Musings, Art (Deidara)
You know, looking at my partner now it occurs to me that greatest piece of artwork I've ever seen. I'm not sure he's really art, after all Jiyuu claims that true art must be universal, and I'm the only one who has seen the art and understand it. Meanwhile, Yukai says that the only worthy art, or worthy anything for that matter, is that which brings joy to the heart of those who make it, and I doubt anything brings joy to Sasori. Then again, I haven't share this observation with anyone yet, so maybe others would understand it, and making this observation makes joy to me, so perhaps it is art.
I think Sasori's stands as a metaphor for the inherent ills of society. More so than Gashu's 'heart of man' which is really more a piece on the ills of man himself. A position most anarchists (myself included) reject most strongly, but which we have been unfairly associated with by the media. Not suprising given the media needs an advanced society to survive, and will protect it. Guisens "Fire in Na Ling" is a better, showing the horror of modern warfare, which is but one of the ills resulting.
Sasori works so well because he is the picture of modern man's spirit made flesh. Trapped within a putrid hust of metal, man's spirit is withered to almost nothing. They are outwardly stronger, but at what cost? Can they feel, and they truly enjoy life? Yet within this twisted hunk beats the heart of a man still. I know his art, I have seen his puppets, they are beautiful, ingenious, such art! I am no artist, but I can appreciate beauty, and yet all I can do is weep for the loss. All his puppets are mere imitations, copies of persons lost rather than true innovations. He is creative, I know it, I have seen the genius he has when creating the weapons, yet his is so stunted by his ninja training and lack of exposure to art and philosophy that all he can use it for is weapons and puppets. To a man with only a talent for explosions, I weep at the worlds loss.
Pein understands this. He knows how hurt and studded people are by the training. How subversive books are often kept from young ninja's hands while they are indoctrinated, until they are already stained with blood and bound to the village. Had I not stumbled upon the discarded copy of "Essays in anarchism" I might have ended up the same. I still have that book, worn from many readings during my early career. Many times I was afraid I would have to destroy it lest it be found. I wasn't sure I could do it. One of my greatest joys is no longer having to hide it, and being able to read more. Such a wide variety, I had no idea how stunted I was until I left!
Pein is a great man. I respect him. I follow him. But he does not truly understand. He only thinks of the ninja. He does not understand they are merely a product of a wider society. The cities and state are subtler, and not as overtly harsh, but they grind them down just the same. Make the nastiest rise to the top and destroy spirit. Kakuzu should be proof enough of that. The hidden village are products, not the cause. But still once we destroy the villages, they will try to rise again. And then perhaps he will understand, and we can truly remake the world.
I am not a fool. I don't think we should go back to a completely agrarian society. There are things that are worth keeping, medicine, some tools and creature comforts. What I oppose is the cities for cities sake. Focused on keeping people in cities and content enough not to revolt. They should instead be mere meeting places, for work that needs to be done together. No bigger than the work they require. Not a twisted clump of hundreds of smog spewing factories and controlling autocrats that drive us ever to want more, more. I dream of a life where people can be happy and content, free to discuss higher matters instead of a deplorable concentration on the material.
The time is right, even now the order is crumbling, just look at the stock market. It is perhaps the funniest comedy ever witness. For what is stock? A piece of a company? Yet no ordinary man will ever have enough to control it, and the prices are out of line with the payouts, you would do far better to loan money if you want payouts. No, people buy the stock because it can be traded for money, and they hope to increase it, legalized gambling. Now a practice once looked down upon by every gentleman is was being praised and honored. But stock is an illusion of money, it has no real value. But what is money itself, with it off the gold standard it is almost an illusion of value, of the gold it was once tied to. Yet even gold is but an illusion. It is not pleasant to touch, or eat, or play with. It is pretty, but so is the sunset if people only watch. So what it has come down to is an illusion of an illusion of an illusion. Truly the highest of comedy.
Just as I preach my philosophy, so must I practice it. I take no extra vanities. I will go to luxury for infiltration, but only as I must. I make my own weapons , and am as self-sufficient as is practical. Finally I remember to take joy in everything I do, be it creating, flying, or battling.
Written by clockworkchaos.