Paul Laffoley Cambridge, MA, 1935-2015
True Liberation, 1963
Oil and vinyl lettering on canvas
55 x 54 in.
140 x 137 cm.
140 x 137 cm.
Subject_ The Unification of Opposites at Their Extremes. Symbol Evocation_ The Resolution of Paradox. Comments_ Normally, when you are faced with the opposition of two extremes you think one of...
Subject_ The Unification of Opposites at Their Extremes.
Symbol Evocation_ The Resolution of Paradox.
Comments_
Normally, when you are faced with the opposition of two extremes you think one of them has to win out over the other, which is why war is hell and why any state of opposition results in physical, mental, and spiritual bondage. Freedom from the war of opposites is what liberation is all about. However, true liberation does not come from the pseudo-resolution of opposites into a mean—or a term midway between two extremes. True liberation comes from the total recognition of each extreme as a viable, separate entity, with each one pulling further and further away from the other. You can think of the force between the two polar opposites as if it was an elastic band, which gets thinner and thinner as each element moves towards its extreme. As the force between the two opposites is stretched, it becomes more like space-like and less like mass. At this higher level, the two extremes begin to look like each other, and the bond between them actually grows stronger and stronger. In the process, the absolute differentiation of the two opposites unites them, which is where you find true liberation. The more you ultimately overcome the opposition of two polar elements the closer you move towards true liberation.
Symbol Evocation_ The Resolution of Paradox.
Comments_
Normally, when you are faced with the opposition of two extremes you think one of them has to win out over the other, which is why war is hell and why any state of opposition results in physical, mental, and spiritual bondage. Freedom from the war of opposites is what liberation is all about. However, true liberation does not come from the pseudo-resolution of opposites into a mean—or a term midway between two extremes. True liberation comes from the total recognition of each extreme as a viable, separate entity, with each one pulling further and further away from the other. You can think of the force between the two polar opposites as if it was an elastic band, which gets thinner and thinner as each element moves towards its extreme. As the force between the two opposites is stretched, it becomes more like space-like and less like mass. At this higher level, the two extremes begin to look like each other, and the bond between them actually grows stronger and stronger. In the process, the absolute differentiation of the two opposites unites them, which is where you find true liberation. The more you ultimately overcome the opposition of two polar elements the closer you move towards true liberation.
Exhibitions
Paul Laffoley_ The Sixties. Meta Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2008The Alternative Guide to the Universe. Hayward Gallery, London, 2013. Curated by Ralph Rugoff
Paul Laffoley. New York_ Francis Naumann Fine Art. March 2 – April 13, 2018. (folio with text)
Systems of Belief curated by Cathrin Mayer. GRAZ_ Halle fur Kunst Steiermark. September 25, 2022 thru August 1, 2023
Literature
Bracewell, Michael, and Ralph Rugoff, eds. “Paul Laffoley.” The Alternative Guide to the Universe. London_ Hayward Publishing, 2013, pp. 46–53, ill. p. 46 (color).Walla, Douglas, Linda Dalywimple Henderson, Steve Moscowitz, and Ariel Saiber. The Essential Paul Laffoley. Chicago_ University of Chicago Press, 2015. illus in color plate 4
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