Art Farts in NYC
 

So, to see if I understand: Jean Socteau is art. Christo is a gimmick. And Drawing Mickey Mouse ears on Hank is just stating the obvious.

Boy, I'm glad I don't live in the Midwest.

I'd buy you some Art. A Picasso, or maybe a Garfunkel.
 

O.K., it is Christo. Not any of the variations I have been calling him. Like I said, I have no opinion about whether he will stand the test of time - I do not even spell his name right.

I once knew someone who was an assitant curator of a contemporary art institute. There was a Chris Burden exhibit there. Someone there thought it would be funny to have one of the posters for the exhibit say: "Lots of people think Chris Burden should be in an institution. Just not ours." Chris Burden apparently did not think it was funny.

Art Farts in NYC
 

At least for me, it isn't the lack of "art" or talent. And hey I even like Dada as much as the next guy (and shit, look at my face for christosakes). But I don't recall Warhol and the like ever having such a grandiose view of their art ofrthemselves as world changing. Pink flamingos wrapped around a Florida bay or whatever Not Bobbie said is pretty and all, but change the world? Piece of history? I don't think so. It's gimmicky, pretty, apparently raises money for a good cause, and I'm sure it takes talent to coordinate the enclosing of land in fabric (just like herding cats would take talent and coordination) but that's about it.

Art Farts in NYC
 

Art Farts in NYC
 

Unless the art acknowledges its place as a gimmick. And also art can be silly and funny. And entertaining - like whoever that photographer was that photographed thousands of nekkid people in famous squares and shit. Now THAT'S my kind of Christo.

Art Farts in NYC
 

I knew you were Orange, you traitorous Bushmills-swillin' bastard.

Art Farts in NYC
 

2

Art Farts in NYC
 

In alot of ways Warhol was closest to the "masters" of any recent artist. The oldtimers were paid shills- they didn't think past the paycheck. And as to hiring out the actual painting, michaelangelo did that- he roughly had a concept. maybe sketched it- did some finish- but the bulk of the brushstrokes came from people he hired.

Art Farts in NYC
 

As far as I'm concerned, the more public debate that the work draws, the more consternation that it causes, the more likely it is to be art. Almost all installation art gets criticized a not really being art.

The reaction I've heard mirrors the reaction to last year's David Blaine stunt in the UK, which I thought was performance art.

Read the Roll of Honour
 

Great. We lose 2-0 to the huns at Celtic Park for the first time in five years on Sunday morning and here's you callin' me a D.O.B.

Tiocfaidh ar la!

Ironweed

Art Farts in NYC
 

Then you have very poor recall.

When I was a college boy and even snobbier than I am now, I tripped to the National Gallery of Art and picked out a bench in the basement of East Wing across from the Rothkos. I guess I was looking to find something in non-representational art, because whatever it was, I didn't "get" it. I wanted to, desperately, because it seemed like all the people I admired did, or claimed to.

After about twenty minutes, an obese married couple (tourists, as we all were) strolled by. They were wearing archetypical D.C. tourist gear (shorts with white socks) clomping around like they own the place cuz, you know, they do. The guy stopped in front of one of the abstract canvases --- a Rothko floating rectangle piece. He snorted derisively, and said what they all say: "I coulda painted that." His wife laid a hand on his shoulder, and cooed, "Yes, dear, but you didn't."

It was then that I appreciated for the first time the genius of Mark Rothko.

Art Farts in NYC
 

My only problem with that theory is that it always defaults to "huge" being "art". Covering the Statue of Liberty with bat guano would very likely provoke lots of discussion.

Art Farts in NYC
 

Not sure of the point of the story. Is it the stereotype that only a fat suburban middle class guy like that husband would react to modern art that way? Cause I'm into wild stuff, cubism, surreal, etc., but nevertheless, place me in front of a Mondrian and I'm gonna feel the same thing as that fat guy. If I'm still awake long enough to think.

Art Farts in NYC
 

The point of the fucking story was that the fat suburban middle class wife got it. Now you have something to aspire to.

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

New pill prolongs drunkenness and makes you a cheaper date.

Its Russian makers say they're not sure they will release it in the U.S., because they don't want it to become a party drug. Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently, getting blasted in Russia is not considered a party-related activity.

Art Farts in NYC
 

My brother in law is somewhat sub-normal (car accident -no seat belts). Anyway, years ago we were at the Philadelphia art museum. There is this piece in a hallway just outside a gallery that looks like someone grabbed a loose piece of a drywall wall and pulled it down. There is this torn strip on the wall and a pile of dust on the floor.

I was in a pretensious phase at the time and thought it quite something. BIL pointed to it and said "Look they're trying to trick us!"

Years later I realize he was the one who had it right.
there is a type of art that could be best called "Look at what someone did- never thought of doing that!" Christo is that.

Art Farts in NYC
 

See, now, I kinda read the moral of your staory as being, had I covered the Statue of Liberty with bat guano instead of just talking about it, it would be art.

Art Farts in NYC
 

If only Ashcroft had called "ART" when he wrapped the one statue, the administration might have an easier time of it.

Art Farts in NYC
 

Right. And that's a charming story. The point of MY fucking story is that its perfectly fine NOT to get it. If you are comfortable that your mind is open and you have a knowledge and appreciation for art, it is okay to "get" Gaugin but not Miro or vice versa, and even to vividly debate (as even artists) whether so and so sucks or did anything novel or new to contribute to art. Someone who pretends to "get" all art and is chicken to remark about something they find stoopid may be insecure or scared to speak up. Hence my beginning this thread with the Emperor Has No Clothes analogy.

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

Quoting faux Yakov Smirnoff jokes from the "Family Guy" is my schtick.

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

In Russia is freedom of speech. In America is also freedom after speech. -- Yakov Smirnoff
In America, you watch television. In Soviet Union, television watches you.
In America, you check books out of library. In Soviet Union, library checks you out.
In California, you can always find a party. In Russia, The Party can always find you. -- Yakov Smirnoff

Sheeesh. I could have written those jokes.....

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

Cue the fat hausfrau . . . .

Paris' address book hacked
 

I gave that wackass ho’ my SkyNet pager number after we met at the Cannes, I had no idea that gaping gash fucking kept it on her Sidekick!

ALso, juts in case anytone is wondering, Philllpossis' number has been disconncted. fahooganoog!

Eh, enough with that has-been no talent faux celeb and her sidekick, and speaking of old news, am I the only one who is really tired of the whole paigow/slave post-coital love-hate flame war thing? It seems like it has become sooooo old, sooooo past its "sell by date", soooooooo 2001, that it is getting pretty hard to even give a rat’s ass anymore. Newbees, middlings and oldsckoolers alike, we have all heard enough about this 30 minute drunken pump and grind to last a lifetime. Hell, the post-sex write-ups have take longer to read than the dirty deed itself took. Sure, since then there have been plenty of first punches thrown from both sides and neither of the kitchensexers is even remotely innocent in the continued propagation of this cleanshaven fuck and tell, but as far as I am concerned its old news. BOOOOORRRING! If the two of them can’t decide to turn the other babysoft asscheek and make nice then I say the board puts them on mutual ignore. Or perhaps they schedule a unshaven cage match for charity, it could be webcast, from slave’s kitchen, Thurgreed Marshall has to grease the two of them up and then stands back and let them go at it until only one of them is left standing or yells “no mas” or something. Personally, my bet would be on Paigow coming out on top, either literally or figuratively.

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

You rang?

Art Farts in NYC
 

The cows were in Prague last summer. If there is any place that doesn't need second rate public art its Prague.

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

But could you have pulled off the accent?

Paris' address book hacked
 

I can confirm from her stage manager that E.G. Daily's phone has been ringing off the hook. Fuckers.

Paris' address book hacked
 

Some people don't know how to appreciate art.

Paris' address book hacked
 

My phone has been too.

Stupid bitch.

Art Farts in NYC
 

I just wanted to see this again.

Paris' address book hacked
 

This post piqued my curiosity. How many of these people would you all consider as "A-List" celebrites?

Paris' address book hacked
 

Sheesh. My kid could have written this joke.

Paris' address book hacked
 

I think that it's pretty solid B-List, but then, what did you expect? Who's A-List? Tom, Denzel, Julia, George? They don't seem like Paris' crowd. Paris is in her early 20's and only hangs out with the older set when fucking or nose candy is involved. There seem to be a lot of likely future (not as it should be, but how it is, unfortunately) A-Listers on there.

I do like the topless picks of her making out with a girl that were also hacked out of her Sidekick. What a dumbass...

Paris' address book hacked
 

Cite please?

In Soviet Russia, alcohol swallows YOU!
 

Wikipedia is our Hitchhiker's Guide to Everything. It's actually composed in a similar way, with people adding comments/facts as they see fit.

ETA: Wait, is wikipedia a part of Wiki?

Nude Dining in NYC
 

The amazing thing about The Gates is not the artistic redefinition of the Central Park landscape. It's the effect it had on people.

Central Park is considered the city's oasis. In the summer, it's one of the best places to be in the city. In the winter, there isn't much going on. These two idiots managed to get everyone who would otherwise be sitting on their asses at home, out with their families to actually see something. (And these are people who aren't spending their weekends at the MET or MoMA.) The genius was only putting it up for 2 weeks, creating a sense of urgency. I mean, when will you get to see something like this again?

I went to see it on Saturday with my daughter, a friend and her niece. It was fucking freezing. But there we were, amongst thousands and thousands of other people, from the most hardened New York cynics to the biggest Bambi-eyed, clueless tourists. Comments ranged from, "What a waste of fucking money," to "This really is beautiful." People took photos, walked through the park, climbed the rocks and explored areas they probably hadn't explored in years. Adults were lining up to get on swings and everyone just seemed younger and happier.

I agree with you that its artistic merit is debatable (orange flags. okay. so?). But the real art is in how it affects people. And as far as that goes -- from the debate it raised, to motivating people to get out and see something different, to watching them turn into kids -- it was a huge success.

TM

Art Farts in NYC
 

The Gates were a lot prettier than a strip of drywall. In fact, I think running under them improved my running. Kind of made me feel cheerful. Thank you, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, for bringing a little cheer to my life!

(but they're not saffron. They're pumpkin)

My enlarger is in the shop
 

I've played when I've been sick (including the flu). Sometimes I've played well, sometimes I've played like crap. Either way, I've been healthy enough to play and when I played well, the flu wasn't bad enough for it to affect my game. This is my point.

I think Schilling and Jordan and any other athlete who plays when they don't feel well or aren't 100% should be commended. But I don't think that when someone performs at the absolute highest levels that they should be looked at as somehow having the mental strength to overcome a physical impediment that would incapacitate any other normal person (or athlete). That's just bullshit. The flu wasn't that bad because Jordan could play and he could play extremely well. Schilling's injury (in the short term) wasn't that bad because he could pitch and he could pitch extremely well.

That's all I'm saying.

TM

Paris' address book hacked
 

Check Gawker, Defamer, Fleshbot, Craigslist, etc. I think that I saw it on Chicago Craiglist, but I'm not going to do those kinds of searches at work.