Twenty or so years ago when I was in college studying art and journalism, my professors would often say that throughout history, when war breaks out, the first order of business is to kill the artists. I remembered this but never really took it to heart, because I grew up in a country where people can express themselves without fear. I also understood that most academics believe that they are the most important members of society- especially the creative types. Huge egos! Now all these years later, the terrorists are attacking and killing artists in my lifetime, just like they always have. And in France! Which is more like America than any of them would ever admit. I never thought it to be a brave thing to pick up a pen or a paintbrush or make a Seth-Franco fart noise movie, but it is. I have never given my own passion so much power in my own mind- but it IS power. Artists are to be feared. They influence and change the world with more efficiency and strength than a missile strapped to a tank full of assault rifles. The only way to stifle expression and dissent is to kill every artist. . . But we ALL have the capacity to create. If you dont believe me, just look at Pinterest. Have you seen that place? So I challenge you- and myself- to create. It is our patriotic duty to offend, and be offended by others. We must. . . I must speak the truth in darkness and risk even death to make art. Even bad art. Every day. People make bad art every day. If you dont believe me, just look at Pinterest. Have you seen that place?
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 01:11:53 +0000
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