02.01.2002 5:49 am
some ideas i am entertaining:

i believe that the best way to understand the universe is through observation of its fundamental forces. likewise, a powerful way to understand life is the contemplation of its most basic principles. these elements are like metaphors, symbols for deeper truths. chaos theory tells us: as the smallest part of any pattern or structure, so is every other part, and so is the whole (on through multiple dimensions). truth repeatedly proves to be beautifully simple and we are absolutely surrounded by proofs of it. people have commonly gone to great lengths, spiritually, physically, and mentally, for answers that are right THERE around them. truth exists within the patterns that we are and the blank space and patterns that surround us - contained in our very fabric. subjects such as science give clues to ultimate mysteries. a code is provided to decipher.

...which leads me to the rebus. a rebus is a pictorial form of communication: a written language of picture and symbol. it originated with puzzles and codes and its common use generally remains as a puzzle, a novelty. it combines and juxtaposes pictures, letters, numbers, and symbols to represent concepts, phrases, and sentences � meanings. it requires lateral thinking to understand. (these words etymologically link together: lateral > side > coincide > cipher > decipher > code > puzzle > rebus) lateral thought, incidentally, is what is engaged to view and understand visual and other forms of ART. rebuses were used in the origins of language as cuneiform, hieroglyphics, sanskrit, chinese, etc. all early languages were picture-based. language - written communication - has become increasingly complex and abstract. following its evolution from sounds to words to writing and on forward, it can be seen that language became more representational and indirect. currently, the language (as illiteracy happens to be at an all-time high) is heading back towards a picture/symbol form, according to certain scholars. hence, the rebus could be said to be the future of language.

my idea is that it can also be incorporated into art to express concepts and ideas as a sort of educational vehicle. communication with pictures - aesthetically, originally, and creatively - is this art. it is the utilization of the rebus system/theory as a means to effectively express and give concepts and ideas. it is using the rebus puzzle as a way to engage and require lateral thought so thoughts coincide; so people realize things themselves via their own thought processes. this would certainly be FAR more effective than authoritarian �teachings� or dogma. what could be expressed wouldn�t be my own opinions, but purely scientific principles that the audiences associations and life-realizations could stem from. provoking independent thought seems to be the best way to teach someone.....

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