I can't say I blame you. The True Art War, is abstract.
Last weeks podcast may help:
www.blogtalkradio.com/poisonappleradio/2011/07/29/what-is-art[the show page includes links to the destruction/reconstruction video clips]
Part II, will be recorded today.
In essence, the True Art War, is a war waged among artists. Even the term 'artist' is under scrutiny. Is there a clear purpose of art? Some artists would argue that each art piece is a cultural corrector, and the purpose of art is to influence the current of thought, which compels action.
In lieu of Gorilla Art Wars (which I favor), I have been engaged in many battles, and THIS piece is a smoke bomb. The smoke bomb is recon. It's sinister, and in use by the Sly Man.
The history:
Artist Steven Leyba (www.stevenleyba.com) is propagating the criteria of what constitutes TRUE ART (as outlined in my propaganda piece): Awareness, Intention, Action, Authenticity and Unique Markings. If the artist's work, does not include ALL of these elements, its not TRUE ART. This alone, does not set the standard. In addition, the piece must speak for itself, not of itself.
Steve spent a week with me and we collaborated on a project, as well as debated the issue. His up-coming film, will include interviews and demonstrations of the destruction of Art. His last film explored WHAT IS ART? The destruction of art became a hot topic, which came from a discussion we had about 2 years ago. I told him I'd buy one of his newer pieces for the simple purpose of destroying it. He considered this a true ACT OF WAR. We debated this off and on for many months. It really didn't hit home, until a disgruntled lover sent him a video of her destroying (2) of his Art pieces. He contacted me at once, and told me that while it hit him emotionally, it was my voice he heard in his head: "Don't be a slave to your art Steve!" My opinion of his lamentations, is that he is so attached to the object, he has lost his passion as an artist. He is not in the experience of creating, he is too busy creating objects to gain him fame and immortality. Will he be remembered, or will the Art be remembered...is the question. This sparked his second film project, the destruction of art.
When I commissioned a piece from him years ago (2006), he sent me (3) for the one piece I commissioned. Two sex goblins of myself, and one of the High Priestess of the Church of Satan. I thought the third was a rather odd inclusion. I decided not to ask him about it, but rather just thank him for the works he sent. I decided to interpret his expression. That proved to be beneficial to me. I understood his expression in sending me the two extra pieces. When he wanted me to destroy his art for the new project, I proposed that I destroy the Peggy Piece. He was a bit shocked, he had forgotten that he sent it to me, and I explained to him my interpretation of his expression. I was just about dead-on, and Steve was really taken back by it. So, I proceeded to destroy the Peggy Piece while Steve video taped it. It was a rather long video, he edited it so he could show a teaser clip to his audience. That teaser clip was only published on FB, but he tells me it will be added to his youtube page as well. The film won't be complete for another year.
He published the clip, and the audience took the video as an expression of a destruction ritual. Apparently, I have tried to kill the High Priestess of the Church of Satan. I was told that she has poor health as it is, she is a diabetic (I'm always amazed at the amount of information people know about other people), and upon watching the film, her health deteriorated, and she had to visit her doctor (could all be rumor and rhetoric of course, I'm not naive). This element will be included in the film, the importance of the image as symbol. Especially the symbolic representations of people, their essence, and their lives.
I believe every artistic expression is a ritual object, it takes the mind on a journey. It can influence the mind, even if only momentarily. It is how effectively the expression is conveyed through the object, that the impressions are given the hooks to stay.
My art piece, is many things. It is propaganda, ritual, expression, and TRUE ART. The piece will be given more attention over the next year, and it will be destroyed on the anniversary of its creation date, 2012. It will be filmed periodically. I'll post updates.
Why am I involved? Why am I doing this?
I am neutralizing the attempts to place absolutes on Art. You infiltrate from within.
Why so many people are putting their energy into changing my mind about Art, is compelling enough to participate. Why do people care, what I think about Art? Am I an Artist? Do I care, whether or not I'm recognized as one? Why do I create Art? What can I do with my Art that aligns with my life's passions? All of this will be forged in battle.
I agree, Visionary Tyson. Our magic should be compelling us forward in extraordinary ways. To be a commoner, is to be common. Art, in its beginning was used for precisely that. The modern era of Art and Allegory has blurred it beyond recognition. Is Art powerful today? Is it power? I think it once was but gets lost in mechanical ways of receiving it. There are extraordinary social alchemists in the world that still use their art as magic...as power. I work to remain among them.
*Steven Leyba, is one of my Muses.