Inspiration
Hinduism, Buddhism and Native Religions have influenced many of the ideas relating to this investigation. In particular, the rituals involving mantras and mandalas have had significant power in not only to concept, but the aesthetics of this project. Tibetan monks create intricate sand mandalas then chant “in deep tones as they sweep their mandala into a jar and empty it into a nearby body of water as a blessing.” A similar practice is also performed by the American Navajo people. (Cunningham, 2002) This meditative practice is significant in relation to digital media beyond that the process of creating such mandalas takes time, focus and energy. This mandala energy is then released into the cosmos much like the way people today work long hours to create works of art in audio and video and then releases it into the cosmos on YouTube and many other public forums.
The digital, photic and auditory mandala and mantra has been around since the beginning of digital media. It could be said that even the radar screens and sounds of submarines a century ago were consciousness altering precursors to the screen savers, and media player’s reactive visualizations that are prevalent today. The hypnotic effect of these visualizations is also an influence on this project along with the rhythmic influences of contemporary music, i.e. ambient and electronic music.
Nature also plays a significant role in the overall investigation into the mandala and mantra theme of this project. From the patterns found in ice crystals, spider webs and native plants to the sounds of the wind atop mountain peaks and the rhythmic pulsing of streams and waves, to the melodic calls of birds in treetops, the influence of audio/visual elements found by going outside and away from or even within urban areas inspires the overall concept of meditative stimuli for this project.