Why we draw | James Prosek | TEDxYale

[Music]

[Music] drawing is one of the most powerful

drawing is one of the most powerful

drawing is one of the most powerful tools of human expression it’s not only

tools of human expression it’s not only

tools of human expression it’s not only an aid to help us think but perhaps the

an aid to help us think but perhaps the

an aid to help us think but perhaps the most direct way of manifesting a thought

most direct way of manifesting a thought

most direct way of manifesting a thought of getting something out of our heads

of getting something out of our heads

of getting something out of our heads and onto a surface so that it can be

and onto a surface so that it can be

and onto a surface so that it can be recorded about ten years ago

recorded about ten years ago

recorded about ten years ago I began working on a book about how and

I began working on a book about how and

I began working on a book about how and why we named an order nature about why

why we named an order nature about why

why we named an order nature about why and how language has failed me the basic

and how language has failed me the basic

and how language has failed me the basic thesis is that nature is an

thesis is that nature is an

thesis is that nature is an interconnected and constantly changing

interconnected and constantly changing

interconnected and constantly changing system but in order to communicate that

system but in order to communicate that

system but in order to communicate that interconnected system through language

interconnected system through language

interconnected system through language we have to language being possibly the

we have to language being possibly the

we have to language being possibly the most powerful tool humans have ever

most powerful tool humans have ever

most powerful tool humans have ever invented we have to take that holistic

invented we have to take that holistic

invented we have to take that holistic system and chop it up and label the

system and chop it up and label the

system and chop it up and label the pieces and soon the holistic world

pieces and soon the holistic world

pieces and soon the holistic world becomes fragmented into a series of

becomes fragmented into a series of

becomes fragmented into a series of units that fit into boxes and boundaries

units that fit into boxes and boundaries

units that fit into boxes and boundaries are placed between ourselves and things

are placed between ourselves and things

are placed between ourselves and things in nature it took me a while to realize

in nature it took me a while to realize

in nature it took me a while to realize but it’s actually the failure of words

but it’s actually the failure of words

but it’s actually the failure of words and language that helped bring richness

and language that helped bring richness

and language that helped bring richness and purpose to my life

and purpose to my life

and purpose to my life that helped spark the urge to be

that helped spark the urge to be

that helped spark the urge to be creative to find a way to fill the

creative to find a way to fill the

creative to find a way to fill the spaces in-between where words couldn’t

spaces in-between where words couldn’t

spaces in-between where words couldn’t go and it was in part knowledge of an

go and it was in part knowledge of an

go and it was in part knowledge of an older form of communication that I’d

older form of communication that I’d

older form of communication that I’d been doing since childhood that brought

been doing since childhood that brought

been doing since childhood that brought this inquiry about in my head a form of

this inquiry about in my head a form of

this inquiry about in my head a form of communication that could be considered

communication that could be considered

communication that could be considered almost a window into a more elemental

almost a window into a more elemental

almost a window into a more elemental human self and that’s drawing I’d like

human self and that’s drawing I’d like

human self and that’s drawing I’d like to start with this image it’s possibly

to start with this image it’s possibly

to start with this image it’s possibly the most iconic image ever drawn by a

the most iconic image ever drawn by a

the most iconic image ever drawn by a scientist if not the most important

scientist if not the most important

scientist if not the most important it’s Darwin’s drawing the first drawing

it’s Darwin’s drawing the first drawing

it’s Darwin’s drawing the first drawing he ever made of the evolutionary tree of

he ever made of the evolutionary tree of

he ever made of the evolutionary tree of life he just returned from a five-year

life he just returned from a five-year

life he just returned from a five-year trip around the world on the boat known

trip around the world on the boat known

trip around the world on the boat known as the

as the

as the egle and he sat down at his desk and he

egle and he sat down at his desk and he

egle and he sat down at his desk and he was trying to synthesize his thoughts

was trying to synthesize his thoughts

was trying to synthesize his thoughts about this big idea evolution that all

about this big idea evolution that all

about this big idea evolution that all animals in all life on Earth was

animals in all life on Earth was

animals in all life on Earth was descended from common ancestry on a

descended from common ancestry on a

descended from common ancestry on a great evolutionary timeline it looks

great evolutionary timeline it looks

great evolutionary timeline it looks kind of like a stick figure gone wrong

kind of like a stick figure gone wrong

kind of like a stick figure gone wrong but it’s it’s actually such a simple but

but it’s it’s actually such a simple but

but it’s it’s actually such a simple but such an important idea perhaps that

such an important idea perhaps that

such an important idea perhaps that simplicity is what makes it so beautiful

simplicity is what makes it so beautiful

simplicity is what makes it so beautiful it turned all ideas about why we are

it turned all ideas about why we are

it turned all ideas about why we are here and how we got here on our heads

here and how we got here on our heads

here and how we got here on our heads and he did it through a drawing he may

and he did it through a drawing he may

and he did it through a drawing he may as well have said in a version of de

as well have said in a version of de

as well have said in a version of de cartes I think therefore I am I think

cartes I think therefore I am I think

cartes I think therefore I am I think therefore I draw if you can see he wrote

therefore I draw if you can see he wrote

therefore I draw if you can see he wrote I think up there or I draw therefore I

I think up there or I draw therefore I

I think up there or I draw therefore I think or I can’t think unless I draw or

think or I can’t think unless I draw or

think or I can’t think unless I draw or maybe I draw therefore I am which I

maybe I draw therefore I am which I

maybe I draw therefore I am which I think will be a theme of this talk going

think will be a theme of this talk going

think will be a theme of this talk going forward the idea that the first time

forward the idea that the first time

forward the idea that the first time humans make mark made marks consciously

humans make mark made marks consciously

humans make mark made marks consciously was the first time that they became or

was the first time that they became or

was the first time that they became or help them become sentient self-aware

help them become sentient self-aware

help them become sentient self-aware animals I thought about calling this

animals I thought about calling this

animals I thought about calling this talk why we draw but then I realized

talk why we draw but then I realized

talk why we draw but then I realized that not everybody does draw although

that not everybody does draw although

that not everybody does draw although most of us start drawing his children

most of us start drawing his children

most of us start drawing his children and then stop and I’d like to explore

and then stop and I’d like to explore

and then stop and I’d like to explore that a little bit later then I thought

that a little bit later then I thought

that a little bit later then I thought maybe I would call it why I draw as

maybe I would call it why I draw as

maybe I would call it why I draw as there’s nothing I’ve been doing longer

there’s nothing I’ve been doing longer

there’s nothing I’ve been doing longer in my life and drawing I drew before I

in my life and drawing I drew before I

in my life and drawing I drew before I could write my own name and before I

could write my own name and before I

could write my own name and before I could form complete sentences but then I

could form complete sentences but then I

could form complete sentences but then I what I really wanted to be about was

what I really wanted to be about was

what I really wanted to be about was more about why I think we should draw

more about why I think we should draw

more about why I think we should draw drawing as a tool for helping us develop

drawing as a tool for helping us develop

drawing as a tool for helping us develop ideas for helping us internalize our

ideas for helping us internalize our

ideas for helping us internalize our environments helping us slow down and

environments helping us slow down and

environments helping us slow down and pay attention almost like a form of

pay attention almost like a form of

pay attention almost like a form of meditation in this hyper technological

meditation in this hyper technological

meditation in this hyper technological age that we live in to slow down to help

age that we live in to slow down to help

age that we live in to slow down to help us observe our surroundings I grew up in

us observe our surroundings I grew up in

us observe our surroundings I grew up in southwestern Connecticut not far from

southwestern Connecticut not far from

southwestern Connecticut not far from here and I was introduced to nature

here and I was introduced to nature

here and I was introduced to nature through my father

through my father

through my father love of birds I began drawing birds as a

love of birds I began drawing birds as a

love of birds I began drawing birds as a child copying the works of John James

child copying the works of John James

child copying the works of John James Audubon and Louis Agassiz suertes and

Audubon and Louis Agassiz suertes and

Audubon and Louis Agassiz suertes and Roger Tory Peterson so I was drawing

Roger Tory Peterson so I was drawing

Roger Tory Peterson so I was drawing from nature already processed by other

from nature already processed by other

from nature already processed by other individuals through through the through

individuals through through the through

individuals through through the through their minds but then I also had access

their minds but then I also had access

their minds but then I also had access to raw nature itself in this case a

to raw nature itself in this case a

to raw nature itself in this case a magnolia Warbler that had flown into the

magnolia Warbler that had flown into the

magnolia Warbler that had flown into the window of our home and died and my

window of our home and died and my

window of our home and died and my father wasn’t afraid to pick it up and

father wasn’t afraid to pick it up and

father wasn’t afraid to pick it up and put in my hand and you know that was a

put in my hand and you know that was a

put in my hand and you know that was a very formative moment for me holding

very formative moment for me holding

very formative moment for me holding this beautiful unfortunately dead thing

this beautiful unfortunately dead thing

this beautiful unfortunately dead thing in my hand but it filled me with a sense

in my hand but it filled me with a sense

in my hand but it filled me with a sense of wonder

of wonder

of wonder this is an early drawing of a Warbler

this is an early drawing of a Warbler

this is an early drawing of a Warbler soon after that my around the age of

soon after that my around the age of

soon after that my around the age of nine my drawings morphed from birds into

nine my drawings morphed from birds into

nine my drawings morphed from birds into fish when I fell in love with fishing

fish when I fell in love with fishing

fish when I fell in love with fishing and in particular a beautiful fish of

and in particular a beautiful fish of

and in particular a beautiful fish of cold water streams called the trout in

cold water streams called the trout in

cold water streams called the trout in particular even more so the brook trout

particular even more so the brook trout

particular even more so the brook trout which is the native trout of Connecticut

which is the native trout of Connecticut

which is the native trout of Connecticut that has lived in our streams since the

that has lived in our streams since the

that has lived in our streams since the last glaciation they’re some of the most

last glaciation they’re some of the most

last glaciation they’re some of the most beautiful creatures in my opinion that

beautiful creatures in my opinion that

beautiful creatures in my opinion that I’ve certainly ever seen and I wanted to

I’ve certainly ever seen and I wanted to

I’ve certainly ever seen and I wanted to capture them through drawing because

capture them through drawing because

capture them through drawing because that’s what I did my passion for trout

that’s what I did my passion for trout

that’s what I did my passion for trout was so intense it’s hard for me to

was so intense it’s hard for me to

was so intense it’s hard for me to describe it resulted in two books of

describe it resulted in two books of

describe it resulted in two books of paintings of trout of North America and

paintings of trout of North America and

paintings of trout of North America and Europe Asia North Africa I spent at

Europe Asia North Africa I spent at

Europe Asia North Africa I spent at seven years traveling around the world

seven years traveling around the world

seven years traveling around the world looking for native trout that was much

looking for native trout that was much

looking for native trout that was much later but typically what I would do in

later but typically what I would do in

later but typically what I would do in any spare moment was go out on the

any spare moment was go out on the

any spare moment was go out on the stream near my home catch a fish make

stream near my home catch a fish make

stream near my home catch a fish make sketches of the fish and usually take

sketches of the fish and usually take

sketches of the fish and usually take photographs too because I like to let

photographs too because I like to let

photographs too because I like to let the fish go alive and the colors fade

the fish go alive and the colors fade

the fish go alive and the colors fade very quickly after you take the fish out

very quickly after you take the fish out

very quickly after you take the fish out of the water so because I wanted to draw

of the water so because I wanted to draw

of the water so because I wanted to draw them these were very good aides to me

them these were very good aides to me

them these were very good aides to me for looking at the colors then I’d go

for looking at the colors then I’d go

for looking at the colors then I’d go back to my home and I typically sit at

back to my home and I typically sit at

back to my home and I typically sit at the desk in my bedroom I draw the

the desk in my bedroom I draw the

the desk in my bedroom I draw the outline of the fish and graphite and

outline of the fish and graphite and

outline of the fish and graphite and then start filling it in with

then start filling it in with

then start filling it in with watercolors and at that point I realized

watercolors and at that point I realized

watercolors and at that point I realized something strange started to happen I

something strange started to happen I

something strange started to happen I again to have these almost visions like

again to have these almost visions like

again to have these almost visions like lucid dreaming where I was reliving a

lucid dreaming where I was reliving a

lucid dreaming where I was reliving a moment on the stream even though I

moment on the stream even though I

moment on the stream even though I wasn’t there that somehow drawing had

wasn’t there that somehow drawing had

wasn’t there that somehow drawing had had brought about this resurrection of a

had brought about this resurrection of a

had brought about this resurrection of a very vivid memory I could feel the the

very vivid memory I could feel the the

very vivid memory I could feel the the warmth of the Sun I could see the the

warmth of the Sun I could see the the

warmth of the Sun I could see the the stream going by feel the or hear the

stream going by feel the or hear the

stream going by feel the or hear the buzz of a fly by my face smell the

buzz of a fly by my face smell the

buzz of a fly by my face smell the flowers in the air and I began to think

flowers in the air and I began to think

flowers in the air and I began to think about why this happened because I also

about why this happened because I also

about why this happened because I also would write about my experiences in my

would write about my experiences in my

would write about my experiences in my journal since I was 11 years old I was

journal since I was 11 years old I was

journal since I was 11 years old I was so intensely into fishing that on days I

so intensely into fishing that on days I

so intensely into fishing that on days I didn’t go fishing I wrote no fishing

didn’t go fishing I wrote no fishing

didn’t go fishing I wrote no fishing there were more days that I fished and

there were more days that I fished and

there were more days that I fished and didn’t fish but in any case when I wrote

didn’t fish but in any case when I wrote

didn’t fish but in any case when I wrote in my journal about the experiences the

in my journal about the experiences the

in my journal about the experiences the same thing didn’t happen so it was

same thing didn’t happen so it was

same thing didn’t happen so it was something unique to drawing and then

something unique to drawing and then

something unique to drawing and then when I went back out on the stream I

when I went back out on the stream I

when I went back out on the stream I felt like the experience of drawing the

felt like the experience of drawing the

felt like the experience of drawing the trout had made me more efficient at

trout had made me more efficient at

trout had made me more efficient at catching them a more efficient predator

catching them a more efficient predator

catching them a more efficient predator so to speak even though I didn’t kill

so to speak even though I didn’t kill

so to speak even though I didn’t kill the fish but that that somehow drawing

the fish but that that somehow drawing

the fish but that that somehow drawing the trout had made it exist in my body

the trout had made it exist in my body

the trout had made it exist in my body and my brain had integrated myself with

and my brain had integrated myself with

and my brain had integrated myself with the environment in a way that was almost

the environment in a way that was almost

the environment in a way that was almost kind of magical and then when I first

kind of magical and then when I first

kind of magical and then when I first encountered these drawings of animals on

encountered these drawings of animals on

encountered these drawings of animals on cave walls I don’t know in some

cave walls I don’t know in some

cave walls I don’t know in some publications somewhere and read how old

publications somewhere and read how old

publications somewhere and read how old they were and France and Spain at sites

they were and France and Spain at sites

they were and France and Spain at sites like Glasgow and Cha they made they

like Glasgow and Cha they made they

like Glasgow and Cha they made they think 40,000 years ago I felt like I had

think 40,000 years ago I felt like I had

think 40,000 years ago I felt like I had some idea we have no idea why they were

some idea we have no idea why they were

some idea we have no idea why they were made of course because the people have

made of course because the people have

made of course because the people have been long dead many many people have

been long dead many many people have

been long dead many many people have speculated but I felt like I had some

speculated but I felt like I had some

speculated but I felt like I had some idea about why perhaps they were drawn

idea about why perhaps they were drawn

idea about why perhaps they were drawn and why perhaps people still drew

and why perhaps people still drew

and why perhaps people still drew because if I’d had this experience where

because if I’d had this experience where

because if I’d had this experience where I was drawing the animal I was pursuing

I was drawing the animal I was pursuing

I was drawing the animal I was pursuing and it had such a profound effect on me

and it had such a profound effect on me

and it had such a profound effect on me and it made me a better observer of my

and it made me a better observer of my

and it made me a better observer of my surroundings had helped hone my skills

surroundings had helped hone my skills

surroundings had helped hone my skills of observation that maybe drawing was a

of observation that maybe drawing was a

of observation that maybe drawing was a tool that

tool that

tool that these people get to know their

these people get to know their

these people get to know their surroundings better and then once they

surroundings better and then once they

surroundings better and then once they made a drawing of the creature even if

made a drawing of the creature even if

made a drawing of the creature even if you weren’t the person who made the

you weren’t the person who made the

you weren’t the person who made the drawing it gave a a platform for other

drawing it gave a a platform for other

drawing it gave a a platform for other people to communicate that thing when it

people to communicate that thing when it

people to communicate that thing when it wasn’t even in the room think about how

wasn’t even in the room think about how

wasn’t even in the room think about how powerful that is if you have a drawing

powerful that is if you have a drawing

powerful that is if you have a drawing of a cow or something like these or

of a cow or something like these or

of a cow or something like these or whatever kind of cow like creature they

whatever kind of cow like creature they

whatever kind of cow like creature they they were made possibly extinct

they were made possibly extinct

they were made possibly extinct creatures now if you have a drawing you

creatures now if you have a drawing you

creatures now if you have a drawing you have a platform through which you can

have a platform through which you can

have a platform through which you can communicate that thing a drawing in this

communicate that thing a drawing in this

communicate that thing a drawing in this sense is almost like a word and and

sense is almost like a word and and

sense is almost like a word and and because drawing predates written

because drawing predates written

because drawing predates written language drawing is the ancient ancestor

language drawing is the ancient ancestor

language drawing is the ancient ancestor of written language written language

of written language written language

of written language written language came out of drawing and drawing possibly

came out of drawing and drawing possibly

came out of drawing and drawing possibly even predates complex spoken language

even predates complex spoken language

even predates complex spoken language then drawing may have been the first

then drawing may have been the first

then drawing may have been the first word essentially the first way to

word essentially the first way to

word essentially the first way to communicate it’s it’s like saying the

communicate it’s it’s like saying the

communicate it’s it’s like saying the word cow if I say the word cow you can

word cow if I say the word cow you can

word cow if I say the word cow you can all close your eyes and conjure up a cow

all close your eyes and conjure up a cow

all close your eyes and conjure up a cow and your heads and that’s a pretty

and your heads and that’s a pretty

and your heads and that’s a pretty pretty powerful thing it’s almost like

pretty powerful thing it’s almost like

pretty powerful thing it’s almost like sorcery you can bring the animal into

sorcery you can bring the animal into

sorcery you can bring the animal into the context of the room without it even

the context of the room without it even

the context of the room without it even being there or some imaginary semblance

being there or some imaginary semblance

being there or some imaginary semblance of it so I felt like you know the

of it so I felt like you know the

of it so I felt like you know the drawing was this perhaps first most

drawing was this perhaps first most

drawing was this perhaps first most powerful way of communication and then

powerful way of communication and then

powerful way of communication and then that way maybe the writers of the Bible

that way maybe the writers of the Bible

that way maybe the writers of the Bible had it wrong in the beginning wasn’t the

had it wrong in the beginning wasn’t the

had it wrong in the beginning wasn’t the word I think in the context of human

word I think in the context of human

word I think in the context of human evolution and the beginning was the

evolution and the beginning was the

evolution and the beginning was the drawing I’ve seen some of these rock

drawing I’ve seen some of these rock

drawing I’ve seen some of these rock drawings in person this is in Zimbabwe

drawings in person this is in Zimbabwe

drawings in person this is in Zimbabwe people were very resourceful in how they

people were very resourceful in how they

people were very resourceful in how they were made we were told that these were

were made we were told that these were

were made we were told that these were made by using sometimes antelope blood

made by using sometimes antelope blood

made by using sometimes antelope blood or semen or the urine as a binder of the

or semen or the urine as a binder of the

or semen or the urine as a binder of the pigment the ochre pigments or the urine

pigment the ochre pigments or the urine

pigment the ochre pigments or the urine of a ancestor of an elephant called the

of a ancestor of an elephant called the

of a ancestor of an elephant called the hyrax but they’re extremely beautiful

hyrax but they’re extremely beautiful

hyrax but they’re extremely beautiful these giraffe drawings in Zimbabwe this

these giraffe drawings in Zimbabwe this

these giraffe drawings in Zimbabwe this is a drawing from Thermopolis Wyoming

is a drawing from Thermopolis Wyoming

is a drawing from Thermopolis Wyoming where they used a rock to pack out the

where they used a rock to pack out the

where they used a rock to pack out the drawing on the rock with another two

drawing on the rock with another two

drawing on the rock with another two rocks and these are thought to be

rocks and these are thought to be

rocks and these are thought to be thousands of years old

thousands of years old

thousands of years old going to these sites and standing in

going to these sites and standing in

going to these sites and standing in front of them has filled me with great

front of them has filled me with great

front of them has filled me with great wonder like like you do standing in

wonder like like you do standing in

wonder like like you do standing in front of a great work of art like a van

front of a great work of art like a van

front of a great work of art like a van Gogh or a DaVinci because I believe that

Gogh or a DaVinci because I believe that

Gogh or a DaVinci because I believe that that when you stand in front of a work

that when you stand in front of a work

that when you stand in front of a work of art you are that the energy of the

of art you are that the energy of the

of art you are that the energy of the person who made it is still sort of part

person who made it is still sort of part

person who made it is still sort of part of that work and when you stand in front

of that work and when you stand in front

of that work and when you stand in front of it even thousands of years later

of it even thousands of years later

of it even thousands of years later you’re engaged in a kind of time machine

you’re engaged in a kind of time machine

you’re engaged in a kind of time machine of the mind and this led me to think

of the mind and this led me to think

of the mind and this led me to think about or to ask what were the first

about or to ask what were the first

about or to ask what were the first marks that we made consciously as humans

marks that we made consciously as humans

marks that we made consciously as humans and why and and I thought what we must

and why and and I thought what we must

and why and and I thought what we must have definitely taken our cues from

have definitely taken our cues from

have definitely taken our cues from nature perhaps what inspired us to draw

nature perhaps what inspired us to draw

nature perhaps what inspired us to draw originally were the footprints of

originally were the footprints of

originally were the footprints of animals in the snow like these Fox

animals in the snow like these Fox

animals in the snow like these Fox prints in my backyard or the lines drawn

prints in my backyard or the lines drawn

prints in my backyard or the lines drawn by blade of grass as the wind blows it

by blade of grass as the wind blows it

by blade of grass as the wind blows it over a dune and the sand and Cape Cod or

over a dune and the sand and Cape Cod or

over a dune and the sand and Cape Cod or maybe it was the afterimage of the Sun

maybe it was the afterimage of the Sun

maybe it was the afterimage of the Sun when you gaze at that the Sun which you

when you gaze at that the Sun which you

when you gaze at that the Sun which you shouldn’t do for too long ago burn your

shouldn’t do for too long ago burn your

shouldn’t do for too long ago burn your eyeballs and then you close your eyes

eyeballs and then you close your eyes

eyeballs and then you close your eyes and you have that beautiful after image

and you have that beautiful after image

and you have that beautiful after image of the Sun on your eyes perhaps that

of the Sun on your eyes perhaps that

of the Sun on your eyes perhaps that gave us some indication of you know

gave us some indication of you know

gave us some indication of you know making a mark or maybe it was the power

making a mark or maybe it was the power

making a mark or maybe it was the power of a reflection on a lake because we

of a reflection on a lake because we

of a reflection on a lake because we don’t think about how amazing and unique

don’t think about how amazing and unique

don’t think about how amazing and unique an idea that is or a thing that nature

an idea that is or a thing that nature

an idea that is or a thing that nature does it takes a three-dimensional world

does it takes a three-dimensional world

does it takes a three-dimensional world and it converts it to a two-dimensional

and it converts it to a two-dimensional

and it converts it to a two-dimensional surface for you which is what artists

surface for you which is what artists

surface for you which is what artists try to do they take they take the

try to do they take they take the

try to do they take they take the three-dimensional world and they convert

three-dimensional world and they convert

three-dimensional world and they convert it to a two-dimensional surface whether

it to a two-dimensional surface whether

it to a two-dimensional surface whether it’s a piece of paper or canvas or a

it’s a piece of paper or canvas or a

it’s a piece of paper or canvas or a piece of rock another reflection on the

piece of rock another reflection on the

piece of rock another reflection on the pond across the street from my home or

pond across the street from my home or

pond across the street from my home or maybe it was some other mark made by

maybe it was some other mark made by

maybe it was some other mark made by animals in nature they’re certainly

animals in nature they’re certainly

animals in nature they’re certainly abundant these are eggs laid by

abundant these are eggs laid by

abundant these are eggs laid by different sea birds and other kinds of

different sea birds and other kinds of

different sea birds and other kinds of birds when an egg starts in the body of

birds when an egg starts in the body of

birds when an egg starts in the body of a female bird it’s white and then as it

a female bird it’s white and then as it

a female bird it’s white and then as it passes out of the oviduct of the bird

passes out of the oviduct of the bird

passes out of the oviduct of the bird little essentially inkjet printers in

little essentially inkjet printers in

little essentially inkjet printers in the oviduct make these little marks on

the oviduct make these little marks on

the oviduct make these little marks on the eggs and they’re beautiful there’s

the eggs and they’re beautiful there’s

the eggs and they’re beautiful there’s some speckled and

some speckled and

some speckled and you know squiggly ones and you could or

you know squiggly ones and you could or

you know squiggly ones and you could or I at least think they’re quite

I at least think they’re quite

I at least think they’re quite remarkable and beautiful and I consider

remarkable and beautiful and I consider

remarkable and beautiful and I consider them a kind of drawing if you do then

them a kind of drawing if you do then

them a kind of drawing if you do then you would say that these eggs were drawn

you would say that these eggs were drawn

you would say that these eggs were drawn on by a female grackle the bird that

on by a female grackle the bird that

on by a female grackle the bird that laid them and these in particular bear a

laid them and these in particular bear a

laid them and these in particular bear a remarkable resemblance to the work of a

remarkable resemblance to the work of a

remarkable resemblance to the work of a little-known artist named Jackson

little-known artist named Jackson

little-known artist named Jackson Pollock and you wonder you know Pollock

Pollock and you wonder you know Pollock

Pollock and you wonder you know Pollock lived in eastern Long Island near the

lived in eastern Long Island near the

lived in eastern Long Island near the beach he undoubtedly took a lot of walks

beach he undoubtedly took a lot of walks

beach he undoubtedly took a lot of walks along the beach and he probably saw the

along the beach and he probably saw the

along the beach and he probably saw the the eggs of different sea birds so you

the eggs of different sea birds so you

the eggs of different sea birds so you know whether it may be coincidence this

know whether it may be coincidence this

know whether it may be coincidence this resemblance but whether Pollock was

resemblance but whether Pollock was

resemblance but whether Pollock was inspired by the bird or the bird was

inspired by the bird or the bird was

inspired by the bird or the bird was inspired by Pollock I’m not so sure but

inspired by Pollock I’m not so sure but

inspired by Pollock I’m not so sure but I’d venture to say that if I had to

I’d venture to say that if I had to

I’d venture to say that if I had to guess which came first Pollock or the

guess which came first Pollock or the

guess which came first Pollock or the egg that it was the bird so nature we

egg that it was the bird so nature we

egg that it was the bird so nature we can be pretty sure was the first scribe

can be pretty sure was the first scribe

can be pretty sure was the first scribe so what first humanoid was it that first

so what first humanoid was it that first

so what first humanoid was it that first saw the power realized the power and

saw the power realized the power and

saw the power realized the power and imitating these things that happen in

imitating these things that happen in

imitating these things that happen in nature whether it was the courtship of

nature whether it was the courtship of

nature whether it was the courtship of birds that we mimicked in our dances or

birds that we mimicked in our dances or

birds that we mimicked in our dances or birdsong in our speech when we had first

birdsong in our speech when we had first

birdsong in our speech when we had first made a mark as a human on a wall or

made a mark as a human on a wall or

made a mark as a human on a wall or wherever we had not only sorted we

wherever we had not only sorted we

wherever we had not only sorted we weren’t just copying a gesture made by

weren’t just copying a gesture made by

weren’t just copying a gesture made by Nature we discovered a method and this

Nature we discovered a method and this

Nature we discovered a method and this method was a revelatory method it’s so

method was a revelatory method it’s so

method was a revelatory method it’s so simple but I think it was one of the

simple but I think it was one of the

simple but I think it was one of the biggest ideas of all time think about

biggest ideas of all time think about

biggest ideas of all time think about what that does it’s it it’s a way of

what that does it’s it it’s a way of

what that does it’s it it’s a way of pausing in recording time all these

pausing in recording time all these

pausing in recording time all these gestures left behind by animals you know

gestures left behind by animals you know

gestures left behind by animals you know Fox prints in the snow or lines in the

Fox prints in the snow or lines in the

Fox prints in the snow or lines in the sand drawn by grass they’re ephemeral

sand drawn by grass they’re ephemeral

sand drawn by grass they’re ephemeral they’re slippery just like thoughts and

they’re slippery just like thoughts and

they’re slippery just like thoughts and memories they’re washed away by the rain

memories they’re washed away by the rain

memories they’re washed away by the rain and the wind but if we can make a mark

and the wind but if we can make a mark

and the wind but if we can make a mark that actually lasted in a place that was

that actually lasted in a place that was

that actually lasted in a place that was protected by the elements and that that

protected by the elements and that that

protected by the elements and that that mark could be

mark could be

mark could be communicated to another human being that

communicated to another human being that

communicated to another human being that was extremely powerful it was it was a

was extremely powerful it was it was a

was extremely powerful it was it was a way of acknowledging our own existence

way of acknowledging our own existence

way of acknowledging our own existence on the planet and and probably these

on the planet and and probably these

on the planet and and probably these people liked doing that too because they

people liked doing that too because they

people liked doing that too because they may have acknowledged that they died and

may have acknowledged that they died and

may have acknowledged that they died and it was a way of leaving a piece of

it was a way of leaving a piece of

it was a way of leaving a piece of themselves behind the first drawings I

themselves behind the first drawings I

themselves behind the first drawings I would imagine probably looked something

would imagine probably looked something

would imagine probably looked something like this

like this

like this this is a an image of a hand on a cave

this is a an image of a hand on a cave

this is a an image of a hand on a cave wall in Sulawesi Indonesia thought to be

wall in Sulawesi Indonesia thought to be

wall in Sulawesi Indonesia thought to be about 40,000 years old made probably by

about 40,000 years old made probably by

about 40,000 years old made probably by somebody taking some pigment in their

somebody taking some pigment in their

somebody taking some pigment in their mouth and blowing it through a straw

mouth and blowing it through a straw

mouth and blowing it through a straw around their hand to leave a negative

around their hand to leave a negative

around their hand to leave a negative image and again this this kind of image

image and again this this kind of image

image and again this this kind of image I find it very haunting looking but it

I find it very haunting looking but it

I find it very haunting looking but it was it was a way of kind of saying I am

was it was a way of kind of saying I am

was it was a way of kind of saying I am here or Here I am this is a cave in

here or Here I am this is a cave in

here or Here I am this is a cave in Argentina they call the quavo de Manos I

Argentina they call the quavo de Manos I

Argentina they call the quavo de Manos I think the cave of hands it’s it’s a it’s

think the cave of hands it’s it’s a it’s

think the cave of hands it’s it’s a it’s a really arresting image and it’s like

a really arresting image and it’s like

a really arresting image and it’s like they’re shouting out Here I am Here I am

they’re shouting out Here I am Here I am

they’re shouting out Here I am Here I am I’m here I’m on the planet and it’s it’s

I’m here I’m on the planet and it’s it’s

I’m here I’m on the planet and it’s it’s very much now looking back on it like

very much now looking back on it like

very much now looking back on it like Darwin’s little simple image of the Tree

Darwin’s little simple image of the Tree

Darwin’s little simple image of the Tree of Life an acknowledgement of where

of Life an acknowledgement of where

of Life an acknowledgement of where humans came from and in this great

humans came from and in this great

humans came from and in this great ancestral lineage that were part of

ancestral lineage that were part of

ancestral lineage that were part of contemporary artists still use this

contemporary artists still use this

contemporary artists still use this simple imagery to this day this is a

simple imagery to this day this is a

simple imagery to this day this is a work by the British artist Richard long

work by the British artist Richard long

work by the British artist Richard long handprints in a circle and this is an

handprints in a circle and this is an

handprints in a circle and this is an image by an artist named Joel Shapiro

image by an artist named Joel Shapiro

image by an artist named Joel Shapiro made by with fingerprints it almost

made by with fingerprints it almost

made by with fingerprints it almost looks like a digital drawing this is a

looks like a digital drawing this is a

looks like a digital drawing this is a close-up of that image these are the

close-up of that image these are the

close-up of that image these are the footprints of my son four month old son

footprints of my son four month old son

footprints of my son four month old son Cody minutes after he was born these

Cody minutes after he was born these

Cody minutes after he was born these marks are sometimes called by academics

marks are sometimes called by academics

marks are sometimes called by academics indexical marks their individual – every

indexical marks their individual – every

indexical marks their individual – every human being and that’s partly what makes

human being and that’s partly what makes

human being and that’s partly what makes a drawing powerful that it’s a mark of a

a drawing powerful that it’s a mark of a

a drawing powerful that it’s a mark of a single person and even if we all you

single person and even if we all you

single person and even if we all you know drew a straight line on a piece of

know drew a straight line on a piece of

know drew a straight line on a piece of paper and we handed them out to

paper and we handed them out to

paper and we handed them out to everybody you would see the differences

everybody you would see the differences

everybody you would see the differences that’s why I kind of lament the fading

that’s why I kind of lament the fading

that’s why I kind of lament the fading away of

away of

away of cursive handwriting in other ways of

cursive handwriting in other ways of

cursive handwriting in other ways of handwriting because it’s so special to

handwriting because it’s so special to

handwriting because it’s so special to get like a letter in the mail or

get like a letter in the mail or

get like a letter in the mail or something like that as opposed to a text

something like that as opposed to a text

something like that as opposed to a text email which is also great and efficient

email which is also great and efficient

email which is also great and efficient but but I lament the sort of end of

but but I lament the sort of end of

but but I lament the sort of end of those individualistic beautiful ways of

those individualistic beautiful ways of

those individualistic beautiful ways of communicating I still draw to this day

communicating I still draw to this day

communicating I still draw to this day this is me in the studio I draw at home

this is me in the studio I draw at home

this is me in the studio I draw at home and I draw on trips around the world in

and I draw on trips around the world in

and I draw on trips around the world in the midst of different enquiries this is

the midst of different enquiries this is

the midst of different enquiries this is was on a trip to CERN him as part of

was on a trip to CERN him as part of

was on a trip to CERN him as part of this project I’m working on about naming

this project I’m working on about naming

this project I’m working on about naming and ordering nature a collecting trip to

and ordering nature a collecting trip to

and ordering nature a collecting trip to CERN him with the Peabody Museum at at

CERN him with the Peabody Museum at at

CERN him with the Peabody Museum at at Yale this is a snake that we collected

Yale this is a snake that we collected

Yale this is a snake that we collected and there’s me drawing the snake and

and there’s me drawing the snake and

and there’s me drawing the snake and this is a toucan I sometimes wonder how

this is a toucan I sometimes wonder how

this is a toucan I sometimes wonder how it is that these tools that I use to

it is that these tools that I use to

it is that these tools that I use to communicate are still relevant being

communicate are still relevant being

communicate are still relevant being that they’re so ancient and really

that they’re so ancient and really

that they’re so ancient and really haven’t changed in thousands of years a

haven’t changed in thousands of years a

haven’t changed in thousands of years a pencil with graphite something that’s

pencil with graphite something that’s

pencil with graphite something that’s mined from the ground an animal

mined from the ground an animal

mined from the ground an animal hairbrush with a wood handle or a piece

hairbrush with a wood handle or a piece

hairbrush with a wood handle or a piece of charcoal from the fire pit in my

of charcoal from the fire pit in my

of charcoal from the fire pit in my backyard can still make a very wonderful

backyard can still make a very wonderful

backyard can still make a very wonderful drawing how has this technology

drawing how has this technology

drawing how has this technology persisted to this day in the face of all

persisted to this day in the face of all

persisted to this day in the face of all the alternative technologies we have

the alternative technologies we have

the alternative technologies we have photography type written Lang Britain

photography type written Lang Britain

photography type written Lang Britain language excuse me or or the you know

language excuse me or or the you know

language excuse me or or the you know all the other things we have iPhones and

all the other things we have iPhones and

all the other things we have iPhones and things I still draw because it’s a way

things I still draw because it’s a way

things I still draw because it’s a way for me to connect with my surroundings

for me to connect with my surroundings

for me to connect with my surroundings this drawing I made on a trip to the

this drawing I made on a trip to the

this drawing I made on a trip to the Scottish Highlands and if I hadn’t sat

Scottish Highlands and if I hadn’t sat

Scottish Highlands and if I hadn’t sat down in this landscape to draw this

down in this landscape to draw this

down in this landscape to draw this picture if I just taken a picture with

picture if I just taken a picture with

picture if I just taken a picture with my iPhone and walked away I wouldn’t

my iPhone and walked away I wouldn’t

my iPhone and walked away I wouldn’t remember the landscape it wouldn’t be as

remember the landscape it wouldn’t be as

remember the landscape it wouldn’t be as internalized in myself as it was because

internalized in myself as it was because

internalized in myself as it was because I sat there and I can still remember

I sat there and I can still remember

I sat there and I can still remember looking at this drawing the the sound of

looking at this drawing the the sound of

looking at this drawing the the sound of the stream and the the trout jumping in

the stream and the the trout jumping in

the stream and the the trout jumping in the stream the midges biting the crap

the stream the midges biting the crap

the stream the midges biting the crap out of me the Sheep you know roaming by

out of me the Sheep you know roaming by

out of me the Sheep you know roaming by and smelling their dung this is me at

and smelling their dung this is me at

and smelling their dung this is me at around two years old drawing but just as

around two years old drawing but just as

around two years old drawing but just as a way to sort of start wrapping up the

a way to sort of start wrapping up the

a way to sort of start wrapping up the talk we all start drawing as children

talk we all start drawing as children

talk we all start drawing as children and then we stop and I wonder why that

and then we stop and I wonder why that

and then we stop and I wonder why that is is it is it because we’re told by our

is is it is it because we’re told by our

is is it is it because we’re told by our teachers that a drawing has to look like

teachers that a drawing has to look like

teachers that a drawing has to look like something and then if it doesn’t they

something and then if it doesn’t they

something and then if it doesn’t they take it and tear it up and throw it away

take it and tear it up and throw it away

take it and tear it up and throw it away that would be a pretty bad teacher but I

that would be a pretty bad teacher but I

that would be a pretty bad teacher but I think I’m not just selling drawing here

think I’m not just selling drawing here

think I’m not just selling drawing here as a means to an end as a way of having

as a means to an end as a way of having

as a means to an end as a way of having something a result that looks like

something a result that looks like

something a result that looks like something obviously abstract

something obviously abstract

something obviously abstract expressionism threw out the idea that a

expressionism threw out the idea that a

expressionism threw out the idea that a drawing has to resemble something in our

drawing has to resemble something in our

drawing has to resemble something in our in our worlds I’m selling drawing more

in our worlds I’m selling drawing more

in our worlds I’m selling drawing more as a process that helps us connect with

as a process that helps us connect with

as a process that helps us connect with nature to slow down to pay attention as

nature to slow down to pay attention as

nature to slow down to pay attention as I mentioned before as a kind of

I mentioned before as a kind of

I mentioned before as a kind of meditation I’ve been working on a body

meditation I’ve been working on a body

meditation I’ve been working on a body of work I’ll end with this image where I

of work I’ll end with this image where I

of work I’ll end with this image where I do these murals of bird silhouettes on

do these murals of bird silhouettes on

do these murals of bird silhouettes on walls and they’re kind of like the

walls and they’re kind of like the

walls and they’re kind of like the images that the early people painted on

images that the early people painted on

images that the early people painted on cave walls just silhouettes of animals

cave walls just silhouettes of animals

cave walls just silhouettes of animals on a surface and the point of these

on a surface and the point of these

on a surface and the point of these pieces is that the source material are

pieces is that the source material are

pieces is that the source material are these old field guides where there’s

these old field guides where there’s

these old field guides where there’s silhouettes of birds or animals with

silhouettes of birds or animals with

silhouettes of birds or animals with numbers and the numbers match up to a

numbers and the numbers match up to a

numbers and the numbers match up to a list of names to help us identify things

list of names to help us identify things

list of names to help us identify things in the field so when I paint them I

in the field so when I paint them I

in the field so when I paint them I paint the animals and the numbers but I

paint the animals and the numbers but I

paint the animals and the numbers but I leave out the key so there’s no way that

leave out the key so there’s no way that

leave out the key so there’s no way that people can satisfy their urge to know

people can satisfy their urge to know

people can satisfy their urge to know what the names are and then they get

what the names are and then they get

what the names are and then they get frustrated and that’s because I feel

frustrated and that’s because I feel

frustrated and that’s because I feel that sometimes we live too much in the

that sometimes we live too much in the

that sometimes we live too much in the world of language in labels and it’s

world of language in labels and it’s

world of language in labels and it’s just an acknowledgement there’s other

just an acknowledgement there’s other

just an acknowledgement there’s other forms of communication that can be just

forms of communication that can be just

forms of communication that can be just as powerful like drawing thank you

you

you [Music]