Radio Lear Podcast 014 – Between Chaos and Archetype
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In the fervent exploration of the metamodern landscape, the hitherto disparate worlds of art, sound, music, and artificial intelligence find a syncretic convergence. It is here that we delve into the symbolic world of the collective unconscious, drawing from the insights of Erich Neumann, who spoke eloquently of the continuous interchange between the collective unconscious, cultural canon, and creative individuals. This triad, we might note, finds a new, vibrant expression in metamodern sound art, music, and digital AI-driven imaging, creating a dynamic new framework for exploring the relationship between the unconscious and the creative impulse.
Sound art in the metamodern era is no longer confined to the physical boundaries of instruments or the human voice. It is a manifestation of the collective unconscious, transmuted into the realm of auditory experience. Ambient noise from the environment, electronic distortions, and digitally constructed soundscapes all contribute to the construction of a sonic reality that embodies the tension of the “both-and” principle of metamodernism. This is a space where the archetypal and the novel coexist, where tradition and innovation are not at odds but in conversation. It is through this auditory dialogue that we glimpse the unconscious mind’s ability to create, adapt, and innovate.
Similarly, metamodern music represents a significant departure from the rigid structures of previous eras. It is an echo of the collective unconscious, reverberating with the tensions and harmonies of our shared human experience. The metamodern musician, like a Jungian alchemist, extracts gold from the depths of the unconscious, transmuting it into music that disrupts dogma and transcends the conventional. From complex time signatures to genre-bending compositions, metamodern music embodies the oscillation between sincerity and irony, optimism and doubt, the known and the unknown.
Yet, it is perhaps in the realm of AI-driven imaging that the impact of the collective unconscious is most palpable. The emergence of AI in art has introduced an intriguing new dynamic to the creative process. AI is not simply a tool; it becomes a participant in the dialogue between the collective unconscious and the cultural canon. Through machine learning algorithms trained on vast datasets, AI is creating novel artistic expressions that reflect the collective unconscious in ways previously unimagined.
Artificial Intelligence, in its processing and pattern recognition, emulates the human ability to perceive and process the archetypal symbols of our collective unconscious. When this is applied to digital art, the results are uncanny and profound. It’s as if the AI, through its complex algorithms, is tapping into the collective unconscious, creating art that challenges our conceptions of creativity, authorship, and originality.
In the metamodern era, the triadic interplay between the collective unconscious, the cultural canon, and creative individuals, as postulated by Neumann, becomes a dynamic, unfolding narrative. The unconscious mind, once considered a mere repository of repressed experiences and primitive instincts, is now recognized as a fertile ground for creative expression and exploration. Through sound art, music, and AI-driven imaging, we are witnessing a dramatic reconfiguration of the creative landscape, an affirmation of the potency and relevance of the unconscious in shaping our shared cultural experience. The dialogue continues, and the story is far from over.
Immersing oneself in the soundscape of the metamodern era is akin to embarking on an intricate exploration of the collective unconscious. The sonic narratives that unravel in this expedition are both profound and transformative, defying the conventional boundaries of music and extending into the realm of shared human experiences and narratives.
Consider, for instance, the ethereal symphony of Joakim’s “Air (Bernard, France).” Here, we find a manifestation of the boundless realm of the unconscious, where electronic elements harmoniously intertwine with traditional acoustics to produce a deeply rooted archetype of freedom and exploration. A similar sense of exploration pervades “In the Wind (Moshimoss Rework)” by Daigo Hanada, where the sonic gusts mirror the fluidity and constancy of change inherent in our collective psyche.
Joseph Shabason’s “13-15” presents a rhythmic ebb and flow that signifies the cyclical nature of the unconscious, each note echoing shared human experiences and narratives. Complementing this cyclical theme, “Ziffernblaetter” by Clemens Christian Poetzsch offers a rhythmic exploration of the unconscious’s timeless nature, underlining our shared experiences across time.
The interplay between individual creativity and the collective unconscious is embodied in “Lalla Rookh” by Shabason & Gunning. Here, the complex textures mirror the multi-layered nature of our collective psyche. Kangding Ray’s “Lone Pyramids” further explores this terrain, its ambient sounds creating a sense of solitude and introspection that reflects the isolation within the collective.
Tracks like “Hearing You” by Wilson Trouvé and “Is It Me Or Is It You?” by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith encapsulate our collective longing for connection and understanding, as well as the perpetual search for identity and belonging. The tonal shifts in these compositions mirror the oscillation between individuality and collectivity, between the subjective and the objective.
Venturing into the colder sonic landscapes, “Artic” by The Blooming White Orchestra & Wilson Trouvé represents the vast and often unexplored terrain of the unconscious. In contrast, “V3.2 (Peaking Lights remix)” by Luca Yupanqui dances on the edge of chaos and order, signifying the tension between the conscious and unconscious.
Ludovico Einaudi’s “Una Mattina,” reimagined by Mercan Dede, beautifully illustrates the continuous renewal of the cultural canon, signifying the resilience and evolution of the collective unconscious. This resilience is also echoed in “Weight Of A Nation” by Danny Mulhern, embodying our shared struggles and the archetypal narratives of hardship and perseverance.
Karl Frid & Frid & Frid’s haunting “Confutatis,” featuring Caroline Gentele, is a testament to our collective capacity for introspection and reconciliation, whilst the Yellow Magic Orchestra’s “Simoon” bridges the traditional with the innovative, reflecting the dynamic relationship between the cultural canon and creative individuals.
The journey concludes with “Barbro” by Birds ov Paradise, a sonic tapestry woven from the threads of the collective unconscious. Its complex soundscapes mirror the intricate interplay of archetypal symbols and narratives within our shared unconscious, underscoring the introspective and expansive nature of metamodern music.
These compositions, in their diversity and complexity, illustrate the vibrant dialogue between the collective unconscious, the cultural canon, and creative individuals, echoing Neumann’s insights into the unconscious mind’s role in shaping our shared cultural experience. This dialogue, far from static, continues to evolve, offering a dynamic, unfolding narrative of the human condition through the medium of sound.
Note: This is a fictional post, and has no relation with any person or organisation. It was written with ChatGPT and the image created with Midjourney.
