Drawing for Changes and Disappearances No. 33 1979 - 1982

Curator: John Cage’s "Drawing for Changes and Disappearances No. 33," created between 1979 and 1982, is a fascinating work of conceptual art. Editor: Yes, it's pencil on paper, with all these geometric shapes and annotations... It feels almost like a map of something unseen. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a profound exploration of chance and control. Cage's work often challenges traditional notions of authorship. Here, he's employing a system, likely derived from the I Ching or other chance operations, to dictate the placement and form of these geometric elements. Editor: So, the 'disappearances' in the title... Does that speak to Cage's process somehow? Curator: Precisely. The "Changes and Disappearances" series suggests a meditation on impermanence, mirroring Cage's Zen Buddhist beliefs. The lines themselves, barely there, are almost disappearing before our eyes. Consider also the social and political climate of the late 70s and early 80s, a time of immense shifts and anxieties surrounding nuclear proliferation, environmental concerns, and cultural transformations. How might this artwork speak to these larger societal "disappearances"? Editor: That’s a powerful way to look at it, as a reflection of anxieties. Curator: Yes, and I also wonder, could the seemingly random composition also be seen as a comment on systems of power and control in the face of chaos? Editor: Interesting! I initially saw the drawing as a kind of abstract puzzle, but now I see a deeper resonance. Curator: Cage consistently encourages us to question the systems, internalize chance and impermanence, and open ourselves to the possibilities of change. What are you taking away from that concept, reflected by this work? Editor: Thinking about it as a challenge to systems makes me realize that it reflects an openness to the world around you, as well as anxiety, but as a way to adapt. Thanks!