Jackson Mann

Before I can properly articulate my position as an artist, I first must make clear what I mean when I say “art”. As Igor Stravinsky stated in his book Poetics of Music in the Form of Six Lessons, composers must not forget that we belong to a group of poetics. The word “poetic” is derived from the verb “poiein” which means to do or make. The classical philosophers used the word “techné” to encompass both the fine and useful arts, which unified the study of craft and the inevitable rules that will come of the process. So often today the creative phenomenon is observed independently from the process of which it is manifested, ignoring the need for a formal process of dogmatic creation. A composer therefore must be a “poetic of music” - deliberately presenting ideas through a refined process. He is first and foremost a creator, using music as the vehicle of experience.

I try to use these dogmatic principles I briefly explained to shape my ideas as a creator; whether that be with music or computer software. The idea of taking a kernel of an idea and making it into something beautiful through logical means is what draws me most to music. I am a firm believer that artistic expression means nothing if not confined within logical means. It seems as though it’s becoming the norm to take a liberal approach to art, and I see that as nothing less than an intellectual cop-out. I hope that as I continue to grow I learn to talk less and say more, and refine my ability to be mindful in the present moment.