Metaphors on Vision

I enjoyed this passage's exploration of the concept of vision and innocence. Stan Brakhage seems to believe that our "inability to see" comes from allowing outside prejudices and influences to corrupt our interpretations of the world. I don't believe Brakhage is suggesting we leave our mind completely out of the process of perception; using only our eyes. He just doesn't want our brains' doing all of the work when we look at something. I understand where he is coming from, because I too agree that predetermined conceptions of things hinder one's ability to create a truly original opinion. This leads me to see some similarities in this article to the FUTURIST MANIFESTO, in terms of the concept of artwork created in isolation (in this case, visual perception in isolation).

According to the author, there is a "pursuit of knowledge foreign to language and founded upon visual communication, demanding a development of the optical mind, and dependent upon perception in the original and deepest sense of the word." After reading this sentence, specifically "pursuit of knowledge," I eventually thought of the term "Vision Quest." Vision quests are rites of passage in many Native American cultures, which represent the turning point in an older child's life. When ready, he or she will go on a personal, spiritual quest alone in the wilderness for days. Supposedly, a Guardian animal or force of nature will come in a vision or dream, and give guidance so strong that upon returning from the quest, that child will pursue that direction in life. I think the reason I thought of Vision Quests when reading this passage is because I have found that many of my most profound moments of visual or mental clarity have come during times when I was alone. However, I also believe that every eye is unique in what it sees, and the way it sees, making the collaboration of multiple peoples' perceptions necessary for a truly comprehensive study on any given thing.