the-daily-drift

[the-daily-drift]

Manifesto of Balance: Finding Harmony in Art and Life

In both art and life I think balance is what makes things meaningful. The mix of chaos and calm, structure and freedom is where real beauty happens. Whether it’s the swirling wild sky in Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the strange layers in Peter Campus’s Three Transitions, or the way my home and workshop are so different yet both important, I keep noticing how these opposites work together to create something amazing. This manifesto is all about celebrating that balance, the push and pull between energy and peace.

Van Gogh’s Starry Night is the best example of this idea. The sky is alive with stars spinning and swirling full of energy while the little town below stays still and quiet. That contrast is what makes the painting feel so magical. In my poem about Starry Night, I described the sky as a “rushing river of light” and the town as “tucked under rolling hills.” These two sides, the wildness above and the calm below, show how chaos and calm can exist together. That’s how I see the world too, a mix of movement and stillness that makes everything more meaningful.

Peter Campus’s Three Transitions also plays with this idea of balance. The video is strange and creative showing Campus stepping through himself, painting over his face and burning a picture of himself. It feels chaotic and confusing, but at the same time it’s so interesting. Each part of the video breaks something down but it also feels like he’s creating something new. Watching it reminded me that even in moments of chaos there can be purpose. It’s another way of showing that balance, destruction and creation can work together.

This theme isn’t just in art it shows up in spaces too, like my home and the workshop I work in. My home, which my dad and uncle built is all about order and structure. Each room has a clear purpose like cooking, eating, or relaxing. It feels organized and calm. On the other hand, the workshop is open and free. There are no walls dividing things up, instead it’s all about creativity and getting things done. Both spaces are important to me, one gives me comfort and the other helps me stay productive and think outside the box. Together they show how structure and freedom can balance each other out.

While I love finding this balance I don’t connect with art or spaces that feel lifeless or confusing. For example, I’ve never really enjoyed sculptures. A lot of them just feel like “objects taking up space” without much meaning or emotion. The same goes for some abstract paintings, they might have bright colors or weird shapes but if they don’t tell a story or make me feel something I lose interest. For me art should do more than just sit there. It should make you think, feel, or at least have some kind of impact. Otherwise it’s just empty.

In the end, I think the mix of chaos and calm, structure and freedom, is what makes art and life special. Whether it’s the energy of Starry Night, the strange creativity of Three Transitions, or the way my home and workshop balance each other out, I’m drawn to things that embrace both sides. Art and life aren’t about choosing one or the other they’re about finding harmony between the two. That’s what I value most and that’s what this manifesto is all about.

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Ekphrasis: Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night

The stars are alive, spinning like fire,

The moon stands watch in its glowing tower.

The sky swirls, a rushing river of light,

While the town below sleeps in quiet shadows.

Houses sit still, tucked under rolling hills,

Unbothered by the storm above.

The wind hums, the stars burn,

And the night feels endless,

Like a dream you don’t want to wake from.

Analysis of Choices

I picked Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night because it’s one of those paintings that really makes you feel something. The way the sky moves with so much energy while the town stays calm below gives it this incredible balance between chaos and peace. I’ve always thought it feels like the night is alive in this painting, and I wanted my poem to capture that feeling.

In the poem, I used words like “spinning” and “swirling” to try to show the motion in the sky. I also described the stars and moon as “alive” and “watching” because the painting feels so full of life, even though it’s just a night scene. I contrasted that with the quietness of the village, describing the houses as “tucked under rolling hills,” to match the stillness below the wild sky.

I tried to keep my poem simple but descriptive, just like the painting feels straightforward yet emotional. The dreamlike mood of Starry Night is what I focused on, using words like “endless” and “a dream you don’t want to wake from” to capture that feeling. Writing this helped me appreciate how Van Gogh made a regular night sky feel so magical.

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The video I analyzed is called Three Transitions by Peter Campus. I was really drawn to it because of its minimal use of non verbal cues. Instead of hearing what’s going to happen you’re urged to focus on every essential detail as it unfolds. Campus’s video has three main parts. In the first section, Campus uses layering and superimposing techniques with shots of his own body. He then creates interactions with himself and in this part it looks as though Campus, with his back facing the audience, is tearing open his own back and stepping through himself before repairing the wall he just passed through. At first you can’t quite tell that’s what he’s doing, all you see is his back being split and then part of himself reaches through, so he’s essentially pulling himself out of his own body.

In the second part, Campus appears to be painting over his face, not with actual paint, but by layering his face onto itself. Some might interpret this as Campus being self focused as he’s seen repainting himself with a different version of his own face. In the final section, Campus burns a photo of himself. While he holds onto the edges of the picture we see the flame gradually consume his image until only a small piece of paper remains in his hands.

Watching this video was fascinating and also a bit challenging to interpret. But I don’t think the main goal of the video is necessarily for the viewer to fully understand it. I believe it’s intended to make you think and see things from a different perspective.

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Tragedy Scripted and Staged

I chose Act 3, Scene 4 the “closet scene” because it’s intense and shows Hamlet’s anger with his mother Gertrude for marrying Claudius, who murdered his father. This scene marks a big turning point especially when Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius thinking he’s Claudius. In the staging I watched Gertrude’s room was dimly lit making it feel tense and secretive, which highlighted the themes of betrayal and corruption. The actor playing Hamlet made him seem unpredictable and emotionally charged, switching from anger to desperation. He clearly wanted Gertrude to understand his pain which added depth to his accusations. The actress playing Gertrude looked shocked and uncomfortable making it seem like she might feel guilty about her actions. When King Hamlet’s ghost appeared only Hamlet could see him which made Gertrude think Hamlet was losing his mind. This detail added new meaning, the ghost seemed to emphasize Hamlet’s grief and loneliness showing how he’s still searching for guidance from his father. Watching the scene acted out brought new layers to the characters. Hamlet’s anger felt more real and complicated mixing revenge with sadness and vulnerability. Gertrude seemed genuinely scared and possibly regretful, making her character feel more complex. The staging made the scene feel like a real family conflict showing me the characters’ emotional struggles in a way that reading alone couldn’t.

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Poetic License

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/1594862/on-leaping-over-the-moon

This poem talks about the excitement of discovering new things and how both the world around us and the sky above can show us new perspectives. The speaker describes seeing new worlds underwater and in the sky and explains how their brother had a magical journey across the sky without needing wings. The brother’s adventures seem to symbolize going beyond normal limits, showing the wonders of nature, heaven, and earth. The speaker feels amazed by these mysteries and suggests that if we look closely, we can find beauty and meaning everywhere. There’s also a warning that if someone falls from these heights, they might experience despair. In general, the poem talks about the connection between the physical world and spiritual experiences, and how humans can find something divine in their surroundings.

Thomas Traherne’s poem, “On Leaping over the Moon,” is full of metaphors and symbols that explore the idea of going beyond what’s normal or expected. The “leap over the moon” is the main image, and it represents both physical and spiritual growth. Traherne uses metaphors when he talks about the brother’s journey through the sky, which can be seen as a symbol for spiritual awakening or seeking higher knowledge. The poem has beautiful descriptions of new worlds in the water and sky, making the reader think about things we can’t always see with our eyes.

Traherne also uses consonance, which adds a musical feel to the poem, especially in lines like “Swim through the air / On body fair,” where the “s” and “r” sounds repeat and give the poem a smooth flow. The narrator reflects on the beauty of life and how everything is connected. The moon symbolizes mystery and guidance, while the speaker’s brother represents human curiosity and the desire to explore. In the end, the poem expresses a deep sense of wonder for the universe and suggests that true knowledge comes from understanding both the visible and invisible parts of life.

By blending spiritual ideas with vivid imagery, Traherne’s poem makes readers think about their place in the universe. He focuses on how earth and heaven are connected, making the poem both beautiful and thought provoking.

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Architectural Interiors

The home I currently live in is a two story family built house, built entirely by my own father and uncle along with friends from their construction company. The house has a fairly traditional layout in terms of interior design. Upon entering, the space immediately feels open with a sense of some division. There are distinct boundaries between rooms that are marked by walls and doorways. The living room, all the way in the back of the entrance, is separated from the kitchen and dining area, which keeps the spaces defined but still provides some openness. The hallway that runs from the entrance to the kitchen at the back adds a sense of depth, but the distinct division of spaces feels functional and organized.

Each room has a clear purpose, the kitchen for cooking, living room for socializing, dining room for meals and these divisions create a structured flow. The house achieves a warm, homey feel, with its high ceilings and slightly dim lighting. The layout does serve its domestic function well and gives a sense of openness that makes the home feel inviting and bright.

In contrast, the workshop I work at is an entirely different kind of space. It’s designed with a focus on functionality and flexibility rather than comfort or routine. Unlike the structured division of rooms in my home, the workshop is a large, open plan area with very few permanent walls or barriers. The space is arranged more by activity zones than by distinct rooms, with workbenches, tool storage, and areas for larger projects all blending seamlessly into one another. This open layout encourages free movement and allows for multiple tasks to happen simultaneously, giving the workshop a fluid, adaptable feel.

The high ceilings and bright, industrial lighting make the workshop feel expansive and well lit, ideal for detailed or heavy-duty work. Large windows let in natural light, contributing to an overall sense of spaciousness. Unlike my home, where the division of space provides comfort and a sense of order, the workshop’s design fosters productivity and creativity. It feels like a space where things are made.

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Similar to my last view, when it comes to sculptures, I find them even less engaging than paintings. Looking at a block of stone or metal shaped into some type of figure or abstract form doesn't do much for me. I understand the part of the skill involved in making such sculptures, but the end result rarely ever moves me. Whether it's a historical figure or a modern abstract piece, I just never seem to see the appeal. A lot of sculptures feel like they're repetitive, especially the ones in museums or public spaces. Once you've seen one, they pretty much all start to look the same, figures frozen in time often with no emotion or story that feels relatable. Abstract sculptures with their odd shapes and strange materials makes it feel like they're trying too hard to be meaningful without saying anything. Walking around a sculpture and looking at it from different angles doesn't seem to change anything for me. It's still just an object taking up space without any deeper connection or significance. While some people see beauty or power in these sculptures, I tend to just see cold, lifeless material. In the end, sculptures feel like uninteresting objects that fail to spark and real emotion or thought for me.

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When I find myself standing in front of a painting, I often struggle to see the appeal. The brushstrokes, colors, and abstract forms that others are always talking about never resonate with me. Every time I always find myself asking, "What's the point?" or "Why is this considered special?" rather than feeling some kind of emotional connection. Whenever I see a landscape or portrait, it feels as if it's something I've already see in real life and the painting doesn't add anything meaningful. Abstract and modern art, with its splashes of color and odd shapes, just leaves me confused. It seems like I'm supposed to understand it, but I don't and probably never will. Art galleries and museums for me feel like they lack variety and interest, with each painting blending into the next while failing to capture my interest. The whole thing just feels like I'm supposed to appreciate something from these things that I don't even care for. Ultimately, I'd rather spend my time on something that feels more engaging and practical where I can see immediate value or purpose instead of trying to decipher the meaning behind a static image.

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About Me

My name is Gavin and I'm a 19-year-old college sophomore currently studying to get my AA so that I can transfer next year to FGCU. I enjoy fishing, hanging with friends, going out and doing stuff locally, pretty much anything that has to do with being outdoors and being with friends. The career I would like to pursue is being a successful property manager because my dad currently owns a few rental properties across the country and once he retires, I'll be the one responsible to take it over and I would like to expand the business into something really big one day.