Friday November 12, 2004

Dark Zen

The above link is in memory of
Iris Chang,
who ended her life at 36
on Nov. 9, 2004.

A central concept of Zen
is satori, or “awakening.”
For a rude awakening, see
Satori at Pearl Harbor.

Fade to Black

See, too, my entries of
Aug. 1-7, 2003,
from which the following is taken:

“…that ineffable constellation of talents that makes the player of rank: a gift for conceiving abstract schematic possibilities; a sense of mathematical poetry in the light of which the infinite chaos of probability and permutation is crystallized under the pressure of intense concentration into geometric blossoms; the ruthless focus of force on the subtlest weakness of an opponent.”

— Trevanian, Shibumi

” ‘Haven’t there been splendidly elegant colors in Japan since ancient times?’

‘Even black has various subtle shades,’ Sosuke nodded.’ “

— Yasunari Kawabata, The Old Capital

An Ad Reinhardt painting
described in the entry of
noon, November 9, 2004 —
the date given
as that of Chang’s death —
is illustrated below.

The image “http://www.log24.com/log/pix04B/041112-Reinhardt.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Ad Reinhardt,
Abstract Painting,
1960–66.
Oil on canvas, 60 x 60 inches.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

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3 Comments

  1. I swear, call me a conspiracy theorist, but with so much to offer why would a talented author end her life.  I don’t believe that she did.  

  2. I understand Iris.  Dear Gawd, do I understand Iris.
    Suicide is a very Zen thing, indeed. 

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