In writing, the (well-known) principle is called KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid).
In architecture and other art forms, it is called minimalism. All non-essential elements are stripped away so that only the essence of the subject is left. Minimalist architecture, inspired by Zen philosophy, became popular in the 1980s in London and New York. Minimalist design uses simple geometric forms, repetitions, basic materials, light and flow of light, and connection to the surrounding environment. Value is achieved through simple forms.
"How to be Less Stupid" is a nice post about the things we do that take away from our intelligence. Most of the examples are related to ways in which we complicate and bog down our thoughts and feelings. Simplifying our lives of unnecessary worrying, over-analysis of straightforward situations, mulling, second-guessing, regret, pity, doubt is like freeing up valuable real estate in our brains for much better things.
Actually simplifying things though, is the hard part. As Blaise Pascal put it: "I have made this letter longer than usual because I lack the time to make it short". But at least if you recognize it, you're one step closer to making it happen!
Reading this entry, one name came into my mind – the Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi. Through his art, he influenced the artists associated with the Minimalist movement, and continues to astonish our hearts with the meanings of his simply simplest sculpted forms. In disagreement with those who qualified his art (“The Kiss”, “The Bird in Space”- Romanian name is Pasarea Maiastra, and “The Fish”) as abstract, the artist asserts the simplicity of his work by revealing the hidden fundamental nature of reality (1).
ReplyDeleteI still remember standing in front of Brancusi’s Endless Column. There is so much complexity in its shape-shifting, intersecting and diverting planes and lines, yet so much power exults from its simple weaved spiral form. In architecture, imagine Wright’s Guggenheim museum in New York with its legacy simple primal form – the spiral. Fifty years ago, it broke conventional architectural rules and upset the contemporaneity. Today, it is an icon of “spirit, passion and feeling” (2). Simply Simple! Uncluttered! Uncrowded!
A cluttered closet, an overly busy desk, thoughts holding us back, mind overloaded with worries – too much complexity! Trimming away any ballast in our lives and finding that perfectly reduced form of feelings is a great goal. Yet, like for the Guggenheim, it takes time to achieve and win this battle. Rather than a “simple life”, make it simple by aiming for a less complicated one...?
Notes
(1) “Simplicity is not an objective in art, but one achieves simplicity despite one's self by entering into the real sense of things”. Constantin Brancusi
(2) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111434035