(no subject)
To destroy the work as soon as, or while it’s being created.
This is not a new prospect. From Will Gibson’s infamous (and possibly mythical) book of vanishing poetry to the sculptural works of Andy Goldsworthy, the idea that ephemeral art is True Art ™ has been bounced about the various circles for many years now.
The Shock Value of art is a dead, dead horse that keeps on getting flogged. Masturbating Muslim women, voyeuristic shots of girlfriends in repose, whatever. A time traveler from the 1800s would be far more shocked by ten minutes of prime time television than anything a modern artist can create legally.
The Dadaists and Surrealists, who’s arguable statement of intent was to shock the world may have managed it, by creating new forms of art; an audience can only be shocked if they have not had the opportunity to form opinions yet. In this new millennium, most mediums of shock value have been tapped dry and surpassed entirely by mainstream media (though, up-and-coming mediums, dependent on technological innovations may bring art to new and unimaginable heights as this civilization progresses.)
So, I say let’s go for the nuts of the matter. If the subject has no real value to Joe and Jane Don’t-Know-Anything-About-Art-But-Hear-Owning-Art-Is-A-Good-Thing but the object itself has monetary importance, then tearing that away is the only way to get a message across. Burn the paintings while they haggle over price. Paint in water soluble mediums and have the sprinkler systems go off right in the middle of judging.
Paint backwards with water.
Spit directly into the face of the concept of ownership because the truth of the matter is that no matter how much art someone accumulates, they never gained anything new from the owning; like the Dark Place, you only leave with what you bought in with you.
But.
This is no cheap way out. This is no fast track. The idea is not iconoclasty for it’s own sake, it’s to create something beautiful and worthwhile and accept that all things must die. It’s about knowing that the memory will always surpass the event, that nothing lasts forever because nothing is meant to.
Do I have some immaculate, enlightened grasp of this concept? Hell no. Which is why art is a great way to explore it, to come to terms with it and hopefully show others.
We only interest ourselves in the things we need to know.
The idea of being the artistic equivalent of a hooker that drugs you and leaves you clotheless in an alley has appeal, but then there’s a truth to be had in that comparison.
Responsibility? Perhaps the john shouldn’t have been in that bad part of town to begin with.
Wisdom? Maybe he should have realized things were awry and left.
Social concern? Maybe the hooker was destitute.
Or maybe it’s just a ‘shit happens’ kind of day.