hating Art

Posted on Posted in A Symbol Life

those who spend weekends wandering — weekdays complaining — a favorite topic is how terrible the “artsy world” is.

Probably in an attempt to moderate, to reconcile, a position of diminution of one group is taken.

Even in polite mode, that group must be called out in quotes — “fine art” — as in snob, or what? Certainly not us. We’re down to earth, taking our pictures seriously. Craft polishing, not apple polishing for those teacher types. We are the elite, they are the effete.

Perfect Alibis

Posted on Posted in as written, babl, Carp Fishing, M&Ms, morning wood, Prints, the fora

Who do you envy? I can’t show you my work on the web because it is so fantastic ; simultaneously Making judgment of photographs I’ve only seen on the web. cake eat 2

Do they show or do they tell. Their perfect alibis for doing so much talking without any pictures is because only the print matters. That is the answer you are to see. See? Only see? It is so present, so magical, you must stand in awe before it. find a gallery to buy from; hunt but you will not find. The alibi set is so exclusive they have no gallery representation. The gallery wasn’t good enough.

finding gods to follow: repeating their phrases, singing seeking their praises.

Do you begin with answerable questions; do you permit answers other than yours. If you gave up by the 70s, do you have anything useful to say in your seventies?

you can buy the print, but only in person.

I have no prints for sale. (catch 22)

Like the old: we could have ham and eggs if we had ham and we had eggs.

he has to defend his commitment. maybe explain his stumble — potential in youth isn’t enough. knowing the weston’s isn’t enough. knowing isn’t enough.

Of course alternatives are okay, if they are “well printed” — and, anything other than silver-gelatin can’t be well printed. Unless it was sanctified in some way — like from my book publisher.

[am in drafting-mode of a Stieglitz post ]