June 1

Asemic writing is writing without semantic content, that is, as the Greek word says, “without the smallest unit of meaning.” Like abstract painting, asemic writing is abstract, and any “meaning” is generated within the subjective field of the viewer. Asemic authors create myriad forms of writing that are deliberately empty of meaning, attempting to produce a “vacuum” of meaning that is then filled in by the viewer. 

Why would an “author” do that? (see note below).

Asemic writing finds its home in literature, but it also finds itself considered an art form. Across various other categories of expression, it has become a global movement. It is a major question when producing an asemic work whether it is possible to create a work devoid of meaning. While the author’s intent is “no meaning,” the viewer's experience?particularly if something of the deeper psyche is triggered, will inevitably begin to fill the vacuum  and this will be experienced as “meaning.” The asemic work is “created” as an art form, while the subjective response is “created” also. Is the subjective response (particularly if outside the conscious ego’s intention) also an art form? 

It was this question I went to sleep with. In the morning, I woke out of the mist of sleep with the question:  Are dreams asemic? 

I’ll respond to this question in a later post. First, I must post a piece on how my mind recently has been taken up with the idea of favorites. I will do that shortly and try to articulate the relationship between “favorites” and asemic writing/art.

 

 NOTE: A useful exposure to the forms, history, and current developments in asemic writing is available in Wikipedia under the title, “asemic writing.”