Abstract / Description of output
Title of Output: Order and Chaos
Author(s): Curated by Sandy Wood
Date(s) of output: 1 -31 January 2008
Type of Output: Exhibition and catalogue
Venue: Royal Scottish Academy
URL or DOI: www.royalscottishacademy.org
Other details: Extract from catalogue by exhibition curator Sandy Wood:
Looking at the history of civilisation, one cannot help but notice the endless fluctuations, the growth and capitulation of great societies and humanity’s fruitless attempts to master nature. As a species we hold the pursuit of order, control, knowledge and explanation as a keystone to survival, there seems to be no stone left unturned as we classify and arrange ourselves and the world around us to suit our aspirations and overcome our fears. But, as much as we try, the forces of chaos never seem far away; whether it is a flat tyre on the way to an important interview or the chance diversion of a wildfire moments before it consumes your house, there will always remain things outwith our control. This, however, is the beauty of existence; you never know what is round the next corner. This being said, we do have control up to a point, and it is often people that contribute to their own downfall through conscious decisions and actions; but if we were infallible then we wouldn’t be human, would we?
Order and chaos illustrate the complexities of the universe, our actions and therefore ourselves as human beings. Life is caught in the tension between the two and cannot properly sustain itself should one assume ascendancy: too much order and everything becomes the same, creativity is stifled and the new recedes into nothing more than a memory. Imagine a world without chance, mystery or invention, we would be without some of the greatest moments in history. But at the same time think of the consequences if chaos reigned unrestricted, nothing would make sense and a web of confusion and bedlam would rule, destroying everything before it could get started. For life to endure the creativity and originality released by chaos must be balanced by consistency and patterns, which give structure to the mayhem.
Author(s): Curated by Sandy Wood
Date(s) of output: 1 -31 January 2008
Type of Output: Exhibition and catalogue
Venue: Royal Scottish Academy
URL or DOI: www.royalscottishacademy.org
Other details: Extract from catalogue by exhibition curator Sandy Wood:
Looking at the history of civilisation, one cannot help but notice the endless fluctuations, the growth and capitulation of great societies and humanity’s fruitless attempts to master nature. As a species we hold the pursuit of order, control, knowledge and explanation as a keystone to survival, there seems to be no stone left unturned as we classify and arrange ourselves and the world around us to suit our aspirations and overcome our fears. But, as much as we try, the forces of chaos never seem far away; whether it is a flat tyre on the way to an important interview or the chance diversion of a wildfire moments before it consumes your house, there will always remain things outwith our control. This, however, is the beauty of existence; you never know what is round the next corner. This being said, we do have control up to a point, and it is often people that contribute to their own downfall through conscious decisions and actions; but if we were infallible then we wouldn’t be human, would we?
Order and chaos illustrate the complexities of the universe, our actions and therefore ourselves as human beings. Life is caught in the tension between the two and cannot properly sustain itself should one assume ascendancy: too much order and everything becomes the same, creativity is stifled and the new recedes into nothing more than a memory. Imagine a world without chance, mystery or invention, we would be without some of the greatest moments in history. But at the same time think of the consequences if chaos reigned unrestricted, nothing would make sense and a web of confusion and bedlam would rule, destroying everything before it could get started. For life to endure the creativity and originality released by chaos must be balanced by consistency and patterns, which give structure to the mayhem.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Edinburgh |
| Publisher | Royal Scottish Academy |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2008 |