Counter-argument: an unfortunate truth is that a lot of artists are not heroes. In fact to quote music critic Todd in the Shadows "Most artists are dicks, they're assholes." Picasso was an outright misogynist. Lennon was a terrible husband and father. HP Lovecraft was a xenophobe and a racist. How can we expect artists to be our saviors if they can't even save themselves?
"They have been wearing clothes for so long. Metaphorical clothes. That is what I am talking about. That was the price of human civilisation – to create it they had to close the door on their true selves. And so they are lost, that is how I understand it. And that is why they invented art: books, music, films, plays, painting, sculpture. They invented them as bridges back to themselves, back to who they are. But however close they get they are for ever removed."
I'm so glad you're writing here, Scott. I've been dragging my feet for months, not reading the last chapter of your book because I don't want it to be finished. I always enjoy your perspective.
Outstanding narrative, Scott Scott. I retired from the world of finance eight years ago, and got into the Music business, and sending healthy and excellent ideas off into the future is the reason I write songs. Thank you for building the clearest case for this I’ve read.
Beautiful and such an important angle to think about. Thanks for writing this it has given me some wonderful hope, encouragement to continue down my pathway as an artist - also a stone carver.
I was pleased to read and think about some very good insights. An additional thought, perhaps worth pondering... MP3s and computers and phones, etc all need electricity but paper books, pens, quills and ink do not. And learning to use imagination to decipher (de-cipher) the marks on paper, the words and the dots on the lines, is in itself an enormously beneficial mental activity.
What a wonderful post. Walt Whitman really is something! When I got a chance to talk with Ben at EC, I mentioned I was glad he was leaning back to a more personal angle in his notes, describing it as "I sing the body electric".
And I love the Mexican concept that those who have passed live on as long as we remember them (which, I admit, I know mostly about from seeing the movie "Coco").
But who wants to live forever? We are all so easily forgotten. Life happens; and then death. And then we are gone. Empty chairs at empty tables - soon to be occupied by others. We are a mist.
How beautifully stated. I'm currently reading "Stepping Stones: A Journey Through the Ice Age Caves of the Dordogne" and you're right, the beauty and importance of what people tens of thousands of years ago valued is still breathtaking. I received a book years ago, "Poetry Speaks" with recordings of poets, including Tennyson, R. Browning, and Walt Whitman read their poems, conveying their passions is amazing. Thank you, Scott, for the reminder to live and love the arts.
Counter-argument: an unfortunate truth is that a lot of artists are not heroes. In fact to quote music critic Todd in the Shadows "Most artists are dicks, they're assholes." Picasso was an outright misogynist. Lennon was a terrible husband and father. HP Lovecraft was a xenophobe and a racist. How can we expect artists to be our saviors if they can't even save themselves?
"They have been wearing clothes for so long. Metaphorical clothes. That is what I am talking about. That was the price of human civilisation – to create it they had to close the door on their true selves. And so they are lost, that is how I understand it. And that is why they invented art: books, music, films, plays, painting, sculpture. They invented them as bridges back to themselves, back to who they are. But however close they get they are for ever removed."
"The Humans" by Matt Haig
I'm so glad you're writing here, Scott. I've been dragging my feet for months, not reading the last chapter of your book because I don't want it to be finished. I always enjoy your perspective.
Outstanding narrative, Scott Scott. I retired from the world of finance eight years ago, and got into the Music business, and sending healthy and excellent ideas off into the future is the reason I write songs. Thank you for building the clearest case for this I’ve read.
Beautiful and such an important angle to think about. Thanks for writing this it has given me some wonderful hope, encouragement to continue down my pathway as an artist - also a stone carver.
Thanks again...
I love your writings and am also a fan of Giorgio T as I can see his influence in some of your writing.
In this piece I agree that memory is the key to everything and art is truly a medium for that in all its forms.
And Then What?
What shall we do when
The words stop flowing,
When, at last, we have
No more Hamlets or
Leafy grasses?
What is silence but a
Slow twisting death
Without the Muses'
Sweet choruses
Singing in our heads?
Lisa Jain Thompson (2023)
I was pleased to read and think about some very good insights. An additional thought, perhaps worth pondering... MP3s and computers and phones, etc all need electricity but paper books, pens, quills and ink do not. And learning to use imagination to decipher (de-cipher) the marks on paper, the words and the dots on the lines, is in itself an enormously beneficial mental activity.
Well written, it gives me hope and makes me want to start putting things on the rocks! Thank you
Excellent Scott, thanks for your well thought out words.
I too am a fan of J. Campbell wonderful work.
What a wonderful post. Walt Whitman really is something! When I got a chance to talk with Ben at EC, I mentioned I was glad he was leaning back to a more personal angle in his notes, describing it as "I sing the body electric".
And I love the Mexican concept that those who have passed live on as long as we remember them (which, I admit, I know mostly about from seeing the movie "Coco").
Thanks for this!
But who wants to live forever? We are all so easily forgotten. Life happens; and then death. And then we are gone. Empty chairs at empty tables - soon to be occupied by others. We are a mist.
How beautifully stated. I'm currently reading "Stepping Stones: A Journey Through the Ice Age Caves of the Dordogne" and you're right, the beauty and importance of what people tens of thousands of years ago valued is still breathtaking. I received a book years ago, "Poetry Speaks" with recordings of poets, including Tennyson, R. Browning, and Walt Whitman read their poems, conveying their passions is amazing. Thank you, Scott, for the reminder to live and love the arts.
Oh my goodness…THIS was worth the wait! 💯
Bless you for always remaining steadfast to your true, inner composer!
You have, once again, touched my heart, Mr. B! 😉 Thank you! 👍💖🎶
Profound. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this. A nice reminder to read “I am large, I contain multitudes”. I miss you, my friend!