The protocols of contemporary (fashionable) society are very unsettling. The differentiation of one pursuit (as in life 'goal' or 'occupation') as 'better' or more proper-- opposed to something deemed societally 'lower' is nonsensical. Besides the monetary pay grades arbitrarily assigned to various 'skills,' there is not much that separates 'us,' -- all innately and biological human. In this world moderated by such slick and cut-throat capitalistic gain, an altruistic act is so rare and special. Why have we become so detached from what we came/come from- in turn from each other?
The honey/beekeeping man ('Rick') at the farmers' market has a small cardboard sign-- on it written, 'do not confuse activity with progress.' (He proceeded to tell me that before the bees he was a computer salesman...). I find our 'kind' so detached from anything that is existentially substantive. The entire world applauds those who can slide down a hill fast (on man made metal attached to their feet) down a 'course' (that ravaged the ecosystem) and millions watch on the television while cheering, and 'approve.' Several evenings ago, I spoke to a 'bum' on the side of the road about 20th century literary theory and he gave me suggestions for lit theory reading...
How to dissimulate my indignation ??
Some 'ART' to contemplate in conjunction with contemporary ritual (based on Marino's lectures on globalism):
Zoe Leonard (photography):
Andreas Gursky (photography):
Santiago Sierra -relational antagonism- investigating inter-class/inter-cultural dynamics (controversial)
'Santiago Sierra has paid workers to do meaningless tasks, hired beggars to shine shoes at openings, and had the backs of prostitutes tattooed. Some say his art makes a powerful statement about economic inequities. Others say it's exploitation'
