Marijuana is a useful catalyst for specific optical and aural aesthetic perceptions. I apprehended the structure of certain pieces of jazz and classical music in a new manner under the influence of marijuana, and these apprehensions have remained valid in years of normal consciousness.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how marijuana can enhance the experience and understanding of music and art.
Allen Ginsberg expresses how marijuana has affected his perceptions of music, particularly jazz and classical. He suggests that the substance has enabled him to grasp the deeper structures within these art forms, allowing for a unique aesthetic experience that has continued beyond the intoxication, indicating a lasting impact on his appreciation for music.
In practice
In a discussion about the influence of substances on creativity, this quote could illustrate a perspective on art appreciation.
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of the night.
Many seek and never see, anyone can tell them why. O they weep and O they cry and never take until they try unless they try it in their sleep and never some until they die. I ask many, they ask me. This is a great mystery.
What if someone gave a war and Nobody came?
Fortunately art is a community effort - a small but select community living in a spiritualized world endeavoring to interpret the wars and the solitudes of the flesh.
Sometime I’ll lay down my wrath, As I lay my body down Between the ache of breath and breath, Golden slumber in the bone.
Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that's what the poet does.
I'm attracted to images that come from a personal exploration of a subject matter. When they have a personal stamp to them, then I think it becomes identifiable.
I try to use whatever I know about photography to be of service to the people I'm photographing.
I originally wanted to embrace the imagery and forthrightness of rap music. There are some interesting, dynamic voices in rap. But I find most of it irresponsible in its overt violence and commercialization of anger. As artists, we believe we can will action through language. If that's the case, we have to take responsibility for what we say.
Flaubert called himself a human pen; I would say that I am a human ear. When I walk down the street and catch words, phrases, and exclamations, I always think - how many novels disappear without a trace! Disappear into darkness.
Fiction is the most joyous, beautiful, sophisticated, wonderful thing in the world.
A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.
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