I really enjoy John Cage’s work because it questions something that hadn’t been thought of prior. In order to understand what Cage is trying to create, you need to question your definition of music. When in these performances many times the audiences own preconceived notions about what music is created the sounds for Cage’s soundscape. Their reactions, laughter, annoyance, was the music that John Cage was attempting to capture. This was not something that had been done before in this fashion and would generally be looked at with disinterest in the fine arts world. However, thinking of soundscapes, life, and daily activity as music adds a profound sense of beauty into the idea of living. This idea is what really stood out to me. Within the previous ideals music, beauty, art, had to be forged or created. In Cage’s view art is all around us in merely what we decide to do. This idea almost romanticizes life and makes you slow down and be mindful. His ideals feel like a culture shock in a sense because mindfulness was inspired, to be fully present and undistracted within time. The skill to be fully present takes a lot of practice and effort and in some ways the concept of the soundscape feels connected to some Buddhist practice. The idea of mindfulness and realizing that life is art and naturally beautiful is a central belief within Buddhist practice. John Cage was able to introduce some of these ideals to western society through his art, inspiring and motivating many.
- abon6898