BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THINKING FOR YOURSELF
When you meet people, do you want them to gush out all over you with their opinions, chronological list of accomplishments, and other milestones they consider worth mentioning?
DARE TO BE NAIVE
Are you game to find out what the “movie” is about for yourself, or do you rely on the so-called critics?
You define yourself by how you approach the new, the unfamiliar, the unexplored, the unexplained, the untested, and, dare I say it, the as-yet unreviewed. Are you a critical thinker?
Approach with no preconceived notions, as my Zen master artist often advised. Or, as Buckminster Fuller, put it: “Dare to be naive.” He placed this piece of timeless advice in the opening to his marvelous and demanding book, Synergetics: The Geometry of Thinking.
Buckminster Fuller
BACK TO SYNERGETICS: NOT LOST IN THE TRANSLATION
At its essence, Fuller is saying to be open-minded; have the courage to question that which you don’t understand. Then, if we delve deeper, we also come to learn that the subtitle of his book is not merely thinking about geometry, but more precisely what it says—the physical means of how we think is geometric in nature—beyond the molecular and down to the subatomic level. What about emotions and feelings? In what form do they come into being?
INSPIRED SCIENCE
Fuller’s approach to discovery was straightforward. What elevated his work from mainstream science to inspired science is that he took you on his journey. He shared how he came to various conclusions—so you could see for yourself. He realized it made no sense to reinvent the wheel and there was work already done that had merit and could be trusted. He investigated things and would often ask others whether they knew of anyone else who was doing the same thing he was and in the same manner.
HUMAN AFTER ALL
Not only was Fuller a polymath, but he was also human. After suffering a tragic loss, he contemplated suicide. Instead of falling into the abyss, he went toward the light and made a commitment to unravel the secrets of Universe. He would contribute to humanity. In his world vocabulary, it was Universe, not “the” Universe; there was no need for using the definite article “the” before Universe—the word that described it all. He approached Universe with humility. After all, we don’t say we’re going to explore “the” nature.
Note: You may recall that Fuller invented the Geodesic Dome, and the molecule Buckyball was named after him. Fuller had inspired me to write The Magnificent Book of Kites—a bestseller.
Bucky Fuller kept himself honest. He dared to be naive. Remember, too, many are called; few choose to go.
Magic Thoughts | Original fine art print | Eden Maxwell
CONNECTING ON A DEEPER INTUITIVE LEVEL
My art-making is based on the physical flow of spontaneous intuition, which involves a remarkable journey. Impulses of energy and information surge down my arm and, through improvisation, I compose visual jazz with line and color. If the art-making is magic, then the art is magic.
What does above painting reveal to you? There is no right or wrong answer. Trust your feelings, not the opinion of others, including art critics and so-called experts. Remember, if you see it, then it’s there. Enjoy. Click on the painting for more details.
To get a better feel for the scope and range of my art, please visit my collection of original Fine Art prints: each signed print features museum-quality materials, permanent pigment inks, plus acid-free matting that I attach to the artwork using conservation best practices.
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