Dolphin Address 43
November 5th 2005
Like I used to say to my daughter: 'If you learn from your mistakes you can't make enough of them.' I've run wild a little. I got the feeling I'm a little bit much alone. This is how I lived on the farm for 12 years. Nearly always alone and I kind of like it. The feeling I can always fall back on myself, that I like to have something to do.
But I do miss something. I miss the 'pars pro toto' thing, that the whole is more than the sum of the parts. I've always been fascinated by the interactive product, the social surplus value, that what originates from a shared mind and elevates it to a higher level, the true harvest of togetherness.
In the eighties I had the 'Wood club' in my workshop. Up to four people on Monday evening enjoying the miracle of putting their mind into matter. Did it for free, only asked them to pay attention to my interest. Worked wonders: 'Jan, there is a huge oak down on the village green of Zuidlaren.' I shaped it into a Beluga before public in the dolphinarium at Harderwijk. 'Jan, look at this ad of a firm with a sperm whale logo.' 'Eurocetus' had a five meter one in oak commissioned and it has been in their entrance hall in Amsterdam-Zuid for over 15 years. 'Jan, I know an old fellow who still makes wooden shoes with hand tools.' When he died he left me his tools.
When the Dutch Government stipulated minimal income for artists to qualify for financial support we organised the legendary A-kerk sales exhibitions in Groningen. I still marvel at what motivated people are capable of putting together in the nick of time.
I miss that. For four years now I am writing my 'Dolphin Addresses'. The ratings tell me an average of 120 visitors read there every day(and night). Lots of people write me questions, but few actually contribute to insight in dolphin issues. There's so much more to it then a joy ride or a cyber dolphinarium. Dolphins are attention magnets. Many people identify with a species that is alien to any human culture, but yet seem to mirror our most intimate fancy. There are bridges to be built that give access to an understanding, a road to travel with a view on ourselves.
I like to stir in these thoughts and sometimes they match the fascination that dolphins display in their encounters with us. Everyone has his or her own angle, an urge to fashion them into cognition.
So I'd like to have this pool on the site, a haven to depart from and to come home to, a meet for water minds. So climb the soapbox and tell us of your thoughts, your musing and your clearings. Let's add a new dimension to the dolphin adventure and explore the quintessence of 'Dolphin Address'.
Jan Ploeg,
I’m here now, November 5th 2005
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