THE AFH TRANSTHETIC ENDNOTES PROJECT
AFH WIKI PROJECT #1: THE AFH TRANSTHETIC ENDNOTES PROJECT
ABOUT THE AFH TRANSTHETIC ENDNOTES PROJECT
The AFH Transthesis Endnotes Project is a third phase iteration of AFH Lead Artist Paul McLean’s thesis work The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age. In this project, the author invites participants to review the post-script text of the thesis and add multiple perspectives to the dimensional analysis. Central narratives to The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age include Peter Drucker’s management theories, Davos Man versus the suicide bomber (Hiroshima of One), the definition of art, the structural functions of the art market, sentience, the future of American democracy, free speech, dimensionist art education models, the nature of artificial personhood, the ethics of vision, and much more. The original text is framed as a dimensional analysis, predicated by two essays illustrating the dimensionist methodology. The point of origination for the analysis is an essay by Peter Drucker, “A View of Japan through Japanese Art.” The text was composed under the guidance of Joseph Maciariello, longtime creative/academic associate and partner in Drucker’s work, probably the foremost authority on Peter Drucker and his management theories in the world.
The thesis and the preceding texts comprise the first phase iteration of the dimensional analysis/production. McLean expands the text-elements of the thesis to include generative art predicated on the The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age. These include the series “I Love You, Monster” and “1000 Revolutionary Actions.” The dimensional production encompasses a broad array of artistic projects, some of which manifest online [virtual reality] and some of which occur in the natural world. The array is presented in the full range of available Web 2.0 media, such as blogs, Nings, social network sites, this WIKI, the AFH Delicious and Zotero sites, as well as through traditional media [paintings, drawings, etc.] and the integrative media [camera-based moving and still image media, animation, performance, etc.]. One object of the production is to demonstrate the expressive possibilities currently in play in the artistic domain. Another, more fundamental perhaps, is to provide the richest exploration of the content developed in the thesis narrative. The overarching movement of the production is towards a techne-oriented Digital Humanities format, and away from an exclusive epistemological mode. Care is to be taken not to abandon the traditional Humanities practicum in the process, since it is a vital, viable and proven analog framework necessary for the promulgation and preservation of collective experience and perception [sentience].
Transthesis, the AFH Tumblr blog, is the second phase iteration of The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age. It stands as a moderately fluid demonstration of dimensional capacities in the new social media forms. In the course of translating the original thesis to the transthetic format, McLean became aware of usages for the blog array that approach in function two ancient Western expressive vehicles [i.e., the illuminated manuscript and the Celtic bardic performance/transmission]. Transthesis therefore, is meant to be considered in conjunction with the other AFH Tumblr blogs, and within the content architecture/narrative construct they collectively describe. As such the transthesis, and by extension, the thesis, are contextualized. Or - to frame it as a positive - the transthetic set converges with related and relevant narratives unfolding across the current [wovenform] social topology. The transthetic narrative and attached artist actions, therefore are insepable from the events, applications and theory that are in play and unfolding now in the real world. The transthetic activities, centralized in the Transthesis blog, function as a demonstrable proof of dimensional analysis. The “timeliness” of the narratives and the “conclusions” or correct “predictions” contained in the thesis/transthesis narrative illustrate the effectiveness of the methodology. For instance, the The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age predicts that artificial personhood will be a central problem confronting proponents of American democracy [2007-8]. The facts, including the recent Supreme Court decision granting free speech powers to corporations, have - unfortunately - borne out the propositions contained in the thesis.
THE AFH TRANSTHETIC ENDNOTES PROJECT PRACTICUM
Follow the link above to the TRANSTHESIS ENDNOTES. This is the source material for the project.
While participants’ familiarity with the other texts/art/production introduced or referenced in the thesis/transthesis/endnotes is recommended, the author does not view any predisposition as necessary for participation in the analysis. Reactive responses can be immediate. Participants are encouraged to comment freely on any aspect of the discourse.
On moderation [coded instruction, open to interpretation/demonstrated in practice] - Artificial conduct will be assessed, and when necessary, identified as such. Artificial interventions will be appropriately contained, and if harmful, equalized. The moderator suggests that three guiding principles be embraced by participants: respect; representation; and accountability. Original material is preferred. Referenced materials should be properly cited. We will, in this project, be concerned with developing new methodologies for dimensional citation, so innovation in this respect is welcome.
The “addenda and commentary” page will serve as the repository for participant contributions.
LINKS
The End of Organization Man & the Epistemological Age (PDF Download) [2]
TRANSTHESIS [3]
ART FOR HUMANS [4]
[Other links will be added as the project progresses, including links to artwork documentation, additional related texts and more. For now, the Lead Artist recommends that participants search the AFH sites for the related texts. Feedback is necessary on participant navigation through site architectures, as data on dimensional processes, especially the phenomenon of data-mining, and the effectiveness of our particular approach, within the AFH production system/complex. Comments on transthetic flow and site structure should be contributed initially in the addenda section, although a separate section will be added, if needed. This would be terrific.]
