“The one with the dimples” is how my mother describes Mario Lopez. She’s right; those darling divots are to die for. If you’re awesome like me, you’ll know that I am talking about Dancing With The Stars, which is one of my favorite shows. I know all I seem to do is talk about TV on this thing, but I promise I do other stuff. Truth is that while I am clacking away at the computer organizing Bazaar Bizarre for the world to enjoy, the TV is on, so it really tends to inflect my conversational range. But I digress. I love DWTS so much cuz it’s a nice show about nice people doing nice things. It’s a welcome change to witness such a meritocratic cultural moment.
It’s odd cuz in a way that’s what BazBiz is about. I mean it’s a curated show that highlights, in my humble curatorial opinion, the real beauty of hard work. Wow I am totally spinning now on this idea, but first lemme wrap up DWTS. Monique what’s-her-face from High school musical: sucky. She is such a frigid excuse for a “diva,” which I think is now acceptable social code for a Black woman with attitude. She totally lacks attitude or any connection to her milquetoast partner. Emit smith? Too cute for the Paso Doblé. I mean he should be fierce, but he’s just adorable. Ms. Vivica is my favorite, and she really butched it up this week. One of the judges even suggested letting some femininity back in. Keep yo head up, girl… but don’t cut me! Sara Evans… frump city. I think the dowdy poofy tops she wears are sposed to conceal her big mom-boobs. She sucks. Mom-boobs rule, but she’s stinky. Joe(y) Lawrence is so cute I cant stand it, and the judges love him. I think, however, that all of his outfits could benefit from nipple and bun cutouts (I’m dying for “buns” to once again become part of the American lexicon). For an 80s has-been joke, he’s bringing it – dignity style! Mario Lopez, apple of my mother’s eye, really threw down his week. The way he sez “Paso Doblé” makes me melt. Like when ethnic newscasters really let er rip with the accent as they sign off. Like they talk all super whitey, but then return to the old country when they say their name. I so dig that.
Ok so back to how BazBiz is like Dancing With The Stars. It’s a showcase not only of creativity, but also of hard work. I used to think I knew a thing or two about art. I realize that I don’t. That’s why I love crafts. While the art universe seems to be spinning out of control with this “anything is art” kind of moment, crafts really demand stick-to-itiveness. I mean you can be the most super ironic hipster asshole, but if you’re not willing to put in some hours and elbow grease, you’re never gonna be good at crafts. So there’s all this validation of “street” stuff happening right now in art, and that’s great. Listen, if anyone’s rooting for unheard voices, it’s me, but if I go to one more opening where some trust fund prick pressed “print” on his inkjet or silk-screened something on a skateboard and wants me to pay a small fortune, I’m gonna cut a bitch. I know I sound all ignorant and ranty, and I promise you that I am shocked to see these words appearing before me on the computer screen, but I just get to this point where enough is enough. Like I said, I dunno shit about art anymore. Maybe I never did.
I think you could certainly make the argument that my love of the ultimately quantifiable stitch represents a rather shortsighted, narrow, modernist – even phallic – view of aesthetics. Perhaps I am turning into an old curmudgeon because I have the hobbies of an 80 year old. Why then the huge crafting boom? I think it’s because there is something unquantifiably enjoyable about the trajectory or “journey” of a craft project. Yeah, the finished sweater or sampler is nice, but it was also fun knitting on the subway, or just going into your robo-zen stitching mode after punching keys all day at some dumb job. I think mebbe why I’m grooving on DWTS so much is cuz you know that they have to work really hard to do what they’re doing.
I am so rambling…
I think that perhaps I have finally answered for myself – albeit in a roundabout way – the question “what is the difference between art and craft?” Art has its place and always will. I know you wont believe me, but I really do love art. There’s something enjoyable to the mystery there: the allure of being among the few who are able to “get it” is definitely powerful. However, crafts seem to bring out another side of expression that’s all about being inclusive rather than exclusive. Crafts seem to find their appeal in familiarity, tradition. Think, for example, of how tactile craft is as opposed to art – I mean it’s often about literally warm and fuzzy things!
Wow all that free flowing between ideas has me spent. Time for a Caesar salad with anchovies.
It’s odd cuz in a way that’s what BazBiz is about. I mean it’s a curated show that highlights, in my humble curatorial opinion, the real beauty of hard work. Wow I am totally spinning now on this idea, but first lemme wrap up DWTS. Monique what’s-her-face from High school musical: sucky. She is such a frigid excuse for a “diva,” which I think is now acceptable social code for a Black woman with attitude. She totally lacks attitude or any connection to her milquetoast partner. Emit smith? Too cute for the Paso Doblé. I mean he should be fierce, but he’s just adorable. Ms. Vivica is my favorite, and she really butched it up this week. One of the judges even suggested letting some femininity back in. Keep yo head up, girl… but don’t cut me! Sara Evans… frump city. I think the dowdy poofy tops she wears are sposed to conceal her big mom-boobs. She sucks. Mom-boobs rule, but she’s stinky. Joe(y) Lawrence is so cute I cant stand it, and the judges love him. I think, however, that all of his outfits could benefit from nipple and bun cutouts (I’m dying for “buns” to once again become part of the American lexicon). For an 80s has-been joke, he’s bringing it – dignity style! Mario Lopez, apple of my mother’s eye, really threw down his week. The way he sez “Paso Doblé” makes me melt. Like when ethnic newscasters really let er rip with the accent as they sign off. Like they talk all super whitey, but then return to the old country when they say their name. I so dig that.
Ok so back to how BazBiz is like Dancing With The Stars. It’s a showcase not only of creativity, but also of hard work. I used to think I knew a thing or two about art. I realize that I don’t. That’s why I love crafts. While the art universe seems to be spinning out of control with this “anything is art” kind of moment, crafts really demand stick-to-itiveness. I mean you can be the most super ironic hipster asshole, but if you’re not willing to put in some hours and elbow grease, you’re never gonna be good at crafts. So there’s all this validation of “street” stuff happening right now in art, and that’s great. Listen, if anyone’s rooting for unheard voices, it’s me, but if I go to one more opening where some trust fund prick pressed “print” on his inkjet or silk-screened something on a skateboard and wants me to pay a small fortune, I’m gonna cut a bitch. I know I sound all ignorant and ranty, and I promise you that I am shocked to see these words appearing before me on the computer screen, but I just get to this point where enough is enough. Like I said, I dunno shit about art anymore. Maybe I never did.
I think you could certainly make the argument that my love of the ultimately quantifiable stitch represents a rather shortsighted, narrow, modernist – even phallic – view of aesthetics. Perhaps I am turning into an old curmudgeon because I have the hobbies of an 80 year old. Why then the huge crafting boom? I think it’s because there is something unquantifiably enjoyable about the trajectory or “journey” of a craft project. Yeah, the finished sweater or sampler is nice, but it was also fun knitting on the subway, or just going into your robo-zen stitching mode after punching keys all day at some dumb job. I think mebbe why I’m grooving on DWTS so much is cuz you know that they have to work really hard to do what they’re doing.
I am so rambling…
I think that perhaps I have finally answered for myself – albeit in a roundabout way – the question “what is the difference between art and craft?” Art has its place and always will. I know you wont believe me, but I really do love art. There’s something enjoyable to the mystery there: the allure of being among the few who are able to “get it” is definitely powerful. However, crafts seem to bring out another side of expression that’s all about being inclusive rather than exclusive. Crafts seem to find their appeal in familiarity, tradition. Think, for example, of how tactile craft is as opposed to art – I mean it’s often about literally warm and fuzzy things!
Wow all that free flowing between ideas has me spent. Time for a Caesar salad with anchovies.
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