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12/20/2007: "2007 Lows and Highs"
We’re nearing the end of 2007. It’s been a good year. And like most years it’s also had its low points. For me especially this is a good time to review things before I begin a new year.
Bombs Away in Bean Town (Feb.07):
I began the year a little late with my first blog in February. I was flabbergasted by the stir caused in Boston by the guerrilla advertising campaign for Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Those little lite brite icons placed in various parts of Boston that made the national news by Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28 as part of an elaborate national marketing campaign. The LEDs were considered suspicious, prompting Boston authorities to close down major road and waterways to investigate. Turns out there had been other bomb scares earlier in the day so they had their knickers in a twist already. Turner Broadcasting later admitted having the LEDs placed in ten major cities (including Boston), and apologized for the misunderstanding. Despite the uproar, Berdovsky and Stevens mocked the critics and the media in interviews despite being charged with "placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct”. Turner Broadcasting has paid one million dollars to the Boston Police Department to cover the cost of their investigation and another million in good will funding to settle any criminal and civil claims.
The general manager of Cartoon Network has stepped down as a result of the incident. Boston was the only city out of 10 in which the LED displays
were seen as a potential problem. They’d been up for weeks before the panic. Wikipedia also noted that they resembled Lite-Brites as I had in my blog. I may have been a little over the top in my scorn of local officials. But it is a clear indication in my mind that the terrorist’s plan to keep us on edge is working.
Here’s a good one…did you hear the joke about the beatnik standing on the corner gesturing crazily and yelling “Shoo! Shoo”? Well this business man comes down the street and sees him going through this strange ritual and asks “Excuse me sir, may I ask what you are doing?”
The beatnik answers “chasing away elephants.”
The business man says incredulously “But I don’t see any elephants.”
To which the beatnik smiles and says “See? It’s working.”
We hear a lot of talk about Homeland Security and how well it’s working. But for the most part it was ten years between the first attempt on the World Trade Center and it’s eventual demise. There has been, to my knowledge only one credible attempt within the continental U.S. since 9-11. The rest have been less then competent or from outside the jurisdiction of U.S. authorities. So we haven’t seen any elephants yet. Not that we shouldn’t be careful and concerned. But lets keep cool heads and perservere. The Israelis have a lot to teach us in this respect. They go on with everyday life and do not panic.
Leaving Tulsa (Mar. Apr.):
My friend Chris Boyle has had a bout with his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He recently finished another round of Chemo-therapy and is in good spirits and ready to release a new CD soon. We stay in touch via Myspace regularly now and I listen to his first CD in my studio all the time. It feels good to be in touch with a friend I’ve known for over 35 years. To see his progress and to know his brothers daughters are doing well.
Why Communities Should Support the Arts (Apr.):
I gave my talk to the Grandview Chamber of Commerce. It went without a hitch. Interestingly enough there is a new group of artists who have been using a large warehouse space for studios in Grandview who have dubbed Columbus the ‘Indie Art Capital Center of the World’-- a downgrade from their original goal of Center of the Universe. Might as well set the bar high…you know? On Monday December 10 at a 5:00 PM city council meeting, Council member Maryellen O’Shaughnessy introduced a resolution declaring Columbus the Independent Art Capital of the World.
The Indie group have some interesting plans and I’m sure I’ll be talking about them in future blogs. They seem to be very cogent, connected and competent. And they are very tech saavy understanding just how useful the internet can be in terms of connectivity. I can’t take any credit for their endeavor as the studios existed before I gave my talk. And I have a suspicion the Indie Art Capital idea was already being discussed. But it’s nice to know you’re on the same page with an ear to the ground…I can hear those buffalo hooves pounding Mike. Take the bull by the horns!
http://www.indieartcapital.com/voice/
Search for the Real (May):
This subject drew down a lot of criticism concerning the definition of abstraction. While it has become the norm to use the term for the more specific idea of non-objective abstraction I still stand by my original assertion that the more general term has not only an epistemology and a history but a certain logic. There are more than enough artists who grasp the idea that abstraction is the central principle implicit in all of the arts. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Dean Mitchell (May):
The documentary “Making of a Modern Master” has been waylaid by funding for the moment. But meanwhile a biography of Dean’s life came out in October 2007. Written by Betty James, an elementary school teacher from Mitchell’s hometown who penned an illustrated the children’s book entitled "Against All Odds: Artist Dean Mitchell's Story." Published by Father & Son Publishers of Tallahassee. The book tells the story of Mitchell’s upbringing in Quincy, Florida and his challenging journey as a fine artist. You can probably pick it up on Amazon or Price Grabber for $13.95.
Leah Wong (Jun):
Leah’s husband Chris, a Chinese History Professor at Ohio State University received a Fulbright travel grant and the two of them are currently on their way to Taiwan for approximately 9 months. Chris will be involved with further research and events connected to his specialty, recent Chinese history through the Communist era, while Leah will rekindle artistic relationships with old friends from Art College when they travel to Mainland China at some point during their stay. They will also do some other traveling around the Pacific rim.
Cordoba (Jul.-Aug.):
My trip to Cordoba as you may recall ended badly. But the long term results may still be positive. I presented my ideas and connections to the Assistant Provost of the college who was very interested in the possibility of both student exchanges and a travel abroad program in Argentina. So I haven’t cashed in my Argentine Pesos just yet.
Night Fishing (Oct.):
It seems we may have a buyer for our property in the Ozarks. I say this with two minds. On the one hand it has become a burden to the family to constantly have to make the long trips to the property to make sure things are secure, maintained and to establish a regular presence so it doesn’t look empty. My other emotion is one of sadness. After more than 30 years of time spent watercolors, fishing, hiking, fixing things, 4th of July celebrations on the lake with the family and just sitting on the back porch swing with my wife or looking up at the crystal clear star studded night skies I’m gonna miss the place. It isn’t quite a done deal yet. It is a long lease to buy and the possibility that it will come back to us is still there. Although it is probably not to our advantage as much as it may assuage my emotions to keep it in the family.
Driveway Chalk (Nov.):
You know those little creatures were at it again last weekend…this time I found a dozen or so drawings on bits and pieces of note pad papers one evening when I came home late from school on the kitchen table.
Have a good holiday! See you in the new year!
