Comments on: The Emperor’s Clothing Syndrome http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/ Sun, 27 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Mo http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1055334 Mo Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:10:42 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1055334 Thanks. I've always found it interesting because I find it more accurate, for lack of a better word, to compose in a twelve tone, or atonal, say, especially when I'm writing off of the news of the day, for inspiration, so to speak. Atonal represents, in part, the chaos most feel in this modern age, though it can be very difficult to listen to, when one is seeking a standard harmonic resoltuion. Art, whether music or painting, is an attempt by the artist, IMO, to order the greater universal chaos, through feeling, or emotion, reflective of any given period of time. Popular music, too, after ww2, and onward, is reflective of that same quest to order the overwhelming chaos of the day (though I'd just as soon dump the most of the rap of the last 10 years, the pop equivalent to Britney Spears). Thanks.

I’ve always found it interesting because I find it more accurate, for lack of a better word, to compose in a twelve tone, or atonal, say, especially when I’m writing off of the news of the day, for inspiration, so to speak.

Atonal represents, in part, the chaos most feel in this modern age, though it can be very difficult to listen to, when one is seeking a standard harmonic resoltuion.

Art, whether music or painting, is an attempt by the artist, IMO, to order the greater universal chaos, through feeling, or emotion, reflective of any given period of time.

Popular music, too, after ww2, and onward, is reflective of that same quest to order the overwhelming chaos of the day (though I’d just as soon dump the most of the rap of the last 10 years, the pop equivalent to Britney Spears).

]]> By: Josie http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054465 Josie Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:37:07 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054465 I think Osacar Wilde's words; 'Bad artists always admire each other's work' has a lot to do with all these issues too. If I mention John Williams - will I be scorned as a sympton of the problem? Sorry, classical music is the one round in University Challenge that I don't even guess at. Am going to enjoy being educated by you OGG. I think Osacar Wilde’s words; ‘Bad artists always admire each other’s work’ has a lot to do with all these issues too.
If I mention John Williams – will I be scorned as a sympton of the problem?
Sorry, classical music is the one round in University Challenge that I don’t even guess at. Am going to enjoy being educated by you OGG.

]]> By: Judy L. NC http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054308 Judy L. NC Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:58:56 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054308 You can call me Old Grumpy Gal. You can call me Old Grumpy Gal.

]]> By: Judy L. NC http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054305 Judy L. NC Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:57:56 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054305 OGG, I'd enjoy your wittiness a whole lot more if you'd change the camera angle so I don't have to look up your nostrils. Just sayin. . . OGG, I’d enjoy your wittiness a whole lot more if you’d change the camera angle so I don’t have to look up your nostrils. Just sayin. . .

]]> By: socalannie http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054017 socalannie Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:06:45 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054017 Thank you OGG, very enjoyable. Why don't you follow this series up with one on opera performances? (note: must include Callas!) Best Regards! Thank you OGG, very enjoyable. Why don’t you follow this series up with one on opera performances? (note: must include Callas!) Best Regards!

]]> By: workingclass artist http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054013 workingclass artist Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:04:40 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054013 Are you going to write about other "supastas" v great masters in other mediums? When you mentioned the Beast with no name my first thought was Damien Hirst...lol...Just wondering.... Are you going to write about other “supastas” v great masters in other mediums?
When you mentioned the Beast with no name my first thought was Damien Hirst…lol…Just wondering….

]]> By: OldGrumpyGuy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1054008 OldGrumpyGuy Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:01:23 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1054008 Music is not my profession, but I have dabbled. I'm a great dabbler in all kinds of things. Music is not my profession, but I have dabbled. I’m a great dabbler in all kinds of things.

]]> By: OldGrumpyGuy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053996 OldGrumpyGuy Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:51:59 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053996 It is gratifying to see such a lot of interesting and thought provoking comments as above, although I expect I will disappoint some for not including their favorite composers in the top ten, but I have my reasons. It is gratifying to see such a lot of interesting and thought provoking comments as above, although I expect I will disappoint some for not including their favorite composers in the top ten, but I have my reasons.

]]> By: TeakWoodKite http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053929 TeakWoodKite Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:16:39 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053929 Thanks Grumpy Old Man! An education is priceless; <blockquote>Knowledge is a deadly friend When no one sets the rules. The fate of all mankind I see Is in the hands of fools.</blockquote> King Crimson. Thanks Grumpy Old Man!
An education is priceless;

Knowledge is a deadly friend
When no one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind I see
Is in the hands of fools.

King Crimson.

]]> By: ritamary http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053902 ritamary Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:03:17 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053902 Thanks, Grumpy. You are interesting and informative as always. Thanks, Grumpy. You are interesting and informative as always.

]]> By: workingclass artist http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053845 workingclass artist Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:33:00 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053845 Hmmmm....this is an age old argument...Popular vs. Refined...check out newspapers from the turn of the century when critics wailed about the menace of ragtime music and vaudeville...chuckle... I have to say though that it is critical analysis that is becoming rare. Psuedo-intellectualism is the enemy and in this I agree with Grump. Art students of my day were treated with contempt by the Art History students because we were messy and spoke simply ( words are not a visual artists primary means of expression and the smart ones avoid it like the plague...chuckle...ala Hopper an art student hero who said famously..."If you could put it into words you wouldn't need to paint it" This is why so many artists sound either stupid or crazy when we try to talk about it...lol ) Grump is correct..We have all of us been overtaken by a stampede of caterwallering mediocrities...To our own peril... Hmmmm….this is an age old argument…Popular vs. Refined…check out newspapers from the turn of the century when critics wailed about the menace of ragtime music and vaudeville…chuckle…
I have to say though that it is critical analysis that is becoming rare. Psuedo-intellectualism is the enemy and in this I agree with Grump. Art students of my day were treated with contempt by the Art History students because we were messy and spoke simply ( words are not a visual artists primary means of expression and the smart ones avoid it like the plague…chuckle…ala Hopper an art student hero who said famously…”If you could put it into words you wouldn’t need to paint it”
This is why so many artists sound either stupid or crazy when we try to talk about it…lol )
Grump is correct..We have all of us been overtaken by a stampede of caterwallering mediocrities…To our own peril…

]]> By: workingclass artist http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053820 workingclass artist Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:17:44 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053820 Hmmmm....this will be interesting. Sometimes an artist is important historically with regards to who they inspire ( what comes after )....Innovation opens up possibilities....You have taken on a noble cause...How very British of you...chuckle...It is one of the Best of British cultural traits ( pondering civilization and criticizing culture ) Some of the best writing on aesthetics and politics was done by British authors/poets/critics...Because they see the relationships and articulate with such style and wit....imho Hmmmm….this will be interesting. Sometimes an artist is important historically with regards to who they inspire ( what comes after )….Innovation opens up possibilities….You have taken on a noble cause…How very British of you…chuckle…It is one of the Best of British cultural traits ( pondering civilization and criticizing culture ) Some of the best writing on aesthetics and politics was done by British authors/poets/critics…Because they see the relationships and articulate with such style and wit….imho

]]> By: sonicninjakitty http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053812 sonicninjakitty Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:10:10 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053812 This is a fascinating angle. I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Along the same line of thought, I'd like to recommend a wonderful book by Neal Gabler entitled Life: The Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality. It's an extremely well-thought out and documented study of how popular culture has taken hold of the US so pervasively. The standard of value for us now is whether or not something can grab and hold our attention. Things that do not conform to this narrow standard (serious literature, classical music, informed political debate, and complex ideas) are compromised and marginalized. The "primary effect" of 20th century media, according to Gabler, has been its ability to make entertainment out of news (movies based on news stories, the OJ trial, the 'Scud Stud' of the Gulf War, the convergence of material between tabloid papers/shows and mainstream papers/shows to name a few). The "secondary effect" has been that everything is then forced to turn itself into entertainment in order to attract media attention, like a Mobius strip. BO has somehow picked up on this and utilized it exceptionally well, I hate to say. So have Olbermann, et al.... It's an awesome book, but depressing. I do hope to stumble across the answer to how we find our way out of this abyss someday. *Help me Old Grumpy Guy. You're my only hope.* (Use the Force, perhaps? lol) This is a fascinating angle. I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Along the same line of thought, I’d like to recommend a wonderful book by Neal Gabler entitled Life: The Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality. It’s an extremely well-thought out and documented study of how popular culture has taken hold of the US so pervasively. The standard of value for us now is whether or not something can grab and hold our attention. Things that do not conform to this narrow standard (serious literature, classical music, informed political debate, and complex ideas) are compromised and marginalized. The “primary effect” of 20th century media, according to Gabler, has been its ability to make entertainment out of news (movies based on news stories, the OJ trial, the ‘Scud Stud’ of the Gulf War, the convergence of material between tabloid papers/shows and mainstream papers/shows to name a few). The “secondary effect” has been that everything is then forced to turn itself into entertainment in order to attract media attention, like a Mobius strip. BO has somehow picked up on this and utilized it exceptionally well, I hate to say. So have Olbermann, et al…. It’s an awesome book, but depressing. I do hope to stumble across the answer to how we find our way out of this abyss someday. *Help me Old Grumpy Guy. You’re my only hope.* (Use the Force, perhaps? lol)

]]> By: workingclass artist http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053804 workingclass artist Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:05:32 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053804 I look forward to that...Well done...thanks. I look forward to that…Well done…thanks.

]]> By: Old Grumpy Guy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/6599/the-emperors-clothing-syndrome/#comment-1053790 Old Grumpy Guy Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:52:15 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=6599#comment-1053790 I will be defining and discussing this in the 12th video of the series. I will be defining and discussing this in the 12th video of the series.

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