Allow me to use metaphors to tell you my thoughts on space: all spaces that humans create, such as the physical space. Therefore, I am using the terms inner space and physical space to link my thoughts.

I will delve into philosophical and existential reflections concerning psychic elements that predetermine the shape and creation of physical space. I will bring up a perspective, which is missing in the Albanian scene of art and culture. In my observation, most actors in the scene seem to have gone away from seeing into the Self.

The laboratory

I have a background as a visual artist deeply influenced by Jung’s work. This experience solidified my conviction that the inner self consists of essential aspects in exploring physical space creation. Hence, the creation or construction of physical space is closely linked with psychic needs transformed to physical manifestations afterward.

Meanwhile, having begun this article in such a way, I would like to ask you to step out of your rationalized mind and direct your observation into the imaginative realm of psyche’s space. By psyche’s space, I mean all there is within it and the role it plays in creating the physical space. Additionally, I would like to ask you to turn to Platonic: let all things take us to explore and expand our imagination without settling for concrete answers.

In order to connect with the idea that I’m exploring, it is important to see the inner space as a source of energies and endless possibilities. Into this space lie all forces that initially influence the psyche’s states and the creative system. They stand as ‘pre-matter’ to all things pertaining to the outer space we create. Hence, the first ‘particles’ of civilization, culture, and humanity may spark into this space. Therefore, a multiple and dynamic space of immateriality comes to life. We might compare it with a ‘laboratory’ where culture and civilization primarily come to life—rising as an energy form.

To bridge my view and trigger the mechanism of reflection, I would like to refer to a sketch part of the series I call “visual meditation.” This sketch paved the way for this article, and it helped to elaborate my viewpoint on physical space.

The four Alchemists

Going inward to explore the physical space in relation to what lives inside the self is fundamental to my understanding. Although all aspects seen within may each have their own system, they cannot escape “fermenting” with experiences, memories, emotions, culture, and other social constitutions. Trauma and inheritance are also important factors. Thus, these processes can infuse values into the ever-changing morphology of personality.

For example, one’s personality is expressed through external individual presentation and in the environment (space) created. This individual’s expression in the collective space, both physical and relational, will affect the collective space, respectively.

Jumping to the process of creativity: stimulus (stimulation), organization, interpretation, and recollection. These stages of the process are essential before transferring the idea or concept into a visible format. Each of them operates separately in the process of creation, simultaneously forming the “apparatus” of ideation. I call these four phases “four alchemists,” which strive to bring different forces into integrity through a multidimensional natural, spiritual, and cosmic system. And it is through this process that we achieve inner balance, which becomes a key point to release inner potential. These ‘four alchemists’ are connected to processes of seeing and being, feeling and remembering. So, in this inner system, all together charge the initial appearance – imaginary or energetic – of the outer space determined by the work of the four alchemists.

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In one of his lectures, Alan Watts describes self-exploration in such words:

You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.

I brought this quote because it opens a door to expand my perspective on this matter. Therefore, I see that at a microcosmic level, the physical space we create releases the level of inner exploration.

Another aspect of life within comprises spiritual matter. Essentially, human potential derives from the axis connecting two worlds, within and without. This axis is our spiritual element through which nature and the cosmos speak to us; it does not oppose the cosmic law, and it influences individual and collective perception of human development. All things become clearer when having a ground where the triangle forms alike. Into the triangle, spiritual flow bears the seeds of initiation; the mind expands through creativity, and space is a fruit of manifestation.

To conclude my thoughts, outer space is an expansion of the self, both organically and physically. “The four alchemists,” mentioned above, move freely throughout processes of social, political, cultural, and life happenings. They grow through the sort of education we build; desire and greed determine their focusing field; life experiences enhance or decrease their function; and a sort of perception shall influence the individual’s life. Similarly, the space we create outside ourselves depends on the composition one gives to the inner space, from birth to death.

Bibliography

Jung, C. (1973). Collected works of C.G. Jung: The First Complete English Edition of the Works of C.G. Jung. Routledge.
Armstrong, A. H., & Blumenthal, H. J. (2024, December 23). Platonism | Definition, Philosophy, Beliefs, & Facts. Encyclopaedia Britannica.
C, S. (2017). Extracted wisdom of Alan Watts: 450+ Lessons from a Theologist. UB Tech.
Cirlot, J. E. (2013). A Dictionary of symbols. Courier Corporation.
Fromm, E. (2013). Man for Himself: An Inquiry into the Psychology of Ethics. Routledge.