"What follows is based on actual occurrences. Although
much has been changed for rhetorical purposes,
it must be regarded in its essence as fact. However,
it should in no way be associated with that
great body of factual information relating to
orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very
factual on motorcycles, either."
(Authors Note)
I found this book on a bookcase at home, and it turns out it was my dads when he was about 17. The title and look of the book intrigued me to read it, which i hastily did, and within no time at all it was over. It seemed to drag me into the story, enveloping my mind with great visuals and thought provoking questions. This is the reason i chose the book for this project, because in a way, (not to sound too cheesy), it holds a special place in my mind. And i advise anyone who has not already done so, to try and find a copy and lose yourself in it.
Hi
ReplyDeleteZen and the Art of... had a really powerful effect on many of our generation. Peter Kubelka, who you are obviously interested in looking at, was also very interested in the same issues. His short, Schwechater 1958, makes you as aware of the numbering sequences at the start of the film, being as vital as the rest of the images. In this case he was hand developing images,(hence the prevalence of negative images) sticking them together with sellotape and timing the repetition by holding out lengths of film and determining numbers of frames by what can be physically reached by an outstretched arm. Kubelka's Buddhist approach being that we need to raise everything to the same level of awareness, (i.e. opening number sequence being as important as other images)