From Bifidus The Crimson Giant Part 2

[cheryl penn]

With great elation I received the first return mail for the collaborative mail art book The Crimson Giant from Bifidus Jones.

I asked Bifidus to please explain some of his thoughts in the compilation of his work.

He wrote this:

"Gertrude Stein, an American writer, came up with the "Rose is a rose" line in a poem entitled “Sacred Emily”--written in the early 1900s. She was annoyed that the word “rose” conjured up not just the flower, but a red flower and not just a red flower, but all the romantic goo that goes along with it, all from the one word “rose”. Maybe she was also annoyed that people get lazy, using cliché symbols without real thought or purpose. She makes a point, but to try and control the symbolism that attaches itself to a sign or object makes her point futile, and
that is my overall message. I am poking fun at authorities, governments, clergy, academics, and all the others who think they are in charge of symbols and glyphs, those who try to impose restrictions on people, history, and culture with their so-called expert interpretations."

Personal agenda, as well as personal experience, has much to do with interpreting symbols and the assigning of meaning, therefore, making it virtually impossible (and sadly comedic) to impose one true meaning to a symbol. I guess in the end, you can consider my section to be a parody of those who try to control the meaning of symbols."

What is there left for me to say? Thank you again Bifidus, I think I am going to add this explanation of yours to my book if thats alright with you? I will send the next part on Monday which begins with "I am not the Red Giant I am." That was in answer to your question a while back on "Who is the Flaneur". (Sorry I dont know how to add the accent!)
Ending with Gertrude Stein again "Pages ages page ages page ages".

[Jen Staggs]

I love the meanings within meanings, the symbols within symbols and the envelope within an envelope! Genius.

[cheryl penn]

Please see my whopper on the next blog.

[Marie Wintzer]

Brilliant!! Wow, Bifidus!! What a great first return, two thumbs up!

[Karen Champlin]

Absolutely fantastic work Bifidus!!!