My Biggest Problem With Art

In this postmodern society, we allow everyone to do what makes them happy regardless of what makes others happy.  As long as what makes us happy doesn’t hurt anyone around us, it is all well and good.

There is no absolute truth, especially when it comes to art.  And that’s what makes postmodernity so great.  We have the freedom to read what we want, worship what we want, paint what we want and say what we want.

But this leaves some of us in a tight spot: there are some works of art and artists that are just… well… bad, and we can’t do anything about it.

For instance, if we criticize a popular musician for having meaningless lyrics and aesthetically dull musicianship, we are met not with a response of merit, but rather a response of, “It makes people happy, so it’s okay.”

Also for instance, if we lambaste a famous author for writing the same trivial mystery story over and over again, we are met once again not with a response of merit, but rather a response of, “I like him, and what you’re saying hurts my feelings.”

So what are we to do? Do we just live and let live? Let others be happy while we suffer in our own psyche? Just live with our headaches while grown adults blast Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” for the 27th time in an hour?

Am I the only one who feels this way? Did I just hurt everyone’s feelings? Sorry if I did.

-T

P.S. Hey guys, how’s it going? Haven’t seen ya in awhile!

Let’s Talk About …Robots?

Yes, Robots.

“But this is an art blog! Robots can’t be artistic! Can a robot paint a beautiful picture reminiscent of the Mona Lisa? Can a robot compose original symphonies as emotional as Beethoven’s?”

… Can you?

“…”

Yes I absolutely paraphrased that dialog from the 2004 movie I, Robot.

But my point today isn’t to point out hypocrisy, my point is to say this:

Yes, robots CAN do those things!

Check out this Youtube video (it’s a little long, but seriously it is quite daunting):

Holy freaking cow, robots are taking over the world… and it’s our fault!!! Did you see how that guy compared us to horses and then showed us how a robot can compose an original score?

Now some people might look at this and go, “Shoot that’s really cool, with robots I don’t need to talk to mean baristas (or baristos) when I’m getting my coffee.” Whereas I’m on the other side saying, “Man, I hope that doesn’t happen, Jerry from that independent shop makes a mean special latte.”

Now sure they can write symphonies and draw pictures and make coffee, but presently I don’t see computer programs ever possessing the abilities to write a good, emotional, descriptive and original novel. I just don’t think a robot can create the algorithms and patterns necessary to write a sellable book (insert Twilight joke here).

I don’t know, what do you guys think? Do you think that the aspiring novelists/musicians/artists of the world will be replaced by robots? Can a computer really be the next John Lennon or Rembrandt or Hemingway?

-T

Let’s Talk About Goodreads Recommendations

I know it’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted. Sorry I haven’t been able to keep all six or seven of you occupied for the last month.

Probably the biggest thing that’s happened to me recently is the willing deactivation of my Facebook account. It’s been tough as all heck quitting cold turkey, but seriously it’s been for the best. I’ve been writing more (personal stuff), reading more (currently the ever-funny Lamb by Christopher Moore), and just trying hard to be an all-around better and more productive person. Seriously, I recommend quitting Facebook to everyone (Zuckerberg has enough money).

Now the majority of my time on the internet is spent on Goodreads.

Let me tell ya, trying to get recommendations for future reading is a lot more effort than it sounds. You have to rate all of the books you’ve read on a five-star scale, tell them what genres you like the best, and accept or reject the recommendations they give you.

And let me tell ya another thing: I’ve had to reject quite a few recommendations. I feel like the recommendations are based not on personal preference, but on what is popular with the majority of their users.

And according to the average ratings, I’m able to deduce that the majority of Goodreads users must be Alice’s-Adventures-in-Hogwarts-teenage-girls and 50-Shades-of-Smut-women.

This is my impression of a Goodreads recommendation:

Oh, your 5-star rated books are all by Vonnegut, Heller, Salinger and Stoppard? You say you like satirical books and modern classics? Whatever…

Oh you read Perks of Being a Wallflower in high school? Doesn’t matter that you rated it only 3 stars, here’s a whole bunch of John Green books you’ll love! Oh and have you read The Hunger Games yet? HARRY POTTER!!!

Seriously?

Also what’s up with some awesome books having less-than-awesome average ratings? Seriously, who’s giving Catcher in the Rye, A Farewell to Arms and Catch-22 one star? I bet the same people who gave these books one star gave five stars to Divergent and all of Nora Roberts’ books.

Moral of the story: if you’re on Goodreads, read every review with caution. If a reviewer with a girl’s name and a mockingjay pin profile picture gives a Tom Clancy book one star, maybe don’t listen to that review.

-T

It’s Kinda Funny: Yesterday’s Post on Independent Bookstores

I love WordPressers.

Whenever you guys see the words “Independent Bookstores,” you just can’t keep your hands off of that “Like” button.

I think I got more likes on yesterday’s post about independent bookstores than I have ever received on any other post (whooooa, nine likes, how awesome of you!).  I guess if I ever want a big audience reaction, I should just talk about independent bookstores.

I have now said “independent bookstores” four times in this post; I had better get a lot of likes!

-T

P.S.  Kill… your… Kindle!

Let’s Talk About Independent Bookstores

This one isn’t necessarily a call to arms or an advice offering like my last few posts; it is merely a retelling of an experience.

This past week, I took a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado.  For those of you who have no idea about this fine community, it’s pretty much Park City, Utah with more cannabis and with less Sundance Festival.  It’s full of coffee shops, clothing stores, cookie sandwiches costing $4.20 each (tee hee) and restaurants all independently run by locals.  And it’s a lot colder than where I live.

But the best part of the city’s independent Main St. was “Ole Man Berkins,” a used bookstore hidden between two groups of buildings.

Before visiting this store, I didn’t understand what all the hype was about “supporting independent bookstores.”  I had seen a LOT of WordPress posts about it, but I just thought they were the musings of weirdo hippies with a vendetta against Barnes & Noble.  Now I am one of these weirdo hippies because of this awesome store.

This dang store, unlike the “independent” bookstores where I live, had a huge variety of books available.  They had regular fiction, irregular fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, children’s books, you name it, they had it!  They even had records!

Yes, records!  The place was also a record store.

They had classic vinyl LPs, 45s, 45 adaptors (which are found pretty much nowhere nowadays), and even 8-tracks (not even my parents owned these).

Long story short, I ended up spending a lot of money.

Thank you, Ole Man Berkins; if it weren’t for you, I would have continued to harbor contempt for used book stores (since my city only has crappy ones), would not have had the advice necessary to pick out some awesome books and records, and would not have learned the catchphrase, “Kill your Kindle” (which would make a really cool hashtag if I were into that sort of thing).

The moral of my experience is this: give independents a chance.

-T

P.S. And kill your Kindle!

Let’s Talk About Artists of Today.

Personally, I am an appreciator of the classics, the great artists of old.  I love Zeppelin, Floyd and all of those great classic rockers.  I love Vonnegut, Salinger, Hemingway and all of those great classic writers.

Unfortunately, there is no market for those great men who write well or even paint well, sing well, etc.  Before they were big, Vonnegut and Salinger were able to make money and names for themselves through short story submissions, but the authors of nowadays have almost no way to do that.  There are just no ways for new writers to become big these days (unless they’re writing about 50 shades of sex).

“But I walk by the ‘New Books’ section in Barnes & Noble all the time, and there are so many new books out and being published these days.”

Yeah, but do you buy any of them?

“…”

That’s what I thought.

Another problem is that most new books out right now are either biographies or memoirs.  There is no great fiction being released nowadays.  The only new fiction being mass produced are the works of Grisham, Patterson and King, and very few of those books are “classics” material.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is let’s recreate a market for good fiction literature.  Let’s bring back those who create whole worlds, those who criticize society through narrative and those who develop the characters with whom we fall in love.  Because we can only reread Tolkien so many times, and George R.R. Martin won’t last much longer.

-T

P.S.  Also, stop buying eBooks.  We have to kill off that market.

Let’s Talk About Dead Artists.

As you guys probably all know, writer extraordinaire, Maya Angelou, passed away yesterday.

Her writings transcend all forms of human understanding and have brought solace, tolerance and wisdom to readers across the ages.

… Or so I’ve heard.

I have a confession to make: I don’t know anything about the immortal Maya Angelou.  I have never read any of her works.  In fact, I can literally name zero of her writings.  I don’t even know how to pronounce “Angelou;” is it “an-gel-oh” or “an-gel-oo?”

I know what some of you may be thinking: “You’ve never read Maya Angelou?  How can you comment on art if you’ve never read her?  Here, borrow this book by her.  It’s my favorite!”  And while some of you may be absolutely sincere about that, I am willing to bet that half of you thinking this have either a) never read any Angelou or b) read her and never gave her a second thought until she died.  How much dust has collected on that “favorite” book of hers that you’re offering me?

I assure you though, I will begin to read her works since I have heard so many great things about them, just like how I started listening to Nirvana (way) after Mr. Cobain died.  I am sure that many will do the same.

That really is a shame and a tragedy: artists who spend their lives perfecting their craft and attempting to make a better world through their messages are seldom hailed during their lifetimes and seldom live to see the influence their writings have.  

I realize that Ms. Angelou is different since she was honored by the president of the United States and has also won awards (right?).  That being said, I know many of her “fans” completely forgot about her until yesterday.  That is where I am saying the shame lies.

If you really love an artist’s work, don’t let their influence leave you.  Remember the lessons that he or she taught you though their works and keep them in your hearts forever.  If you forget the influence the artist had on you, you might as well have never read his or her books or viewed his or her paintings or listened to his or her music.

-T

P.S.  You can stop posting Ms. Angelou’s quotes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  We get that you’re a fan of hers.

Let’s Talk About What I’m All About.

Have you ever looked at yourself and thought, “I’m a man, but I like art?  What’s my problem?”

Well fear no more, because I’m here to tell you that art is for men.  I am a man, and I am proud to admit that I like art!  Literature, music, poetry, paintings, photography, you name it.  If it’s beautiful, I like it.

I’m tired of the fact that there are no more Hemingways, Dean Martins, Picassos or Pink Floyds left in the world.  The world needs more men who know that creating something beautiful does not make you soft and dainty.  Creation is what separates mankind from the animals; it is expression of every emotion through a medium that is not destructive.  Creation brings humans together under an umbrella of empathy and understanding.  Also you can still be a freakin’ badass if you are an artist: Hemingway shot sharks with a submachine gun for fun and got into a fistfight with Citizen Kane himself, Orson Welles.

This blog comments on art through the mindset of a man.  Much of it will be about music (rock and roll) and literature because that is where most of my experience lies.

That being said, I am not like those feminazis who only focus on putting their own gender on a pedestal.  I will also comment on the works of great female artists, because great art is great art regardless of the originator.

My primary goals and hopes are to show men in the world that art is still for them and to encourage men to get out there and paint, write, play a guitar, read, sing, sculpt or go visit a freakin’ museum.

Art is still for us, men, let’s get down to it!

-T

P.S.  There may be times that I seem politically incorrect.  I was never much one for politics so I have not really been keeping up on what is correct and incorrect.  I apologize in advance to those with weak stomachs.