PHILOSOPHY
What is Art’s role in society?
Art is part of the discussion and the research for who we really are. It can be an expression of emotions and ideas. It is often a form of nonverbal communication that bypasses the intellect and connects with something more primeval, subconscious or a higher conscientiousness. It can trigger memories and communicate information and ideas.
Art has always had a role in revolution and social and political movements, though it has also equally been used as a way of controlling people, manipulating social groups and maintaining the status quo.
I believe that in the future we will better understand the nature of music and sound and its effects on us. From a personal, but non-scientific perspective, I can say that something profound happens energetically when a group of people come together and sing, or play drums together. The vibrations that are created have a real effect on people. We have a hard time describing what it is because we cannot see it and our language lacks words to describe it.
What’s your idea of fun and joy?
I would define fun as temporary amusement gained from doing an activity. A word I like is 'play'. I think if I had to give someone advice for living, in one word, I would say 'play'. Life should never be taken too seriously, especially the 'system' we live in. It's all a game. It is best approached with the attitude of a child - curiosity, open-mindedness, experimentation, interaction and joy. I would define 'joy' as our natural state when we are at one with the present moment. Joy is the rejoicing and celebration of being alive and experiencing the magnificence of everything around us, without attachment to expectations and outcomes.
Is fear the opposite of love?
Yes I would agree with that. When you are in a total state of love you cannot feel fear. When I say love I am talking about the absolute form – the universal unconditional love that people often achieve through spiritual revelation or practice, not the narrowly-defined social definition of love that is directed towards one or a few people in our lives.
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How would you define love to a ten year old child, Ms Sowerby?
I might say that love is that warm glowing feeling when you look up at the stars and feel that you and everything in the world are connected and part of the same magical universe.
Is there a favourite story you often narrate with words, paint or rhythm, song and movement?
I like to encourage people to question the status quo and received wisdom, and the system that we live in. I also like to push the boundaries around the definition of music. When I teach a Body Music workshop I ask everyone to demonstrate all the sounds they can make with their bodies. Often, people have little techniques and funny noises that they have never shared with anyone! In my workshops, these are validated and accepted by the group and they are added to a palate of sounds that we use to express ourselves. It's all done with humour and playfulness.
If I had to define a main message that I would like to convey with my work, I guess it would be this: Play and don't take things too seriously. Stay open, question everything. The truth is inside each and every one of us.