@ExtinctionRebellionLA

The music acts as metaphor for quantum phenomena such as Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. As an improvisation, there is a certain spontaneous probability in the music that one note will sound over another. This probabilistic construct creates an environment for balancing expectation with nostalgia, anticipation with sentiment, the probable with the unknown.

The imagery shown in tandem with the music are all abstract photographs (without photoshop) taken of everyday common objects. The camera becomes the medium through which the mystery and beauty inherent in everyday things that we take for granted are revealed. In this sense, the work challenges the limitations that physical form imposes on perception. Material and form are dissolved and with it our assumptions, associations and imposed meanings dissolve too.

In this way, light is used to penetrate the essential core of matter, and matter’s meaning to us.
Imagine placing a leaf into a river with the strike of the first note of the piano.

The music develops, the journey of the leaf takes off. And while, like the leaf, we perceive our lives to exist within this apparent flow of time, this image soon reveals time’s illusory nature. As the French philosopher Merleau-Ponty explained, that our sense of this temporal flow comes from “...our surreptitiously putting into the river a witness of its course.” Perhaps time is not what we think it is. Einstein said that, “the past, present and future are only illusions, even if stubborn ones ”. Perhaps there is an opportunity to disappear time and, with that, our selves.

MindTravel is an exploration into that possibility. The imagery is meant to be viewed as well as not viewed just as the music is meant to be listened to and not listened to.

A family owned and operated venue, the modest structure only belied the strong attraction of location and real seafood. Their success was service and good food. A quality that holds true today. Rose Freeman purchased the property in the 80's. In the mid 80's, The Lobster closed its doors, leaving the property vacant for a decade.

"The Lobster" has long been an unofficial historical landmark, nearly as recognizable as the Santa Monica Pier sign. The original restaurant was built in 1923, and remained open until 1985. The 900 square foot seafood market style restaurant was very popular with the local Santa Monica residents and Pier visitors. A constant out the door was a tribute to it's popularity. The restaurant had a menu that had over 60 fresh seafood items. The seating capacity was only 30 seats, most of which were countertop seating around the outside perimeter.

The menu is classic American Seafood featuring whole live Maine lobsters. Guests can sit at any seat in the restaurant or bar area and enjoy 180 degree views of the spectacular Pacific Ocean, accented by it's breathtaking sunsets, even celebrate the sea spun sunset phenomena called the 'Green Flash'. The terrace provides fresh coastal air for those who love to dine outdoors. At night, "The Lobster" enjoys the Santa Monica Pier aglow at it's feet. "The Lobster" re-opened with wonderful reviews. Now years later, "The Lobster" has proved to be a memorable location to enjoy.

"The Lobster" stands as a tribute to the family that built its reputation. The remaining original structure within the foundation and walls of the main entrance and footprint still stand at the corner of Ocean Ave. and the Pier. "Established in 1923", recessed in the corner stone, greets guests in the spirit and heritage that only belongs to "The Lobster".

#TheLobster20