on the grandiose and transcendental in art

This is something I intend to explore and elaborate further on but I wanted to get down what I've got so far and gauge people's reactions. What's crazy is while I was writing this I stumbled upon this post on a friend's blog that is very nearly about the same thing (though much more profound and meaningful in a lot less words). Anyway, here goes:

Returning to my writings on Christo and Jeane-Claude in the past two months, and then recently listening to a song I loved (and still love) very much back in high school, I noticed how my very favorite works of art do something very distinct and special to me. It's difficult for me to put it any better than to say that the art I love most makes my heart swell...

Very abstract, I know. Let me try and elaborate. With art, I wish to experience the transcendental. The simple and the profound. I want to be washed over, bombarded, and swept away. I want to feel minuscule but not crushed. And I want to be perplexed and amazed, dazed and confused. Hit on a gut level, then taken somewhere beyond my own body.

...Still a little vague. Hmm, perhaps it'll help if I give some examples.

I'll start with music. I'd say if you've got a song start with at least seven minutes and go from there. This is hyperbole, sure, but generally speaking a musical work needs time to explore and examine, and expand and contract in order to achieve the above mentioned effect. Many works by Steve Reich and Phillip Glass all the way back through Beethoven achieve this easily. But beyond the Classical, or even Jazz, I can think of many late 20th Century musicians. For instance, The Beatles' A Day in the Life hits me over the head every time. The repetition from post-punk and new wave acts like Joy Division, Television, and New Order has the power to hypnotize. Same goes for the washed out noise from alternative bands from the 90s like My Bloody Valentine and Ride. Today, ambient and/or electronic musicians like Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Björk, M83, Aphex Twin, Stars of the Lid, Dan Deacon, etc. have the power (when at their best) to lift my heart. Contemporary alternative rock from the likes of The Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, TV On The Radio, Dirty Projectors, and others makes me feel small but never alone.

With visual art, there's the aforementioned artist team of Christo and Jeanne-Claude as well as most every major environmental/earth/land artist such as Robert Smithson and Richard Serra, whose artworks directly remind the viewer of the ephemeral and how transient the universe is. Also obvious for inclusion would be the great Abstract Expressionists and Color Field painters of the 40s and 50s and the subsequent Neo-Expressionists of the 70s and 80s. It can be Minimalist or Post-Minimalist (doesn't matter); and Dan Flavin, Ana Mendieta, Felix Gonzalez Torres, and pretty much anything with white walls and soft ambient neon light and/or music come to mind. Video works by Doug Aitken, William Kentridge, and Jesper Just wake me up, while installations by Pipilotti Rist sedate me in the most pleasant way possible.


As for film (you knew it was coming), what first comes to mind are slow, (seemingly) meandering films that allow the viewer to think as the film progresses. Also, those that make my heart pound, even after the movie has finished. Directors like Michelangelo Antonioni, Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, François Truffaut, Stanley Kubrick, Terrance Malick, Martin Scorsese, and Michael Haneke, to name a few, add new levels of perspective to the world with their probing cinematic eyes. I've rarely felt more alive than during the endings to The 400 Blows, La Strada, The New World, 2001: a space odyssey, and CACHÉ; and for distinct reasons each time.

With most of these, as with all great artists, there are multiple layers. The way their works make me or anyone feel is only a part of of a great multi-faceted work. But for me (and for the purposes of this post) it's essential.

I'm not Clement Greenberg. I don't denounce kitch or pop. 

And I understand that a musician, or any artist for that matter, cannot always be held up to this criteria, but why not try? I don't think I'm asking for too much. It’s not impossible.

Also, remember, this is a work in progress. I'm aware this may all seem familiar, vague, or even juvenile. Any critiques, suggestions (further reading, maybe), or direction will be much appreciated.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the politics of their art: part 3

I've been meaning to post whats left of this essay. Sorry (as if anyone's been waiting). I'll be doing it in three more parts (five in total). I promise not to wait so long to post the last two.

You can read part 1 here and part 2 here.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Politics of their Art: How they are (shrewdly and discreetly) Socialist, Anti-American and Revolutionary - part 3

The Christos in fact have a corporation. Their permanent corporation for managing funds and other administrative work, the CVJ Corporation, is run by Jeanne-Claude. They also often form an additional temporary corporation for each of their major projects. In 1991 they formed The Umbrellas, Joint Project for Japan and U.S.A. Corporation of which Jeanne-Claude Christo-Javacheff was, of course, president. Christo is quoted as stating that art should reflect and be of the time it is made, a reason for emphasizing the methodical corporatization of their art. The fact that their art is temporary only emphasizes their odd (yet effective) marriage between commerce and art. Historically “it was necessary to be profoundly religious,” but now Christo points out, we are “an essentially economical, social and political world.” For this reason “any art that is less political, less economical, less social today, is simply less contemporary.” Acting, almost parodying, as a corporation serves them brilliantly, lulling closer and then enlightening their audience. “[Our] project[s] [are] teasing society,” Christo explains, “and society responds, in a way, as it responds in a very normal situation like building bridges, or roads, or highways. What we know is different is that all this energy is put to a fantastic irrational purpose, and that is the essence of the work.” Their work is “teasing society” and its values on multiple levels, as well as the microcosm that is the art world. Their work is an immensely valuable example, most likely the best, of “all of the paradoxical conditions under which artworks must be produced, distributed, and consumed today.” In their work they “deliberately exploit all the mechanisms of capitalism” “then they negate capitalism’s most distinctive feature, namely the accumulation of capital, and leave people incredulous.” Christo resourcefully compares their 1980-83 work Surrounded Islands to a movie-set:

I think the project has some kind of subversive dimension and this is why we have so many problems. Probably all the opposition, all the criticism of the project is basically that issue. If we spend three million dollars for a movie-set there would be no opposition. They can even burn the islands to be filmed and there would be no problem. The great power of the project is because it is absolutely irrational. This is the idea of the project, that the project put in doubt all the values.  

A spectator might even go as far as to compare his own life with that of the Christos who are seemingly fulfilled, successful, and powerful yet contently penniless. Is it necessary to play by the rules of a corrupt societal system in order to live and create freely? The Christos’ answer would be "yes" and a louder, more meaningful "no." In watching a documentary on their work one notices the immense undertaking the planning of each project can be, but also the serene beauty and great fulfillment the completion of such a work can provide in contrast. In this sense, each of their works is a performance, one that can be scrutinized and admired on film and in print. The stark contrast between the two states of being, during and after a hectic production, brings into question the hectic acquisitive lifestyle many lead today, primarily in the capitalistic market-driven countries of the West.

The Umbrellas, which this writer considers the best example of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s subversive powers at work, was a strikingly beautiful, immediately engaging conversation amongst viewers in two continents separated by the largest body of water on Earth. Viewed by over 3 million people, the suggestion that each viewer’s respective country was not the only one on the planet must have, at one point or another, entered their minds. Viewers of the yellow umbrellas in California could not help but think about what was simultaneously happening with a comparable amount of blue umbrellas in Japan and vice versa, not to mention each country’s distinct cultural values and ideals, economic system, climate and landscape, and other innumerable factors. The work got people, including those simply passing by during their daily routines, to see beyond their everyday. The Umbrellas was gloriously defiant, its mesmerizing beauty proving astute and cunning. This was the Christos at their subversive best. The project was viewed primarily, more so than any other of their works and most likely any other art work before or since, “from the automobile, the ubiquitous chariot of both California and Japan.” Beyond that, it got those who were passing by to stop, get out from their autos, and explore and interact with the umbrellas. The Umbrellas directly brought politics into the Christos’ work and the lives of those visiting the works’ multiple sites. Viewers were forced to deal with distinct political bureaucracies and several regional boundaries in order to see the work.  

To be continued. For references, leave me a comment. 
 

Dark was the Night: great music... great cause

I've been meaning to listen to the Dark Was the Night compilation album that came out a while ago and I'm glad I finally did. It's the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. So that's all well and good... but how's the music?

There's some interesting experimental stuff from known acts as well as many collaborations that work rather wonderfully. Some amazing tracks are provided from the likes of Iron & Wine, Beirut, The Books feat. José González, Dirty Projectors and David Byrne, Grizzly Bear and Feist, Sufjan Stevens, and The Arcade Fire (giving us some new music while we wait for their next HIGHLY anticipated album).

Sure it's long, with two discs of music, but there's at least one disc's worth of really great music on here. Definitely recommended. And considering the cause... maybe you should buy it.

2009: the year in lists

The year is over. It's been over. It's old news now...

Far too much of my life is spent living in the past.

These lists were a while in the making. I was on vacation at the end of the year and didn't get my things together 'till recently (still getting things together mentally). Anyway here goes: my 2009 year-end lists...

Best Movies
When compared to previous years (especially the last three), 2009 was a downright terrible year for movies. Still, there were a few gems. Although I'm still playing catch-up, I'm always playing catch-up and I've seen enough movies at this point to feel comfortable with this list.

Films I haven't seen: The Messenger, La Nana (The Maid), Les Plages d'Agnès (The Beaches of Agnes), Tokyo!, Sugar, District 9, Goodbye Solo, Still Walking, Crazy Heart, Tyson,  Inglourious Basterds, and a couple of others.

24. Star Trek
23. Julie and Julia
22. Away We Go
21. Duplicity
20. Moon
19. Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces)
18. Cold Souls
17. Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo)
16. Avatar
15. Food Inc.
14. An Education
13. A Single Man
12. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
11. Where the Wild Things Are
10. Fantastic Mr. Fox
9. The Hurt Locker 
8. The Brothers Bloom
7. A Serious Man
6. The Cove
5. Bright Star
4. Up
3. (500) Days of Summer
2. The White Ribbon
1. Up in the Air

Honorable Mentions: Good Hair, Coraline, and Whatever Works.

Best Songs
In alphabetical order because... well, YOU try putting these in preferential order. Not even I'm that crazy! However, I have bolded my very favorite tracks.

In 2009 more than ever I noticed the way I lean towards the melodic and my unabashed love of hooks and catchy tunes. Now that doesn't mean I'll listen to anything that'll make me dance on my drive from work. It has to be smart too. And this year it seems there was plenty of fun, clever, catchy stuff. Heck, even notoriously tough-to-like bands like Animal Collective and The Fiery Furnaces  made fun, accessible albums (the former being far more successful than the latter).

...And there were lots of other songs that weren't necessarily catchy but just as great...

A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose
Animal Collective - My Girls, Brother Sport, and In the Flowers (in that order)
Atlas Sound - Quick Canal (featuring Laetitia Sadier) and Walkabout (featuring Panda Bear) (in that order)
Au Revoir Simone - Anywhere You Looked and Trace a Line (in that order)
The Big Pink - Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé cover)
The Bird and the Bee - My Love
The Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway and I Gotta Feeling (in that order)
Blue Roses - I am Leaving
Camera Obscura - French Navy, My Maudlin Career, and Careless Love (in that order)
Crystal Stilts - Crystal Stilts
Dan Deacon - Snookered, Get Older, Surprise Stefani, and Build Voice (in that order)
Dead Man's Bones - Flowers Grow Out of My Grave and Paper Ships (in that order)
Delorean - Deli
Dirty Projectors - Useful Chamber, Stillness is the Move, and Fluorescent Half-Dome (in that order)
Discovery - Orange Shirt
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
The Fiery Furnaces - Keep Me in the Dark
Girls - Hellhole Ratrace and Lust for Life (in that order)
Grand Archives - Silver Among the Gold
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire and Wet Hair
Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (featuring Alicia Keys)
Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone
Lady Gaga - Paparazzi
Lily Allen - Chinese
Little Girls - Growing
M. Ward - Jailbird and Blake's View (in that order)
Matt & Kim - Daylight
Mayer Hawthorne - Just Ain't Gonna Work Out
Metronomy - A Thing for Me
Mew - Sometimes Life Isn't Easy and Tricks of the Trade (in that order)
Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
Noah and the Whale - Blue Skies
Noisettes - Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)
Nurses - Caterpillar Playground
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - A Teenager In Love, Contender, and Young Adult Friction (in that order)
Passion Pit - The Reeling
Patrick Watson - Beijing and Big Bird in a Small Cage (in that order)
Phoenix - 1901, Lasso, and Lisztomania (in that order)
Q-Tip - Gettin' Up
Real Estate - Saturday Morning
St. Vincent - The Strangers and Actor Out of Work (in that order) 
The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition
Think About Life - Havin My Baby
Vampire Weekend - Horchata
The xx - VCR, Infinity, Heart Skipped a Beat, Crystalised, Islands, Shelter (yes it's almost the entire album... in that order)
Vivian Girls - Can't Get Over You
Washed Out - Feel It All Around
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
Yo La Tengo - More Stars than there are in Heaven

Most Listened to Songs

 
Best Albums
The album isn't dead... yet. At this point I'd say it's on life support and in need of serious rehabilitation. However, there were a handful of albums that tried to be just that: beginning-to-end "albums" rather than simply collections of songs. Below are many that attempted to make cohesive albums and succeeded, though that's not their only redeeming quality.

This list is in order and doesn't include any real surprises or anything out of the ordinary (besides maybe Max Richter). Sadly, I haven't seen Au Revoir Simone, Q-Tip, nor Patrick Watson on very many year-end lists.

23. Vivian Girls - Everything Goes Wrong
22. Girls - Album 
21. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz! 
20. Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
19. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
18. Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
17. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
16. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
15. Discovery - LP
14. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
13. St. Vincent - Actor
12. Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I'm Tired, Let's Wash Away
11. Atlas Sound - Logos
10. M. Ward - Hold Time
9. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
8. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
7. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
6. The xx - xx
5. Max Richter - 24 Postcards In Full Colour 
4. Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms
3. Japandroids - Post-Nothing
2. Dan Deacon - Bromst
1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Most Listened to Artists

I ♥ Grandma ('09 mixtape)

Completely jacking one of my favorite podcasts, this is my mixtape for the year that ended almost two weeks ago. But first, a bit of an explanation:

This mix (album cover above) is a very personal one, and looking at most of the songs on here, a very emo(tional) one. I feel like quite the dork, bracketing this mix with The Smiths' There is a Light that Never Goes Out and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now. But, not only were they songs I loved and listened to incessantly at the beginning and end of 2009, respectively, they also rather accurately express how I entered the year and how I exited it. Sure I've got Animal Collective on here (that was in everyone's ears in '09), but I've also got Au Revoir Simone and Kelly Clarkson, two female acts that in my humble opinion don't get enough respect (though the former deserves far more respect than the latter). Two Camera Obscura songs end Side A and begin Side B; that album was my breakup album, pretty much all I listened to for about a month and a half. Also, me being the hopeless optimist, the final two songs are a bit of wishful thinking on my part.

I placed some of the songs in chronological order, many of them describing a major love (and love lost) in my life, but most of them are simply songs I felt throughout the year (songs I really related to), many of which I flat-out loved.

I've added links to sendspace in case you don't have one or any of these fine tracks. But download them now, before their deleted.

Finally, while creating it, the list of songs naturally formed into two very separate acts...

Side A 
The Smiths - There is a Light that Never Goes Out

Girls - Hellhole Ratrace

Sometimes you've just gotta make it for yourself.
Sometimes baby, you just need someone else.

And I dont want to cry my whole life through.

I want to do some laughing too.
So come on, come on, come on, come on, laugh with me.
And I dont want to die without shaking up a leg or two.
Yeah, I want to do some dancing too.
So come on, come on, come on, come on, dance with me.

The xx - VCR

Au Revoir Simone - Anywhere You Looked

Discovery - Orange Shirt

Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire

Oh! We used to dream! Now we worry about dying! 

I don't wanna worry about dying. I just wanna worry about those sunshine and girls.

Animal Collective - My Girls

Jenny Lewis - Trying My Best to Love You

Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You

I have waited with a glacier's patience.
Smashed every transformer with every trailer,
till nothing was standing
sixty-five miles wide.
Still, you are nowhere...
Still, you are nowhere,
nowhere in sight.

Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone

Camera Obscura - French Navy

You and your dietary restrictions
said you loved me with a lot of conviction.
I was waiting to be struck by lightning,
waiting for somebody exciting...

like you.
Oh, the thing that you do.
You make me go, "Oooh"
with the things that you do, you do, you do.

I wanted to control it
but love, I couldn't hold it.
I wanted to control it
but love, I couldn't hold it.

Side B

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
I'll brace myself for the loneliness,

say hello to feelings that I detest

This maudlin career has come to an end.
I don't want to be sad again.

M. Ward - Jailbird

So who's gonna here your "help me, help me" now?

Better go find another best friend somehow.

She & Him - Take it Back

TV On The Radio - Family Tree

Were hanging in the shadow of your family tree
your haunted heart and me
brought down by an old idea whose time has come.
And in the shadow of the gallows of your family tree
there's a hundred hearts or three
pumping blood to the roots of evil to keep them young.

Mew - Sometimes Life Isn't Easy

Patrick Watson - Beijing

Woke up in Beijing. 

In someone else's arms. 

Through someone else's life 

that I'm not sure belongs to me.

Lykke Li - Dance, Dance, Dance

Having trouble telling how I feel, but I can dance, dance, dance. (never fails)

New Order - Leave Me Alone

The Smiths - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

Noah and the Whale - Blue Skies

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

Sweet disposition,
never too soon.
Oh reckless abandon,
like no one's watching you

A moment. A love.
A dream aloud.
A kiss. A cry.
Our rights. Our wrongs.
A moment. A love.
A dream aloud.
A moment. A love.
A dream aloud.

So stay there!
cause i'll be comin' over.
And while our bloods still young,
it's so young
it runs.
And we won't stop til it's over.
Won't stop to surrender.