tongue-tied and jibber jabber

Standing in front of group of teachers, graduate students and assorted spectators, I found myself tongue-tied when one of them put a very simple question to me. “How is this painting about unity?” It is one of those funny little questions that artists get asked whenever the audience wants to reduce the conversation to the formalist aspects of an artist work. There are the elements of design, the line, the color, the shape, the texture and so forth. Then there are the principles of design, unity, variety, balance, scale, and proportion.

Want to ask an artist a straightforward question about why they chose the color red? You are just as likely to get the proverbial cold shoulder, as you are to get an answer. Why? Because you are engaging in an age old dialogue of art that questions the use of the techniques of an artistic medium to capture the essence of a thing rather than its mere outward appearance. Which is more important. That it is red, or that it is Red? I know. I don’t believe it either.

Now, in usual fashion I would embark at this point in either of two directions, one, that the question asked to me was just wrong and would go one to whine about “How unfair.” Or two, begin a lengthy discussion on the difference between Plato and Aristotle and the evolution of the language of formalism in the twentieth century. However, I plan on doing neither. (Yes, you can breath a sigh of relief)

You see, as I sat there momentarily stunned by the professors question debating with myself the direction I should go, and, at the same time stammering something about composition and color, I realized that I was, in fact channeling the spirit of Sarah Palin. I suddenly understood why I hated listening to all the jibber jabber about her.

I guess I have been where Sarah Palin has been, tongue-tied and trying to talk myself into a job that I might not be readily qualified for. Not that I am not qualified to be an artist or professor of art, but that I am just starting out and still have much to learn. And President? Honestly, who is qualified for all of the things that the president is supposed to do? Who has the military, economic, energy, social welfare, etc. experience that would make them uniquely qualified? No one. (Incidentally the original job of the president in reality is only to Veto, run the military and enforce the laws of Congress. Not all this other crap, but I guess those days are gone.)

I am an incurable romantic. I romanticize painting, I believe in true love, and I love the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington because it embodies the same romantic idealism about America that I share. You know, those ideas like the separation of powers, the idea that one vote can make a difference and that anyone can grow up to become president, no matter how humble their beginnings. (or how stupid their rhetoric)

Sarah Palin is no Jeff Smith. But like the Smith in the movies she gets a lot of bad press, she is inexperienced, and she appears pretty stupid at times. Still she should have her shot, as much as anyone should, I guess. Not that McCain/Palin will get my vote. I get really tired of the demeaning bad press, and I respected Biden’s restraint from indulging in this behavior during the debate. I, for one, am going to take my queue from this leader and follow suit. Hell, I will even vote him.