IAIN BAXTER&: Figure / Ground (III)

Posted: October 30, 2012 | Author: David Bellman

IAIN BAXTER&:

Figure / Ground

David Bellman, CAUSA

October 30, 2012

 

“The life of Zen begins with the opening of Satori … the unfolding of a new world hither-to unperceived.”

– IAIN BAXTER (1982)

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“Outside the mind there are no phenomena, and outside phenomena there is no mind. Essence and functions are completely fused.”

Houng Pou (1510? – 66)

Telex transmission: from Iain Baxter (President, N.E. Thing Co.) to Garry Kennedy, President, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1970:

 

TO THE PRESIDENT

 

DON’T LOOK AT THIS UNLESS YOU ARE READY FOR ANYTHING

 

OK SIT DOWN AND WITH A PAIR OF SISSORS CUT 4 INCHES OFF

YOUR TIE AND PLEASE MAIL IT IMMEDIATELY TO IAIN BAXTER

PRES N E THING CO

 

NOW YOU ARE READY FOR ANYTHING

 

__________

“A fo ben bid bont.” / “To be a leader become a bridge.”

– Welsh maxim.

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Iain Baxter / N.E. Thing Co., Art is All Over, circa 1970, metal pin, Collection of the VancouverArtGallery, Acquisition Fund. [Photo: Rachel Topham, VancouverArtGallery.]

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“The social life of man is a center, as it were, whence radiate numerous intellectual tendencies, crossing and zigzagging, receding and approaching in interminable succession. The points of convergence create new centers, exerting varying influences upon the larger center, the general life of humanity. Thus new intellectual and ethical atmospheres are established, the degree of their influence depending, primarily, on the active enthusiasm of the adherents; ultimately, on the kinship between the new ideal and the requirements of human nature. Striking this true chord, the new ideal will affect ever more intellectual centers, which gradually begin interpreting themselves into life and transvaluing the values of the great general center, the social life of man.”

– Alexander Berkman (1910)