In this context, why does it matter what the artist's color is? Why is this list continuing a thread with the subject of 'Black techno artists'? Because to a great deal of people, both black, and white, for varying reasons, the color of the artist _does_ matter. Regardless of why it matters, that knowledge goes into the brain's collective of knowledge and serves to influence current and future opinions on a wide array of topics, not necessarily limited to that particular artist or piece of work. We are the sum of our parts, and a major part of the parts is information, which we use or abuse as we see fit as we plod through the cesspool of life. Maybe that's why it matters?
Enough armchair philosophy for me, today. :) Tim -----Original Message----- From: Rusty Blasco [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 9:01 AM To: 313@hyperreal.org Subject: [313] can't we all just get along? OK, here's the problem when it comes to discussing the race issue in techno music (or any artform, for that matter). The whole debate is a catch 22. It goes like this: Racial injustice stems from an awareness of the differences in superficial physical characteristics (i.e. skin color) and the subsequent exploitation and oppression of persons exhibiting such differences. In order to address racial matters as they relate to music, one must raise an awareness of the same physical traits which precede the problem in the first place. Now I know that racism stems from the mind, and prejudice isn't necessarily an inborn quality. Yet it seems to perpetuate, even among the open minded in our world, through sheer repetition of the issue at stake. In other words, I may not see a black person as any lesser a man than a white person, but I'll damn well be forced to ponder the thought the more incessantly I'm faced with the question. Suggestion is a very valuable tool (as proven by numerous examples in history and especially by the work of many modern psychologists). When reinforced over time, it solidifies into an implicit belief until it eventually establishes itself as a hardline value. I also realize art may best be realized as the result of a developmental process, containing elements both intellectual (analytical) and emotional (intuitive). Therefore, the true understanding of a piece cannot reach fruition (if such a state even exists) until the context surrounding its creation is made known. Subtract the context, and you're left with a piece bereft of meaning. Sure, there's always the subjective interpretation, but one of art's essential functions is to communicate in a manner beyond words the feelings and thoughts of an artist. So is techno possible without racism, or does the latter detract from the former? No, I don't have a solution. My thoughts on many things art-related are indecisive at best (though I tend to analyze art independent of its maker, at least at first). I am only at the beginning stages of a long journey of discovery. These are my thoughts, and I want to witness the resultant debate. Rusty _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
