Loch Ness Monster.
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
"Isn't it funny where life takes you?" , He replied, "Yeah, it takes you somewhere and dumps you off"
I just finished watching an excellent documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. For years I've been looking for a film...you know one of those films that have a BIG impact of your life.This film just clicked. A movie, that best explains the way I feel about things...mesmerizing, left me speechless. Last film for me, hmm I think would of been Pay it Forward or A Beautiful Mind? maybe...ha I'd have to really think about it.
It's about: music, art, and troubled life of Johnston, who was a sensation in the Austin, Texas music scene in the mid-80s before his manic depression went into overdrive...An emotionally complex artist with with delusions of grandeur. His life is on is captured on super 8,cassettes,and sketches. Tell ya the truth, When I first heard his music I didn't like it.... but once you understand who he is as a person.. you begin to think Music has nothing to do with technique… Nothing. Music has everything to do with honest entertainment (in the broadest spectrum). The more honest, the better.What he sings about and draws comes from within. A Artist with so less technique can touch my heart and the center of my emotions.He has this fire/enthusiasm but He's nuts. Absolutely-nutter-butter-out-of-his-mind,and somehow through that lies the keys to his genius. I feel this overwhelming sadness/ sympathy towards him.Just imagine having so much talent and losing control of your life and having front row tickets watching it. If I make any bit of sense there.... He lived a self of being heavily medicated/numb/ out of control. I have always been fascinated with people who are absolutely brilliant yet absolutely mad.
My Dad, told me one time that some of the greatest mind are that of what people consider not normal. A Tortured mind of just such brilliance. I read this great book called A brilliant madness,living with manic-depressive Illness by patty duke and Gloria Hochman.... a few years ago. It's amazing. def recommend It
If your wondering what the fuck Manic-depressive... Or thinking is it the same as depression? well, it is... kinda a way....
"Manic depressive refers to mood swings from overly “high” (manic) to overly “low” (depressed). Another name for manic-depressive illness is bipolar disorder. This refers to a person’s mood alternating between “poles” of mania (highs) and depression (lows). Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in the person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.Manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder affects both men and women. Although it can start at any age, it usually begins in late adolescence. Bipolar disorder is found among people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, and social classes. It appears to have a genetic link and tends to run in families. Unfortunately, in addition to affecting the sufferer’s life, this disease also has the potential to devastate the lives of the caregivers and those in the immediate family circle."
(http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/manic-depressive.htm)
This is something I strongly think more people should be aware about not just manic but depression.
One part in the movie...was When his father was being interviewed and he just broke down in tears,he describes how his reading of a Casper the Friendly Ghost comic book led to him taking over their self-piloted airplane and crashing them into the woods. They barely escaped with their lives, but in Daniel’s mind, they became heroes in the Lord’s service.
He's art is pretty intense, quintessential personal expression. Influences from:comic books,jack Kirby,masters like Picasso, Magritte and Van Gog.Beatles-john Lennon.
The music and world of Daniel Johnston is in such Bleak contrast to the Alluring -clean-microwave-over-Twisted music that's fat-feed to us on a Every day basis from artist that Barely know how to even spell
the word "art", much less make it. I highly recommend this film!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46HEC4brycA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_jXInP4dj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgIkVW--62o