Language Learning — Artist Thoughts

Note: Any articles mentioned will be linked at the bottom.

Heart Orgasm is one of my favorite terms to use.

I first heard of “Heart Orgasms” when I was studying the art duo FASTWÜRMS in college. They are an Ontario based couple comprised of Dai Skuse and Kim Kozzi.

As an interview by Mark Laliberte from 2009 states:

Formed in 1979, FASTWÜRMS is an ongoing avatar-artist cultural project, the trademark and the joint authorship of Kim Kozzi and Dai Skuse. These Toronto/Creemore-based multidisciplinary artists create art works that meld high and popular cultures, bent identity politics, social exchange and a no-budget cinematic sensibility. FASTWÜRMS is a Witch identified art practice based firmly on punk and DIY outsider traditions. Employing a dark but often playful sense of humour, they freely mingle media, disciplines and art forms to question nature, the environment and issues of power.”

In a separate article written for cmagazine98 by Jon Davies is when I first came across the term.

[quote] “When I mentioned how little academic attention the phenomenon of animal cuteness receives and the oftentimes physical, gut reaction felt in the face of cuteness, Skuse dubbed the feeling a heart orgasm and slyly pointed out that this visceral response is precisely what many find lacking in contemporary art, a cool detachment that some blame for arts inability to attract a lay audience. It is no surprise that animal imagery is so omnipresent in visual culture, considering how its pleasures are so instinctive and affective.” [/unquote]

I was immediately drawn to this term. Having a word to describe how the heart feels when faced with something you deem incredibly cute was inspirational to me. After researching the duo further and reflecting on the term itself, I decided to start using the term regularly.

As I continued to use the term throughout the years, it’s meaning started to grow and change. Now I use it for anything that makes my heart feel big or excited. For example, it could still be a cute cat, but it can also be finding a beautiful tree, seeing a wonderful show, listening to music that inspires me, etc.

I find that when I first use the term with people, it can be awkward, as it is not a common term. I usually explain the origin so that people can have an understanding of the meaning. However, being able to express that type of feeling that never had a word that quite felt right to me is empowering. I will continue to use this term. I hope that as the years continue to pass, the term continues to grow and change as my vocabulary also grows and changes.

Article with Quote: FASTWÜRMS (jondavies.ca)

Article with Interview: Fastwurms inteview (marklaliberte.com)

Photo taken and edited by Luna Fyrewillow.

When starting projects, I like to start with words related to it and become comfortable with those words and their formal meanings. I like to start with writing down the definitions and looking up some synonyms (my personal favorite part of language). Here are three of the words that I looked up this month (June 2021) for one reason or another.

Content Warning: Orgasm.

~ Cosmic: Cos·mic: /ˈkäzmik/
adjective

Relating to the universe or cosmos.
Synonyms: stellar, space, planetary, galactic, celestial, extraterrestrial, astral, astronomical, intergalactic, interstellar, interplanetary, astronomic, cosmical, heavenly, cosmogonic, outer space, in space, from space, cosmological, astrophysical, starry, star, ethereal, solar, universal, stellular, astrological, otherworldly, lunar, heliacal, empyreal, in outer space, Martian, alien, unearthly.
Significantly large in size, amount, value or degree.
Synonyms: huge, immense, enormous, vast, massive, colossal, gigantic, monumental, prodigious, tremendous, monstrous, gargantuan, mountainous, elephantine, humongous, mighty, mega, whopping, grand, herculean, gigantesque pharaonic, oceanic, boundless, infinite, immeasurable, limitless, grandiose, fathomless, astronomical, towering, expansive, indefinite countless.
Of or relating to the whole world or planet.
Synonyms: universal, general, global, omnipresent, worldwide, overarching, all-embracing, comprehensive, planetary, ecumenical, widespread, extensive, inclusive, ubiquitous, unlimited, unrestricted, generic, multinational, unifying, international, astronomical, celestial, mundane, total, diverse, varied, open-minded, large-scale, all-encompassing, all-embracing, infinite, permeating, unanimous, predominant, popular, abundant, boundless, everywhere.
Of, or like, a god/dess.
Synonyms: divine, heavenly, godlike, holy, goddesslike, immaculate, spiritual, angelic, celestial, mystical, supernatural, deitylike, mystic, sacred, seraphic, supreme, ethereal, hallowed, immortal, transcendent, almighty, incorporeal, metaphysical, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, astral, otherworldly, beyond human, alluring, exquisite, magical, eternal, pure, exalted, miraculous, golden, ideal, progressive, innocent, awe-inspiring, inspirational, illimitable, everlasting, deathless.

~ Orgasm: or·gasm: /ˈôrˌɡazəm/
noun
1. A spasm or sudden contraction.
  Synonyms: climax, cumming, pleasure, ejaculation, peak, spasm, the big O, sexual climax, wet dream, emission.
verb
1. To experience a physical orgasm.
  Synonyms: climax, cum, achieve orgasm, reach orgasm, have an orgasm, feel the earth move, ejaculate, get off, squirt, cream, spurt.
~ Ubiquitous: u·biq·ui·tous: /yo͞oˈbikwədəs/
adjective
1. Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
  Synonyms: omnipresent, global, universal, worldwide, infinite, prevalent, ubiquitary, international, widespread, astronomical, pervading, predominant, rampant, unrestricted, comprehensive, inescapable, worldly, broad, common, pervasive, abundant, permeating, rife, overarching, extensive, penetrating, immanent, cosmic, endless, insidious, limitless, cyclopedic, unanimous, ceaseless, never-ending, copious, extreme, the big picture, full-spectrum, life-changing.
2. Very commonly encountered or observed.
  Synonyms: common, commonplace, normal, regular, conventional, customary, standard, rampant, universal, everyday, typical, constant, familiar, stereotypical, habitual, routine, mainstream, pervasive, prevalent, generic, ordinary, uninspired, unexciting, plain, vanilla, stale, trite, bland, tame, unnoteworthy, inconspicuous, passionless, literal, unemotional, factual, unadorned, inane, meaningless, of little consequence, of little importance, not worth mentioning, of no importance, of no great concern, as dry as dust, neither one thing nor the other.
3. Being fully accessible and obtainable with little regard to restrictions.
  Synonyms: available, public, unrestricted, common, free-for-all, free for use, furnished, omnipresent, open, prevalent, provided, supplied, universal, widespread, appropriable, mutual, joint collective, pooled, conjoint, cooperative, collaborative, communistic, combined, reciprocated, requited, ensemble, planned, prearranged, cohesive, amalgamated, integrated, all-inclusive, across-the-board, overarching, harmonious, unconditional.
4. Socially obligatory.
  Synonyms: conventional, customary, normal, orthodox, standard, compulsory, mandatory, necessary, obligatory, required, right, a must, called for.
adverb
1. Common or widely distributed.
  Synonyms: everywhere, all over, all around, everyplace, exhaustively, extensively, high and low, throughout, worldwide, near and far, thoroughly, here and there, in all places, in every part, in every spot, omnipresent, overall, universally, far and wide, inside and out, in every nook and cranny, in all directions, far and near.