Evolve To Survive
disconnect 003/237: What an unexpected visit to a church in my neighborhood taught me about the difference between metamorphosis and evolution
[18 August 2024]
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On one of my walks through my still relatively new neighborhood in Steglitz, I recently passed by a small, unremarkable church. It didn’t really look like a church; it looked more like a bungalow built in the 1960s. It had a big, well-maintained, but not too accurate, green garden in the front with one single big apple tree in the middle of it.
Besides this garden - a peaceful, green oasis on this hot late July morning - a poster in the showcase by the path leading to the entrance of the church caught my eye.
It was a poster for an exhibition about metamorphosis, currently being held in this church. I thought it would be very interesting to see a church transforming into an art gallery and presenting an exhibition on metamorphosis - a meta-metamorphosis so to speak.
I didn’t hesitate to enter the church to see what the metamorphosis exhibition was like. There wasn’t a single person in the corridor, and when I entered the main room of the church where the exhibition was set up, there wasn’t anyone there either.
I embraced this immaculate calm and peaceful vibe, all by myself in this large room, which was a visually appealing and soothing combination of glass, wood, and concrete. It was the ideal place to cool down body and mind and be fully present in the moment.
Along the glass walls, about 30 paintings were displayed. One detail I immediately noticed was that there weren’t any placards next to the paintings that described the artwork. It made me realize that if the poster outside the church hadn't mentioned it, I probably wouldn't have known that the exhibition was about metamorphosis.
However, there was one exception - next to one of the paintings, there was a framed poem written by the artist:
‘Nicht verpuppen wie ein Schmetterling und warten, was geschieht. Ich muss bei mir selbst beginnen. Meine Fragen muss ich finden und dann in die Antworten hineinwachsen.’
_______________________
‘Don't pupate like a butterfly and wait to see what happens. I have to start with myself. I have to find my questions and then grow into the answers.’
(Anja Budach)
While reflecting on the exhibition on my way back home, this artwork was the most memorable to me. Why? Because words connect.
It showed me how important it is to put something into context in order to understand it. There is a big difference between art (or pretty much anything else) that needs to speak for itself without any further explanation and art that is put into context. Context provides more depth and possibilities for the audience to connect and identify with both the artwork and the artist.
This leads me to the snippet of a new song I’d like to share with you today - Evolve To Survive - in addition to the story behind it, which you just read.
[media unavailable]
There is a small but meaningful difference between evolution and metamorphosis: Both evolution and metamorphosis describe a process of change. While a metamorphosis is a ‘more or less abrupt developmental change’, evolution, however, is a ‘gradual process of change and development over time’.
The world around us is constantly changing, and in order to survive and avoid getting lost eventually, we need to change as well.
We can go through a metamorphosis once in a while. It can be a very interesting, and even fun process of introspection to disappear for a while and then reappear as something/someone different, full of new energy, insights, and ideas. It is pretty much what I did during the 40 days and nights I spent in Toronto in May and June this year.
However, if we not only want to survive and live in a reactive state, but rather succeed and shape our own lives, it is essential to constantly evolve, and go through a more gentle, continuous process of change.
Enjoy your day or night!
glg Soda Paapi
PS: If you have any feedback about my music and/or this newsletter, I’d be curious to hear it!
Evolve To Survive
disconnect 003/237: What an unexpected visit to a church in my neighborhood taught me about the difference between metamorphosis and evolution
[18 August 2024]
-----------------------
On one of my walks through my still relatively new neighborhood in Steglitz, I recently passed by a small, unremarkable church. It didn’t really look like a church; it looked more like a bungalow built in the 1960s. It had a big, well-maintained, but not too accurate, green garden in the front with one single big apple tree in the middle of it.
Besides this garden - a peaceful, green oasis on this hot late July morning - a poster in the showcase by the path leading to the entrance of the church caught my eye.
It was a poster for an exhibition about metamorphosis, currently being held in this church. I thought it would be very interesting to see a church transforming into an art gallery and presenting an exhibition on metamorphosis - a meta-metamorphosis so to speak.
I didn’t hesitate to enter the church to see what the metamorphosis exhibition was like. There wasn’t a single person in the corridor, and when I entered the main room of the church where the exhibition was set up, there wasn’t anyone there either.
I embraced this immaculate calm and peaceful vibe, all by myself in this large room, which was a visually appealing and soothing combination of glass, wood, and concrete. It was the ideal place to cool down body and mind and be fully present in the moment.
Along the glass walls, about 30 paintings were displayed. One detail I immediately noticed was that there weren’t any placards next to the paintings that described the artwork. It made me realize that if the poster outside the church hadn't mentioned it, I probably wouldn't have known that the exhibition was about metamorphosis.
However, there was one exception - next to one of the paintings, there was a framed poem written by the artist:
‘Nicht verpuppen wie ein Schmetterling und warten, was geschieht. Ich muss bei mir selbst beginnen. Meine Fragen muss ich finden und dann in die Antworten hineinwachsen.’
_______________________
‘Don't pupate like a butterfly and wait to see what happens. I have to start with myself. I have to find my questions and then grow into the answers.’
(Anja Budach)
While reflecting on the exhibition on my way back home, this artwork was the most memorable to me. Why? Because words connect.
It showed me how important it is to put something into context in order to understand it. There is a big difference between art (or pretty much anything else) that needs to speak for itself without any further explanation and art that is put into context. Context provides more depth and possibilities for the audience to connect and identify with both the artwork and the artist.
This leads me to the snippet of a new song I’d like to share with you today - Evolve To Survive - in addition to the story behind it, which you just read.
[media unavailable]
There is a small but meaningful difference between evolution and metamorphosis: Both evolution and metamorphosis describe a process of change. While a metamorphosis is a ‘more or less abrupt developmental change’, evolution, however, is a ‘gradual process of change and development over time’.
The world around us is constantly changing, and in order to survive and avoid getting lost eventually, we need to change as well.
We can go through a metamorphosis once in a while. It can be a very interesting, and even fun process of introspection to disappear for a while and then reappear as something/someone different, full of new energy, insights, and ideas. It is pretty much what I did during the 40 days and nights I spent in Toronto in May and June this year.
However, if we not only want to survive and live in a reactive state, but rather succeed and shape our own lives, it is essential to constantly evolve, and go through a more gentle, continuous process of change.
Enjoy your day or night!
glg Soda Paapi