Destroying Art... With a Purpose

Emil Schildt is a photographer I've just discovered. He quite literally destroys his film negatives, burning them with cigarettes and bleaching them, to gain the weirdest effects. I love it. It's in the pictorialist manner, something I've always been curious about and fascinated with. I have an "open" assignment coming up, so I think I might try some scratching and burning. I don't know how Gina will feel about it, but I personally will have the time of my life.

So the imagination is NOT lost...

This amazes me. Artists who are using technology in an innovative way to better their craft. THIS is what the Renaissance was all about, THIS is what modernism was all about. Go, Bill Guffey!

Just a couple of things about the weekend's events:

--Kanye West is a DOUCHE BAG. I don't care what kind of career you have, I don't care how amazing you are in your own mind. Stealing the spotlight from a 19 year old girl who is gorgeous and talented is just bullshit. I've never been his biggest fan, and I'm certainly not now.

--Patrick Swayze's death is weird to think about. The string of deaths this year has been insane. Major names, major influences on my childhood: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze... crazy. Just, crazy.

The Bermuda Triangle De-mystified

Perhaps there really is an explanation for everything. I like it, because I don't like to be uncertain, but at the same time, with no mystery, there is no desire to ever learn for yourself. Hmph.

Itching to Quit

This is a perfectly good reason for me NOT to quit at this point in my life. I can't handle any more side effects than the ones I've already got.

The Lost World... Except Cooler

This is the kind of stuff that makes me excited about science. Discovering the same new shit all the time gets boring... but new species are always fun!

Selling Out... Art Form, or Factory Made?

I'm not sure that I can give credit to artists who use Warholian technique. Shouldn't they ALL get credit for the work? Yes, there is a mastermind, but I'm not sure that just having the idea is enough to get you the money and the fame. I don't know. I respect the work of all of these artists, because they turn out some pretty awesome pieces... but... I find myself wondering how I would feel if I were an assistant to someone like Warhol, or Koons, or Murakami, or even Dale Chihuly. Hmm. It's something to ponder, I suppose.