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>Nothing.


The other day, a group of "poets" looking at work by a group of
contemporary-style artists. Geometric "tinker toy" like structures
made with hush puppies and tiny dowels. They were asking (more or
less) "Well, if it is not particularly pretty, why should we want to
be looking at it?" Which they meant as a sincere question. Not that
they have written off what their artist friends were doing. Rather,
if they were to try to appreciate it, what are they supposed to look
for?

Well the artists were very offended. They considered this to be like
wondering why you should only be friends with someone who is
"pretty". And furthermore, what isn't pretty about hush puppies?!
How close-minded! But the poets never got an answer they could use,
only something mildly defensive. Then one poet even made a
comparison to Nazism. It was an extreme example, a superlative to
make a point (as poets are continually want to do).

The artists just heard "Hitler" (which probably WAS carelessly
bandied out) and assumed the rest was an insult, so they decided this
whole questioning was accusatory, that the poets only wanted to
create a debate to prove them wrong. Rather than the poets trying to
find out how this art could lead them from one place to the next.
And by giving the poets a barrage of answers that appeared to be
defensive non-answers, the poets were eventually turned off to the
subject. "Oh, so there really IS NO reason to like this stuff."

No one could explain in the other's language, so the artists
continued to giggle to themselves over sculptures made of hush
puppies. Which isolated them even more. The poets GOT that it was a
little silly to make sculptures out of hush puppies. But still were
not particularly interested in seeing them. The artists were certain
they were on the good side (versus the evil) because they were being
silly and having fun.

By trading mental concepts for physical mastery, anti-idealism for
prettiness, the art world is simply building a big club house.
Somewhat creative or creative-friendly folks will always lend wood
and tools. But won't knock if the door remains hidden. It's no
wonder that no one comes in but the artists with the password.


Judson


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