creative writing school
Module 5: Pleasure & Desire
Welcome to our online creative writing course delving into the intricate terrain of Impossible desire.
Through philosophical insights and artistic explorations, we will navigate the nuances of desire, probing its depths and grappling with its implications for our understanding of fulfillment and contentment. Drawing inspiration from thinkers like Kant, Sartre, and Schopenhauer, as well as art works from Tracey Emin and Sophie Calle that illuminate the intricacies of human desire, we will unravel the mysteries of Impossible Desire and its profound impact on the human experience.
Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, where the boundaries between longing and fulfillment blur, and the pursuit of happiness takes on new meaning in the face of impossibility. Together, let us delve into the heart of desire and uncover the hidden truths that lie within.
Through philosophical insights and artistic explorations, we will navigate the nuances of desire, probing its depths and grappling with its implications for our understanding of fulfillment and contentment. Drawing inspiration from thinkers like Kant, Sartre, and Schopenhauer, as well as art works from Tracey Emin and Sophie Calle that illuminate the intricacies of human desire, we will unravel the mysteries of Impossible Desire and its profound impact on the human experience.
Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, where the boundaries between longing and fulfillment blur, and the pursuit of happiness takes on new meaning in the face of impossibility. Together, let us delve into the heart of desire and uncover the hidden truths that lie within.
theory
What we lack, what we yearn for, what remains beyond our grasp – these are the objects of our deepest desires and loves.
Fundamentally, humanity is a quest to become, and desire is born from this inherent lack. Yet, as long as we pine for what we lack, true happiness eludes us. Why is happiness so elusive? Because desire is rooted in this very sense of lack, and lack is synonymous with suffering.
How can one find happiness when they constantly yearn for what they do not possess? True happiness lies in attaining what one desires. Not necessarily everything one desires, for then we realize the futility of our pursuit, and happiness, as Kant would argue, becomes an ideal of imagination rather than reason. To be happy is not to possess everything we long for, but to possess a substantial portion, perhaps the most significant portion, of what we desire.
Yet, if desire is inherently linked to lack, we perpetually yearn for what we do not have. And if we only desire what we lack, we can never attain what we truly desire. Thus, perpetual happiness remains an unattainable ideal.
As soon as a desire is fulfilled, it ceases to exist, for satisfaction eliminates lack and, consequently, desire itself. Sartre astutely notes that "pleasure is the death and failure of desire." If we obtain what we desire, we no longer yearn for it.
However, true happiness is not achieved by acquiring what we once desired, but by continually pursuing what we desire. We only desire what we lack, thus the cycle of desire and fulfillment continues unabated. Sometimes we suffer from the lack of what we desire, and other times, having obtained it, we find ourselves bored or desiring something new.
As long as our desires remain unfulfilled, they appear superior to all else. But is it within our power to desire differently? As long as desire is synonymous with lack, true happiness remains elusive.
When we desire what we lack, we experience suffering, frustration, what Schopenhauer calls "suffering." When desire is satisfied, it transitions to boredom, as there is no longer any lack to propel desire forward.
Life oscillates between suffering and boredom, a pendulum swinging from one state to the other. George Bernard Shaw aptly observed that there are two catastrophes in life: the first occurs when our desires remain unfulfilled, and the second when they are realized.
Fundamentally, humanity is a quest to become, and desire is born from this inherent lack. Yet, as long as we pine for what we lack, true happiness eludes us. Why is happiness so elusive? Because desire is rooted in this very sense of lack, and lack is synonymous with suffering.
How can one find happiness when they constantly yearn for what they do not possess? True happiness lies in attaining what one desires. Not necessarily everything one desires, for then we realize the futility of our pursuit, and happiness, as Kant would argue, becomes an ideal of imagination rather than reason. To be happy is not to possess everything we long for, but to possess a substantial portion, perhaps the most significant portion, of what we desire.
Yet, if desire is inherently linked to lack, we perpetually yearn for what we do not have. And if we only desire what we lack, we can never attain what we truly desire. Thus, perpetual happiness remains an unattainable ideal.
As soon as a desire is fulfilled, it ceases to exist, for satisfaction eliminates lack and, consequently, desire itself. Sartre astutely notes that "pleasure is the death and failure of desire." If we obtain what we desire, we no longer yearn for it.
However, true happiness is not achieved by acquiring what we once desired, but by continually pursuing what we desire. We only desire what we lack, thus the cycle of desire and fulfillment continues unabated. Sometimes we suffer from the lack of what we desire, and other times, having obtained it, we find ourselves bored or desiring something new.
As long as our desires remain unfulfilled, they appear superior to all else. But is it within our power to desire differently? As long as desire is synonymous with lack, true happiness remains elusive.
When we desire what we lack, we experience suffering, frustration, what Schopenhauer calls "suffering." When desire is satisfied, it transitions to boredom, as there is no longer any lack to propel desire forward.
Life oscillates between suffering and boredom, a pendulum swinging from one state to the other. George Bernard Shaw aptly observed that there are two catastrophes in life: the first occurs when our desires remain unfulfilled, and the second when they are realized.
inspirations
Tracey Emin, "My Bed", 1998
The relationship between British artist Tracey Emin's artwork "My Bed" and the topic of Impossible desire is deeply intertwined with themes of longing, vulnerability, and the human condition. "My Bed," created in 1998, is a provocative installation that offers a raw and unflinching glimpse into Emin's personal experiences and emotions.
In "My Bed," Emin presents her own unmade bed as an intimate self-portrait, surrounded by various objects such as empty vodka bottles, cigarette butts, and discarded underwear. The bed serves as a physical manifestation of Emin's inner turmoil and emotional turmoil, capturing the aftermath of a period of intense emotional upheaval and despair.
The artwork speaks to the impossibility of attaining true contentment and fulfillment in the face of emotional turmoil and inner conflict. Despite the comfort and intimacy traditionally associated with a bed, Emin's portrayal challenges these notions, presenting the bed as a site of chaos and disarray.
Emin's unflinching portrayal of her own vulnerability and emotional turmoil invites viewers to confront their own desires and the complexities of the human condition, challenging them to grapple with the inherent contradictions and struggles that define the pursuit of happiness.
In "My Bed," Emin presents her own unmade bed as an intimate self-portrait, surrounded by various objects such as empty vodka bottles, cigarette butts, and discarded underwear. The bed serves as a physical manifestation of Emin's inner turmoil and emotional turmoil, capturing the aftermath of a period of intense emotional upheaval and despair.
The artwork speaks to the impossibility of attaining true contentment and fulfillment in the face of emotional turmoil and inner conflict. Despite the comfort and intimacy traditionally associated with a bed, Emin's portrayal challenges these notions, presenting the bed as a site of chaos and disarray.
Emin's unflinching portrayal of her own vulnerability and emotional turmoil invites viewers to confront their own desires and the complexities of the human condition, challenging them to grapple with the inherent contradictions and struggles that define the pursuit of happiness.
Sophie Calle, "The Sleepers", 1979
In "The Sleepers," (1980) Sophie Calle, a French conceptual artist, invited 29 individuals, herself included, to spend eight hours each sleeping in her bed while she observed and documented their experiences through photography. This installation transformed Calle's bed into a site of intimacy, vulnerability, and introspection, echoing the exploration of similar themes in Tracey Emin's "My Bed." Through "The Sleepers," Calle delves into the complexities of identity, intimacy, and the passage of time, prompting viewers to reflect on their own experiences of vulnerability and sleep. By inviting strangers into her personal space, Calle challenges conventional notions of privacy and invites contemplation on the nature of human connection and intimacy.
creative exercise
Imagine yourself as the subject of Sophie Calle's photography, capturing the moment of sleep in three different partners, beds, or sleeping conditions with varying levels of comfort and familiarity: a camping hammock in the woods, a friend's couch, or a sleeping bag on the floor... Before retiring for the night, take a moment to acknowledge your thoughts and emotions about each sleeping partner or arrangement. Visualize the scene in your mind, noting the details of each environment and the emotions they evoke.
Through this exercise, explore the intimate connection between sleep, dreams, and environment, using your imagination to bring Sophie Calle's photographic style to life.
- Upon waking up in each setting, start your creative writing exercise by describing the imaginary photograph taken of you while you slept. Consider the composition, lighting, and mood of each image, as well as the feelings it conveys.
- Then, immediately begin journaling about your experience. Describe the quality of your sleep, any dreams you had, and your emotional state upon waking.
- Reflect on how each partner or environment influenced your restfulness, comfort, and overall sense of well-being.
Through this exercise, explore the intimate connection between sleep, dreams, and environment, using your imagination to bring Sophie Calle's photographic style to life.
stay motivated!
In our exploration of creative writing, we've ventured into the depths of simplicity through seemingly ordinary subjects like an unmade bed. As we conclude this course, remember that simplicity holds profound beauty and complexity within its folds. Instead of endlessly seeking complex topics and styles, embrace the richness found in simplicity. Trust in the power of honesty, generosity, and authenticity in your writing. Let simplicity be your guiding light, illuminating the hidden depths of your creativity. So, keep writing, exploring, and discovering. See you soon on the next leg of our creative journey!
Photo: Sophie Calle, "The Sleepers", 1979