When we create “art”, we strive to do something new. We put all our
energy into compiling our emotions, our feelings, our experiences into
a comprehensive whole. However, that comprehension is always personal.
We can not separate our creative expression from our creative
compulsions or energies. The outcome is what it is. It is a personal
reflection of our personal interpretation of our time.
The notion of “timeless art” is a myth, perpetuated by who knows what
(or who)... how can a work of art be timeless? It is always a product
of its time. To perceive it otherwise would be absurd. If Les
Demoiselles d'Avignon had never previously been produced, would we
accept it today as a remarkable work of art? I don't think so. Its
production was very much tied to its time. Its importance is equally
tied to its time of production. It represents a break from its own
contemporary tradition - but not even a drastic break. It falls within
its own contemporary explorations into african art (which had already
been pursued by Ingres, in his own manner and had also influenced the
likes of Manet.... but we could go on forever). Picasso was not the
only one exploring these avenues. But that is beyond my point. We live
in a time. Yes, the period is supposed to be there. We live in a time.
It is our time. As Lilly Allen stated, “No, you can't have my number
'cause I lost my phone.” Lost my phone? When I was her age, my phone
never left my home! But times change. We live in an age where you may
“lose your phone”. And what goes with losing your phone? You lose
your identity! No... you don't. Your identity is as secure as you made
it... what?... your username was the same as your password? You
idio.... you dear, dear child.
I reviewed the work of an “internet artist” recently. Oh... here we
go... someone addressing his time, his culture! He uses the fact that
contemporary culture has provided us a plethora of personal imagery.
This is good. His website contains compelling images of his own
manipulations of images. His own manipulations of images.... his own
man... Excuse me, what are you doing to these images? How are you
choosing these images. Yes, your end results are compelling but what
is your process? That would be far more compelling. Please don't tell
me that you lost your phone. The only thing that truly speakes to your
time, is your method. And you choose to veil that behind the eye-candy
of your output? Um... ok.
As I drunkenly leave my seat to explore the opportunities provided me
by a destructive cannon of highly inflammabale tobacco, I deplore you
to consider the issues; what exactly defines our time? Our culture? I
think Lily Allen hit the nail on the head for her target group. As you
consider where we might be, I'll be out on the stoop, smoking a
cigarette. I expect a coherent answer when I get back.
--
*****************************
Pall Thayer
artist
http://pallthayer.dyndns.org
*****************************
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