28: PLATO: On music
Plato (424BC-348BC) was a classical Greek thinker and along with his buddies, Socrates and Aristotle, helped form the basis of philosophy and science in the western world. I won’t pretend that I know anything about him … I don’t. I was looking for a good quote about music and this was the most beautiful one I found. Can you imagine a world without music? It’s such an important part of our culture, our society and the very fabric of our existence. I listen to all sorts of music while I’m working ranging from funk, soul, jazz, rock, electronic, house … whatever mood I’m in basically. There’s nothing better than when I’m happily drawing, music is playing, I’m singing along (poorly) and at that particular moment in time, all is good in the world.
- Doing long, narrative comic strips require a lot of energy and time so sometimes I like to follow those with shorter, poster-style, single illustration cartoons like this one. It’s also necessary because there’s not enough time for me to do three long and complicated updates a week.
- Yes, this family keep the Grandfather locked in the attic.
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I think this poster loses the weight and beauty of Aristotle’s words. Particularly the ‘gives a soul to the Universe’ section. Your other posters I have very much enjoyed.
I’m the guy with the hendrix, clapton posters in my room.. I want this poster …!
And that´s the beauty of Gav´s genius. The ability to think away from what Plato envisioned. To dare to redesign those very words in today’s terms. Think about the people who listen to Bieber and Gaga. They would never have understood those words without this poster. Difference and diversion on the artists side.
KL likes this
Plato sorry.
Hey Gav,
Love the words behind this.
You should do one for that Bob Marley quote
“music is the last true voice of the human spirit. it can go beyond language, beyond age and beyond colour. Straight to the mind and heart of all people.”
as always, love your work.
x
Thanks Tianna, that’s a good one! I might do a Bob Marley comic and that quote would be perfect. Also didn’t forget the Ben Harper one you sent me.
Wow, Beautiful quote from Bob Marley Tiana, I hadn’t heard that from the master before, love it!
Fabulous concept from Plato, and you also breath life into it. Great work!
As a guitarist, aspiring singer, and general music nut, this made my day, and it’s only quarter to eleven. Seeing the attic with just the word music brought a smile to my lips, and reading the rest of that fantastic quote brought a huge grin.
Great work ! Thanks!
Most welcome!
This should definitely be one of the ones that you offer up as a print – I would have one of these (as well as one of the Carl Sagan quote).
Yep this will be available as a print very soon
Nice one, Gav! I’ve got the headphones going at work right now!
Wonderful message to start my day… thanks Gavin
Everyone else is chillaxin and “Mom” is doing dishes? Really? Thoughtless.
I thought the same thing as soon as I saw it. Everyone else is having fun. Dad is sitting in the den doing nothing, Mom is doing dishes. How 50s.
I thought it was just trying to show how music can make anything better, even chores. Then again, “mom” is the ONLY one doing chores… hmm. tbh, tho, that’s kind of how it is in my family on weekends or in the evening. Dad’s home from work, kids are home from school, and my mom was a stay-at-home-mom so she did have stuff to do in the evening.
Honestly now I think I overanalyzed it lol
Never thought of that. I guess it was a bit stereotypical.
In my house I’m the one with the Queen and Led Zeppelin posters and an electric guitar annoying other family members to no end. And I’m a girl. Similarly, I’m sure there are guys out there who love the likes of Gaga and Bieber. Love your artwork Gav, but along with the mom doing the chores this one was a bit sterotypical and sexist. Ta!
That was my first thought, too.
Yeah, me too – was digging it until I reached the bottom level of the scroll. We don’t even get to see what music it is she likes…
Also? Why is everyone locked away on their own, rather than enjoying music together?
Thanks for giving these quotes that one tends to just look over but never absorb a new meaning. Your website is excellent!
Because women are in the kitchen doing the dishes? (Sorry man, I love your work, but that stung).
Can’t stop smiling at the last line:
Yes, this family keep the Grandfather locked in the attic!
Love this. I was just actually dancing around in the kitchen after making cookies, after coming home from uni. Lol.
For quite a while in my early and mid teens I didn’t listen to music much but now I can’t picture my life without it. Every moment of my day I have music playing if not through my I-pod then playing in my mind… At work I control the stereo.
And guys it’s not the image of the family you are meant to read into it is the message.
Thanks Meg
I was just wondering, since I have seen you dig Hicks, why bieber? You want everyone to like you?
I don’t think Plato only meant music when he said this. In ancient greek, the word music was used not only for music but all arts and sciences. It was a very general word to use.
nice