John Cage

John Milton Cage (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was an American experimental music composer and writer. He is well known for his 1952 composition

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cage was an early writer of what he called "chance music" (and what others have decided to label aleatoric music)—music where some elements in the music are left to be decided by chance; he is also well known for his non-standard use of musical instruments and his pioneering exploration of electronic music. His works were sometimes controversial, but he is generally regarded as one of the most important composers of his era, especially in his raising questions about the definition of music.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Cage put Zen Buddhist beliefs into art practice. He described his music as "purposeless play", but "this play is an affirmation of life-not an attempt to bring order out of chaos, nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply to wake up to the very life we are living, which is so excellent once one gets one?s mind and desires out the way and lets it act of its own accord.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cage was also an avid amateur mycologist and mushroom collector: he cofounded the New York Mycological Society with three friends.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

September 5: September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). There are 117 days remaining....

1912: 1912 was a leap year starting on Monday....

August 12: August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 141 days remaining....

John Cage related Images and Photos (experimental)

Dr. John: Mercernary	Dr. John: Mercernary	John 3:16	John Q (BD)
John Q (DVD) (WS)	John F. Kennedy (Paperback)	John Woo	John Cena
John Thaw	John Hurt	John Cena	John Hurt