tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post116865819975023890..comments2023-11-27T01:40:12.441-08:00Comments on EATEN BY DUCKS: Zen and the Art of Self-SatisfactionMarcel Ruijtershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00364661262187868819noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post-1168815514950104952007-01-14T14:58:00.000-08:002007-01-14T14:58:00.000-08:00Well, the philosphy or driving ideology behind abs...Well, the philosphy or driving ideology behind abstrac expression is directly linked to theories of the day about modernity and the artists' role in society. this places all of it firmly within a specific zietgiest.<BR/>I can't agree more with the ideas expressed in this piece.<BR/>This false egalitarianism ( you're equal as long as you believe every thing you're being told) is a fucking virus.Luke P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00768711827543625706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post-1168732887314942002007-01-13T16:01:00.000-08:002007-01-13T16:01:00.000-08:00So if art has emotions in it, it has some connecti...So if art has emotions in it, it has some connection to society? Fair enough, but I don't quite get the picture 100%.Robert Adam Gilmourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030109275684859704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post-1168729907607975112007-01-13T15:11:00.000-08:002007-01-13T15:11:00.000-08:00I write positive reviews with some frequency; I'm...I write positive reviews with some frequency; I'm supposed to have a positive discussion of contemporary R&B coming out in an upcoming issue of the Reader, for example. I wrote a positive review of Johnny Ryan's comics which you can find online here:<BR/><BR/>http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:pd1hRj9NCNsJ:www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/060324/060324_books.pdf+%22johnny+ryan%22+%22noah+berlatsky%22+%22chicago+reader%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3<BR/><BR/>I'm supposed to have a best of list in I think the next Comics Journal, which is also positive.<BR/><BR/>I chose these for various reasons. I put the Spiegelman review up because it's the thing I've written that's gotten the most attention, and I thought it might help to publicize the site (it was somewhat successful, I think -- Dirk posted a link on Journalista, anyway.) I put the textbook review up because, as I said, I was engaged in an argument on the TCJ message board, and I wanted to link to it. I put the Artist's Way up because I liked it, and it's been out of circulation for a long time.<BR/><BR/>Robert, I think abstract art can and does exist in a social and political context, actually. Abstract expressionism made all sorts of claims about what art was supposed to be in relation to emotions, intellect, etc. For better or worse, I try to connect my own abstract drawings to some sort of cultural content as well.<BR/><BR/>Rereading this essay, I was struck by just how all-encompassing my admiration for James Baldwin was when I wrote it. I think I lifted some of his phrases, even. He's still one of my favorite, favorite writers. If you haven't read him, you totally should; he's fantastic.Noah Berlatskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224228101183148043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post-1168727815163114292007-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:002007-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:00"One cannot disconnect art from society and expect..."One cannot disconnect art from society and expect it to be rewarding, emotionally or otherwise", What about completely abstract art? Barely a sign of society in it.<BR/> Other than that, well done, even though I have never read anything you have reviewed(of the reviews of yours I have read), I understand perfectly what you mean and I will probably stay away from them, most of them would'nt attract me anyway. Will you ever post any positive reviews? Would there be any point? What made you choose the 3 reviews you have chosen so far?<BR/><BR/> I there are more downs than ups in the cynicism and untrusting spirit of the UK, but one of the upsides is that anyone who started spouting that crap over here would get laughed at. In a similar way, you would have to travel very far and look extremely hard to find anyone who likes Bush over here, or even find someone who does'nt think he is a moron. I hate to use this example because I'm fucking sick of people getting cheers, laughs and pats on the back for anti-Bush statements/comedy. Worthwhile comedians have been hacks for using them too much.Robert Adam Gilmourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030109275684859704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37678750.post-1168721511265870542007-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:002007-01-13T12:51:00.000-08:00Noah! This was a GREAT piece. One of my bosses had...Noah! This was a GREAT piece. One of my bosses had very much invested in this line of thinking & it was actually my first in-depth exposure to anyone who had really bought into it. I usually ignore artists & particularly women artists who are part of the PBS spotlight mentality. Anyhow, after engaging this whole "will to power" way of approaching art & life which are apparently the same thing to this thought process, i realized that the central problem with it is that i completely believe in the will to power, but i'm definitely partisan. I'm not a liberal universalist, it's not "all good", in fact, i will argue that 99% is bad. Anyhow, great piece, i really liked the idea of the book as an abyss & having to clutch the pages to avoid being sucked in. Fantastic imagery. I also love the end, it's very much where we are in America, & those "This American Life" style movies like "Eternal Sunshine of the whatever" very much reflect this.SEANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18236717038521645585noreply@blogger.com