on kawara

I just discovered the artist On Kawara.  He is the last artist profiled in the book I posted about last time.  

Last night I stayed up late, inspired by this painting, "100 Year CalendAr".

https://gerrishfineart.com/product/100-year-calender/

Another image of 100 years, with different days represented as different colored dots depending on (for example) whether he made a painting that day.

I stayed up late, creating a spreadsheet that listed all the days I will be alive.  With blank spots starting now and continuing until 100 years after my birth.

I played with a couple of different formattings, one which would generate a 8.5 inch wide banner about 15.5 inches tall.I have a 16 foot tall wall in my house, so...

With a ladder, I could have a sense of perspective of the scope of my days and life.  I could fill in with a pencil the days as I live them.

Here is a screenshot:

This is also spin off from reading 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.  Our lives are both long, and also limited.  We can't comprehend or accept the limitations of the time we have, and thus, sometimes think we can do more than we can.  I copied this: "The limit embracing life...you are no longer befogged and bewildered by a false and misleading illusion about your life".

It feels truly elusive to comprehend the scope of one's days.  At 48 years old, I'm exactly halfway to the age I expect to live to, 96.  So a good time to consider this.  

Going back to On Kawara, I located this video where the artist Annette Lawrence speaks about their shared sensibilities.

Here is her list of what she appreciates (and relates to) about him.  (In her words):

• he's a systems guy
• he makes monumental things about everyday occurrences
• focus on process rather than product
• work is introspective, contemplative, meditative and quiet
• ...and generous
• work is a refuge from our culture that clamors for our attention at every second
• repetition sets up expectations and fulfills them
• that rhythm goes on for decades

[I will have to research Annette Lawrence, also.]

Here's what I'm liking about On Kawara, that I would like to learn from or copy:

• a repetition that slowly accumulates to something  
• mundane rituals: some of these rituals acculumlate to nothing visible, except a life (an accumulation of its own.)  

Kawara came up with a system (his date paintings) and then incorporated dots about them, into the 100 year calendar.  

• a big system and then little systems that support or are part of the big system
• everything being connected makes it simpler
• consistency makes it quieter  

He placed each date painting in a box which he made, lined with a local newspaper, as he traveled the world.

• connected to place and time

The fact that his output was repetitive, likely meant he needed only a limited number of supplies and tools in order to work.  I aspire to 

• a minimum of required possessions

• journals! still a focus on when & where (sadly my trusty red journal brand was discontinued, so my shelf won't look like this)

• telegrams 1969-2000

• other lists: I met, I went
• taking photos of the same view over and over again on different days

Which makes me think of how lately my life has been repetitive in a very satisfying way (we do the same trips each year-end, each march break, each summer).  And to embrace that and allow that to structure my life, could be quite perfect, and satisfying.

Daily, weekly, yearly patterns: a life.