Archive for the ‘Thoughts & Rants’ Category

The Lion Man

February 10, 2013

lion-man1

I love primitive artwork. As a matter of fact, I’m kind of obsessed with it. Of course, it is a connection with the past, and while looking at it I can almost travel back in time and be reminded how it felt to live in the animal past.

I read a couple of articles this week about how new carbon-dating has shown Germany’s “Lion Man” to be among the oldest known pieces of figurative art. I am used to hearing about the ancient “Venus” fertility sculptures, which are also beautiful and very old, and was told they were the oldest known carvings. But I guess there were human / lion hybrid being carved at the same time as the oldest Venus.

I am fascinated by the anthropomorphic hybrid. Always have been. These imaginative representations have appeared in the most ancient artwork of every civilization. The Lion Man reminds me that these hybrid images and sculptures have inspired human beings for tens-of-thousands of years. Long before any known civilization. I don’t know why that fascinates and inspires me so much, but it really does!

news.sudanvisiondaily.com | Lion Man
online.wsj.com | Powerful Images from a Primitive Age

Posted in Sculpture, Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants, Visual | Leave a Comment »

They Live!

October 22, 2012

There is another Presidential debate tonight…

I’ve mentioned the movie here before, but watching news coverage of this election season brings to mind the movie They Live.

So tonight, as we reflect upon the leadership of this fine country, its important we all remember:

No Independent Thought
Money Is Your God
Submit and Conform
Stay Asleep and Watch TV
Buy and Consume
OBEY

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Posted in Holidays, Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants | Leave a Comment »

“East Meets West” in Ghost Town Cisco

October 7, 2012

It must have been as far back as the summer of 1996. Not all that often, but occasionally that summer I’d travel down to the ghost town Cisco to do some weekend work in the surrounding area and earn a little extra cash. It was kind of nice to get away from time to time. Cisco is a small rusted out and dilapidated town located in the desert about 50 miles east of Green River, abandoned years and years before I ever arrived. The work I was doing wasn’t hard at all, but it could be kind of spooky because there was absolutely no one else around. There was a little trailer set up among the abandoned buildings that I was able to spend a night or two in as I got my work done, but not much else going on except maybe a bird flying overhead, or maybe a tumbleweed rolling along. The truth is, I didn’t mind much at all. I kind of like and find peace in solitude, and the landscape and sky down there are inspiring. Still, it is easy for my mind and imagination to wander, and I can really spook myself sometimes.

Earlier that year, some artists had come down and taken over one of the abandoned buildings. They built sculptures, painted and hung photos, and turned the place into a remote art installation and sort of gallery, and then left town to find their next project. I was always aware of their building, because one of the sculptures was made of strung up twine or wire and, when the wind would blow, the piece would whistle and create these very weird and eerie sounds. And the wind blew down there a lot, pretty much all the time.

Of course, I was interested in that building. I had to check it out. Crossing the field behind the building I came across a rattle snake, which was maybe an omen of some kind, but I just moved around it no big deal and made my way to the door. I remember the sky was sunset red, which isn’t all that important, but it seems somehow significant now and really stands out in my mind. As soon as I entered the building, I saw rattlesnakes again, crawling in all of the corners. They seemed to have a place to go though, and quickly disappeared into the floor or retreated around corners. I’d already come into the building by then and didn’t feel especially threatened, although the floor did feel kinda “soft”, and I imagined myself falling through it into a rattlesnake den or something. Since I was already in the main room, I looked around. There was a smashed TV, old abandoned toys and dolls, some broken furniture, weird old cowboy boots mounted on shovels or something, and hung along one of the walls was a row of photos. It was a row of portraits, but they showed the back of peoples heads. I checked it all out but didn’t stick around in there too long, because it was a creepy scene, and I did like the sculpture out front a little more. That noisy one. Then I went back to the trailer, read for a while, fell asleep, and haven’t thought about Cisco much since. Except maybe I have…

The only reason I bring it up now is because I dreamed I was there again last night. I dreamed I was in that room with all of those snakes, the broken furniture, looking at photos of the back of peoples heads, a sun-burnt sky glaring through the shattered windows, with these bizarre and spooky sounds blaring in my head. The actual real-life experience was nowhere near as freaky as my dream. It wasn’t pleasant, but I guess that experience meant something, since it woke me up in a panic in the middle of the night some 16 years later.

When I got up this morning, I did a quick search to see if I could find any more information on the art installation. I guess Time Magazine did a write-up on it the next year, and I have posted that below:

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Posted in Architecture, Sculpture, Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants, Weird | Leave a Comment »

Moses’ Horny Head

November 13, 2011

“And when Moses came down from the mount Sinai, he held the two tablets of the testimony, and he knew not that his face was horned from the conversation of the Lord,” Exodus 34:29. ”And they saw that the face of Moses when he came out was horned, but he covered his face again, if at any time he spoke to them,” Exodus 34:29.

It’s known that these two verses from the Bible might not have been translated correctly. The word horned should be something like ray of light instead, and some versions of the Bible have changed the verses to read that way. Personally, I’d rather have horns. I think it’d be pretty sweet if all of the ancient prophet’s foreheads started to calcify and sprouted horns. Maybe they did. One thing is for sure, Michelangelo deliberately carved two short ram horns on the top of Moses’ head in his statue which is now in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli at Rome.

Tomb of Pope Julius II

Horns are an interesting symbol. Sheep are surefooted climbers, and remember, Moses had just come down from the mountain after visiting with God. When domesticated, sheep are so gentle that religions all over the world have  incorporated them into their art forms. Apollo, Hermes, and later Jesus were all pictured as Good Shepherds with lambs either resting at their feet or carried on their shoulders. In ancient times, horns were also a symbol of divinity and physical power. When Alexander the Great was initiated by the oracle at the Temple of Amon, he accepted a great horned headdress so all would recognize him as a leader and conqueror. There were the Celtic druids, whose god Cernunnos was known as the “Horned One”. Or Pan from Greece. Even the marauding Vikings wore horns on their head to symbolize their power.

At one point, symbols were wielded by wizards and priests, symbols were worthy of respect and sometimes caused superstitious fear. Simply drawing an icon or writing a word was a magical act. Dressing like an animal could make you that animal. These days, it all seems so mundane. Symbols are so common and ordinary today that we hardly even think about them, and we tend to overlook their power. Maybe this is off-topic and should be the subect for a different post, but think of all we’ve accomplished through language and art. Pretty much everything we do, especially when communicating with others, relies on symbols. Even science uses language and images to communicate ideas. As I spell these words, you could say I’m casting a spell. We all do whenever we write. The words you’re reading right now are made from symbols that create ideas in your head. The icon you clicked to open this webpage was a symbol. And on and on and on. So damn common! And still, the words we use, the art we make, and the faith we might have all use symbols to communicate and express ideas.

As the adopted son of the Pharaoh and heir to the throne, Moses would have been educated in Egyptian philosophy and worship, and he would have been very aware of all the symbols that they used. Michelangelo, who was well educated in Neoplatonism, Christianity, and mythology, would have also understood the meaning of this symbol. With these horns, Michelangelo showed Moses to be a man of power and station. Moses had stood with God, and had the inner strength to become one with his own divinity.

WHAM, those horns did grow! I think they are fantastic! Someday, I hope to sprout some horns on my own head.

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Posted in Sculpture, Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants | Leave a Comment »

See music? Taste shapes?

November 8, 2011
Many artists are synthetes, like David Hockney

Many artists are synthetes, like David Hockney

Synesthesia.

What is it? Well, it’s cool as hell. Have you heard phrases like “she’s so sweet?” Or “eye candy?”People with synthesia, or synthetes, invented metaphors like this. It’s because many of them can actually see music, or taste shapes.

I’m a synthete. I suspect my expanded sensory experiences are one of the main things that makes me “weird.” That said, I think even most non-synthetes can relate to the experience, because there is SO much sensory confusion in our language. My version of synthesia mainly manifests in personification – in other words – things that aren’t alive have personalities in my world. And I’m not crazy, I have an extraordinary ability.

Synesthesia is not a disability. It’s actually an enhanced ability, kind of like ESP, at least in my fantasies.  Those who have it typically become artists, writers, musicians and chefs. Those who weren’t blessed with this genetic quirk may encounter it when under the influence of psychedelic drugs. Some of us are lucky enough not to need them.

There are many varieties. Some people see a private laser show when they listen to music. Others associate colors with letters of the alphabet. My personal experience with it is that numbers have colors, genders and personalities. I know it sounds strange, but I’ve always had a strange bond to the number two. It’s yellow, female, gentle and kind. Often, synthesitic experiences are somewhat logical. For example, a book I read said that a gentleman tasted sausages every time he read the word village. It rhymes so it must be true!

I have other symptoms of synthesia. For example, Thursday is burnt orange. Colored days of the week and picturing time in a physical space is also common for synthetes. Tuesday, for me, of course is yellow (like its friend, the number two). People and animals often have colors and flavors for me too.

Since it’s pet month, I’ll disclose more of my weirdness. My pet Scout is butter pecan or peanut brittle. My Airedales have both tasted like pumpkin (in my mind, though I haven’t taken a bite, yet). My dog Cowboy is white bread, biscuits and country gravy. He’s an all American boy. And Todd’s dog, the Rottweiler is licorice and anise.

I’m told about one in twenty people have synesthesia. I would love to hear from you, if like David Hockney, Tori Amos and Duke Ellington, you have it too.

Posted in Beauty, Thoughts & Rants, Weird | Leave a Comment »

Occupy ArtDuh!

October 15, 2011

"The United States of Corporate America Murdered the World One Soul at a Time ~ OR ~ The Triumph of a Dark Vision" - by Todd Powelson

I believe that most business owners are honest people. Most corporate workers and executives are great people. They are working hard for their families, employees, and community. Providing goods and services the rest of us use, make life better, and sometimes propel the species forward. That is honorable and noble.

But if you or the corporation you represent are using money and success to buy off a politician or influence over public policy, gain unfair advantage, steal from or are exploiting your fellow man, then you are a disease and a cancer. You’re influence needs to be removed before your contagion spreads! If you are a politician who is accepting this dirty corporate money, you are a whore, selling yourself to the highest bidder. Scratch that, you’re an untreated STD, making life unbearable. You don’t represent the people at all. You’re a greedy pig with a smiling face and an uncomfortable itchy crotch, getting fatter and fatter. Better be careful there piggy, there are a lot of people who still enjoy bacon.

We here at ArtDuh support the Occupy Wall Street movement, Occupy groups around the country, and Occupy Salt Lake City.

“But wait”, I can hear you say, “What does it all mean, Mr. Natural? The protesters don’t stand for anything. What are they protesting? What do they hope to accomplish?“ C’mon. Deep down, we all know what has inspired these protests. The protesters are pointing out and raising awareness of widespread corruption, theft, lack of representation and injustice. We’ve all seen it. We’re paying for it. Corruption in our politics, banking, finance and business. Whether or not you’re comfortable with the status quo is something else entirely, but you’ve seen the corruption. It’s an important thing the protesters are doing because if we are able recognize, accept, and face a problem, we’re able to change it. It is also important to remember if you are not corrupt, the protester’s are not calling you out. Or, at least, I never would.

You can read the Declaration of the Occupation of New York City by clicking here. Are there any points listed that you haven’t seen or can’t recognize?

“But they don’t offer any kind of solutions, only a list of complaints.“ To some extent, I agree. But at the same time, I think you’re expecting too much right now. Many people are just waking up to how bad things really are. Do you think Thomas Jefferson just woke up one morning and thought to himself, “I think I’ll write the Declaration of Independence today at lunch”. No. I am sure it took him years of observing suffering, corruption, injustice, not to mention conversations with friends and the public before he was ever even moved to the point of writing. And then, it was another good ten+ years before the U.S. Constitution was finalized and put into place.

“That Obama sure has messed things up for us hasn’t he, he’s a real sun-o-bitch.“ Maybe. But our problems didn’t start with him. The ball got rolling with Richard Nixon and (bank sponsored) Fiat Money, and probably even earlier. Our financial problems became obvious when George W. Bush & Co. were allowed to let free market policy go unchecked. Or at least, it was deregulated way too much. Big business and banks had a big damn party, a party we are still paying for. I’m sure it was profitable for George and his friends, and they are still partyin’ down. If people are as selfish the free market suggest, then selfish people are going to take you for everything they can… and they sure have taken us, haven’t they.

The system is broken. Our government has sold out to the highest bidder. Accept it. They’ve pretended to fix the marketplace with trillion dollar band aides, but we are still hemorrhaging money, jobs, public services and homes.

Adam Smith (1723 – 1790, Scottish social philosopher and political economist), whose ideas are cornerstone for our current free market system, basically believed a successful economy needs to serve an individual’s greed, self interest, and selfish desires. If the economy serves those selfish desires, he says, an “invisible hand“ will come on down and balance out the marketplace, cast aside ideas that don’t work, and embrace those ideas that do. Okay, great. But doesn’t it make sense that this invisible hand would serve and be easily manipulated by selfish people? Greed and selfishness are not admirable human qualities. I’m not a religious person, but isn’t greed one of the seven deadly sins? If we pursue and indulge it, greed will lead to our downfall. We are not just greedy monkeys. Sure, we might all have that side embedded into our nature and we need to recognize that, but most of us also have so much more than that one character trait.

Looking out for yourself and trying to control as much of the world’s resources as possible doesn’t work. Making sure that every time you give, you get more back than you need just doesn’t work. It might seem to work for a few people for a little while, but not for long. Because we live on a finite planet, it’s impossible for greedy behavior to go on forever. Consider this: when people share what they have (a skill, talent, time, food, money or whatever), they make friends and build community. When people exploit and take from others, they make enemies.

Money is just a symbol. It’s an abstract concept. We give money it’s power and meaning. The meaning of the symbol resides only in our heads, and we can change our mind. Why base our economy on greed and self interest? Wouldn’t it be better to base our economic system upon satisfying more admirable human qualities? There are so many noble human traits to choose from. We can change the paradigm of what money means if we want to. If we are able to change, the whole world will be better for it. If we don’t change, we are in serious trouble.

youtube.com | No Way in US System to Vote Against Banks

youtube.com | Chris Hedges – Occupy Washington D.C.

nytimes.com | Panic of the Plutoctrats

cnn.com | Occupy Wall Street

nycga.cc | who-we-are

occupyslc.org | mission

____________________________________________________

23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism – by Ha-Joon Chang

Posted in Events, Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants | Leave a Comment »

The “N” Word

October 4, 2011

I’m going to indulge in another rant, that isn’t necessarily related to art. But I do think it’s relevant to the art culture of Salt Lake City. There is a word I can’t stand. Call me the “c” word if you must, or the “b” word, or fling an F-bomb my way. I can hold my own when it comes to cursing.

But don’t tell me I’m not “normal.”

Let me qualify that. If we are having a statistical discussion, where we are discussing a normal curve, or standard deviations relative to a mean, throw out the N-word all that you want. I understand what you mean.

But if you tell me I don’t dress “normal,” cook “normal,” have “normal “hobbies, or live in a “normal” neighborhood or vote for “normal” candidates – well, then you have just outed yourself as an ethnocentric son-of -a -bitch.

The word normal in these contexts is, in my opinion, relevant to the culture you are discussing. So for instance, if you said, “that isn’t normal in my culture,” I get it. But if you assume that your culture IS normal, and everyone else’s culture is abnormal, then it is time to pull your head out of your ass.

I suggest folks who throw the word “normal” around take a mental trip to Africa, where female genital mutilation is “normal.” Or to Amish country, where electricity and cars are abnormal. Or visit Haiti, where witch doctors are common. Now tell me that your beliefs would be considered normal there.

I declare the “n” word, the new bad word. On the other hand, the word “weird” almost comes off as a compliment.

Posted in Thoughts & Rants | 1 Comment »

Art vs. Craft

July 10, 2011

Anna and I were asked to share our thoughts on Art vs. Craft at the Utah Arts Alliance this last Friday for the opening of their Craft Lake City show, and I thought I’d post what I put together. The post is a bit longer than what I normally shoot for, but I hope you still enjoy.

Laocoön – Roman copy of the Greek Sculpture

There has always been some weird power struggle between art and craft. It seems to me that historically the definition has never been static, but changes depending on what culture values at a specific point in time.

In ancient Greece, which helped lay the foundation for the whole Western artistic tradition, visual artists weren’t called artists. A sculptor or painter was labeled as a craftsman. To the ancient Greeks, the true art forms were mainly the performing arts. Music, drama, and even literature. Do we still see it that way? Would any of us say that classical Greek sculpture wasn’t really art?

This attitude carried through to the Renaissance. It could be that the definition changed because during Medieval times, through and well beyond the Renaissance, the majority of people couldn’t read. Instead, they learned about the world by looking at religious paintings, sculpture, and illuminated manuscripts. So, the mystery around art, and the myth of the artist was born. Still, I don’t think we’d appreciate Michelangelo nearly as much if he didn’t thoroughly understand his craft and it’s tradition.

Another reason there is confusion over the terms today might also be because with the Industrial Revolution and the two World Wars, art during the 20th century changed, along with the rest world. To reflect those changes artists often tried to break their links to the past. But the truth is, even the most modern and postmodern work has its roots in tradition, building a bridge between the future and the past.

When I was younger, I valued the visual and plastic arts to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. Looking back, I see this as very self-limiting. I tend to paint and draw in a very cubist style. As I’ve gotten older I’ve come across incredible patterns and geometry in quilts and other fiber arts that have expanded my visual language and style.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with a number of dancers and these last few years. Projecting my work behind the stage during a performance, sometimes even having the dancers interact with my work. I’ve learned more about movement, costuming, and the human figure through dance than I ever could have by sitting around looking at a live model holding the same pose for hours on end. I don’t mean to say that figure drawing has no value, because I’ve done plenty of that too. A creative person just has to remain curious and learn wherever they can.

New and relatively unexplored computer formats have enriched my artwork in ways I cannot begin to guess, adding so much creative potential it is overwhelming. What is amazing to me is digital art is so very young, just getting it’s legs. And still people try to somehow separate my digital work from my drawings and paintings. As if one method has more value than another. The computer is just a creative tool I might choose to express an idea.

Photography was dismissed by a lot of people when it was first introduced, but now that it has a little history behind it and a few individuals have mastered the craft, most of us can appreciate the art-form. Whats funny is even acrylic paint was dismissed when it was first introduced in the 40s because certain people living in their ivory towers thought nothing good could ever come from plastic paint.

I’ve heard it said many times over that the true difference between art and craft is utility. Artwork is only meant to be looked at and serves no real purpose, and craft is functional. Personally, I don’t buy that definition. There is nothing more pleasurable for me than to hold a beautiful piece of artwork in my hand, and then take a drink from it. Or to see somebody wearing a piece of art, like one of Anna’s amazing handmade outfits.

It doesn’t matter what materials were used, but how well a specific technique can carry an idea. In the end, the only thing that matters is the way a piece makes you feel.

It’s easy to hold negative judgements of other points of view when we cling too tightly to our own. It’s easy to diminish others while trying to define ourselves, but identifying with a single view is limiting. Talent and dedication may vary from person to person, but I think that art and craft are the same thing.

I can’t remember now where I first read the following quote, but I know it fit with how I feel:

“If we are able to view craft and art as a part of a continuum, and if we can allow room for ourselves and others on that continuum, then there is no more power struggle between art and craft. Staying curious will automatically create opportunities for learning.”

Posted in Sunday Post, Thoughts & Rants, Todd's Artwork | Leave a Comment »

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