kathryn williams - in a broken dream

Sad Eyes - Bruce Springsteen

Another Day by Paul McCartney

Artsy stuff

Cy Twombly passed away last week; I had the pleasure of seeing some of his work at an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago not too long ago.  HUGE canvasses, child-like scribbles and running colors, i didn't like it at first but it left an impression and over time i liked it more and more.  Here's a quote from an article i recently read: 
"In the only written statement that Mr. Twombly ever made about his work, a short essay in an Italian art journal in 1957, he tried to make clear that his intentions were not subversive but elementally human. Each line he made, he said, was “the actual experience” of making the line, adding: “It does not illustrate. It is the sensation of its own realization.” Years later he described this more plainly. “It’s more like I’m having an experience than making a picture.” The process stood in stark contrast to the detached, effete image that often clung to Mr. Twombly. After completing a work, in a kind of ecstatic state, it was as if the painting existed and he barely did anymore: “I usually have to go to bed for a couple of days.”  

One of the best quotes about "outsider/intuitive/visionary" art I've ever read.....I've often thought along these lines but never even came close to putting it into words like this....

"Those works created from solitude and from pure and authentic creative impulses – where the worries of competition, acclaim and social promotion do not interfere – are, because of these very facts, more precious than the productions of professionals. After a certain familiarity with these flourishings of an exalted feverishness, lived so fully and so intensely by their authors, we cannot avoid the feeling that in relation to these works, cultural art in its entirety appears to be the game of a futile society, a fallacious parade." - Jean Dubuffet. Place à l'incivisme (Make way for Incivism). Art and Text no.27 (December 1987 - February 1988). p.36 Dubuffet's writing on art brut was the subject of a noted program at the Art Club of Chicago in the early 1950s."

Twombly's work did not fare well with the critics at all early on...but it seems that he was completely unperturbed by this and just kept marching to the beat of a different drummer and stayed true to himself.  Now, of course, his paintings sell in the millions, and he is internationally well-known.  Not that that in itself is a true measure of success...I think he would have considered himself successful even if he had never garnished any acclaim in the art world.  Certainly an inspiring example of staying true to oneself and being authentic. 

Also recently, an old friend visited me from Mississippi...he is an artist, and by my opinion could definitely be considered an "intuitive/visionary" artist.  I am always awestruck by his work.  And i don't think he would mind me saying that he is very bi-polar and consequently very dysfunctional in "normal" society.  sometimes extremely manic to the point of pyschosis, sometimes so depressed he sleeps for days.  very painful to watch someone go through this over and over again and not receiving a whole lot of benefit from medications.  Anyways, here are some of my favorite pieces that he has done.  of course, the photos do not do them justice. 

We visited an old sacred Native American site, the 7 pillars....I do believe the Miami Indians own this land now.  Here is a pic of the pillars....

It was really awesome.  I went there last year but really didn't have time to look around very much.  I explored a bit more this time...it is some beautiful land.  i'll put more pics up some other time.