Houdini: The Illusion of Bondage
Arial Artist Circa 1942
Aesthetic Minimalism is an escape from a life that is filled with things which one overly identifies.
When our perception of who we are is reduced to the item, a relationship, a familial role, a societal role, a demographic, a label, or even a job, that limited perception becomes the diamond shackle of our own design. At first, it’s an honor, something beautiful to brag about, or even a source of pride. Yet, as we grow and change, we rub our eyes and see that the diamonds were only glass, the pride and honor the aches in our back, and the heroic stories of pride, dull and worn. We find ourselves in place void of color, and in someone else’s clothes, and even in someone else’s thoughts.
Luckily, we are not without a key behind our ear.
Houdini was the master of illusion, the master escape artist and spirit animal of our mental agility.
As I toiled away in my studio, attempting to avoid my dissertation, I found myself getting stuck in this perception of bondage. Even though I was sitting at home, in my office, the one I designed to be the sacred space, I found myself feeling this sense of cerebral and creative restriction. As I did my work, I noticed that my posture began to droop, my shoulders slumped, and my gaze was one of utter displeasure, a furrowed brow and light shallow breath. As soon as I realized this body language, I knew that my body had slipped into the dimension of one of my previous work spaces. I remember feeling as though I wasn’t contributing anything particularly significant. I knew I could do more, I knew I could feel fulfilled. It was time for a bold change.
Suddenly, the shackles opened.
Labels, our social role, our job, what we overly identify with, gives a false sense of self, an illusion, limited to the perception of those around us. Making something significant, worth while and meaningful comes from opening yourself to the essence of who you are outside of our social roles, socio-economic status, and aligns with the power we have to control our choices, our emotions, our lives.
I was not fit to fulfill the philosophies I found in that workplace, or the label society gave me, so, I freed myself.
You are the key.