Rereading what I might have already written concerning my own art-work - to be found on the
website my son Theo built, in art catalogue statements, and in my six brag-books which
explain the various periods of my work as an artist - I now realise that I seem to have taken
myself far too seriously. Yet, reconsidering, who else when I was desperately searching via
creativity for any truths about life itself, myself, about us as people and our very reason
for being, would have taken me or themselves seriously enough to attempt any kind of
conjectural answers to these universal riddles. Although such answers (I use the word answers
for want of a better one), if forthcoming could never be substantiated anyway, we might
consider the possibility (and why not?) that the nearest help we are likely to receive in
approaching those realms beyond earthly existence could lie subtly embalmed within the
phenomena of art-works created by some few artists.
The incorporeal energy necessary to induce an extraordinary art-experience in humans over and
above a normal emotional response, would, if existent, fall within the realms of
parapsychology or the paranormal. The old-worldly term 'spiritual' describes this kind of
intangible energy; it offers a more emotive interpretation related to the purpose of Art at
its highest level.
Relative to this it seems obvious that the strength or level of stimulation within a human
mind by any successful work of art, in whatever creative media, is surely dependent upon the
intensity of the artist's in-depth commitment. However, I believe that in any inspired work
of art a primary more enigmatic content lies veiled and secret within both artwork and
artist.
If one is prepared to open-mindedly consider that paranormal energy - or Psi to use a briefer
term - really exists, and at the same time quell ones rational doubts - then mind-space is
left to suppose that the human psyche is equipped at birth with a quota of this preconscious
energy; and further - it maybe that some few individuals inherit a more dynamically active
portion than others. Reinforcing this concept is the age old Western belief that each of us
has a soul - a preconscious presence within. The soul, comprising spiritual energy and
surfacing as instinct, if listened to guides us as to the ethic of right or wrong
behaviour.
Other evidence for a soul or Psi within people (and other animals) may be reinforced when
considering the commonly acknowledged fact that many people experience an unspoken similarity
of thought with a familiar, closely connected person - a partner or friend, both realising
the same unspoken thought at the same moment, or even anticipating one and other's immediate
wish.
Often accepted as a form of telepathic communication - an aspect of Psi - this phenomenon
suggests that although logically unproven, it does appear to exist as an illogical kind of
super-energy inherent within humans, enabling transference of feeling/mind preceding any
communication by act or spoken word.
In further support of the above thesis one might postulate: that if every created 'thing' on
Earth - animal, vegetable or mineral etc, is seen as a compilation of matter
(universal-substance), though varying anatomically in the first instance, one might well
imagine that this common etheric building material contains an infrastructure comprising the
basic essence of Psi - a seeming magical creative element, sought for but thankfully as yet
undetermined by over-inquisitive, coldly objective science.
Given all this might it not appear plausible that at a subconscious level this creative
energy - call it what you will: soul, Psi, paranormal or whatever, may unknowingly be brought
into the equation by persons of marked perception and extra sensitivity - exceptional artists
for instance...?
Therefore, considering the thesis being offered, although based upon supposition and
unproven: could it not be that unique works of art created by extraordinary artists, give
out/transmit Psi factors, stimulating transcendental levels of spiritual response from
individuals and sometimes larger audiences.
Obviously the artist does not consciously connect with this spiritual, reputed God inhabited
region from where come all-things that we as humans perceive, know and feel, and which
informs non-stop our every day living awareness. And questionably, whenever we have been
deeply moved by a work of art, have we ever consciously determined what it actually was that
moved and effected us - other than admiring the artist's vision, concept and consummate
skill...?
Back in the 1960s when a particular sculpture or similar art form appeared exceptional in its
emotional impact upon people, artists would often agree in stating that the work possessed
'presence', meaning that it appeared to give out an extra special feeling beyond that
normally felt when observing a work of art - was this its Psi factor operating? And where
such instances occurred, or still do, is the receptive individual and others undergoing a
reciprocal exchange of Psi which exists as an integral part of both the human psyche and the
phenomenon of the artwork.
My own belief is that unique art in whatever media, does by some inexplicable means, give out
what might be described for the sake of argument as a transmission of paranormal energy,
eliciting an exchange of Psi between the human receptor and the art form, the result being an
extraordinary and unique experience felt by the person empathetic to the work of art. It may
be that such an event is the ultimate gift or task of the artist, whose original commitment
and vocational intent was to pass on his/her evolved perceptions contemporaneous to their
period in Time, recreating a life event in equivalent artform - one inspired, beautified and
latent Psi enhanced awakening and arousing the spectator's similarly enhanced sensory
receptors.
'So what?' one might say, having read this attempt to write convincingly about various
aspects of paranormal energy within artforms which began as a personal 'apologia'. And is the
idea of Psi in Art of any directly applicable value or of the least importance? None that I
can think of immediately! Except that attempting to peer behind such thinking (not an easy
thing to do) is certainly worth the effort, because any attempt to dig beneath the surface of
outwardly apparent 'things' undoubtedly helps one to comprehend them more clearly. At the
same time the process, the search, takes ones mind laterally away from the mundane - and in
so doing strengthens an often wary and unready to admit belief in any immaterial presence
like God, the Tao, or whatever! It seems apt at this point to quote Shakespeare's, 'There are
more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'
Whether one gives credence to the preceding idea is not ultimately important - apart from
stirring up a vaguely held belief in the sometimes incredible magic of the insubstantial;
what is really important is that positive, good, and unexampled works of art continue to add
progressively to the ethical and aesthetical ideals encapsulated within the concepts
underlying all the various Arts. What else will hold back the negative aspects of a fast
advancing materialistic civilization?
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All text and images ©Laurence Burt, 2000 - 2015
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