"Call and Response: Fractal Convergence"

"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."

Charles Darwin

"Plastic Landscape"© 2009

From "The Systemic Amazement Factorial"©

"Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern."

Alfred North Whitehead

"Fractal Fireflies #11" © 2009

From The "Spidey-Hole Series, Fractal Fireflies Subset"

“Most people don’t realize there’s this call and response going on,” Dr. Lewis said. “But it’s very, very easy to talk to fireflies.”

Blink Twice if You Like Me, by CARL ZIMMER

Published: June 29, 2009

Read entire NY Times article here

"Dance of the Sylphs" © 2009

From "The Systemic Amazement Factorial"©

In my neighborhood, dusk evolves slowly into night. The commuters cease their commutering, the joggers complete their joggering. The goldfinch dines once more on thistle, and then disappears into the verdant undergrowth.
In my neighborhood, the new couple walks their two dogs. He shakes the rain from the overhanging crepe myrtle. She squeals in feigned distress and he laughs in a low voice that belies his intention.
In my neighborhood, TV screens, laptops, Ipods and cell phones emit a ghostly beckoning from living rooms and dens.

"Fractal Fireflies #10" © 2009

From The "Spidey-Hole Series, Fractal Fireflies Subset"

In my neighborhood, stories are read and children are tucked in.
"Night, night."
Ice trays are cracked, and bags of chips are opened.
"Sweet dreams."
Fireflies imbue the shaded lawns with their own mesh topology,
"I love you."

"Structure and Content Comparatives" © 2009

Acid and polymer on concrete. with shale, powder coated aluminum


Recently, I uncovered a trove of my paintings, some of which date back forty years. As I shuffled through each image, I realized that I have been using the same post relativity imagery during this life time of visual pursuit: grids, circles, squares - the light behind the trees. All redundant interconnections serving to attract some Hidden Other. What I strive so to attract I have yet to be able to Name.

What do you endeavor to attract, human?

Tim E. Turtle and the Spidey Hole Adventure (for Willoree)

Nasturtium mavis rockmommaoff,

Listless favoriteum magnitudious.

or:

Better one whipporwill in nest, 

than ten whipporwont's.

From "The Terra Pin Chronicles"©

This is a good, good story about my new friend Tom Tom.

by Tim E. Turtle, Esq.

"My good, good story it goes like this - I make a good, good poem.

I went to see my friend Tom Tom. I went to see his home.

Hey, that's a good rhyme!"

"I knocked and knocked, but body home? I push open the door."

I yelled: "Tom Tom!", but I didn't heard nothing. But I went in anyway.

"Wait, that not rhymes."

"What do you think rhymes with door?"

"Tom Tom had lots good food to eat, but I couldn't never dare -

do I look like that girl Goldilocks, or even Mr. Bear?

That's a good, good Turtle joke, I think, though it is kind of lowly.

But since your Human, I'll be nice and tell it real, real slowly."

"I remembered Tom Tom liked his Spidey Hole.

So I went down and down the stairs. 

And Ow! Good thing that I can roll!"

"But where was Tom Tom?" No where he seen,

So I climbed his desk, and went computer-ing.

Just wanted to help, though I felt like a louse.

He used a keypad, but I used a mouse.

"Tom Tom paints lots of pictures, you see. 

Though some of his stuff is sure strange to me!

Don't mean to sound neg-ative, I'm a big fan - 

But I think I do better, by wiggling in sand."

"Thought I'd give it a try, though I knew that I shouldn't,

then I knew I should stop, but somehow I just couldn't!"

(If you've ever found yourself in these kind of scenes -

you already know what this Turtle means.)

"I heard a great clomping, Tom runs, he's not lazy. And 

when he saw what I'd done, he looked kind of crazy!"

(I drew me a picture of his funny look. 

And signed it and had it put into this book.)

"He gave me a look that he calls 'The Snake Eyes'.

He tried to look tough, though it weren't no surprise -

when he started to laugh, and I joined in.

He cracks my shell, that's why he my friend."

Tom Tom exclaimed, "E.'s no great big, deal -

but I'll say this just once, and I mean it for real.

Next time you come calling to my special place, 

(and I don't mind telling you straight to your face)

I'd like it a lot if we both work together,

talking makes collab-oration much better!"

"That Tom Tom is funny, he's my special friend.

I think I shall come back and see him again!"

The end. Thank 

you.

Love, Tim E. Turtle

From the "Little Empathinc. Reader" Collection ©

"The Wizened Foolish Maidens"

As a student,there was never much allure for me in the simple fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

So that even now, when I stop to smell the roses, I am aware not only of the scent of the bloom, or the slant of the sun rays along the thorned stem, the dew on the petals - but also the amending of the soil, the pruning back in expectation of other seasons, droughts, aphids, my Grandmother in long sleeves. And then also the later to-be recalled memories evoked by the dried arrangement suspended from the rafters of some future attic (whose location I do not yet know). 

"The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins",    ca. 1803–5

William Blake (British, 1757–1827)

Perhaps that is pecisely why mythology has so much appeal for me..........a format offering more questions in the colorful details than answers. The parables of the New Testament hold the same paradoxical appeal  - even as they were most often taught to me as closed-ended morality lessons.  

"Fractal Fireflies #7" ©                                2009

From The "Spidey-Hole Series, Fractal Fireflies Subset"

The story of the "Wise and Foolish Maidens" told to me from Matthew 25: 1-13 (read here) was taught as a cautionary tale. Warning me to be ever vigilant and mindful of being prepared, the lesson echoed the dire warnings of Civil Defense drills and news reels. The Wise Maidens held their potential in check - waiting, ever waiting for the Groom to arrive. I believed that I too, was expected to tend my lamps and 'trim my wicks', but leave them unlit.

"Waiting for Prince Street"©                                                                        2009

The Foolish Maidens (on the other hand), appear frivolous in their lack of planning - either burning up their reserves (according to some versions) or not bringing fuel at all (according to others). Through their lack of foresight they literally leave themselves in the dark. But this in itself is not what makes these poor Maidens Foolish.

"Vicarious Celebration (5)" ©                                                                     2009

No, these Maidens - upon their return from the Home Depot, with vats of replenished oil - had the unmitigated gall to expect entry through the locked gates to the wedding celebration! And it was this audacity that made them Foolish in the eyes of the other celebrants.

A common interpretation of this parable is that the Foolish Maidens (like the rest of us Foolish Humans) can not, nor should not, expect to have their important work done by others.

This is a valuable lesson to implement as we attempt to navigate the darkened passages of time and social order.

"Fractal Fireflies #8" ©                                      2009

From The "Spidey-Hole Series, Fractal Fireflies Subset"

But I suspect that many of us have burned our lanterns with some abandon: 

and oh, such glorious light!

If denied entrance as guests at the gate, let us not despair. Instead let us grab each other by the hands - a community of Wizened Foolish Maidens. And dance until the dawning - illuminated but by the fractured light of 

countless fireflies.