Hello Adbusters,

Read and am inspired by your magazine over the last decade.

Want to comment on your aesthetic war against the straight line.

I was at my job and a client who came from Japan stopped me when I underlined some information with a marker. Startled, I inquired what was at issue. She said how did you learn to draw that line so quickly and clearly.

Recently Agnes Martin's work was exhibited in Regina. The attempt at the 'straight line' turned into a mythical ritual.

My training in architectural drafting in the 80's was mostly to learn how to develop touch and mastery of the line.

Though not a musician, my understanding of jazz is that you have to play so well first before you can break the rules. We were taught this about drawing too.

Scribbling is not freedom, it is chaos. Art is balancing control and freedom which is the point of becoming a human being. At times you will rely on the ability to hold back, others in allowing your hand to roam. Once trained, your free association has integrated the form of the activity which is creativity.

What is godless is the digital line. Anyone can make a digital line and it would be the same. Even with a sophisticated application of software, the program makes the line. It is about software mastery not touch. It allows you to hide. The hand cannot hide incompetence, skill, fear, deceit, etc. It ultimately and completely expresses your uniqueness. A straight line attempted by hand is still a signature.

The straight line is part of the road to freedom.

All politics to be effective have to take into account aesthetics. An unbalanced form leads to instability. A digital approach leads to lack of humanity (as you have noted with the corporation).

The revolution will be through the re-enchantment with the hand and the unfiltered eye.