A piece of an essay i recently did. It was meant to be more on Pierre Bourdieu's theories but it sort of turned more into my own philosophising:
3. What is Pierre Bourdieu's interpretation of aesthetic dispositions?
From what I’ve read, Bourdieu’s interpretation of aesthetic dispositions is one that is born of class distinction rather than continued experience or tutoring. In short, the different social classes have their own idea of what is aesthetic, and so what we personally choose to consider aesthetically beautiful defines our social class in the eyes of others. So rather than education and tutoring advancing our tastes, it is our social desires that determine what our aesthetic disposition is.
If I am part of ‘group B’ which defines itself by a love for kittens and classical music but want to be part of ‘group A’ which finds puppies and heavy metal music aesthetically superior, I am more likely to change my aesthetic tastes to find puppies and heavy metal music more pleasing because it projects the social image I desire. I haven’t changed my tastes through education or intellectual advancement (as is the current thinking), but social motivation.
To carry on the analogy, I imagine I will not be able to completely erase my old love of small dogs and Slayer and some of it will embed itself within my new ‘group B’ tastes. (Perhaps I’ll like puppies AND kittens?) Thus the societal aesthetic is changed minutely, and over time, with other people, perhaps change the ‘group B’ aesthetic into something completely different. If our social aesthetic tastes never did change or evolve over time, we'd still think cave painting is the aesthetic zenith.
2/03/2008
Madness continues...
just when you think they can't stoop any lower, they break their backs and stoop lower than any before.
The stand out passage for me is the whining introduction:
'For misguided reasons you are hiding the body of Heath Ledger, and refusing to divulge the time, date and place of his burial in Perth, Australia, so that we...cannot attend - in respectful proximity - and conduct a religious service.'
There is no distance in the universe that their usual 'Religious service' for funerals could be considered 'respectful'
Hopefully have a more enlightening post up soon, don't want to give too much attention to the crazies.
The stand out passage for me is the whining introduction:
'For misguided reasons you are hiding the body of Heath Ledger, and refusing to divulge the time, date and place of his burial in Perth, Australia, so that we...cannot attend - in respectful proximity - and conduct a religious service.'
There is no distance in the universe that their usual 'Religious service' for funerals could be considered 'respectful'
Hopefully have a more enlightening post up soon, don't want to give too much attention to the crazies.
1/30/2008
Reason 142 i despise hardcore, far right religion...
(from here):
'The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas is planning to protest the funeral of Heath Ledger. The church has caused quite a stir while picketing the funerals of soldiers that have died in Iraq. It is Westboro church's belief that Heath Ledger died and is burning in hell for playing the role of a gay cowboy in the critically acclaimed movie "Brokeback Mountain." The church believes that while Heath Ledger was not gay, he still played a homosexual and promoted the gay lifestyle.'
Ugh. To picket someones funeral is foul, but of course they must undoubtably know that they're doing god's work so it's ok. See, it even says so in the bible 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind' (leviticus 18:22) so of course that gives them permission to pester a grieving family. These people are deluded and dangerous halfwits.
Make no mistake, i'm not bashing all religious views here. Just religious fundamentalsim and in particular this moronic entity known appallingly as a 'church'. These people are too much for even the deeply christian nation that is America, and are considered a hate group by the U.S government (bit of an understatement in my opinion).
This also raises the issue of free speech. As appalling as their speech is, they have a right to air it. To deny anyone there opinion is not a free society. But on the other hand, you can't let such vocal viciousness get out of hand, what about the rights of Ledger's family to a peaceful memorial service? Surely their must be a statute in American law prohibiting hate speech?
The Black/White nature of Fundamental religious morality does nothing but complicate an already complex issue; There is a fine line to balance, with many shades of grey to negotiate. Dogmatic beliefs are fast becoming obsolete in our rapidly changing world, and to a degree holding back progress (The farcical debate over Stem Cell research springs to mind)
There is nothing grey, however, about my opinion of the Westboro baptist church (I.e sub-human, ignorant trolls) I would link to their website, but that would only add to their exposure, Google them yourself to get a flavour of their beliefs.
Or even better, go out and buy a copy of Brokeback Mountain (or any other film with Heath Ledger in) and just pause and remember a talented actor whose life was cut tragically short.
'The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas is planning to protest the funeral of Heath Ledger. The church has caused quite a stir while picketing the funerals of soldiers that have died in Iraq. It is Westboro church's belief that Heath Ledger died and is burning in hell for playing the role of a gay cowboy in the critically acclaimed movie "Brokeback Mountain." The church believes that while Heath Ledger was not gay, he still played a homosexual and promoted the gay lifestyle.'
Ugh. To picket someones funeral is foul, but of course they must undoubtably know that they're doing god's work so it's ok. See, it even says so in the bible 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind' (leviticus 18:22) so of course that gives them permission to pester a grieving family. These people are deluded and dangerous halfwits.
Make no mistake, i'm not bashing all religious views here. Just religious fundamentalsim and in particular this moronic entity known appallingly as a 'church'. These people are too much for even the deeply christian nation that is America, and are considered a hate group by the U.S government (bit of an understatement in my opinion).
This also raises the issue of free speech. As appalling as their speech is, they have a right to air it. To deny anyone there opinion is not a free society. But on the other hand, you can't let such vocal viciousness get out of hand, what about the rights of Ledger's family to a peaceful memorial service? Surely their must be a statute in American law prohibiting hate speech?
The Black/White nature of Fundamental religious morality does nothing but complicate an already complex issue; There is a fine line to balance, with many shades of grey to negotiate. Dogmatic beliefs are fast becoming obsolete in our rapidly changing world, and to a degree holding back progress (The farcical debate over Stem Cell research springs to mind)
There is nothing grey, however, about my opinion of the Westboro baptist church (I.e sub-human, ignorant trolls) I would link to their website, but that would only add to their exposure, Google them yourself to get a flavour of their beliefs.
Or even better, go out and buy a copy of Brokeback Mountain (or any other film with Heath Ledger in) and just pause and remember a talented actor whose life was cut tragically short.
1/20/2008
We Are Here 2
Here's 'Reflections on a mote of dust' as read by the great man himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M
1/19/2008
We Are Here
A thought provoking photo and text:
The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.
Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity -- in all this vastness -- there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It's been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.' - Carl Sagan (1934-1996)
Reflections on a Mote of Dust
'We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.
The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.
Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity -- in all this vastness -- there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It's been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.' - Carl Sagan (1934-1996)
from http://obs.nineplanets.org/psc/pbd.html
12/02/2007
Alex and Tor's 'Gem of Zen'
A thought struck me and a friend whilst we were working late in the studio.
Whilst we were both complaining, as most people do, that our own respective pieces of work we were working on were 'rubbish' (it's so much easier to see the brilliantness of other peoples work isn't it?) a thought coalesced into being...
'It's not your artwork that is shit, it's the process of making it that can be shit. Ergo; don't mix up the feelings appropriate to the process with the final product'
It sort of made sense at the time...
Whilst we were both complaining, as most people do, that our own respective pieces of work we were working on were 'rubbish' (it's so much easier to see the brilliantness of other peoples work isn't it?) a thought coalesced into being...
'It's not your artwork that is shit, it's the process of making it that can be shit. Ergo; don't mix up the feelings appropriate to the process with the final product'
It sort of made sense at the time...
Agh!
I know this isn't particularly to do with art and creativity, but it wound me up so much i had to vent my anger somewhere.
Here's the source of my anger: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7119399.stm
It is unbelievable. All this international angst, mouth-foaming religious 'offense', and a possible 40 lashes over a teddy bear. A fucking teddy bear. Once again; Unbelievable.
I respect other people's viewpoints/religions, but respect must be earnt in my opinion, not demanded or pandered to. So, to accuse this poor woman of 'inciting religious hatred' when it is obviously a naive cultural faux pas on her part is absurd (And wasn't it the children that named the bear, not Mrs Gibbons?)
What's most disappointing is that it is totally unrepresentative of religious people in general, it is always the few fundamentalists in power that do such negative things. Surely it would pass off better to acknowledge that a foreigner made a mistake and pardon her? Thus showing that religions can be benevolent and understanding? Way to reconcile the Muslim world with the western world Sudan.
Religious Theocracies: are they a bit backward, or are they finest governments of the 14th century?
Here's the source of my anger: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7119399.stm
It is unbelievable. All this international angst, mouth-foaming religious 'offense', and a possible 40 lashes over a teddy bear. A fucking teddy bear. Once again; Unbelievable.
I respect other people's viewpoints/religions, but respect must be earnt in my opinion, not demanded or pandered to. So, to accuse this poor woman of 'inciting religious hatred' when it is obviously a naive cultural faux pas on her part is absurd (And wasn't it the children that named the bear, not Mrs Gibbons?)
What's most disappointing is that it is totally unrepresentative of religious people in general, it is always the few fundamentalists in power that do such negative things. Surely it would pass off better to acknowledge that a foreigner made a mistake and pardon her? Thus showing that religions can be benevolent and understanding? Way to reconcile the Muslim world with the western world Sudan.
Religious Theocracies: are they a bit backward, or are they finest governments of the 14th century?
Banksy
From the BBC website(Full article here ):
'Graffiti art by the acclaimed artist Banksy on streets in Tower Hamlets is to be painted over.
Stencilled artwork from the guerrilla artist can be seen on walls across London, but Tower Hamlets is the first council to treat them as vandalism.'
Stencilled artwork from the guerrilla artist can be seen on walls across London, but Tower Hamlets is the first council to treat them as vandalism.'
Grafitti or art? it's a tough one with Banksy. I personally think it's an awesome form of public art; it's composed, usually witty and makes a point unlike most graffiti which is usually incomprehensible letters and 'tags'.
Whatever you think of his stuff though, it's undoubtably popular. (see the video in the right of the article) So popular in fact, that they've recently published a guidebook of his work in London. Think of the tourism they could attract to the area, and the inevitable money they would bring! It could be the novelty that sets Tower hamlets apart from the rest of London! A unique selling point! So quite naturally they should stick dogmatically to the law and wipe them away. Stupid. Bet the guidebook publisher's are kicking themselves...
I much prefer Bristol council's approach to his work (though i suspect their comparative leniency may have something to do with being Banksy's hometown) 97% voted for his most recent graffiti to stay where it is. Power to the people!
Incidentally i happened to see the piece in question when i visited some friends down there, here's my pic:
11/12/2007
Modern Art
A perfect illustration of what people do when confronted with the rotting-head of 'Modern Art'. You are either the child, bemused by it all; or the daddy, enthusiastic and knowledgable.
I reckon most are the uncomprehending child and rely upon the few daddy's amongst us to explain it for them. The more you look into the context of a Modern Art piece and the reason for it being; the more meaningful and clearer it becomes.
But in the case of some, like David Shrigley's drawings, i'd say it's best to revert back to the humour of your childhood :)
10/30/2007
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