"We need a new point of view that would combine the inspiring progressive principles and global conciousness of the Sixties with the hard political lessons of the Seventies and Eighties, sobering decades of rational reaction against the arrogant excesses of my generation, who thought we could change the world overnight. In other words, we need a fusion of idealism and realism. Social justice and compassion are compatible with an intelligent respect for private enterprise and law and order. But first, history and economics must be directly studied, without the posturing and simplistic cliches that masquerade as political thinking these days among liberals in and out of academe."
Camille Paglia, Sex, Art, and American Culture (1992)
What's your point of view?
Camille Paglia, Sex, Art, and American Culture (1992)
What's your point of view?
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Hawaii
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Re: new point of view
Sat, September 17, 2005 - 7:43 AMI agree Jacqueline!
As a prostitute within the industry for 30 years now. The only thing that makes sense to me is a radical re-think! How art & sex are intrinsically intertwined. The issues that society has against people like myself within this artistic expression has been seriously undermined with pwerful personal issues. Instead of reaching deep within, the sketchy & surface values society adheres to, have gagged honest expression. History has already done its work, the signs are there, but we as yet are still teetering on the edge of personal & sexual recognition, our fears & our desires. desire being the only place when surrendered to, finds it own level of truth. So desire is truth! The truth that many refuse to even acknowledge its existence,,,,,& in its suppression, others are part of the ripples of fear & choas it creates.
Does this make any sense Jacqueline?
Its our first discussion together, so the flavour of the personalities are part of discovery itself.
By the way hi, thanks for the invite, I am sure we will have some interesting discussions! -
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Re: new point of view
Sat, September 17, 2005 - 1:57 PM<<desire is truth>>
I have lately been confronted with this concept. It has shined a light on some of my darkest recesses, to the better, I think. And my art, my writing, is flowing strong. Desires can be frightening, causing one to seek a refuge of illusion, if one refuses to glimpse the truths revealed. In society, this illusion seems to manifest in judgemental suppression and separation of desire as something not a part of ourselves. Definitely fear based behavior.
CP aptly points out how this fear plays out in education. Just look at the way we teach our students about sex, for example. And the national agenda for art is becoming more controlled by fundalmentalist beliefs. The media is rife with sexual desire, but it is presented as eye candy, not in the beauty of art. This is, I believe, the reason for the pervasive lack of humanity amongst the population. Desire expressed through art brings not only self-realisation, it instills an appreciation, a respect for the human condition. It is the responsibilty of educators to bring this perspective to their students and to society.
Unfortunately, education is going in the opposite direction, with the goal being standardising curriculum and measurable achievement. It's disheartening for arts educators like myself, who battle daily against the rising tide of conformity and supression.
Thanks for joining the tribe, Lynne. You have some fantastic insight and I look forward to future discussions. Aloha.
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