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performing the agency of intent

an exploration of verbs in Tibetan language, and of volition and agents in grounding moving image practice

Shen Xin
Shen Xin
— 8 min read
a curved line connected to a hydrophone dropping from a high place into blue river water
dasiqox waves moving hydrophone, production still, Solar Wheels, 2024. Photo: AX Archive

In Tibetan language’s ecosystem, a multifold of pathways are laid out for describing an action, with the main exercise being whether something is done with volition or not. This exercise binds the self, who is performing a doing, with intention. This is based on what the previous post has tried to describe, that the division between self and other is a continuous boundary making event, depending solely on the specificities of relation to knowledge that is presented through language. Hence none of these guidance are what guides a making of a grammar, but can be seen and experienced as what holds meaning accountable. 

The depth of relationship to volition reaches the relationships between verbs, in regard to how they are relating to each other. As filmed images moved through time, actions moved through sequences that are commonly interpreted as results, fruition, or simply as practiced patterns.