In contrast with the Milesian philosophy of the undying and eternal oneness of universe, Heraclitus of Ephesus once said “We do not step on the same river twice. We are and we are not”. Just like water in a river, everything around us is constantly changing and flowing. Our bodies are constantly and synchronously growing and corrupted. We are smack in the middle of the universe’s tug-o-war of forces and Heraclitus proposes that the only way to reach equilibrium is to maintain flux.

The idea of balancing of opposites screams parallelism with the Eastern Philosophy of Taoism. Lao Tzu suggests that harmony is achieved by tight roping effortlessly in the “Wu Wei” or the state of flow. It tells us to tread naturally and let the chips fall where they may. For it is the cessation of striving that gives stillness and focus, a bit nihilistic, yes. One may compare it to muscle growth, putting too much stress to one’s muscles can result to harm. Let it heal for it’s tears also contribute to it’s own development. 

In art making we need to stop and smell the roses every once in a while and allow methods, ideas and concepts to be incubated. The occasional woolgathering, paralyzing artist’s blocks, downs, and limbos might actually help. ALL IS FLUX is an exhibition of different artists in several different artistic disciplines and practices. A timestamp, a proof of life, a release, a change of pace and direction, a drop of an anchor, a take off, whatever for whatever intentions, they have shown oeuvres from their own states of flow.

-Arthur “Art” McPainterson