Tensions and Conflicts

Themes. They say that all art is about themes. I agree. Art exists to convey themes. To spark thoughts in our heads. To communicate with us that we are not alone in thinking the way we do, or that there are other ways to think our thoughts.

Humans are (they say) thinking creatures. Our primary survival tool is our brain, not our stamina, strength or venom glands. We THINK our way out of problems. We are engineered to see choices in situations, weigh the outcomes, then act. I bet you the world looks more complicated to us than it does to a deer.

Choice thus dominates our worldview. We see it everywhere, from the mundane (cereal or toast) to the philosophical (good or evil, chance or purpose). And since the choices in our heads battle each other for supremacy, we (often subconsciously) see life, or even existence, as a battle between sets of opposing themes.

Atimes, these themes are in direct conflict (the forces of Order and Chaos MUST thwart each other as they assert themselves). At other times there is merely a tension between them.

Some of the best art I have experienced or created weaves itself around these tensions and conflicts.