Enigmatism

Enigmatism is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a Service Mark of Richard Adams, the artist Jack Priest (Reg. No. 2,464,009).

This is an object based art form using elemental icons. It is a discipline closely related to Hi-tech theory and its movement and stresses achievement in creativity. Hi-tech theory uses the icon as a picture representing a tool that cannot be varied but can be manipulated. Whereas, in the study of Enigmatism, the icon is used as a random element that cannot be manipulated but can be varied to act as the foundation of creativity (point-counterpoint). Example: You might envision a couple dancing together, she goes back when he goes forward, she goes left when he goes right, and so on. They are both in-sync to the same music, although in point-counterpoint.

With the advent of Enigmatism, creativity is viewed in a whole new perspective. The act of creating has not changed, but the rules that define what creativity is, have changed. Art is the result of what the mind creates, around, in and through elemental icons (where yesterday's art ends). The act of art as we have known it, is reversed and creativity dominates the final experience. It's not what you see and how to define it, but how to create something from what you see in random elemental icons. This action challenges the artist to be creative by its primary process. The act of creation begins with the static icon instead of ending there.

ee also

*"Enigmatism" is also the title of the eight track of Mike Oldfield "Guitars" album.