[EN] Seven Common Ways of Disappearing is a work closely connected to the Armenian-Greek mystic and composer G.I.Gurdjieff, who was one of the first thinkers (and quite possibly charlatans) to introduce a syncretic idea of Eastern philosophy into the West. Gurdjieff’s unique way of teaching was based on an esoteric blend of Middle Eastern, Buddhist, and Dervish philosophies, and oscillated between a genuine search for enlightenment and a complex form of trickery.

Gurdjieff was also the first person to introduce the idea of enneagram into the Western imagination (which later was appropriated widely by the New Age movement). Borrowing from his writing on the harmonious nine points, digestion, and musical tuning, in Seven Common Ways of Disappearing the enneagram is used to organize the musical and structural matter of the piece. It is written for a grand piano – the epitome of Western musical production – retuned in a newly-designed tuning system based on the writings of Gurdjieff.

Seven Common Ways of Disappearing is part of the Gharıb series investigating sonic dissent, alternate and non-Western modes of music making, and political organization. In 2022 it will be published by Hallow Ground as a dual release of a vinyl and artist book.

[IT] Seven Common Ways of Disappearing is a work closely connected to the Armenian-Greek mystic and composer G.I.Gurdjieff, who was one of the first thinkers (and quite possibly charlatans) to introduce a syncretic idea of Eastern philosophy into the West. Gurdjieff’s unique way of teaching was based on an esoteric blend of Middle Eastern, Buddhist, and Dervish philosophies, and oscillated between a genuine search for enlightenment and a complex form of trickery.

Gurdjieff was also the first person to introduce the idea of enneagram into the Western imagination (which later was appropriated widely by the New Age movement). Borrowing from his writing on the harmonious nine points, digestion, and musical tuning, in Seven Common Ways of Disappearing the enneagram is used to organize the musical and structural matter of the piece. It is written for a grand piano – the epitome of Western musical production – retuned in a newly-designed tuning system based on the writings of Gurdjieff.

Seven Common Ways of Disappearing is part of the Gharıb series investigating sonic dissent, alternate and non-Western modes of music making, and political organization. In 2022 it will be published by Hallow Ground as a dual release of a vinyl and artist book.

Andrius Arutiunian, Do Not Fear, then!, description of the artwork, material etc, 2022


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