Art and Obama

So, let's mix Art and Politics, shall we?

I was perusing the old Interweb today and I thought... I wonder what the current presidential nominees think about art. I wondered... what kind of paintings do they have in their home... or have they even discussed the fact that while other countries subsidize the arts our social programs for the arts are all corporate or privately funded. I wondered, what they thought the role of governments should be as it pertains to Art.

Luckily, Senator Obama has spoken out about the fact that Art needs to be re-integrated into the school systems again in order to provide a well rounded education. I agree. Its funny how in the world of theater, successful regional theater and education go hand in hand. Anyway, you can see the Senator's remarks below. I tried to find a McCain 'rebuttal' video... but apparently he never talks about the arts.

Blogging Resumes next Week!

Sorry, another Family crisis has me temporarily out of the mind-set of blogging. Will return in a week or so.

800 People Arrested During 2008 RNC

It was interesting to watch the fall out of the Democratic National Convention last week. Some talking heads blathered on about Obama's lack of credentials. Joe Biden gave a speech, and so did Hillary, but the whole affair clearly had a 'business as usual' feel to it. Probably, because all of the rankling the Obama vs Clinton activities for the nominations really gave everyone an opportunity to vet out the angst. I don't know, but despite hearing some positive things, and a lot of party lines things, and hearing Obama call St. Louis, Kansas City on opening night... it was a fairly benign Convention.

Then there was the Republican National Convention started with a bang, when McCain elected some lady who won a beauty pagent and hunts Moose and has five kids one of which is knocked up out of wedlock. Yes, I wrote that sentance, because every part of what I wrote is true, and if you are offended, guess what, it's all just semantics. I could have written this to cater to your fluffy feelings, like this, "Then McCain elected Maverick Sarah Palin, who bravely weathered criticism lobbied at her poor daughter for an unfortunate set of circumstances, and was repeatedly berated for choices any red blooded American is free to participate in without retribution, like Beauty Pagents and Hunting." However, I choose not to, because I personally view the selection of this woman as a publicity stunt designed to capitalize on the ground laid by Hillary Clinton and sweep up any of her supporters (still miffed she did not get the nomination) in a desperate bid to make up groud on the Obama Freight Train. It's a Blog, I can be as bi-partisan as I want or not want.

However, with all the speeches and talks of winning fights and winning wars and winning an election... the real news happened outside the walls of the Convention Center in St. Paul, MN. Over 800 people were arrested for protesting this RNC. 400 people were arrested on the final day, when St. Paul Police brought in Riot Gear to control the protestors. I guess this means people really don't agree with the Republican agenda.

I say this, because I tried to find an article stating that there were equal numbers of protests violence at the DNC, but all I found was an article where a Protestor said the Denver police were very accomodating to the protestors at the RNC, and everyone pretty much prostested peacefully. So, I draw a few conclusions from this. Interest Groups from the "Left" must be real rabble rousers. Interest Grous from the "Right" must be bake sale fans who like holding hands and candles. Democratic Conventions create an air of harmony. Republican Conventions create an air of rioting and billy clubbing. Hmmm.

John Stewart and Double Talk!

Okay, so here we go with all the Politics again, sorry, but when you see the clip below, you will probably thank me for blogging about it. As I have said before, I'm not here to pick on the republicans or tout Barrack Obama over John McCain, you make your own decision based on your own strong feelings (just please don't vote based of the issues of gay marriage or abortion).

I am a fan of the Daily Show. I have said this before. Please, watch it every night, you will be better off for it. What the Daily Show does so well is point out the flaws in the two faced bias of the major cable news network. People often complain about how 'divided' the country is down party lines. Could the reason for that be associated with the blatant bias that certain news outlets have for certain political parties?

Anyway, below is some awesome double talk put on display by Conservative Talking heads about the recently nominated Sarah Palin. Enjoy the insanity!

Art + Tech + Geek = Amazing

Okay, you've probably seen this video already, but I just had to blog about it. Now, I have to admit I'm not a super big fan of the folks at "Mythbusters" but from time to time I do watch it. So, when I saw that Jaime and Adam from the show had created a giant paintball gun that could re-create the Mona Lisa in 80 Mili-seconds, I had to see that for myself. Seeing how I was a big paintballer, I wanted to see how that technology would be applied to re-create one of the most well known images in human history. Below is the video in question, it starts out slow with a little demo of a robot that shoots paint balls, but then the BFG is unveiled and everything goes pretty insane after that.

I like this clip for several reasons. First, that it goes to show you how Art is such a major force in our consciousness. Jaime and Adam could have created a portrait of Master Chief from Halo or Angelina Jolie, but they chose this classic piece and kudos to them. Second, I love the theatricality to the event. It's like that moment before King Kong is unveiled. Third, lots and lots of paint-balls. Fourth, the slow mo shot at the end is amazing. Watch and enjoy!

Sigh...

Okay, we all understand that artists do what they do because the love expressing themselves. It doesn't matter if you're that Czech Photographer who takes pictures with cameras you made from toilet paper rolls and garbage, or you're Annie Liebowitz. Everyone has their art, and we cannot judge that. Really we're not allowed. It's the same reason that I once attended a gallery showing of a quilt exhibition, and I was forced to ooohh and ahhh, because the lady somehow managed to sew an eagle onto a blanket. However, this was in an art gallery, so it was "High Art". And when I made a sarcastic comment along the lines of, "Oh, yeah, an eagle? My Grandma made me a quilt with Bat man on it once." I was given the stink eye, and told that I couldn't participate in the cheese plate. My point here is that it's all subjective. I was bored and semi irritated while other people were almost weeping. It is amazing that one person's gold is another persons lump of coal when it comes to the subjective value placed on art.

However, as I understand this premise, I value it, I share it with others... I come across something like the video I am posting below, and I think to myself... is anyone stopping these guys and telling them... Hey, this really isn't that great... and you should change your Reel to be only 30 seconds... or more importantly... this is so bad, I can't tell if it is actually a prank video or something Tim and Eric would make. I mean come on, can we just have a standard for what is good and what is not and tell people who fancy themselves entertainers to keep your annual family Christmas Talent show in the house... don't take it on the road.



As an addendum to this video, I want to share a few comments folks left in regards to it. Wait, I can't because comments and ratings are restricted... I wonder why?

Mission Paradox Blog

Hey, we made a new friend!

The Mission Paradox Blog wrote about "Art of Function". How super cool is that?
Check the Blog out here! To check out the blog, you can do it by clicking here, or hitting the link in our link bar!

We're so stoked for the positive feedback and the sharing and the such. This is especially cool, because our ideas have proven to even transcend online blooger services. We use Google's "Blogger" and Mission Paradox uses "Typepad". Okay enough nerd love.

We were first introduced to Mission Paradox over the little online tiff over the comparison of theater actors to poker players. That analogy brought some serious beefing. I participated in the beefing in my typical way, by not choosing sides and introducing a new question. My question was re-posted as an article by Adam Thurman and our little friendship began.

So, it's my job, and my duty to tell you to go check out Adam's blog "Mission Paradox". He is really discussing some interesting topics as it relates to how we produce art. Go check it you... You Turkey!