So the bane of my existence is this "natural" split keyboard that I'm typing on. I think they were a big hit several years ago. But as I can barely type fluidly on regular keyboards, this keyboard is maddening. Anyway. . .
My favorite kind of art is the kind of art that makes me glad to be alive. Perhaps that is not really saying anything, since depending on where you are at emotionally/mentally/spiritually any kind of art could fit that description. Which, I suppose, means that it's all the more irrefutable. And the Canadian tv show "Sling and Arrows," is the epitome of this. Especially the first season (although I am not done with the second yet, so maybe it is just as good).
The main thesis of the first season has to do with the dichotomy between art as revolutionary and art as enterprise. It shows you truth just long enough for you to recognize it, and then it immediately makes you laugh; leaving you in a state of awe and befuddlement. You have an epiphany and then you forget it when Jack (an L.A. actor trying to find legitimacy in portraying Hamlet) paraphrases Shakespeare by saying, "What have you done? What have you done? Fuck me!" The humor is clearly obvious. But when you think about the fact that he is scared out of his mind to be grappling with Shakespeare while sharing a stage with several season performers (not to mentioned being directed by one of the greatest portrayers of Hamlet ever), you now find yourself laughing while thinking that this might be the most honest acting ever.
OK, so that might be a little biased. That scene is far from my favorite. But still, it is an amazing show. And I have absolutely no qualms about talking something I love up. How can I expect that this show will be the next thing you netflix if I half-ass my endorsement?
And the cast is amazing. I basically in love with the three main characters (and perhaps some of the periphery characters as well).
I think my initial feeling about the first season is this: Screw commercializing your art. Talented, honest art will succeed. This isn't to say that if you commercialize talented, honest art, that you will be unsuccessful. But rather, there is no need for commercialization if your art is honest and talented (e.g. not shitty) . And if you take that to another level, you can be sure that if you are honest and true to yourself, you can guarantee that what you crate will be honest and talentfull. And will therefore be successful (as necessarily measured by currency or recognition).
Hopefully some of this made sense. I have been nursing the slightest of terrific buzzes for a few hours now. Anyway, have a great night (morning, day, afternoon or evening, depending on when you are reading this).
God bless us, EVERYONE!
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1 comment:
I'm adding this blog to my favorites. Vijay. your thoughts are insightful and well-expressed. The dichotmy you describe between revolution and enterprise is real in some sense but illusory in another. One wonders what to do with enterprise as revolution and revolution as enterprise. The two are so bound up in one another and in art itself that to try to package art as one or the other is kind of ridiculous. I think you hit the nail on the head though. Be honest and be excellent and trust that the universe it patterned in such a way as to reward that. Thanks again for hosting everyone Vijay. Having such a big group certainly had its pros and cons but overall it was pretty great. Take care man and don't give this blog thing up.
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