Silent Film, "The Artist," And Conversation

I seem to be on a kick about silence over the past couple of days, what with Marina Abramovic, the performance artist who sat for months at MOMA, saying nothing and staring into the eyes of strangers across the table from her (yes, you really had to experience it to know it was not, well, nuts).

I see a link, though, between what prompted the enthusiasm of so many people for Marina's silent performance art and the movie that is in the running for Oscars this year, "The Artist."  How can this be?  In this age of action flicks, mayhem and noise at every turn, screaming conversations and banal talk, how does "The Artist" even get noticed?  It may be just because of all that activity, noise, mayhem and screeching, that people are looking for a respite.  It's delicious to let your brain connect to the people on the screen and not hear them talk. 

For me, it underscores even more the precious gift of speech.  Let's not waste it on silly--or even worse, angry--talk.  Let's make sure it counts.  That when we're engaged in conversation with others, we truly listen to what they have to say.  And if what they're saying is not worth our while, let's find others with whom to engage in great conversation.  It's the world's great luxury right now, and it doesn't cost us much.  Just the thing for these times of global economic turmoil.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you "The Artist."

Comments

[Jeffrey B. Rubin]

Silence not only provides a respite from the bombardment of information and the frenetic pace of life, it expands inner space -- the capacity we all have to resist the imposition of the world, become more centered, and have a spacious perspective. Inner space is the birthplace of empathizing with other points of view and accessing our own hidden potential for creativity and self-healing.