Anicca is one of the three marks of existence. The term expresses the Buddhist notion that all things and experiences are inconstant, unsteady, and impermanent. Things are constantly coming into being, and ceasing to be. Since nothing lasts, there is no inherent or fixed nature to any object or experience.



According to the impermanence doctrine, human life embodies this flux in the aging process, the cycle of rebirth, and in any experience of loss. The doctrine further asserts that because things are impermanent, attachment to them is futile and leads to suffering (dukkha).



Anatta refers to the notion of "not-self". Upon careful examination, one finds that no phenomenon is really "I" or "mine"; these concepts are in fact constructed by the mind. In the Nikayas anatta is not meant as a metaphysical assertion, but as an approach for gaining release from suffering.

Suffering or dukkha is a central concept in Buddhism. Although dukkha is often translated as "suffering", its philosophical meaning is more analogous to "disquietude" as in the condition of being disturbed. As such, "suffering" is too narrow a translation with "negative emotional connotations" which can give the impression that the Buddhist view is one of pessimism, but Buddhism seeks to be neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but realistic.

I’ve been a practitioner of Buddhism for over ten years and Vipassana meditation for over five. Both are closely tied to my art practice – and my art is closely tied to my Buddhist and meditation practices. I often create art that is conceptually rooted in elements of these practices and that is intentionally ephemeral. Much of my work is no longer in existence because it was never meant to be permanent - forcing the viewer/consumer, as well as myself, to let go of any expectations of its monetary worth. This is not to say that I don’t appreciate or create work that’s collectible and/or consumer-based; I do create and appreciate such work. However, it is integral to my practice as artist and Buddhist to challenge myself in ways that are always pushing me to evolve, including the creation of work that's impermanent.

In 2008 all aspects of my life were challenged beyond anything I’d ever experienced. My father died a year after he’d been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 7 months later I was forced to move out of my home of 13 years when my landlord evicted everyone in the building and took the property off the rental market. The latter also followed my project Home 1996-2008, through which I’d turned my entire flat into an installation over 5 years and opened it up to the public with a series of events one month before I had to move out in December 2008.

The loss of my father and my home in the same year was the starting point for me to begin re-evaluating my attachments and the notions: nothing is permanent, everything changes, and value is how one decides to interpret it.

Over time I decided to give up permanently or temporarily many of the things I’d become attached to, or too comfortable with:
Self-Promotion (gave up for 9 months)
Work (gave up focused work for 4 months)
Blogging (gave up blogging for 7 months)
Updating my Website (gave up for 9 months)
Facebook (gave up for 7 months)
Television (gave up for 9 months)
Alcohol (ongoing)
Sugar (ongoing - as much as possible)
Wheat (ongoing)
Dairy (ongoing)
Cigarettes (ongoing)
Coffee (ongoing)

MORE (always keeping in check):
Play
Focus
Helping Others
Spending Time with Friends & Family
Compassion
Meditation
Yoga
Walking
Humility
Patience
Consideration



This work has been and continues to be invaluable -- helping to keep me more aware, balanced, and mindful.