... Still, it's leaning towards the sentimental. From his vision statement: "... rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals."
When was this again? The fourteenth century?
Paul K said...
I don't think man has every lived in harmony with animals, really. Outside of relying on them too live, but mostly in the predation sense.
But artists statements... I think the huge majority of them are hogwash which the artist did because they "had to".
eolake said...
Good point. The driving force behind art is not logic. But the public like to get a logical statement to feel they better understand it.
"... rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals."
ReplyDeleteDamn hippy! That time never existed! :-)
I don't think man has every lived in harmony with animals, really. Outside of relying on them too live, but mostly in the predation sense.
ReplyDeleteBut artists statements... I think the huge majority of them are hogwash which the artist did because they "had to".
Good point. The driving force behind art is not logic. But the public like to get a logical statement to feel they better understand it.
ReplyDeleteBut the public like to get a logical statement to feel they better understand it.
ReplyDeleteIt's usually the public, all your Joe Plumbers out there, who can't stand those artists statements, who think them complete nonsense. They are the ones who would rather the art speak for itself. It's the pretentious, pompous "art community" who demand them, thinking they are "intellectual."
I like this guy's stuff but that b.s. that goes with it turns my stomach.
Sure, there never was such a time when man and animal all lived --and chatted-- together like friendly neighbors, except in legends. Be it only because animals on their own have no "mutual harmony", one's always a predator or a target.
ReplyDeleteBut harmony with one/some animal(s) IS possible, like precisely that seen between a cornac and his elephant. Amazing friendships. You can't get obeyed by an elephant through intimidation! Not when you ride unarmed on its back.
I have some pretty amazing harmony with my current cat. While the one before that was a real wildbeast.
Also, many "primitive" native peoples live in harmony with NATURE, which includes respect towards all animals. Seldom vegetarians, but theirs is the opposite of the conquering, plundering attitude of arrogant capitalism. They never hunt more than they need, and often have complex religious rituals destined to restore the spiritual harmony that is broken every time they take a life. For instance, some North-American tribe always gives back fishbones to the river, "so that the fish can be reborn". An equivalent of funeral at sea.
Harmony doesn't always mean ending in bed together!
(Besides, see how much THAT brings harmony with the guests on the Jerry Springer Show.)
I like a good sarcasm as much as the next guy, and I'm quite unsure THIS artist knows about true harmony beyond the street man's hasty conception. But the issue itself deserves... a little respect. ;-)
At least to show we give things some more thought than the common street man.
Oh dear...those of you who don't think much of the bond between peeps and their beautiful/wonderful animal friends...
ReplyDeleteWhile you're on the cat topic, Pascal:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=10849410
Aw, fudge! I can't download the videos on that site. With my dial-up, no way I can view them except a few seconds at a time every minute. It won't even stay in my computer to replay it. ):-P
ReplyDeleteWhat's the matter with most of these video sites, anyway? A semi-decent hacker intending to pirate their stuff and then market it will always find a way. They just annoy their honest users by complicating private viewing.
(For instance, the "right click disabled" script that prevents from saving a page's images can most of the time be circumvented by just saving the web page, gives you ALL the images in one neat folder.)
I can just picture it if public libraries forced you to read copyrighted books on the premises. While standing. In line. On the sidewalk, through the window. And, as far as half-decently priced internet in Lebanon goes, with one eye closed and your feet tied together, under the rain!
To paraphrase my 4 y-o nephew describing anybody who arbitrarily annoys him: "They're nuts."
Nuts? So screw them. Or bolt them. Whatever.
To think they want to make money on internet advertising...
Even on local sites, they drive you off with pages made of 75% ads, all fancy flash stuff and the likes, take forever to load, don't display until loading of all iframes is complete... and some of the fucking crap automatically refreshes every 90 seconds!!! Not when *I* pay my access on a time basis!
Sure one COULD have DSL/broadband/cellphone access installed. Or one could save his money, and in a couple of years save enough to buy a brand new car. Like we just did!!! ):-P
And then, sometimes, you stumble on a site like Domai and just want to set your luggage down.
Oh, sorry, was I ranting again?
Better return to those Ranters Anonymous meetings then. Looks like a relapse.
"Sure one COULD have DSL/broadband/cellphone access installed. Or one could save his money in a couple of years save enough to buy a brand new car. Like we just did!!!"
ReplyDeleteSorry about your *dial-up blues*, Pascal. You've got your priorities straight, though, and...I'm sure you'll find a way to change from dial-up, someday.
Congratulations on the new vehicle. I can *appreciate* your *rantings* though...especially your humor about it all. Completely understand having to wait for more efficient ways of doing things and...the *luggage breaks* enroute! lol!
To paraphrase my 4 y-o nephew describing anybody who arbitrarily annoys him: "They're nuts."
ReplyDeleteTo quote Obelix, "These ______ are crazy!"
Crazy? Absolutely! These nuts have a screw loose.
ReplyDeleteI manage the luggage breaks by keeping it light; only download the large version of a select few pictures, the crammed Della Cream.
But the dial-up blues in nothing compared to the tragic one I'm facing right now: I went for a bathroom break while a 90 minute 12.5 MB movie found on this blog is downloading ("long break", yeah, I know), and when I got back, the cat had stolen my seat! A fan of Top Cat, mine is. (Why would there only be "top dogs", hunh?) Always on the lookout for an opportunity, officer Dribble, sir. Even with Har-Moni-Me, Serene Dipity is only a relative.
So now, I've had to pull up my sleeves, verrrrrry gently move the chair from the desk, and bring a new one for me. Oh, the humanity! The felinity! The shakespearian dramatic intensity! The cinnamon flavour!
That's my life: never a dull moment. Eat your heart out, Raymond Calbuth!