Up to the Sun

I have been playing this un-ending tune in my head all day. It has
been going on over and over again. Try as I may, I just can not get rid
of it. Black Huhuru. "I look up to the sun". It is song that I have not
heard for a very long time indeed. And with it, of course, came
flooding back pleasant memories of those good old days during which I
used to listen to the song a lot.

I look up to the sun
To see the day is gone
To see the future that lies ahead

I really like that song. Maybe it is because it conjures the scene of a
bright and cheerful world that I could still feel just by remembering
the song. The words on their own do not bring about this feeling, but
the rather strident music and the happy mood of the singer all go into
creating effect that I got from it.

That song, I thought to myself, must have been composed in order to
capture a sense of something really positive at a particular point in
time.

I look up to the sun
Now the day is gone
The loving night spreads its wings like a dove

I think all songs were created as an attempt to capture something. I am
convinced, even, that it is the same for any work of art. Be it a
painting, a piece of sculpture, a film or a book. What the creators of
these works of art are doing is to try and capture an event,
circumstance, situation, atmosphere, state of mind or a combination of
some or all these, at a specific point in time. They are all trying to
preserve something in their consciousness that is of value to them and
to represent it in a way that people will hopefully find somewhat
appealing.

If you think about it, it is like taking the photograph of something
that you not only wish to preserve but want others to admire or
appreciate. But it is not just a matter of capturing and preserving it
in exactly the way it appears photographically but representing your
own impression and perception of it in a way that only you could have
represented it, at that time. What you are presenting would reflect the
subject in the light of your unique artistic skills and/or your
personality. The finished product is something that would acquaint
others with the aspect of the subject that you want them to see and at
the same time tell them something about yourself that would make them
think highly of you.

In my future I see
The tune and melody
The song we used to sing
The joy love can bring

I can see a plausible incentive for people to embark on a work of art.
Generally we usually desire to hang on to relics and mementos of past
experiences. A work of art could be the result of such endeavour. A
gold nugget from a happy adventure or mental experience, prepared,
polished and proudly placed on the mantelpiece to be admired by
all.

I think that our attitude and behaviour are governed by some common
basic individual characteristics that cut across all culture and
religion. I believe that one of these characteristics is our desire for
immortality. We aspire, even if secretly or unknowingly, in all sorts
of ways to prolong our lives as much as possible. An incentive for art
in this regard is the opportunity to put as much of our personality
into something that will hopefully outlive our mortal body. Something
that merits the attention of society long after we are gone, an
indelible imprint in the consciousness of time.

Another common basic individual characteristic is our desire to be
distinct and distinguished. We want to be visible rather than have our
personality drowned in the mundane activities of general community.
Again art provides the opportunity to fulfil this propensity. Our work
of art needs to shout out for public attention. It has got to be
exceptionally bright, incredibly mellow, obtrusively subtle or
profoundly vulgar if need be!

My future lies ahead
The struggle of my days
The love I feel, I think it so real

I don't know how long I will have this song playing over and over in my
head. I guess I've just got to live with it for as long as it
takes.