The Tell-Tale Art
"Art is not a tender or fragile thing. It has kept alive in the habitations of cruelty and oppressions. It has struggled toward light from the manifold darkness of war and conflict and persecution, Yet it flourishes most abundantly when the artist can speak as he wishes and describe the world as he sees it without any official direction." President Lyndon B. Johnson, June 11, 1965."I know great art when I see it," said the critic. "To which the artist replied, "I know great art when I feel it."
posted by John M Crowther @ 6:36 AM
8 Comments:
I wonder who wrote LBJ's comment on art as it sounds so unlike him. Bill Moyers perhaps; he worked for him.
Of course, one could also read it in terms of a subtext: don't expect any subsidies from the gummint.
Hmmm... when we see quotes from Presidents (Kings and Queens)it does give one pause for thought as to who actually penned the words. Given his inability to articulate the words he is given... I think we can be eternally grateful that G Dubya doesn't pen his own.
I love the second quote... AND the cartoon! I think (no... I'm s-u-r-e) I know that guy! :-)
Love this one, John C. I agree someone must have written those comments of LBJ. One has to admire AA who certainly is more of a con artist than a painter, says she laughing.
Ah but, Lee, we must not rush so quickly to judgment. Is Travesty a con artist, or is he an artist who's figured out how to survive in a skewed system? The artist must survive first, any way he can, so as to be able to live to make his art. Let's not forget that Travesty in his off hours goes out and paints colorful graffiti on the walls of ugly buildings. My fear for my friend Travesty is that booze and cigarettes will do him in before the world can see his true value.
That statement is very Darwinian of you, but I question the accuracy of it. If he were that concerned about survival, he wouldn't be smoking and drinking himself into an early grave.
Poor guy is obviously miserable. And if he's miserable now, just think how miserable he's going to be when he gets emphysema or has liver failure, and can't even paint anymore.
I think you should introduce another character. One who ISN'T an enabler, and tries to but a brake on his self-destructive tendencies.
That could make for some interesting chemistry, not to mention some interesting exchanges!
Please, John C., I hope that whether T is a con artist or a survivor, you will let him live out his life in his own way; booze and all. I have great empathy with him, says she grinning.
I dunno, Kate, it seems to me that the impulse to want to do the very things that are contrary to our best interests, and possibly even survival, is, alas, all too common.
Not to worry, Lee, I have no control over T. I can only observe and record.
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