Today I learned more about Brian Eno's worldview after reading "Brian Eno Reveals the Hidden Purpose of All Art"1.
"The real human, to me, seems like the one who can support his neighbors and work with them. That’s a feeling that I pursue. Whenever I see it, I want to encourage it."
Insofar as you have a public image, it’s as an extremely cerebral figure. But even just in this conversation it’s clear that emotions and feelings drive a lot of what you do. So what’s an emotion or feeling driving you right now? I can give you a clear example. I recently found this gospel song on YouTube2. Donald Vails is playing piano on it. Billy Preston is playing organ. They’re in a room with a mixed bunch of people with quite a range of ages. They sing this song, “You Can’t Beat God Giving.” It’s a great song, but what’s fantastic is seeing these people singing to one another.
"Yeah, a charisma of uncertainty would be my thing. In a way, David Byrne has that. One of the attractions of his persona is that he’s not afraid to weave in confusion: “How did I get here?2” I think he’s on a path to a kind of feasible future human. You can be amazing, but you could admit too that you’re bewildered".
Along those lines, there’s beauty in your new album, but it’s also deeply sad. Is that an accurate reflection of how you’re feeling about the world? There is a threat built into it — that low barking sound — but that’s because I can’t conceive of a future where there isn’t a threat.
"I think we’re in for a hard ride for maybe half a century. Then it will either be the end of civilization or a reborn humanity with a different set of ideas about who we are and where we belong and how we must relate to things in order to survive."
[1]: Brian Eno Reveals the Hidden Purpose of All Art - The New York Times
[2]: Billy Preston - You Can't Beat Gods Giving - Youtube
[3]: Once in a Lifetime - And you may ask yourself, How Did I get Here?