Tribes transcend Bubbles

Tribes transcend bubbles. This idea can be hard to grasp for traditionally minded people. Online or irl. People like to associate themselves with a group, the bubble, if you will. Guess what happens to a bubble when too much pressure forms, lol. Ideas that do not align with the group, or bubble, cause fatal disruption. Doesn't matter how strong walled the group is.

Freethinkers tend to fear tribalism for this reason. And no, im not referring to the anti-religion 'freethinker' philosphy. i mean more of a genereal sense like the phrase, think outside of the box, well replace box with bubble, lol. That old phrase applies to gaining knowledge, finding clarity and even in some cases separating oneself from a tribalist mindset. Can be hard, physically and mentally.

Personally, it was always easy to detach or shed groups and relationships. Could just be the autism, lol. But for many people it's not easy to reimagine their perspective on tribalism. People make excuses as to why they choose to become bubble heads; race, gender, location, sexual orientation and etc etc. Irrespective to what someone may believe religiously, we have free will and the ambition to act upon it. Feels paradoxical when we are challenged in life, like... what was i supposed to do... I've heard that a lot and im sure you have too.

As a freethinker you realize in time that people do what they want, regardless of thier excuses or outward logic to do so. Rarely do we meet people that are frank enough to just admit it, that they do what they want etc etc... In this realization, you may find that all you can do is be loyal, sincere or genuine in how you go about relationships with people or groups. Nothing you can do if someone else is the polar opposite of you or your values. So what am i getting at? idk lol... But in a schizo kinda way freethinkers are able to find agency with like minded people, yet are able to remain individuals. Like in the macro but apart from the micro, type shid...

Think of a Republican dude residing in an Democrat neighbor block. Or, imagine loving someone from a group that you are told to hate all your life, ironically by other people you love. Thinking outside the/your box can be dangerous for some of us, no doubt. This is bibilical, or depending on your faith/idealism, it goes way back. Even for cult members, independent thought is usually met with grave consequences. The burden of free thought is to be the black sheep, the outcast, or even the martry. This divide is why many people will just go with the flow in life, which varies vastly among different groups of people.

The older i become i find that it can be an honor to have the courage to be different. And the unexpected agency i've found with other freethinkers is a blessing. Connecting, even if at a vast distance, with people that move to their own rythm, or flow. Traditionalists would probably just assume the worst of anything not deemed normal. Forexample, no full-time job, no spouse, no kids... not even a relationship, but this dude or that chick really loves art and finance. Yet thats partially the beauty of it, or perhaps just the autism typing. Not being normal by societal tribal standards however still accepted by people that hold similar values globally. Definitely autism typing meow...

Imagine if we all listened to the boomers that said don't associate with [insert group here]... think of all the music, beauty, knowledge, literature and art that would have never existed or been shared. Think of all the love, lost... Music is big on this as you may know, an art form that has the ability to make people move. The right vibes and frequency will make people of all creeds and cultures dance or move something in harmony. Think of all the artists that were/are freethinkers and were not afraid to mix subgenres or play where they were not invited [or welcomed].

im not here to rewire your way of thinking, more so a nod to those that can see through the veil of control that is traditional tribalism. And if you're ready for change, look to what is fun, like genuinely. If you find something fun or funny and the vibes are to your liking, then roll with it. Who cares if the people are cringe, act weird, or whatever the outwardly affliction, lol. i've learned that you don't have to be with someone to be with someone [or something], if that makes sense. Loyal from a far but not bound by a set group hierarchy or rule set, type shidd. <33

exploring aesthetics

  • posted on 11-11-2024 in art

Some images and videos do a great job of creating an atmoshpere or feeling, meta even. How each person interprets an visual artwork is perspective based, but, overall the aesthetics play a huge role in setting the overall theme or mood.
Quick reference to wiki on aesthetics before i ramble a little. Also notice the phi on that page. There is an entire discussion or debate over whether the philosphy of aesthetics can indeed be attributed to art, some argue that art and aesthetics are two different phi's. Gets deep, but we'll keep it simple and ramble about the general stuff...

Depending on the buyer or audience's vibe, they may be more attracted to light themes opposed to dark or void aesthetics. Some people are more select with style than hue, like only browsing anime or manga-style works. Others like nature scenes which can encompass light, dark and textured aesthetics given season or setting.
For artists and editors it can be worth while to eperiement with different aesthetics. You just never know what will resonate with people, sometimes its the colors, subjects and themes that you rarely use. Sometimes exploring different aesthetics is important to prevent all of you work from looking the same, or too monotone.

Nowadays there are many art/editor tools available online. Many of which are free, with loads of tutorials posted by experienced folks. Using different software/services can produce unique art works thus helping separate the overall tone of your portfolio. Gimp has come a long way is still one of my favorite scripts to use. Recently i joined adobe again, decided to use their services as there are just so many tools for both image and video editing nowadays.
Also experimenting with Blender, have a few looped ideas, sparkly light type stuff. i find that just its easier to learn new scripts going in with zero expectations and watching tutorials. in time you get comfortable clicking more settings, trying new things etc.

In my opinion its important not too obsess on what other people are making, but still take direction or inspiration when/where needed. Exploring retro and vintage aesthetics helps a ton with that, as the current gen has seen most of what our peers are producing now. Unless its commission or memes, you typically don't want to copy other existing stuff too much.
If you're an traditional artist i recommend exploring nft or on-chain art. You already have an advanced understanding of blending and layering, plus you can add hand produced traits to collections. Many collections prioritize speed/money over genuine aesthetics or effort, so the art often has little character or identity. That's where you can fill a void in the blockchain with your style or niche.

Memes are often low quality copy pasta images, and for memes of prodution thats great. But sometimes its fun to add more aesthetics or cryptic gems to a photo or video. Like less spammy, but more evergreen art yet still relaying a meme or message. Using hsv or hurl, layers, trans, bloom, exposure filters and such.
Cheese memes come to mind, think of that aesthetic; where the meme is meme-ing but the deepfried cheese filter gives it loads of aesthetic swag. Some editors add these images to vid cuts and it really gives off that extra crunchy special operations vibe.

Browsing youtube is helpful too. Many vid guys post/tag their work nowadays. Some stuff from rap artist videographers does a great job at street or grunge aesthetics; plus some guys mix in anime art, adding more depth. Youtube still has stuff from decades ago up, think of stuff zoomers haven't caught on to yet. Remix, rinse, repeat. Much easier if you're a lil older, you've seen more varied art over the years, just a matter of remembering and applying stuff accordingly in projects.

Styling textile is a dope venue if you have the skills. i like to sew by hand but if you have access to a machine i'd say practice using it. About ten years ago i was doing the custom jeans thing, from fraying/whiskering by hand to dyeing with indigo. The denim aesthetic is timeless so i decided even back then to learn the ways of real jean production. Lots of work but rewarding, some stuff you just can't buy or find rather. Similar to how a seamstress or tailor hand measure their clients dimensions, its reminiscent to a model for a canvas, kinda sorta. The subject is unique, as is the artist.

I guess apart from stoner babbel, im saying to explore varied aesthetics, perspectives and such. Don't be afraid to use different styles, archtypes, filters, hues, transitions, textures in your work. Avoid monotone, unless its called for or deadlines are due. Part of the beauty of so many different cultures now being connected is that we can reference each others styles and vibes. Different perspectives see things diff, and in art it can be an awesome thing. One example that pops up is the Japanese style photo books, always loved those, especially the 90s era; just something about the cameras and that era of subject + photographer makes the work/vibe unique. 80/90s anime is also like that, tingles the tism a lil different.

In closing with a disclaimer though, personally i avoid being a culture vulture, or highjacking other artsy ppls work/aesthetic-styles for monetary gain. I've made stuff that does layer a few ppls work but its never for profit just artsy shitposts that shoutout homies projects.
But, do what thou wilt my fren. The art will live on either way, whether paid or free... credited or grifted...