If we are going to invade other countries for oil (or because we think we're protecting them *cough*) then we should be prepared for some sort of retaliation. That's what astounds me about Diane Arbus: She figured this shit out almost forty years ago.
And she was the product of a very elite background.
Why has it taken us (the so-called common people so long?)
And why has there been so little change since Vietnam? America does not trust in God. It trusts in the almighty dollar. Yet everybody keeps on happily watching their reality shows, and pretending to be concerned about those less fortunate than us both in other countries and at home. It's sickening to me.
Think about this the next time you ignore a homeless person on your way to a job which you soon might lose. Enough said. I'm done.
Well, you're certainly right about America putting their trust in the almighty dollar rather than in God.
I never heard of Diane Arbus - so your post inspired me to do some research about her. What a fascinating person! It's such a shame that she committed suicide. I really like her photography - - in fact I'd like to feature her photos in my "Cabinet of Curious Treasures" blog some day.
Jon, she was WAY ahead of her time. And like Sylvia Plath - the world gave her little notice until after her death. There's a very good movie (Fur) based on her life. Something tells me you might like it a lot. You can watch it with your cats :-)
The movie I found (on Youtube) was of such poor quality that I stopped watching it after five minutes. Ended up finding an excellent documentary about Arbus and watched that instead.
I truly believe that when a person is ahead of their times, they have very little in common with all people of the same generation - which is the perfect setup for such a calamity as to commit suicide.
Dana, do you believe it is due to total social isolation? That's what the psychiatrists preach...
I think it has more to do with friends, family, fellow artists - all telling you that you are sick in the head and your art has no possibility of ever being taken seriously by both the critics and the world -
I didn't say it was due to isolation. It has everything to do with friends, family, fellow artists, and strangers, dismissing the person's ideas that their brains are unable to process. Isolation, along with the feeling of being the only sane person in an insane world, opens the door to the only exit: suicide.
You're very welcome :-) I first discovered Arbus in 1985 and could not get enough of her. I'd always liked painting, but didn't know much about photography. More recently, I watched an interview with Ally Sheedy, and she stated that the excellent film (High Art) is more or less based on the life of Arbus...
I'm not familiar with Diane Arbus either - so I googled her. I think the same qualities that drive a person to brilliance - may also drive them to suicide. Brilliance can be profoundly isolating.
I don't ignore the homeless. I help where I can - since no one should ever feel forgotten.
Hey Whisper, it is odd that so many brilliant poets, writers, and artists ended up killing themselves: Van Gogh, Hart Crane, Hemingway, Truman Capote, Diane Arbus, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton - sort of makes you wonder.
Since I've been homeless myself (when I was still VERY young), I never ignore the homeless. I'm glad you have such a generous spirit :-)
Nice to see your still around. Did you read my email about the neighbor who posted lawn sign quote, I Love My Muslim Neighbor. I said I wanted one for crabby adjacent, likely Trump voting, neighbor to see. Rethinking, I would like something less confrontational. Too much confrontation going on. As someone in 60 Minutes TV focus group said,quote, Too much spewing opinions flying with no attempt at two way dialog. Trying to find or think of message of toleration sign that sends jolt, but not just in your face tweet.
I've been MIA for a good reason: I am sick to death of ALL the petty nonsense going on in this country right now. Both sides are acting like spoiled brats, and I needed to detach myself from it all for a few days.
Thanks for the interesting email: I'd just get a Black Lives Matter bumper sticker - that way you can piss off your Trump voting neighbor AND all the racists out there on the road :-)
If we are going to invade other countries for oil (or because we think we're protecting them *cough*) then we should be prepared for some sort of retaliation. That's what astounds me about Diane Arbus: She figured this shit out almost forty years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd she was the product of a very elite background.
Why has it taken us (the so-called common people so long?)
And why has there been so little change since Vietnam? America does not trust in God. It trusts in the almighty dollar. Yet everybody keeps on happily watching their reality shows, and pretending to be concerned about those less fortunate than us both in other countries and at home. It's sickening to me.
Think about this the next time you ignore a homeless person on your way to a job which you soon might lose. Enough said. I'm done.
Well, you're certainly right about America putting their trust in the almighty dollar rather than in God.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of Diane Arbus - so your post inspired me to do some research about her. What a fascinating person! It's such a shame that she committed suicide. I really like her photography - - in fact I'd like to feature her photos in my "Cabinet of Curious Treasures" blog some day.
Jon, she was WAY ahead of her time. And like Sylvia Plath - the world gave her little notice until after her death. There's a very good movie (Fur) based on her life. Something tells me you might like it a lot. You can watch it with your cats :-)
ReplyDeleteI found the movie on YouTube (where else?) and plan to watch it soon. Thanks.
DeleteThe movie I found (on Youtube) was of such poor quality that I stopped watching it after five minutes. Ended up finding an excellent documentary about Arbus and watched that instead.
DeleteI truly believe that when a person is ahead of their times, they have very little in common with all people of the same generation - which is the perfect setup for such a calamity as to commit suicide.
ReplyDeleteDana, do you believe it is due to total social isolation? That's what the psychiatrists preach...
DeleteI think it has more to do with friends, family, fellow artists - all telling you that you are sick in the head and your art has no possibility of ever being taken seriously by both the critics and the world -
so you're better off dead.
Ouch.
I didn't say it was due to isolation. It has everything to do with friends, family, fellow artists, and strangers, dismissing the person's ideas that their brains are unable to process. Isolation, along with the feeling of being the only sane person in an insane world, opens the door to the only exit: suicide.
DeleteI love Arbus' work, too, but never looked as deeply as you have. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome :-) I first discovered Arbus in 1985 and could not get enough of her. I'd always liked painting, but didn't know much about photography. More recently, I watched an interview with Ally Sheedy, and she stated that the excellent film (High Art) is more or less based on the life of Arbus...
DeleteHi Dylan,
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Diane Arbus either - so I googled
her. I think the same qualities that drive a person to brilliance - may also drive them to suicide. Brilliance can be profoundly isolating.
I don't ignore the homeless. I help where I can - since no one should ever feel forgotten.
Have a good day !
Hey Whisper, it is odd that so many brilliant poets, writers, and artists ended up killing themselves: Van Gogh, Hart Crane, Hemingway, Truman Capote, Diane Arbus, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton - sort of makes you wonder.
DeleteSince I've been homeless myself (when I was still VERY young), I never ignore the homeless. I'm glad you have such a generous spirit :-)
Nice to see your still around. Did you read my email about the neighbor who posted lawn sign quote, I Love My Muslim Neighbor. I said I wanted one for crabby adjacent, likely Trump voting, neighbor to see. Rethinking, I would like something less confrontational. Too much confrontation going on. As someone in 60 Minutes TV focus group said,quote, Too much spewing opinions flying with no attempt at two way dialog. Trying to find or think of message of toleration sign that sends jolt, but not just in your face tweet.
ReplyDeleteI've been MIA for a good reason: I am sick to death of ALL the petty nonsense going on in this country right now. Both sides are acting like spoiled brats, and I needed to detach myself from it all for a few days.
DeleteThanks for the interesting email: I'd just get a Black Lives Matter bumper sticker - that way you can piss off your Trump voting neighbor AND all the racists out there on the road :-)
Dollar first God second , so noir image
ReplyDeleteYes, very sad - but all too true. Makes you wonder why even bother claiming "In God We Trust" on American money...
DeleteCongratulations on your 100,000+ hits & counting. Welcome back. Good to take breaks from time to time.
ReplyDeleteDon't I know it. You're very kind. Thanks :-)
DeleteP.S. I began this blog for myself - like a journal. I never imagined (even for a second) that anyone would care about what I wrote...