WOLS Aphorisms (1944)

Perfect concentration is possible only when you are not. You can obtain the maximum concentration achievable by man reclining, eyes closed. At the slightest disturbance from outside, dispersion, diffusion, sets in. If you are erect, you legs take away part of your strength. When your eyes are open, concentration grows fainter. External, visible results increase proportionately to your distance from the perfect state. Needless to say, the most beautiful works are the least manifest. Brilliant great works (visible everywhere) are cheap, require some external efforts, give relief, but are not worth the trouble.

At Cassis the stones, the fish
the rocks seen through a magnifying glass,
the salt of the sea, and the sky
made me forget that man is important,
they urged me to turn my back
on the chaos of human affairs
they showed me eternity
in the little waves of the harbor
which are always the same without being the same.
Nothing can be explained, all we know is the appearances.
All loves lead to one love, and
beyond all personal loves
there is the nameless love,
the great mystery,
the Absolute,
X
Tao
God
the cosmos
the Holy Ghost
the One
the Infinite.
The Abstract that permeates all things
is ungraspable.
In every moment
in every thing
eternity is present

*Wols, "Aphorisms" (1944), excerpt from Werner Haftmann, ed., Wols, with essays by Jean-Paul Sartre and Henri-Pierre Roche (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1965), 152-53.

That was something I read as I walked the floors of the Christmas festival, sparkles and glitter and wind-up toys. I've been reading about the Gestural Abstractionists as of late. Juan Gris said, "You are lost the instant you know what the result will be." Andre Malraux said, "modern art was doubtlessly born on the day when the idea of art and beauty were separated."

I must get back to my studies, enjoy the Aphorism!

Peace and Love,

dAnieL-