blogOPTICA

Political Censorship Of The Arts

Two words: Paul LePage.

LePage Regrets Mural Controversy, Ha!

The ramifications of his ignorance and hubris: LePage may forever be known by his stupid moves especially this one...really a minor thing if left untouched, his manipulations may become the hallmark of his administration just because he wanted to show everybody who was boss. Dumbass. (Did I spell that correctly, because I plan to use it again?) 'Muralgate', anyone?

I am embarrassed that this man is our governor sucking up to the insensitive Republican and so called, 'Tea Grass' egg, only to profit corporate interests. Shame on you Paul LePage.

LINK

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/31/maine-gov-paul-lepage-reg_n_843187.html

 

Gov Paul LePage

 Forever your agenda, implemented or not, will be hated. Fool.

Paul LePage, His Own Choices For Maine - Removing The Mural

Removing the mural from the Department of Labor, here's the link, http://www.sunjournal.com/state/story/1004031

 

The majority of Mainers did not vote for LePage. The moronic choices by his administration will do no good, and in the end will damage the party he 'leads', no matter what you call it. In Maine folks remember these types of actions...almost, forever. 

The pain comes between at the end of LePage's 'career' as Maine's manager, when people realize the true cost of 'fiscal reform', attempting to run the government as a 'business', an ill-founded scheme, with no historical merit other than a fiction promoted by Ayn Rand and similar ilk, (Alan Greenspan, look where we are now! Jeesh!), a bogus, simplistic ego-centric, selfish-oriented concept, based on complete ignorance of the civil demands of government, 'fiction' is to light a word to use here...has never ever worked, will hurt the State immensely.

The roll of government is filling the civil needs of its people that as individuals they are unable to do themselves, not to profit on the backs of labor.

LePage is either ignorant, blind, in self-denial, or all three.

Objects? Internet?

The internet will be the demise of the importance of the physical object.

G. H. Diel

Gov. Paul LePage of Maine...converting Maine to a big box cheap, cheap discounter of cheap crap.

I spent over two decades as a marketing consultant for non-profit organizations here in Maine, the one aspect of about what we have to work with in this great state, is a very small population...and no amount of business deregulation and 'most' favored status for luring businesses will change that. Maine, you want more revenues? Increase your population size. It is as simple as that. I've seen that strategy come and go over the years...every time, crashing.  

As long as we have a small population we must conserve every aspect of our existing resources, developing growth there...not by hoaxing up faux business growth on taxpayer's backs, (read that to mean, taxing the middle income wage earners...not taxing the wealthy). By compromising the value added to our natural and environmental resources and our essential tourist industry legacy, we will be setting the clock us back 30 years. This is not the way to do it.

Watch and see, LePage will try to bring manufacturing, and heavy industry to Maine, not learning the lessons of history...that no matter how much we -- you and me -- subsidize these opportunistic corporations looking for tax breaks...they are destined to fail for us.

Been there, done that.

Perhaps Paul L. wants to change the State of Maine, to the State of Mardens. Using Marden's marketing strategy: Piling cheap, salvaged crap in the aisles of a huge empty space and throwing in the 'bait', a'designer' item at a ridiculously low price now and then to make prospective buyers think this is 'THE PLACE' for 'bargains'! Al the strategy is to strip and rape and back-stab the true qualities and values in the surrounding community held in place by sensible enforcement of regulations already on the books.

‎In the next four years I think it will be important to turn tables here, challenge Mr. LePage's initiatives to undo Maine's social and environmental achievements every step of the way with lessons learned over the past forty years...and, he will not force it through on an ignorant populace...we will show him we are a party of 'know'.

I hope and pray this is not what the next four years reveal about governance here in Maine, but I am not optimistic.

May wisdom prevail.

RHN

Go ahead. When out and about shopping next time, visit any Marden's store...is this what you want for Maine?

 

Getting Closer To The Spiritual ...

A slant on the creative process to bring the artist closer to the spiritual: Believe not in matter, believe not in gravity, believe not in space or in time. In this place in your mind you will find yourself without words, without a common language with others, then, you begin to create.

R. Henry Nigl   December22, 2010

Curved Reality

It's not math at all, it is a graphic visualization of a concept of a 'reality cloud'...and at the time I was exploring the meaning of identity and change, you know, 'The Ship of Theseus'...it was more a philosophical exploration, anyhow, I concluded that no-thing is ever the 'same', and due to movement in matter and light, the basis of reality, as soon as we recognize 'reality' to test it, it instantaneously changes...soo, no identity, no 'thing', no 'reality' is unchanging. IT IS ABOUT CONTEMPLATING IDENTITY AND CHANGE to the extent that this entertains the concept of 'reality' and that 'reality' can in part be explained mathematically and with they physical sciences...there is a similarity, but in the end: Art is not science. R. Henry Nigl 2005

 

Ghosts

The frightening thing about ghosts is not that they are real but that we may not be.

R. Henry Nigl 11.09.10

"Computers and the internet represents, no, IS, an actual expansion of our minds."

I suspect that computers and the internet represents, no, IS, an actual expansion of our minds, expanding our sense of 'reality', and, in fact, may well be the next stage of Transhuman transformation, and it is occurring now...globally. Simultaneously.

And, we-don't-even-know-it because that is not what we expected the next stage of evolution for us to be. R. Henry Nigl

LINKS:

Oxford scientist calls for research on technology 'mind change' - Brain researcher Susan Greenfield claims 'mind change' as a result of using modern technology is one of humanity's greatest threats. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/sep/14/oxford-scientist-brain-change


I see no ships - European explorers found indigenous peoples unable to see their tall ships,  
or did they?

 http://www.forteantimes.com/strangedays/science/20/questioning_perceptual_blindness.html

R Henry Nigl Exhibits

Any gallery who wishes to exhibit my work needs simply to set up a large HD LED monitor, in an empty room, in the middle of the floor...with an internet feed. Tell me about doing so...and I will provide art on that device as I wish...but, constantly changing...I will provide an unique URL, as a one time 'key', to the gallery or any buyer. 

...addendum: The gallery URL will be valid only for the duration of the exhibit. Buyer(s) of the URL will be provided a separate address only available to them. ...so, visitors and critics can copy the gallery's URL for the show, take it home, visit again - for the duration of the show - at their convenience, but, when the show is finished, the address goes dead.

Visit R. Henry Nigl on Facebook, also Google "R. Henry Nigl"

AFTIO

AFTIO?

 'Art For The Internet, Only' (AFTIO/Aftio Presents). We spotlight selected artists, each for about two weeks, then rotate in a new group of artists. Spotlighted artists and links are archived under the 'Discussions' tab.

Join the Facebook group for exciting new artist introductions.

LINK

AFTIO

Art For The Internet, Only (AFTIO)

'Art For The Internet, Only' (AFTIO), is a Facebook group spotlighting selected artist's work optimized for the internet. You won't be disappointed.

Links  Art For The Internet, Only

For The Worth Of It: My Soul

I was told, a demand was made on me in fact, in the most subtle of ways, that I should develop my spiritual self. Well, a 60+ year test of religion had not done it for me. 

As an artist obsessed, in a way, with reality--that is humans and their world--and 'object-ness', the 'being' of objects, if you will, I started the search for my soul. 

I looked for an opposite alternative definition. You know, defining 'something-ness' in terms of 'nothing-ness', defining 'white' in terms of 'black'.

So my search for my 'soul-being', as existing as opposite, say, the corporeal -body', a state outside of time and space, the first attribute of understanding and finding this elusive component of my own being was to negate both, the states of 'time and space' had to go. Therefore, I stopped having a workable, practical definition, for 'time' and 'space'. in other words, I no longer believed in either. In practice, mostly, I still function within conventions; but, introspectively, I do not believe in either. This practice makes existence in an alternative reality rather like what I and you probably experience naturally for about a quarter of our lives in this world: dreams. Interestingly is facilitate 'travel' in time as infinite 'space' possible.

Oddly, this conceptualization: no longer having a workable definition for either 'space or time', did something to my thinking about my soul: Objectification. 

Oddly, counter-intuitively, I began to think of my soul not as some abstract, ethereal 'ghost' thing, but rather, as a tangible object. My search so far seems to have, penultimately perhaps, defined my 'soul' as an object. 'Object' that very thing that exists for us, in time...and, space.

LINK

Context diminishes art appreciation? No, really.

I want folks to be able to enjoy the visual experience, I really do. For whatever reasons wide swaths of the population have problems with this. Too bad. Most 'art' is given freely by the artist for the easy 'fun', or the intellectual stimulation of it all. Dealers and markets co-opt and corrupt simply to make money, no more, no less. A real downer, huh?

I know where this 'downer' attitude starts, first, in the home, from one indifferent and ignorant generation to the next, and then by the media...because, trivialized experience appeals to those very same who just don't get it. You and I know it ain't difficult at all...it's as easy as seeing and hearing and singing. 

Oh, yeah, did I mention the educational system? Regarding art education, it sucketh!

For every culture, at every time, art has been, and still is, representational; it represents the soul of the artist.  G. H. Diel 

LINK:

In Art, Context is Counterproductive | Smart Journalism. Real Solutions. | Miller-McCune Online Maga

www.miller-mccune.com

Surprising new research suggests non-experts’ receptiveness to modern artworks may be diminished when contextual information is presented.

Fall - A Silent Slideshow Cartoon Strip

                                   

 Everyone gets bored now and then.

GHD & RNN

Scary News--Sean Hannity will not rule out 2012 bid for White House. Palin too?

You know, that thirty-three and a third or so, of whatever poll is current, identifying themselves as conservative and evangelicals in America, don't get me wrong, both groups are certainly made up of fine people just taking care of their own, and if they shout and buy enough votes (they as a group are pretty rich...it's part of Christianity you know), and persevere they could actually get these guys elected. If not by popular or electoral vote, by the Supreme Court, Sotomayor not withstanding. It has happened before.

So, what would happen in the first hundred days? Increasing taxes on any couple...married of course, making less than $64,000 a year, and greatly reducing taxes on those poor souls making more than $250K? Removing ALL fiscal and ethical regulation on mega corporations? Doubling the defense budget? Those damn socialists, and 'Moslem' terroists and 'Ruskies' you know. And purging any leftovers from the 'Bama administration including putting down Bo...actually the dog might well be let loose in the Montana wilds to be hunted down by helicopter gun ships.

I'm sorry, I'm just being mean. I'm a cartoonist after all...it's part of my nature. Not all that dissimilar from Mr. Hannity and Ms. Palin, (fuck you Levi Johnston, you media whore!)

Okay, okay...it's satire, don't freak out!

GHD

Link: World News Daily President Hannity? Talker drops hint.

Our New Cartoon Book

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Based on our slideshow comic strips we have put together a book of caricatures, cartoons, quotes and quips skewering your favorite, or...perhaps, not so favorite, pundits and pols.

You can find the all color version HERE for $12.95 (plus S&H).

Suitable for reading in the bathroom or under the covers with a flashlight at night. A book! It's how we pay for our blog.

GHD & RHN

The Future - It's A Gamble - So Here's A Guess

OHAI. File this under 'Humor', barely.

Hey, I'm somewhat of a futurist, although, not an expert, (are any futurist really experrts, come on?), I'm really more of a 'hobbyist' futurist. I just like making projections based on wild ideas...if they come to pass..I look great! (It's that old full court shot at the buzzer strategy!) If they don't, well nobody really cares anyhow and will probably forget about them in short order. Here's where I agree with George W. Bush, however: "Oh, I don't know...I'll be dead when they figure it out."

But, anyhow, here goes: THE COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL TAX AND POWER LOTTERY PROGRAM

A possible future programs that, 

1. reduces taxes by a big chunk, and, 

2. makes paying taxes kinda like a game, (but, shhh, it seems like a game, but it's really a tax).

A uniform tax would be levied on every adult citizen this tax would be collected through sales, income, and use of resources, and property taxes at a set percentage rate.

However, this tax would only comprise one half of total federal revenues, the other half would be represented by income derived from selling a lottery!!!

Yay! 

The lottery drawing would be held weekly, one drawing per state or territory. with a fixed percentage of lottery sales going to the winners...ah, redistribution of wealth!

How do you enter the lobby, you might ask? Well, every time you buy something, you the NATIONAL POWER TAX LOTTERY, with a drawing monthly, nationwide. This program will provide for federal programs, you know, the federal budget social security supplemental financing comes to mind right away, (I suspect by this program comes to reality social security will need a little outside cash ha, ha.) . Otherwise, you'll buy lottery tickets of your choice ranging from $1 to $20, these will be for designated government programs, i.e., schools, education, public safety, roadways, water, sewerage, hospitals, assisted living centers, health care, 

So you see, you could buy a $1 National Power Tax Lottery Ticket, and $5 worth of instant win, scratch off tickets targeted for state programs, like, "Hey, give me five of those $1 scratch offs--one of the 'schools', one 'hospital', and, oh, yeah, give me three 'sewers'." 

States, and local governments would receive revenue not from their own taxes but based on available resources, industries, and service OUTPUT....the more output the more revenue received. Build a bridge, get money from the federal government, build a sports arena, get fed money from the tax lottery!!  Smaller local governments and municipalities would receive revenue the same way, if a community built a new school, money from the fed tax revenue program arrives. Just like that. TA, DA!

How would this money be apportioned? Ahah! I'm glad you asked: By gauging through regular polls--A SMART TAX!--that is how educated the citizenry is, or not...how many slackers the community has, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana sales (oh, did I mention hemp would be legal?), and also health--i.e., who is dying, and at what age. So a total loser community made up of low income properties, non-achievers, welfare recipients (yeah, there still would be handouts, but aged and infirm and children of need would receive fed government support for living, healthcare, of course). But for the rest of society, citizens need to advocate, and vote the projects into being, building needed schools, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, business parks, what have you, projects for the common good.

The mechanics of the free market will supply goods and services, as before, (that's 'before' as in 'past', which of course, means like 'now').

But don't short change the LOTTERY...once a week in fifty or so markets, at every level of society---some one, somewhere becomes a millionaire!

And once a month, nationally, someone becomes a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE!

Whew, talk about redistribution of wealth!

THANKS, 

GHD

The Whistle Blower Equivalence

The other side of the equation to free market enterprise and self-regulation is not the sole reliance on regulation by agency or governmental bureau, but robust, legally enforceable, generous 'whistle blower' rewards and protections. This is the self-serving equivalency of the personal gain incentive versus corporate, share holder, greed incentives. Both sides of the equation then appear equal.

Corporate entity, step out of line? Someone in YOUR organization, who knows the rules of the game, will be finely rewarded to show the error of your ways. Sleazy? Sure. But, apparently, that is how the game is played. You, corporate America, lobbied and made the rules. Now, live by them.

Sorry if this solution seems like a simplistic solution and rather morally sleazy...but hey, right or left, corporate America, this is the standard you live by and promote as solutions across the board to almost every issue, but only, if the solution is to YOUR benefit.

Live by the gun, die by the gun. You know, it's the 'eye for an eye' thingy.

Thanks,

GHD & RHN