Celebrate Change

Hokusai’s “Ejiri in Suruga Province” is the 10th image in his famous “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”. Although not as famous at his “Great Wave” print - this captivating scene captures a moment in time when a sudden blast of wind sends hats and papers flying into the sky as weary travelers on the road try to hold on as best they can. Scholars are not sure what papers are flying - some think it might be prints, while others believe they are tissues from the woman’s kimono.

Meanwhile in the background, Fuji stands at a distance, unaffected by the wind, unchanged by whatever information is flying wildly through the sky.

Several centuries later, Canadian photographer Jeff Wall recreated Hokusai’s scene, giving it an entirely modern twist. And yet, the same wild energy of information deluge remains against a disinterested background.

So what are we to make of all this change and permanence along the road?

1). The Information Overload Is Not New
We have been struggling with information overload for centuries, not just in the digital age. And while the latest storm of social media posts and eMails might feel overwhelming and certainly daunting - it is critical to keep perspective and see them passing in the wind.

2). Hold Onto Your Hats
The winds of change are like a trickster character that can send the simplest scene into chaos. Sometimes all you need to do, all you can do - is just try and hold onto your hat!

3). Take Comfort in the Changeless
In the background of all this change Fuji stands serene and unmoved by the paper storm unfolding. The faster your Rocket Goals start moving, be sure to take time to step away and ground yourself. Not everything or everyone is moving at Rocket Speed, caught up in the latest paper wind.

For a deep dive on Hokusai’s art and the nature of change, be sure to check out this masterful review by Jason Farago at the NY Times.