the collapse of the stage

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There've been many comments denigrating the gradual dissolution of the line between 'artist' and 'general public' in modern times. The causes seem obvious enough -- cheapening of art supplies, pirated software, technological advances, blogging, the Internet as a means of disseminating text, opening of small art galleries and institutions, etc. Under the argument, the 'essence' of art as a classic tradition is demeaned by these circumstances.

But there's a specific quote I'm looking for, which summarizes the trend in a short phrase that compares the ambition of the amateur artist -- who thinks everything they produce is an Art Object worthy of study -- to an infant impressed by and proud of its own poop. Does anyone know the quote I'm thinking of, or have an idea who might have made it?

― Dare, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

and to expand the question to something worth discussion, how do you feel about the above? Positive trend, negative frustration, a mix .. ?

As something of a populist my position isn't too hard to imagine, I think the expansion of networked communities is a good thing. Doesn't often result in timeless, 'Classic' art, but having the opportunity to express yrself validates the sense of creativity within individuals and spins off into its own new categories. And the influx of data and information overload is worth it, just requires you to exercise new filters.

― Dare, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I never realized that the lowering of the stage (in Punk) also signified the coming together of musician and fan. An egalitarian postition, no?

― cuba libre (nathalie), Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

if the boundaries between art + life are blurred, and art is brought into the everyday, surely this mandates a rethinking of 'art for art's sake' 'art is not responsible' ideologies. that's the only thing i'm concerned with.

― Pat Z., Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Martin Amis deals with this SO VERY WELL in "The Information".

also, are strip clubs the best way to break "the fourth wall" or what?

― Sterling Clover, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i thought this was gonna be about the screaming trees.

― keith, Thursday, 16 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I know what quote you're referring to Dare...I can't remember either. The ground-level stage makes a difference, of course...you can't see them from in back when they're down on the floor of course, but I think there must be some primal, emotional feeling of the music "coming down from above", Olympus-style, and there is some basic need for that, whether the music's shite or no. I don't see how egalitarianism makes for better art. Long live selfish, self- absorbed artists...they can be friendly and egalitarian and PC when they're playing a song for their boyfriends/girlfriends at home, just a-strummin' by the fire...but theatre is theatre and we're starved right now for "the lie that tells the truth".

― Nicholas J K, Tuesday, 21 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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