paradox of John Cage

It has been said that John Cage has had a greater impact on world music than any other American composer in the 20th Century. His work spans the media of visual art, dance, literature, and most relevant to this study, theater. What seemed to be a troubled personal state in his life led him to Eastern philosophies. The Zen philosophy of non-intention led to the creation of music that expressed no emotion and allowed the audience to do its own listening. Moreover, this indeterminacy allowed music to be action. This theatrical approach influenced a generation of artists that became the heart of the anti-art movement. This movement included happenings, multi-media works, and Fluxus. Many of these events were not only a revolt against conventional art, but also the state of political and social thought. In attempting to say nothing in his works, Cage communicated his manifesto quite well.