Glen River's Producer's Notes

Glen River's
Producer's Notes

Zen Process The Producer and the Product:

I have made an explanation about Zen Process being about the process and not the product. However I do have works presented as product such as the Raga Guitar CD, Retro (songs) CD, Spoken Word (poetry) CD, Art Journal 04 DVD, and Zen Process VHS Video, and DVD. All of these were “finely turned out.” Full color printing with a lot of attention to detail, and art works reproduced on the covers. Some of them even contained bar codes.

The reality of Zen Process being about the continuing flow of creativity, and not a product, does not exclude the creation of products. Each work of art when extracted from the flow of creativity is viewed by an audience as a product. That is because we live in a product oriented society.

I do not oppose the product. The product is a reality of the world I live in. I accept this reality and respect it. But as a Zen Process Artist, my way is to digest the process of product creation and bring it into the greater flow of my path. A closer look at the products on the table will reveal that they are all limited editions. All of these ( products ) were created in my studio. All versions are adapted from previous editions, collections, or periods of work. My production abilities and seamless integration of product with creative process is part of my education in on-demand publications through newly available technologies.

The relationship of art and industry is nothing new. It reminds me of a story I heard about a Zen Bushmaster. A Merchant asked the Bushmaster to paint a picture of a rooster. The Bushmaster said “Come back in three weeks with payment of one hundred dollars.” The Merchant agreed. He returned in three weeks and said, “Where is my painting?” Just then the rooster in the barnyard crowed. The Bushmaster grabbed his paper and brush. With fourteen bold strokes, he created a picture of the rooster. He handed it to the Merchant. “Here is your picture.” The Merchant was taken aback. He complained, “One hundred dollars is too much. You created this picture in just a few minutes.” The Bushmaster was a patient man and understood the Merchant’s concern. He led the Merchant into his studio where he opened the drawers of his drawing cabinet. They were filled with pictures of roosters. There were over fifty of them. The Bushmaster pointed to the picture in the Merchants hand, “That one crows.”

In my quest for better art, my tools often overlap into industrial standards. I have used most audio recording hardware and software to discover what music and sound may offer.

In movie making a diverse range of paths have lead me to my current process. 35 mm, 16 mm, Bolex & Bell & Howell, Panasonic VHS, Cannon mini D.V. Industry continues to present tools for the creative path.

In visual art diverse paths also have lead me to my current process. The advent of new technologies in print and digital photography continue to present a steep learning curve. These new tools combined with traditional skills and insights make for profound advancement.

As these disciplines converge in movies, the time will come when my tools will seemingly produce a spontaneous work which "Crows." Those who have no insights to the process will see a product. Those who understand the process will see an instant of completion scooped from a constant flowing river.