Alwa Glebe (music)

Alwa Glebe's imitatio Nietzsche: On elective affinities between migraine-inspired artists

"Wow! What a fascinating interview/article! Thank you very much for letting me read it. It gives a great deal of insight into your experiences of migraine, and also into you as a person - your intelligence and strength, and your determination to use the migraines rather than be bowed down by them. It is very insightful, and so interesting to see how Nietzsche and de Chirico had such similar experiences and applications for them. I was intrigued about the extraordinary clarity you (and they) experience, and the sense of emotional coldness afterwards. That makes sense to me, because it seems that you are lifted out of emotion and become detached - which, of course, brings a great deal of lucidity.

Also, although you come across as atheist, there is a strong mystical quality there - the sense of unity yet detachment, the clarity, the ability to think very fast. This made me think of Krishnamurti, who was a spiritual teacher and had very intense migraines... Krishnamurti was an interesting man - I read his autobiography many years ago. He called his migraines 'The Process' and used them to attain great states of detachment and mystical union.

I feel that you are right about the states of unity with migraines when you are willing to accept the pain and can surrender to what it can show you. Many people don't take that view, of course, and perceive it purely as a curse but, for those like you, de Chirico etc, there is a creative spark which is lit through that process of surrender. This will be a revelation to many people, and I am sure will help others a great deal!"

(L, Email to Alwa Glebe, 28 September 2008)