{art} words

nephelococcygia...

{... and the search for meaning}

In 'The Birds', by the Greek writer Aristophanes, the two protagonists Pisthetaerus and Eulpides, tired of the corruption pervading Athens, decide to leave for a better future in a better place by turning into birds. They immediately begin to plan ‘Nephelococcygia’ (Cloudcuckooland) a utopian city in the sky, built to intercept all communications between the people and their Gods. – Later in the play, when they have convinced the birds of their right to reign the skies, they rebel against both mankind and the Gods alike: They fight and are the victors.

The act of seeking and finding shapes in clouds is now known as 'Nephelococcygia'.

Existentialism, at its most simplified, states that we all search for our own meaning in the world. - One truth in Art is that despite the intention of the Artist, however precise or vague, the work exists through the eye, and in the mind, of the viewer and is therefore subject to their experience, their interpretation, and their search for meaning.

At least for me, Aristophanes encourages us to reject the worst of Man and of God, in favour of the conviction to simultaniously live and dream ones own true reality.