The Denby Versions

Denby appears anywhere and asks uncomfortable questions. He could be an unborn child asking his mother why she is so worried about his profession, or a grade school student asking how bombs can come in good and evil - if they all kill people nonetheless...

In this installment, Denby is a ten year old monk in some stone cold monastery somewhere...
We ask you dear reader, which of the two versions, gives you more "feel"?

Zzen/TMITH version






The Zzen/Ken Version - 12/11

Doomed! (Don't be)

Religion Depart-ment

Those who try to find
their spirituality
in a book
of codes and rules
are
doomed to failure.

From: "A Book Of Spiritual Codes And Rules"

----------------------------------------------------

Don't be doomed.
By nature your spirituality is already embedded.
You need no code
You need no rule

You need to be conscious

At Home With Adam and Eve

Religious Drama-rama

Caution: Not for easily frightened adults

Opening scene: Sounds of Adam and Eve enjoying intimacy.
Adam:  Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Ah, Ah, AAWH!
Eve:  Oh, Oh, Yes, Yes, Yes, YES, GOD, YES!
Adam:  Well, I'm not sure what to call it - but it was good.
Eve:  Uh, uh, whew! Yes, why don't you give it a name?
Adam: Maybe after I name the animals - I don't want to over exert myself. Looks like it's time to go to work now. Bye.
Adam takes about eight steps over to a small clearing. Animals have been standing there waiting to be named. There are three.
Adam: What will we name you, little slimy one? How about worm? Yes that's it. Worm. Off you go! Now you! Aren't you large and thick skinned ! How about Rhyno... Rhinoceros! Okay almost done. Finally we get to you, but you look a little warm, we'll call you a snow leopard which is odd because I've never seen snow... Alright. That about wraps it up. Bye.
Well Eve, another hard day of work completed! What fruit did you gather for me?
Eve: I didn't gather you any fruit. You are as close to it as I am. Did God deprive you of the use of your hands and arms?
Adam: Uh er, no.
Eve: Then get your own damn fruit!
Adam goes off to himself.
Adam: This is the life! I eat, do this thing with Eve, name a few animals, eat again, sleep, eat again - yeah!
God: Adam!
Adam: Is that you boss?
God: Get Eve, I have something to say.
Adam: Ok.
Adam and Eve come to a place where God can speak to them with a little less effort.
God: Here over here, this tree, do not eat any of it's fruit. Straight up. You. Will. Die. Note the periods.
Adam: But why are you putting it right in front of us if you don't want us to eat...
God: Don't ask questions! What did I tell you about asking questions?
Adam: Uh, Ok Chief!
Eve: Ok Chief!
Later
Adam: Oh, Oh, Oh, etc.
Eve: Oh, Oh, Oh, etc. About that fruit...
Adam: What about it?
Eve: Let's eat some!
Adam: I wouldn't, I think God is trying to fake us out.
Eve: I'm getting bored while you are at work. I've got nothing to do!
Adam: You could gather me some different fruits for lunch.
Eve: I'll gather you some fruit all right...
Adam: Look, I've gotta go to work.
Later that afternoon...
Satan: Pssst, hey Eve!
Eve: Well lookee here! A talking snake!
Satan: You know you want to eat that fruit, so go on and do it. Do it now. That's when the party starts!
Eve: But God said NO.
Satan: God knows you are going to eat it. I know you are going to eat it. Come on already! We are tired of waiting - watching you and Adam, it's more fun watching the baboons!
Eve: I am kind of bored, really bored.
Satan: God has pre-programmed you with all kinds of exciting behaviors, so many it will make your head spin! That fruit is the uh, "start" button! You won't be bored, I promise you that! I myself am especially looking for one of the programs' sub-routines, it's called "War".
Eve: Well okay, if you say so... war?
Satan: ...and give some to Adam too.
Eve: That's no problem I got 'em eating out of my hands already... But what about the dying part?
Satan: Come on. Everything dies, better to die once than a thousand times over from boredom... (pauses for effect)  Bored for all eternity...
Eve: For all eternity? Let me at that tree!

So it came to pass and there came to be assholes in the land - and they spread their asshole-ry to the four corners of the earth. On account of assholes filling the earth God was irritated, but not enough to actually do anything about it. Then it became 2016.

Semi Organic

Art Department - Mechanized Photo Sculpture

TMITH: Mechanized Photo Sculpture Number One

Freedom Of Religion

You Want Cake With That?

Referring back to the push for “Freedom of Religion” (my religious freedom, not yours) some folks were espousing the value of discriminating against homosexuals. Denying them essentials like pizza or wedding cake. They thought it might make Jesus happy. Indiana Governor Mike Pence liked the idea.

 

Here is a brief story-concept relating to that.

Sometime during the dark ages, when religion blocked the humblest light of science with a huge boulder of ignorance, superstition and a blood soaked sword, there lived a comely wench named Anna.

     Anna was a serving girl in a small proudly insignificant diner in the middle of the known universe of Brayingsville, Indiana. Anna so sweet, pure and absolutely misguided, believed that the lord would bless her little simple soul if only she would refuse service to certain sinners. The problem, which completely escaped Governor Mike Pence and many others of his ilk, was how to tell if the person is gay or heathen or, what!!? After the “freedom of religion” act was passed simple people like Anna were immediately put in a quandary. They would have to ask, who is the sinning miscreant? Then they would immediately have to judge, just like Jesus told them to*.
     Here is what Anna wondered. “What if they look like a gay, but are nearly converted to Christianity?” What if they just appear to be lesbian, like Aunt Dorothy? What if they are Christian but are the wrong kind of Christian - like a Presbyterian - or even worse, a Muslim (Muslims are kind’a Christian ‘cause they believe in Christ - you know?) Or what if they sound and act gay but are controlling their gay impulses - according to the lord? Oh goodness me, it was so much easier when we just served anybody, anybody that had money that is.
      I go to a table to take an order. There was a guy with a bible, and another guy wearing a Mohawk haircut. The bible guy was preaching to the Mohawk guy. I asked myself should I serve one but not the other? I don’t really know if a Mohawk means you are gay or not. I saw an old TV rerun of "The 'A' Team" http://www.nbc.com/classic-tv/the-a-team with a guy named “Mr. T” he had a Mohawk and he did not seem gay at all. Lord help me. Then Father Flemsey came in. I am not sure if what the Johnson's boy said was true or not since the church sent Flemsey away so quick. That was almost fifteen years ago. Well, Father Flemsey comes in with a different style hat, I could not tell if it was Jewish or Muslim hat - but it wasn't Catholic that's for sure and I'm not too sure about those Catholics either... But I'm not judging or anything.

 

*“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? - Matthew 7:1-3
OOPS! He said NOT to judge, oh mercy sweet lord Jesus help me!

A Piece Of The Action

TMITH'S Gallery Showing...

After seeing Zzen and Phineas works in Sally's gallery TMITH wanted to get in on the deal, "a piece of some gallery action" is how he frames it. At some random gallery near Chicago's city center TMITH's "Untrained Cubes" (on the left) and "Hurry... No. 2" on the right are currently on display. TMITH was contacted concerning possible sale of the works and stated, "Not for sale at any time or price under any circumstances."
Faithful readers will recall these works displayed in previous posts... on the right http://artandwordgrinders.blogspot.com/2015/04/hurry.html and on the left http://artandwordgrinders.blogspot.com/2012/01/kickin-it-in-cosmos.html ...




"Untrained Cubes" and Hurry... No. 2" from TMITH - not for sale...

Scrutiny!

Our humility is overwhelming.


At The Gallery

Sally has

opened a small gallery on the fringe of a newly gentrified neighborhood. Phineas has a piece in it entitled "Flexible Erection" see below

Flexible Erection by Phineas

Zzen also has a piece...

Channeling an ancient primitive going by the name "Neesus" Zzen built this clay mask. When awakened from the trance Zzen had no recollection of doing it, nor did he have any inclination to create a sculptural form. "I had only one goal, that was to receive further clarification from ancient masters." he said. Nevertheless, we felt the piece had some redeeming character and feel drawn to it. We call it "The Mask Of Avalon".

 

NEESUS - "The Mask Of Avalon"