Youth Culutre & The Same Old, Art Players: Intro to a Perspective

Americans and (I will say 'their' and not 'our') their proverbial focus on youth and youth culture have it all wrong. 

It makes sense from the viewpoint of fresh and beautiful or young and lovely or up and coming or nice and new but from another perspective, youth culture is sheerly a commercial fabrication and a false purveyor of what culture Americans should be passing on as art history when; it's often the low ball and low road of what it is to be creative and contribute to a culture of art in our country and by extension, to the exporting and global reach of artists who the Europeans and Asians will often not buy at auction. 

What's wrong with the picture?  Why aren't the artists of a true caliber or worth being brought forward?  There are any number of questions we can ask whether we are in the world of art, viewing it from the outside or strictly outsiders on the fringe. 

I ask myself these questions when I see what goes for awards and honors and it is not bitterness or sour grapes that I am disgusted in many instances.  Why are the key players always the same?  Why are they always in the press receiving awards and making art history?  It just doesn't make sense. 

The names hardly need mentioning, those who follow the arts already know who they are for one thing, there are no others or very few if any others there to compete with the same, tired, "icons" of American art. 

It is not just the same "old boys," either.  Now we have the "old girls," a few select over rated and inferior artists who dominate the scene.  From one perspective and I will venture to say from a critical art historical perspective, it is obscene but more on that in upcoming commentary. 

What is your take on this topic?  I'd love to know. 

"Time To Chat," Said the Cat in the Hat

It looks as though photography has taken over my opinion and commentary blogspot!  Isn't it high time I posted some commentary, some gossip or advice, some literary content of some kind? 

As it is, when I'm out walking my dog, parading the neighborhood, all sorts of things occur to me to write but by the time I'm back at the crib, I've forgotten what occurred to me.  I need a voice recorder. Talking to myself doesn't help either, I've tried that but my mind wanders. 

Life has so many distractions and as the days go by and more opportunities and temptings are dangled (art openings/art parties, warmer weather and other opportunities to get busy with something new) before me in one form or fashion.

I have a new portfolio and items for purchase online that I would like to mention now.  I am now also located at Fine Art America, a wonderful merchandising venue for artists.

I've embedded (sounds sexy but it's not really) the PayPal payment button on my three photography blogspots here on Blogger.  It was easy enough to put that together and now, I hope you'll purchase something!  I hope this doesn't sound like so much shameless self promotion but, you'll be glad you bought something for your home or office that reflects a bit of the leading edge in special effects photography.  I just know it.  :)

But I'm back to promotions and art photography, I want to suggest that when you visit today or the next time you stop by, please leave a comment and consider joining my group as a friendly follower.  If it's one of the two, just leave a comment or criticism regarding what you see.  I'd love your  feedback.  It's easy to do and something that can be done quickly enough.  The best part of it is that it's free to do!

Remember that the art or photography you purchase today could compliment your man cave so something having to do with sports or action on the playing field would fit in nicely. 

My ongoing soccer series underway for some time now highlights the anonymity and beauty of local soccer players who from my viewpoint look like living, moving flowers that scramble for their beloved soccer ball on astro turf that grounds them even as they race around chasing that ball to reach their goal. 

I am an abstract person so the game itself is not the most interesting aspect of being in the park.  I don't know the rules.  I do know the beauty of these athletes who kick and bounce the soccer ball off every part of their bodies and slam right up against each other without injury from what I can see, screeching something all the while in a Jamaican lingo (from what I have been told by one of the players). 

Men as brothers.  Men in fellowship.  Men who share a closeness that is a sporting form of unity.  I enjoy the game from that viewpoint with a camera that can appreciate the players nearby and closeup or at a distance where their size is overshadowed by the immensity of the playing field and buildings nearby. 

The soccer players are beautiful and it is my business and privilege to make them more beautiful still when I am in a position to do so, later when I am at home at my computer making them sparkle all the more beautifully.

Skateboard Jumpers (Sand), Photograph, 2011, 30" x 40"

existential youth, photographic, 30"x40"



While waiting to meet a friend for lunch, in the area just off of  Wall Street recently, an ethnically mixed group of skateboard jumpers appeared out of nowhere.  They made several jumps off the ledge which I was privileged to snap into action and photograph as quickly as possible.  I have applied special effects so that the daring young daredevils are unrecognizable however, their youthful vigor comes through somehow even in these abstraction images.  I said a few words, "Can I take some pictures?" or something like that that may or may not have registered but they were kind and did some stunts before wandering off to some better location for their daring leaps. 

Dynamism with Dots, Photographic Print, 30" x 40"

From the Wonderful Advertisement Series, Photograph 30x40 inches

The Wonders of Advertising Photography Series, 30x40 inches

What you see here is a hybrid photograph that combines visual and or graphic elements of photography, illustration, advertisement, the appearance of watercolor and/or drawing of some kind. 

I am currently exploring special effects and hybrid art photography in a number of series that are underway including: Existential Dog, The Wonderful Advertisements, Soccer Players and Beautiful Neighbors to mention a few. Ongoing this summer will be a continuation of the Amusement Park, Boardwalk and Firework Series underway for some time now.

Enlargements of these photographic images are available so contact me if you are interested in sizes from small (10x12 inches) to large (30x40 inches).

Please join me as a friendly follower and drop me a message with feedback. I'd love to hear what you think of this unconventional take on life as I know it to be from a quantum and or existential viewpoint.