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Context is so important. I remember seeing this on reddit and thinking that surely it must be staged satire, poking fun at the types (pun intended) of people o

Context is so important. I remember seeing this on reddit and thinking that surely it must be staged satire, poking fun at the types (pun intended) of people one sees around Chelsea. Without the context of it being a piece of (really rather compelling) performance art, the photo looks like a person who is trying very hard to be noticed.

drcode 13y ago
I guess the issue for me is that there is a cachet in our society for successful artists- That's why so many people want to try art, because art is "cool". But the reason art is cool is PRECISELY BECAUSE artists have to take risks and stick their necks out and have to be able to take the heat if their art gets a bad reception. It seems to me OP wanted the cachet of doing art, but doesn't want to accept the risk that is an integral part of being an artist.
- zalew 13y ago
  > It seems to me OP wanted the cachet of doing art, but doesn't want to accept the risk that is an integral part of being an artist. yeah, many celebs behave that way. they don't mind seeking irrational popularity that makes them sign multi-million contracts, but get extremely butthurt when popular opinion shifts against their favor when something goes wrong. the same medium and communities that made them famous and rich suddently get called a bunch of abusive haters that need to get exterminated.
- gknoy 13y ago
  He expected to be criticized for what he saw was the performace: writing stories. He did NOT expect to have his "Hey I'll type anything for you" sign completely hidden, and therefore the pictures about him to be taken completely out of context. In real life, you can see something like that, and then walk around until you see the sign and have better context, and be less dismissive or confused. When all you have is a photo, that's less easy.
  - drcode 13y ago
    <sarcasm> Oh I see, you're saying that he was an artist who's art was MISUNDERSTOOD! Well, that changes everything: In other cases, people understand 100% what artists are trying to do. No performance artist in their right mind can be expected to take into account that others might misunderstand his/her performance. </sarcasm>
    - Gigablah 13y ago
      Somehow we've reached a point in society where being spotted in public with a typewriter turns you into a subject of mockery and disdain. Hell, the author would be better treated if he dressed up as a clown and made balloon animals.
    - comrade_ogilvy 13y ago
      No, his art is not being misunderstood in the least. That would have required an iota of effort on the part of the mindless haters. No, they (and apparently you) think that forming harsh judgment about the person based on a few superficial details, without any regard for the attempt at art whatsoever, is somehow okay. That the person is attempting art is just being used as an excuse for indefensible behavior.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]

drcode 13y ago

I guess the issue for me is that there is a cachet in our society for successful artists- That's why so many people want to try art, because art is "cool". But the reason art is cool is PRECISELY BECAUSE artists have to take risks and stick their necks out and have to be able to take the heat if their art gets a bad reception. It seems to me OP wanted the cachet of doing art, but doesn't want to accept the risk that is an integral part of being an artist.

zalew 13y ago
> It seems to me OP wanted the cachet of doing art, but doesn't want to accept the risk that is an integral part of being an artist. yeah, many celebs behave that way. they don't mind seeking irrational popularity that makes them sign multi-million contracts, but get extremely butthurt when popular opinion shifts against their favor when something goes wrong. the same medium and communities that made them famous and rich suddently get called a bunch of abusive haters that need to get exterminated.
gknoy 13y ago
He expected to be criticized for what he saw was the performace: writing stories. He did NOT expect to have his "Hey I'll type anything for you" sign completely hidden, and therefore the pictures about him to be taken completely out of context. In real life, you can see something like that, and then walk around until you see the sign and have better context, and be less dismissive or confused. When all you have is a photo, that's less easy.
- drcode 13y ago
  <sarcasm> Oh I see, you're saying that he was an artist who's art was MISUNDERSTOOD! Well, that changes everything: In other cases, people understand 100% what artists are trying to do. No performance artist in their right mind can be expected to take into account that others might misunderstand his/her performance. </sarcasm>
  - Gigablah 13y ago
    Somehow we've reached a point in society where being spotted in public with a typewriter turns you into a subject of mockery and disdain. Hell, the author would be better treated if he dressed up as a clown and made balloon animals.
  - comrade_ogilvy 13y ago
    No, his art is not being misunderstood in the least. That would have required an iota of effort on the part of the mindless haters. No, they (and apparently you) think that forming harsh judgment about the person based on a few superficial details, without any regard for the attempt at art whatsoever, is somehow okay. That the person is attempting art is just being used as an excuse for indefensible behavior.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]