electromagnetic pulse

musings. precious moments.

Last night I took part in a fun show at the new Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo: 60x60 Dance. It's a collaboration between the compositions of 60x60 and 60 invited choreographers who create something to perform alongside the music. It's a hoot. An hour is a lot longer and a lot shorter when you're counting the minutes. And half an hour is a whole f*ck load longer when you're waiting to perform your second minute after the first one was over in 45 seconds.

Mostly, I had fun seeing so many choreographers and dancers do their thing --there was some old stuff, some inventive stuff, and some really fun stuff. (We had only two weeks notice to put the show together, but with more time and a tech run-through in the space, it could be even MORE fun.) I was reminded that this dancing thing we do is a language -and I really don't know how it's a language for non-dancers (though I'd love to hear about that), but for the dancers in the community, this is one way we talk. We learn things about each other through our expressive, moving -and still!- bodies. It's powerful to connect without words. It can be riveting, too, to make that bond without ever following up on it, without ever using words - something that art does for us in a way not much else can... except maybe those unplanned moments when you develop an entire narrative in your head from just one exchange of glances with a stranger. But are they not art, too?

Earlier this summer, I was commenting back and forth with Claudia La Rocco of The Culturist and up came the question of whether art is -or should be- "precious". She said no, and while I don't unreservedly say yes, I can't say no either. Art that is made to be seen and marketed - and to live in the public realm should not be above anyone. In that way, "precious" is out of place. But what about the moments (in life or not) that are precious and for which we use art to replicate or explore?

Precious moments. Those are art for me. They inspire me to continue making art, even as the work I make engages in the less touching moments I experience.

What do you think?

Labels: musings

posted by e m p @ 2:43 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

musings. criticism.

Let it be constructive.

"I like it" is generally not constructive, and yet I'm noticing a lot of "likes" and not a lot of "comment" about art posted on the web.

What am I talking about? Well, I was on Vimeo the other day watching a video that had one comment on it: "I like it!" and I was perturbed not only because I thought the video trite and annoying but also because I wanted to know more about why the comment-leaver "liked" the video. Or maybe my irritation came more from the observation that there seems to be a dearth of constructive critical commentary for creative work posted on so-called community sites for video and art. This is sad and depressing. Come on people! Have something to say that describes YOU as a thinking audience.

Now, I will admit, I don't leave many comments myself. Am I trying to protect random web-strangers who may just be making a video for fun and not seeking critical opinion? This is in part because I feel I don't have license to say anything critical or contrary - in the event that the web-stranger isn't trying to learn anything through critical opinion - and I don't very often just "like it."

My lack of commentary is also in part because I enjoy anonymity. Expressing opinion on the web gives you a personality through which others create an identity for you. (I am trying really hard to get used to this fact.) I guess I fear that you, dear lovely reader, will create for me an identity that is simple or ignorant or annoying or harsh or pestering or just not interesting --and then i imagine my identity will end up alone... on the web. And then-- well, just what would the point be?

Screw lonely web identities. I want to challenge what I see. Isn't this the place for that?

Well it should be. So remember, dear lovely readers and viewers, I LOVE hearing your strong, rich, contrary, harsh, and constructive opinions.

Keep 'em flowing.

Labels: musings

posted by e m p @ 4:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post