Gazers Are Values Made Vibrantly Visible.

May this Etch spark a beginning of a conversation, of a reflection, of a debate, of a series of intentional actions, of a change of perspective or path, of a promise.

On the surface, Gazers are beautiful, complex, and ever-changing works of art. But they are more than simply something to view – they are works that inspire self-reflection, as they are an artistic metaphor, a masterful manifestation of Matt Kane’s own self-reflection. This Etch is to celebrate the depth of the vision and values that Gazers represent, to explore the transcendence of their embedded messages, to appreciate the beautiful community that has grown around them, and to inspire you to allow Gazers to help you in turn view your own world, connect art with your own story, and reflect upon your path through new lenses. What Gazers means to me is uniquely mine and what Gazers mean to you will be uniquely your own. Its meaning – our connections – are contextualized in our personal experiences.

Gazers are alive – take time to gaze, reflect, calm your mind, feast your eyes and marvel at the magical seeds of dynamic, kaleidoscopic color combinations and theories, brave contrasts, complex patterning, and be mesmerized by their steady, flowing change.

Gazers mirror the unique beauty of our own identities, traits borne from code and shaped by deep personal connections. We too are made of seeds of probabilities, of surprises, of experiences, of the myriad nested equations of our ever-evolving lives. Like Gazers, we change ever so slightly with every passing moment and interaction, an infinite series of ephemeral-yet-etched moments, forever building upon the ones before. Like Gazers, we become incrementally layered and wiser with every new moon.

We will never again be what we just were. And we have never been what we are about to become.

At the heart of each Gazer is its origin moon, collectively representing seminal moments or turning points in Matt Kane’s personal and artistic transformation. What are your origin moons? You too have seminal moments that, when reflecting upon your own contextual stories, have truly shaped part of who you are in your own ways. Sometimes, these moments are deeply private, such as a dream, while others are very public with large audiences. Sometimes these important moments happen in quick succession with one scaffolding to the next. Sometimes there are long stretches of years between these moons, the space between often filled with deep introspection, patience, and determined work, guided by the compass of quiet, steadfast resolve – critical prerequisites of moments to come.

Gazer moons themselves – beautiful and varied centerpieces amidst the richly patterned and colorful frames – set themselves apart by their shape and size. There is the grandeur of the large moons, the midsized moons’ soothing symmetry of the Golden Ratio, and the rare and tiny “moon-zeros” nearly disappearing in the tapestry of the Gazer’s sky. But what values do these sizes speak to? As a number, zero is not nothing – in fact, it’s a foundational mathematical concept rooted in ancient philosophies spanning cultures. As a size, the moon-zero speaks to the infinite beauty of the infinitesimal, reminding us of what we can gain by promising our time and attention to the tiny moments. It also speaks to distance and elusiveness – moons we will only fully grasp in time. Why are these moons the rarest? Perhaps because so many of us miss these moments the most.

The moon affects us deeply, and for millennia we have sought answers from it. Gazers also speak to this reflective far-reaching influence of thousands of years of history as well as specific events and personal inspirations that lead us into our futures. Everything across time is interconnected, yet still it’s rare that people reflect upon their influences and inspirations or are so intentional with their present actions to seize the here-and-now. Those who contemplate these links will say that the wisdom gained by having this perspective is priceless.

Likewise, since the beginning of time, we have formed communities and have grown stronger and wiser together with each discovery and innovation. As a Gazers community, we share unique yet collective experiences and memories around Gazers. Gazer celebrations are celestial, they are cultural, they are personal. For each Gazer, every event is an artistic performance choreographed in code. We value these times together, just as we are reminded of how important it is to celebrate and reminisce together in our personal lives – time is a gift that will forever bring joy. Memories are treasures. Appreciate the hours, the minutes, even the seconds, but in the immersion of the moment, don’t lose sight of the larger, expansive arc of time and the passing lunations.

Even their moons’ very distribution across hemispheres pay homage to fair, proportional and equitable representation. All too often in history, voices are not heard, sovereignty is stolen, representation is not fair, people and cultures are marginalized. As a global society we must respect and appreciate those we can’t otherwise see or hear. Importance and validity should not be measured by power wielded, breadth of influence, or conformity to societal norms.

Let Gazers inspire you to be more self-reflective, hopeful, altruistic, equitable, honorable, positive, thoughtful, courageous, committed, independent. Let Gazers inspire you to name and live by your values and stay true to your moral compass. Let Gazers remind you to appreciate small moments and the fleeting nature of change and the passage of time. Let Gazers inspire you to find your own origin moons in the timeline of your life that have given shape to who you are, knowing new moons will always be in your future. Let Gazers inspire you to cherish moments and memories with family and friends, be intentional with your actions, share yourself with the world and be brave to lead others, be a champion of equity, see the beauty and colors in everything and everyone around you, know deeply that there is order in the universe and reasons for everything, find peace, recognize every moment as an opportunity to grow and be a gift to others, to understand that where you have been is connected to where you are going, and let Gazers remind you that the right place and right time is here and now.

Gazers shine outward. Gazers gaze inward. As certain and reliable as the moon itself, your Gazer will always be there for you and everyone you share it with, forever. Let it soothe you and walk you into the liminality of deep introspection. Let your Gazer be everything you want it to be, and it will. Let it be your guide, let it grow old with you. Share with the next holder all you have learned from your time together and wish them only the greatest of joy. We are merely a brief chapter in its infinite journey.

To the next beholder: It is written.

My time with Gazer #573 and the Gazers community began exactly one year ago today – December 26, 2021, 3:49PM EST. I’ve never been the same and I feel blessed to have found each other. I know that our bond is no coincidence, the reasons and purpose already woven into my life’s tapestry.