Thanks to those artists, arts advocates and friends of the arts (and my blog) who voted for me in the second round of the “Great Arts Blogger Challenge“. My blog did not advance to Round 3, as it did not get enough community support (votes) to do so. At least I won’t need to keep feeling like a street beggar desperately pleading for votes. Texas is still the boonies, after all; the chance for further FREE national advocacy through this high visibility arts blogger contest, for us, is finished. Quit yer bitchin’ and move on, right? Dallas has more fancy bridges to nowhere to build and mostly non-usuable (by regional companies) imposing edifices as theatres to erect. Three cheers for touring shows!
As disappointed as I am in not “advancing” to Round 3, myself, I am aghast that this educated, perceptive blog with simple, clear voice failed to advance, either. Reviewing some blogs that did advance, I wonder about the selection criteria. Sadly, the blog I post below was well supported by its community (155 votes) and made its argument clearly and comprehensively. I am very sorry Greg Chadwick’s “Speed of Life” did not advance. It deserved to. I intend to keep voting. DAILY. I’ll share more on Monday, when the next responses get posted.
Where is it written that Life is Fair? I’d like to pull down that monument.
Greg Chadwick is a contemporary visual artist, advocate, published author and arts lecturer with national and international standing based in Santa Monica, CA
Image and Music
by Gregg Chadwick
In response to Spring for Music‘s Round Two query in the 2012 Great Blogger
Challenge:
But which art form has the most to say about contemporary culture, and why?
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| Tokyo Streets photo by Gregg Chadwick |
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It is true that we are bombarded daily by imagery. What is often missed is that this phenomenon is nothing new. For example, Lucas Cranach’s copy of Hieronymous Bosch’s Altarpiece with the Last Judgement provides a cornucopia of beatific and horrific imagery all at once.
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A closer look at a detail of Cranach’s painting presents symbolic messages that simultaneously dazzle the eye and imply a sonic landscape for the ear.
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| Image and Music in Venice, Italy photo by Gregg Chadwick |
Music has the ability to move us to a communal expression of hope in the face of trouble and, for at least a moment, a rush of joy. This musical rush is akin to the shared glory that spectators feel as their team triumphs on the sporting field. The philosophers Hubert Dreyfus, from UC Berkeley, and Sean Kelly, from Harvard, speak of this Homeric feeling of wonder and gratitude in their marvelous book, All Things Shining:
‘There are moments in sport – either in the playing of them or in the witnessing of them – during which something so overpowering happens that it wells up before you as a palpable presence and carries you along as on a powerful wave. At that moment there is no question of ironic distance from the event. That is the moment when the sacred shines.”
U2 has used their music to reflect upon contemporary global events. Drawing on the troubles in Northern Ireland, they addressed the contemporary issues in Iran. Audiences responded.
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| Gregg Chadwick The Call – ندا -Neda 36″x48″ oil on linen 2009 |
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| Gregg Chadwick Call and Echo 24″x18″ oil on linen 2011 |
The death of Trayvon Martin has obviously weighed on Bruce Springsteen and his audiences this past week in Tampa, Boston, and Philadelphia. During three consecutive shows, the band played American Skin (41 Shots) and Springsteen released the professionally shot video on his website along with the lyrics to the song. On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, Springsteen dedicated the song with the words, “This is for Trayvon.”
Clearly, music creates a dynamic interaction with a live audience that speaks to and of contemporary culture in powerful and life affirming ways.
Labels: arts, Arts Blogger Challenge, blogger, chadwick, Contemporary Culture, gregg, gregg chadwick, Image, music, New York, New York Cultural Capital?, Round 2, speed of life, Spring for Music, springformusic.com
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 
Alexandra,
Thanks for your comments on my blog and art. I am touched by your words and inspired by your conviction!
I am happy to meet you via Carnegie Hall:)
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A. Huxley said, ‘After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.’ Music brings together where words tear apart. Lovely art work. Thank you for sharing this post.
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