point of view and by respecting their faith we acknowledge their truth. Contrarily, if you reject one point of view in a conversation, yours will face a greater rejection. Respect does not mean accepting a general idea by falling into a certain mind with the excuse of the majority ‘If you get a lot of other people to agree with you, then you’re a majority and that makes you right. Right? Wrong. It just makes you a majority.’(Rhodes, 2007). The ideal situation occurs only when one obtained inner peace ‘What matters is being able to accept yourself as you are, as you believe, and being able to accept others as they are, and as they believe.’(Rhodes, 2007).

Learning true acceptance is one of the missions of current society.

True acceptance was proved by Doctor Sue Blackmore when she gave up on her research as a scientist but she did not abandon her beliefs as a spiritual individual ‘How then can we answer the big questions? I would say in two ways. One is by personal experience and disciplined observation; trying to see clearly the truth about oneself and the world. That is why I meditate and practice mindfulness. So throwing out the paranormal does not mean abandoning spirituality or spiritual practice. The other is by doing science, and for me the interesting questions now concern evolutionary processes, memes, and the origins of consciousness.’(Blackmore quoted by Talmage, p.185)

Maybe Doctor Blackmore was not the one to prove the reality of the paranormal but that mission might be someone else’s ‘’The recent resurgence of funding for parapsychology means there are several new labs and many new researchers at work. If psi does exist then one day one of them will find a way to demonstrate it and a theory to explain it. If that happens I shall be back like a shot, but until then, happily, I have given up.’’ (Blackmore quoted by Talmage, p.185).

Grey describes 'mission' as being essential ‘Mission, in the context of this book, refers to the inner calling to creatively serve our physically and spiritually depleted world’ (Grey, p.39).

Both him and Olafur Eliasson started their mission as artists by taking their fathers' examples ‘But under the spell of my father and enraptured by my own embryonic ability to draw, I felt I was an artist. Almost every child must.’(Grey, p.15) ‘My father was an artist, so the idea of being an artist was something that I grew up with.’(Cole, 2019). Eliasson is talking about a collaboration made with his father in which can be observed the similar views upon the mission of the artist ‘We actually collaborated on a few pieces together. For one, we developed an ocean drawing machine, where you would dip a ball in ink and then place it on a piece of paper. As the fishing boat rocked on the ocean, the ball would roll around the paper, creating a drawing. We had good fun making these drawings and called them our Ocean Drawings.’(Cole, 2019).

‘Every work of art embodies the vision of its creator and reveals a facet of the collective mind. Artists offer the world the pain and beauty of their soul as a gift to open the eyes of and heal the collective.’(Grey, p.22) I wish to believe that my purpose as an artist is to bring peace and healing to individuals and society. Just like Alex Grey, I am pursuing a visual application of my beliefs connecting the personal experiences with religious icons. In my works icons like Buddha or Archangel Michael become obvious motifs to a hidden meaning. I use my experiences as inspiration and try to show the healing that took place within me. The most pertinent example is Karmic Retribution a piece resulted after long introspection in regard to the subject matter of my core module ‘Artists individuate in order to attain an original statement. Yet to be fully ourselves—to realize our deepest nature—is to transcend alienation, transcend our constricted ego, and unite with the world.’(Grey, p.67).

My experience with overcoming art blockages made me realise that Talmage’s Cosmogenic Energy is the greatest source of inspiration available to everyone ‘The energy is there on tap for all who believe.’(Talmage, p.186).

To conclude, the existence of a higher force is irrefutable and its presence is made through people’s missions. Alex Grey is an artist with a clear mission who is aware of his ability to tap into the or Cosmogenic Energy ‘Tuning into the Cosmic Consciousness seems to work. Try it. Walk in awareness and you’ll find that there is a Plan especially for you. In fact it is a constant awareness of a power beyond ourselves that integrates us into that power.’ (Talmage, p.104).

Bibliography and pictures

Grey, A., 2017. The Mission of Art. [Kindle Edition] Shambhala. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Art-Alex- Greyebook/dp/B01N2XEBHU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=. [Accessed 6 April 2020]

Talmage, A., 2017. In Tune With The Infinite Mind: Plug into the power of the Cosmos and make things better. [Kindle Edition]. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/TUNE-INFINITE-MINDCosmos- things-ebook/dp/B07239VPG3/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= [Accessed 1 March 2020]

TEDx Talks, 2017. Similarities Between World Religions | Ejaz Bhalloo | TEDxYouth@Msasani [video online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O19KoARAXNs [Accessed 27 April 2020]

Rhodes, J.D., 2007. Awareness…Something Like Spirituality vs. Religion (Get Your Self Stranight). [Kindle Edition] BC3 Books. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Awareness-Something-Like- Spirituality-Religion-Straight-ebook/dp/B0018AJPL6 [Accessed 4 April 2020]

CoSM, 2018. Mission. [online] Available at: https://www.cosm.org/about/mission/ [Accessed 20 April 2020]

Cole, L., 2019. Olafur Eliasson talks to Lily Cole. [online] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/tate- etc/issue-46-summer-2019/olafur-eliasson-talks-lily-cole [Accessed 27 April 2020]

Kakutani, M., 1996. Designer Nihilism. New York Times Magazine, 24 March, S.6 p.30.

Johnson, E.H. ed., 1982. American Artists On Art: From 1940 To 1980. Westview Press: A Member of Perseus Books, L.L.C.

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Krauss, R.E., 1987. The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press

Emerson, R.W., 1961. On Man and God: Thoughts Collected from the Essays and Journals. Mt. Vernon, New York: The Peter Pauper Press

The Royal Institution, 2013. Double Slit Experiment explained! by Jim Al-Khalili. [video online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9tKncAdlHQ [Accessed 27 April 2020]

The Fifth Element, 1997. [video] Directed by Luc Besson. USA: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Grey, A., 1988, Jewel Net of Indra. [Oil on wood panel]. Available at: https://maps.org/newsletters/v10n3/10316gre.html. [Accessed 23 March 2020]

Grey, A., 1981. Universal Mind Lattice. [Acrylic on Canvas]. Available at: https://www.alexgrey.com/art/paintings/sacredmirrors/alex_grey_16_universal_mind_lattice. [Accessed 23 March 2020]

Grey, A., 1986. Collective Vision. [Oil on Linen]. Available at: https://www.alexgrey.com/art/paintings/soul/alex_grey_collective_vision [Accessed 23 March 2020]

Perioc,M., 2019. Karmic Retribution. [Digital Print on Paper]