GESTALT

What is gestalt?

noun /gəˈSHtält/  /-ˈSHtôlt/ laymans: GESH-TAH-LT

[An organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. From the german word for form, configuration or appearance that designates a whole that recognisably has parts but can only be experienced as an indivisible unity.]

IN MY OPINION (take heed, opinion, and mine no less which amounts to no more worth than peanuts lol), every proper circle should have some sort of gestalt. The constituent artists of a circle shouldn't really be seen as a distinct singular entity separate within a whole while participating in circle activities, otherwise it'd contradict the very nature of a circle in the first place.

Circles are usually by definition a collection of individuals. In the early 1970's, it was widely accepted that doujinshi circles were limited to groups involved in university clubs or manga research societies. Circles with just one individual were almost non-existant due to the fact it was just common sense at the time. Nowadays, circles with individual artists exist due to the fact that events always require the participation of a circle. That isn't really a circle, but that's obvious to everyone.

The point I'm trying to make here is that in order for a group of individuals to truly become a circle, the individuals must be able to complement each other's abilities and work together as a whole and not as separated entities. A circle will truly be recognised as a circle when works from the group are referred to by their collective name, and not rather by their individual artist handles. When that happens the circle gains gestalt, and more often than not, a synergy that enables the circle to produce works far beyond the ability of a single individual.

At the moment this circle does not have any gestalt (other than the fact some people can't distinguish me from Pas haha), as we are a fledgling circle with no original or derivative works. But hopefully someday in the future we will be able to attain recognition as a proper circle and ultimately gain a sense of gestalt. Hopefully...

Apologies for this obtuse elongated thought... (　´,_ゝ｀)ｸｯｸｯｸ･･･(　´∀｀)ﾌﾊﾊﾊﾊ･･･(　 ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾊｧｰﾊｯﾊｯﾊｯﾊ!! I reckon there will come a time where I look back on these ramblings with regret and ponder if I was drunk.