“An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.”
- —Nina Simone
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« A Sunday Walk in the Park | Main | Paul Butzi's Solo Photo Book Month '08 »
Monday, 05 May 2008
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"The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths"
Bruce Nauman (
Posted by: Eric | Monday, 05 May 2008 at 06:08 AM
Well, yes, I suppose. As an English major many years ago I argued strenuously for artistic free-will - we are not reflectors of our times but unique creators. And there are those who say artists are the antennae of the race (McLuhan?) foreshadowing the future rather than reflecting their own time (though I daresay it could be argued their foreshadowing carries the seeds of their own time). Another debate with no final answer.
Adam
Posted by: Adam Isler | Monday, 05 May 2008 at 08:17 AM
"Yes you lied to me all these years
You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And you’d stop calling me Sister Sadie
Oh but this whole country is full of lies
You’re all gonna die and die like flies
I don’t trust you anymore
You keep on saying go slow go slow" -- Nina Simone
Obama is rumored to have purchased one of her albums in a Chicago record store in 1987, and to have listened to it on multiple occasions!
Is there any plausible way he can deny hating America unless he completely denounces, renounces, and rejects Nina Simone and her politics of hatred?
Posted by: John Bates | Monday, 05 May 2008 at 04:51 PM
Some artists cannot help reflect their time, either by subject or materials.
But "duty?" Pshaw.
Posted by: Jill Waterman | Tuesday, 06 May 2008 at 08:23 AM
Given the power of media to influence, I might reverse the statement these days: the times reflect the art.
Posted by: Tom | Friday, 09 May 2008 at 07:43 AM