And Subminimalism is What, Exactly?
Subminimalism is a school of literature to which I
subscribe. More information can be found on the Subminimalism
web site, I'm sure.
Manifesto
Note: this text version,
lacking as it does the illustrative examples, glosses, and
portraits found in the original version, should not be
considered in any way an official document of the
Subminimalist School. It may, however, be quoted out of
context with appropriate attribution and
fanfare.
I. MANIFESTO: 1. Beneath the simplest form lies unimagined
depths of detail. 2. Absurdity and subtlety are aesthetic
necessities. 3. Every object has its own history and name. 4.
Change is inconstant. 5. The fantastic can be quantified and
decorated. 6. Life is connections. II. SUCH PALE
CREATURES OF TENUOUS FLESH: Observing alters the experiment;
reader response is inadequate. Intention, not paramount, is
indispensable to truth, but art attempts to peer into it
dimly. Truth is not a bad idea. Truth is still vital, because.
III. A SECRET HOURGLASS: The glorious, mythical past
of cities like Katmandu, Istanbul, Prague, Vienna, St.
Petersburg, Alexandria; the fantastic as described by Polo,
Borges, Dunsany; a world of tired majesty and new
improbabilities, the forgotten, the legendary, the baroque,
all just slightly askew: these are the antecedents and
components of Subminimalism, shown not described, revealed,
not explained, uninterpreted and true. IV. FENCES AND
FINGERPRINTS: Since observation alters the experiment,
criticism and analysis of a work materially changes the work
itself. Deconstruction becomes reconstruction along new lines
- with the architect's tacit approval but without benefit of
the original plans. V. SCATTERING THE HURRICANE: "I am
the king of the world," he said with such conviction and
authority that the gathered few could not but believe him.
While the Ur-Priests in their shadows at the top of the
mountain chant and fret and warn the heedless of inevitable
apocalypse, the old King patiently explains that no one can
pull a king from his throne. Finally, the priests convince
even themselves to fly the storm and the courtiers abandon the
palace and the kingdom. The mountain tears itself away from
the earth and into spirit lake. VI. A cascade of
fallen leaves swept across the road before the wind.
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