November 7, 2014 my dear friend John Duckworth unveiled AWAKE at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park in Charleston, SC. The exhibition was an immersive multi-media experience, guiding each visitor through eight sequential rooms while wearing wireless headsets playing original ambient audio compositions in four distinct audio zones. With over 90 original works of art (paintings, drawings, video and audio), the exhibition was a complete multi-media experience. Upon entering the gallery each visitor was handed a set of wireless headsets, along with a guidebook describing the flow of the space. There were four different audio zones within the space, encompassing eight distinct rooms in sequence. The exhibition began with a 12-minute video/performance in a small black room wherein Duckworth meditated for the duration, as the video is projected on top of him and around him. The combination of audio, video and performance was intense, and was intended to immerse the viewer into a present-mind headspace, and create room to be more receptive for the work that followed. To begin the journey Duckworth guided the gallery patrons with only one sentiment, “Proceed with curious anticipation”, and Through his vision and keen attention to his exhibitions flow these works of art (Detailed Below) crescendoed in his “Chapel of Buddha’s“ (Detailed Above). I was fortunate to have behind the curtain access as a videographer and gopher, my internship informed me to believe it is possible to orchestrate something grand as an artist. The exhibit impacted me profoundly. It was like learning Karate in the Matrix.
Having known John and his dedicated passion toward his art and craft since we were teenagers, I was especially moved by the experience he envisioned and executed. I was so impressed with its intoxicating profoundness that I quipped “I was Looking for the Dalai Lama“ so John could be included in the prestigious list of humans welcomed into the presence of his holiness because John is deserved. As time went on I began to create things in concert with the impact John’s exhibition had on me . I’ve created digital daydreams in the spirit of my quip, I envisioned my digital self to be in the Andy Griffith Show because I in abstract realize I can “createMayberry” by the way I’m present to all I encounter, I’ve composed chunes and eventually created a stage show I starred in at The Listening Room Phoenix on November 3, 2017, all centered around #lookingforthedalailama. The merch table I created was my first for an organic art company I’ve envisioned called 3rd eyedeas. I hope with all of my might that somehow my creativity strikes sentient beings to awaken their own creative spirit and somehow my message to the Dalai Lama is delivered and I somehow connect his holiness and John for sabbatical. I believe in the notion that all humans are touchable and through cooperation and connection anything is possible .
Best Wishes,
Johnny Cook
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