catch-up, links, tidbits, etc
Hey All:
Been in Wales at this conference over the last 5 days or so, and lots has happened in the world since then, so this’ll be a kind of ranty catch-up of random and, depending on who you are and what you like, potentially unimportant things. Nicole and my presentations went pretty well, thanks for thinking of us - I’ll be posting a draft of the paper on implicitbody.net in the coming weeks; most important to me, got some great feedback on where to go from here with the dissertation. And I think Nicole is feeling good about the new directions in her own research. In no particular order:
New South African Art blogs: art matters and midnight kitchen. The former is anonymous and the latter is Rat Western - both are based in Joburg and both seem to be pretty good so far. I am ambiguous about anonymity, given I’m not sure what they are protecting themselves from and, at least with Robert Sloon, it feels like a faux humbleness (everyone knows who he is in “real life” - even tho no one knew who he was before the blog - and he’s more than willing to appear at exhibitions all over the world - mostly to exhibit himself…). What are the reasons, the real reasons, for anonymity in this case? All that said, glad to have more writing on SA art online, especially in joburg - go for it, “Jane” and Rat. Opposed to the former (or at least what she implied on her first post), I think we do need more “irreverent bloggers.” (Tho I question her judgment of “Art Heat’s … frank reportage sans pretension”; I appreciate Art Heat as much as the next guy - and featured them on my site, and in Contempo, very early on - but until recently you had to wade through so much crap just to get any content at all; it was mostly/only about the Michaelis Clique and its inner-workings….) While I’m at it, SAartsEmerging features MTkidu this month.
Also new online: the networked music review blog, a new one by turbulence; nice piece on Red Burns and my alma mater, ITP, also known as the Harvard of Interactive (in the NY Times; the latter is an older piece from Newsweek)… New MTAA Commons Art Diagram for their iCommons Residence and also a 2-part interview on AFC (1 and 2). New Artthrob up - my fave articles include: thoughtful piece by Tavish McIntosh about Afterlife at Michael Stevenson; Sue Williamson on Gimberg/Nerf/Sacks/Young; Zachary Yorke reviews the companion book to this show, which sounds great and I hope to see it soon - I wonder if mine is the only artwork (as opposed to essay) in the book, or just the only one he mentioned; Michael Smith interviews Anthea Moys and Juliana Smith; finally, Ed Young reviews the Afterlife book, and as usual makes it more about himself than the “book,” but I think this may be the must read of this issue.
I like that most of this post was dedicated to SA Art. I may have something to say about some of the papers in Wales later. Day off today. More soon.
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Hi Nathaniel
In response to your (possibly rhetoric) question as to the real reasons behind anonymity, I’d like to defend myself a bit. Anonymity refers to having no name, I prefer to think of myself as working under a pseudonym, and one for which I take full responsibility for (hence, my willingness to appear at “exhibitions all over the world”). There are many examples in popular culture of people using a pseudonym, not to disguise, but to enhance. John Wayne’s had the the sissy boy name Marion Morrison in “real life.” I would also like to point out that it’s pretty standard practice for people to have online pseudonyms, alter egos and stuff (lonelygirl15, etc), not necessarily a bad thing at all, perhaps an effective marketing strategy. Regarding not being known before the blog, Perez Hilton wasn’t known before either, and using a blog to get my voice heard surely is generally why one has a blog. As for exhibiting myself, we all have our own ways of producing art which I think we should be receptive to. I, for one, don’t run around with a scanner tied to my neck, but I won’t tease you about it.
The reason I defend this is because it’s far too easy to send barbs at what ArtHeat and Robert Sloon stand for in the art world, without examining the “crap you have to wade through” for which I will refuse to apologise.
love
Robert Sloon
Comment by Robert Sloon — 14 May 2007 @ 12:32 pm
No it wasn’t rhetorical, and I’m glad you responded. And this is not a barb, nor have I asked for an apology. Though I will say that I, myself, am sorry if my language was too harsh - been feeling a little ill lately, so I apologize if my grumpiness came out against you or your site.
But I still have to argue.
You don’t have a “sissy name.” Robert Sloon is not a handle and it’s not a performance (and if it is, you’ve broken the illusion too many times for it to be considered a very good one). I agree there’s nothing to lose in a pseudonym, and there’s potential gain, but Art Heat is unlike any of the examples you give above. It pushes and pokes and hides behind the lack of a central person to debate with; it’s a writing site about other artists and their work (supposedly), so how does it fit in with lonelygirl et al? I’m not sure I get why you’d pride yourself on gossip, post quotations on the site that glaringly criticize the “crap” often displayed, then get offended when someone points it out somewhere other than your own comments section. What is to gain, in your case? Only this: poke, poke, poke, and then, “What, you took me seriously?” I think it’s less John Wayne and more Krusty the Clown.
You mention “what ArtHeat and Robert Sloon stand for in the art world” - could you tell me what exactly that is, please? You have just said you stand for something and even have a “marketing strategy” for it. Other than yourself, I’m curious what it is you’re selling, and to whom for that matter.
This is not ridicule; it’s criticism. I have been supportive of you and Art Heat from the beginning; which is exactly why I can call your bullshit without feeling bad about it. All clever one-liners aside, you sometimes have wonderful and engaging things to say, and I appreciate that. Some agree, some disagree, but I think there’s merit to much of your work. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with the whole package. I’ll say it again: I’m really glad Art Heat is around, and I wish more people would get off their asses and do things like it. BUT 1) I think your reasoning behind the anonymity-turned-pseudonym thing is garbage; and 2) I find the gossipy crap about your Cape clique really dull (AND boring).
I am not alone in that substantiated opinion, but nor do I say it is anything other than an opinion. You can keep trucking away without apology, and I’ll keep reading, linking and, occasionally, criticizing. I expect nothing less than the same from you.
Comment by nathaniel — 14 May 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Thanks for making mention of Art Matters in your blog. In response to your issue with anonymity: I cannot speak for Robert Sloon (who is he BTW?) but my choice to remain anonymous is not gimmick. It is a born from a very real need for liberation; not only liberation from self-censorship but the freedom to air my thoughts without fear of being alienated from the media and important players in the art world that I rely on for my survival. In most spheres in our life we are forced to censor ourselves to a certain degree, not only to protect ourselves but those around us; blogging presents the perfect platform for individuals to be liberated from those concerns so it makes sense to exploit its inherent benefits. It is no coincidence that most online conversations are exchanged by anonymous parties. It is also an interesting exercise for an artist so accustomed with the pursuit of establishing a name in public realms to fight that impulse and pursue anonymity instead.
Comment by Jane Marple — 16 May 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Thanks, Jane; I can appreciate that. I think I also admittedly confuse Robert Sloon - and I won’t “give him up” here, out of respect for his wishes - with his commenters sometimes. My real issue is with how nasty it can sometimes get on Art Heat without need, or cause or accountability. And counter to your reasoning here at Art Matters, a lot of Art Heat is indeed intended towards “establishing a name.” Still, I also reaped benefits from the popularity of my own blog, and perhaps I should just lighten up and worry less :)
Good luck with the blog!!! I’m thrilled to see you in the sphere…
Comment by nathaniel — 17 May 2007 @ 11:52 am