Radio Lear Podcast 013 - Epiphany of the Numinosum

As we stand on the precipice of a new age of artistic exploration, I find myself returning to the theories of depth psychologist Erich Neumann, who astutely declared that the “appearance of a psychic image represents a synthetic interpretation of the world.” The same, he said, is true of artistic creation in its period of origination. Artistic creation, Neumann posited, wields a “magic power” that marries experience and perception, insights and differentiation in one potent potion. The metamodern reconsideration of art’s purpose has allowed us to tap into these ideas, embracing the potential of art as a medium that transcends mere aesthetics. It is a form of expression that is driven by the archetypal content that simmers, unseen yet potent, beneath the surface of culture. Here, in the collective unconscious, art finds its true purpose: to bring to light that which exists but is not readily perceivable or explainable. As artists, our role becomes one of revelation rather than explanation. In the latest episode of the Radio Lear Podcast, these concepts resonate beautifully across a diverse array of tracks: 1. Billow Observatory – Bright Lands Rising delivers a sonic landscape that embodies the synthetic interpretation of the world, weaving together intricate layers of sound to create a cohesive whole that is more than the sum of its parts. 2. Alberto Giurioli – Life is a testament to Neumann’s fusion of experience and perception. It takes the universal concept of life and translates it into a unique musical journey that stirs both the heart and the intellect. 3. ABBOTT, Ruben Jeyasundaram & Canea Quartett – Father epitomises the power of artistic creation to articulate the unconscious archetypes of the collective psyche. The track’s exploration of fatherhood delves into our shared experiences and perceptions of this role, offering a new perspective on a familiar theme. 4. The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Let Us Dance (Arca Remix) challenges our preconceptions and invites us to engage with the unconscious. It is an invitation to dance with the unfamiliar, a celebration of the unconscious made conscious through music. 5. Aleksander Dębicz – The Portals serves as a metaphorical gateway to the unconscious, bridging the gap between what we see and what lies beneath. It is a musical journey into the depths of the psyche, guided by the universal symbolism of the portal. 6. Angèle Dubeau & Alex Baranowski – Don’t Quit echoes the resilience inherent in the human spirit. It’s a musical testament to our collective desire to persevere, an archetype that resonates with our shared experiences. 7. Joakim Kepler – 39 (808 State Remix) is a reflection of the dynamic nature of the unconscious, with its shifting patterns and unexpected transformations. The remix embodies the constant evolution of our collective psyche. 8. Re: Member by Ólafur Arnalds – This track is from Arnalds’ solo project, his first since 2013. The album, Re: Member, involves a mix of post-minimalist repetition, indie swoon, film score frisson, and ambient drifts. The music is composed with a software called Stratus connected to two player pianos, and the album is described as a conversation between Arnalds and algorithms. 9. Angelus Novus by Hatis Noit – This song is named after a monoprint by the artist Paul Klee, as mentioned in the essay Angel of History by German philosopher Walter Benjamin. The song is about personal and social struggles, and the outro is intended to give a sense of healing. The music video for the song was generated by AI and explores the fluidity of identity. Hatis Noit is a Japanese artist living in the UK, and her music often addresses themes of identity and cultural differences. 10. Forgiveness by Allen Constan