Saturday, August 7, 2010

The Infinite Game


I was introduced yesterday to an idea of James Carse, that there are finite games, and there are infinite games.

Finite games, by Carse's definition, are games that have a definite beginning and a definite end. There is a winner and a loser, like checkers or war.

Infinite games, on the other hand, never end. Play continues for play's sake. No loser, no winner.

I just learned about this concept and don't know the ins and outs. But Mr. Carse thinks that the only infinite game is "life".

Forgive me, Mr. Carse, I am not a philosopher. I am an artist. Z'Artist. And life seems to me quite finite. Especially now.

But within life's parameters, there is creativity and there is art. This is a game with no rules except to continue. There is no regard for winning or losing. A success at one endeavor only leads to the next. A failure the same. Art is the game where you can scan the horizon, or even a room, and find the game pieces. You can use them or not. Creativity is the game that will never end, unless you let it.

It is all in the way you look at it, Mr. Carse.

Unfortunately today's post is very different than it was going to be, some heartbreaking news about someone I know, and what that person and family must now face - the fear, the long road. It is a reminder to play the infinite game while we can, because that, Mr. Carse, is life.

The drawing at the top of this post has been lurking in my Moleskine for some time. I only just colored it. It is the waitresses' station in a a barbecue restaurant. This is what happens when a man does watercolors. What can I say?

The bookmark on the left was a bit of a surprise. I drew this a long time ago in an idle moment with a Pilot Precise V5 - a wonderful pen to draw with, but it is not waterproof. The other day I decided to color it and watch it smudge. What the heck. It didn't though, not one bit - go figure! This was also a very thin paper that took the watercolor beautifully and hardly buckled. The paper has a beautiful texture, so I will have to explore this further.

And my shadow shot of the day, for Shadow Shot Sunday..this is what it is all about I think. When you come across a scene like this that takes your breath away. And you stop. And see. This is a beautiful building with delightful colors and paintings on the side. And a tree that was planted there. I am sure this was all envisioned by some creative soul, an architect/designer, and I am the beneficiary. Now it becomes a photo. Later perhaps a painting. Or an inspiration. Or an idea. In the infinite game.

Let's play.

22 comments:

  1. Hi Dan, I like the color harmonies of your paintings, especially of the waitress at the BBQ station. Interesting thoughts about infinite games.

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  2. What a wonderful reflection on life - the infinite variety and how creativity and art are part of the continuum. Lovely watercolor painting - and a fabulous bookmark I buy magnets for business cards at Staples, cut them in half, and stick them to both sides of a painted bookmark that has a painting on the frontside and just paint on the backside. They never fall out of your book!

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  3. Definitely a topic to ponder Dan, infinite games huh... that's what World of Warcrafts and all these MMORPG games are trying to do, games that are endless, will only end when you choose to end it. I am not a big fan of doing something like that or playing any infinite games. Long before I was taught to be a person that does things from head to tail, making sure you end what you began well. And I agree with you that life is the same way, definitely not infinite(excluding theories of afterlife based on whichever religion), and in fact, a lot of times I do think that everyday is finite, or at least that's how I perceive it to be. I am not saying that I live life to the extreme and spend everything I have(including safety) like there's no tomorrow, I am saying that I like to put a nice ending towards the end of my day, knowing that I don't regret of what I did throughout that day before I go to sleep.
    :) Okay, this is getting a little too lengthy, Dan I love your drawing, and the bookmark is fantastic. The shadow shot is really good!
    And erm psssttt.. I got 2 things to share with you, 1st... I applied for 3 positions in Florida, one in Indiantown, one in Florida City, and one in Fort Lauderdale...I'd say perhaps Ft. Lauderdale is the best location right? ^^ And 2nd, I think me and your younger son will get along real good =)

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  4. I suppose there is very little that is truly infinite; it's what we do with the "finite" that matters, whether it's Trivial Pursuit or world peace. I love your sketches. The bookmark is particularly beautiful, but they both are delightful slices of life. You drew a waitress station; yesterday, I drew a table and chairs at our local coffee shop (the people kept leaving . . . I need to gain sketching speed!!).

    I am sorry for the sad news about your friend. I hope that "long road" is peaceful as possible.

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  5. I think I'd prefer the finite game, everything has a beginning and an end, it's how we get there that matters.
    Love the bookmark, and I hope you paint the tree.

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  6. Great bookmark. I will have to think on the infinite/finite game thing, but your thoughts about art being infinite make sense

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  7. A visit to your blog is always rewarding, Dan. Great drawings and interesting musings. And about the pen not being/being waterproof--it seems to me some inks just have to dry completely (several days even) and then become "waterproof".

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  8. Dan, I love both of your works today! The BBQ station is full of glorious brown tones, so painterly, just lovely. Your bookmark has such detail- it's gorgeous. Perhaps the pen had a good chance to dry.
    I'm sorry for the news your friends are now facing.
    I found myself nodding throughout your musings on finite versus infinite. Perhaps it's age, but I do think about it more.
    Lovely Shadow Shot too!

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  9. Your blog is just perfect, I think..you show your work and also give the viewer lots to think about--by sharing what you are thinking about! I am sorry for your friend who "faces a long road." At least they are on the road--that is good. Love the sketch, bookmark, photo and narrative. It is always a joy to visit Dan's Canvas.

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  10. Your philosophizing never ceases to amaze me! The painting at the BBQ is very well done. I love the color scheme in it! Who would you say has had the most influence on how you use color?
    When I first saw the bookmark, I thought those were zigzag stitches along the sides, and wondered if you were expanding your repertoire of media, or if perhaps your wife had helped you out on this one. I really like this. You are very good at working with the unusual format. I've tried it, and I find it very difficult.
    And, that is one crazy shadow shot! It really messed with my eyes at first, with that giant flower on the left wanting to pop into the foreground! Maybe I need to clean my glasses? Really excellent post, as always!
    So sorry to hear about your friends.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear of your family friend's losses, Dan.

    The art? It is beautiful! I love watercolors and I personally think you handle them exquisitely!

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  12. I'm trying to wrap my brain around how, if life is finite, one's creativity can be infinite.

    The barbecue restaurant must be a manly place.

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  13. The colours in the shadow shot are gorgeous! I'm so very sorry to hear of your sad news.

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  14. Just fantastic post, Dan! Love it! :)

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  15. Hi Mark, I am loving those bookmarks--really cool and unusual, and the shadow shot is amazing. I like the juxtaposed colors and textures. I was just thinking about and discussing the finite vs infinite yesterday. In my view, life is finite but has infinite repercussions, but as you put it, within the parameters of life, I agree that creativity is an infinite game. I was talking to an elderly and very accomplished artist yesterday and he commented that there is always more to learn with art. There is always room to refine and expand one's artistic expression. PS I like the restaurant scene too.

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  16. Great bookmark...can I have it? :)

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  17. Something you may like--it's a free online conference but this is one of the videos posted on illustrating---there is a second one I believe.

    http://lisa-laura.blogspot.com/2010/08/illustrating-childrens-books-by.html

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  18. Deep Post Dan... and I just KNEW the answer for an infinite game was going to be Monopoly, the closest I ever came to actually finishing that game was during a 7 day ice storm with no electricity... as soon as the lights came on we just quit. LOL
    LOVE the shadow shot, and your art is always delightful to see.

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  19. Philosophy has always passed way above me, especially in cases like that. Love your watercolors, and I hope your friend will be all right.

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  20. Hmm, if you believe that the soul never dies then life is the infinite game (that is if you believe in the soul). Perhaps not in the corporeal sense, but it goes on nonetheless. In Buddhism it is said that we are the result of everything that has passed like a thumbprint of God, and we will continue passing the seed on. So, perhaps life is only finite in the sense that our present state ceases to exist. I am a Buddhist but I also believe that once you die that's it, and therefore life is finite, but I'm sure those much more intellectual than me could convince me otherwise, but they've yet to do it. I do believe though that creativity is infinite, as infinite as our thoughts are. As long as we think there will always be room for creation.

    Love your paintings. The bookmark reminds me of one my daughter made for me when she was in primary school, which I still have. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. I am only too pleased to receive the shadows to play in my mind...when is your book being published so I can order it and look forward to it finally arriving ?...my book is constantly waiting for me to add bits here and there then just let it sit around enjoying such things as your blog!

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  22. I just found you so this comment is kind of later in the year! But I am impressed by your drawings and love that shadow photo! I often see things that I think would be fantastic in a photo or painting but sometimes it is ok just to have it for the moment and not feel pressured to capture it for eternity...whatever that is...yes life is finite I will agree! I'll be checking in again...you have a great turn of phrase!

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