- Introduction:
Explanation Of Content - Section One:
Elaborated Version Of "The Theory Of Artistic Relativity". - Section Two:
Elaborated Version Of The Theory's First Derivational Category Of Art, "Psychotic Symbolism". - Section Three:
"Let Us Not Forget!" - The "Artistic Tragedy" Of A Great Artist. - Section Four:
Condensed Version Of The Theory And Category As Copyrighted In 1985. - Section Five:
The Symbolism Of "The Moth"
4. Section Three:
"Let Us Not Forget!" -
The "Artistic Tragedy" Of A Great Artist.
If someone were to ask; "What is the greatest painting in the entire world?" What would the choices be? Would it be "The Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci, the "Sistine Chapel" by Michelangelo, or maybe "Guernica" by Picasso? I know of one painting that is most likely in the TOP TEN, probably in the TOP FIVE, but in my opinion is NUMBER ONE, and that would be "The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh. It even has its own song dedicated to it and the artist. Of course there is no true number one, for we all have our opinions, but for all intent purposes here, let us pick "The Starry Night" so as we may also exploit the life of Van Gogh and recall what is definitely the worst "artistic" tragedy of all time.
I saw "The Starry Night" in person. One day, me and a fellow "off the wall" artist and confidant (we will call him "Dave") decided to borrow my dad's car "for about fifteen minutes (of fame)" and go to New York City to find a gallery to handle our work. Since we lived in Ohio, "dad" would not have a car for the weekend! (We laughed!) After a nights drive, we ended up in New York City in the morning. With no sleep, we pursued our quest. After "consultations" (being asked kindly to leave) in each gallery we went in, we happened to wander in front of The Museum of Modern Art. There was a long line going in and I asked the last person in line what was going on. The person said they were all in line to see "The Starry Night"! I told Dave I wanted to see the picture and asked if he wanted to see it also. Dave said "no" but he would wait here until I came back. He was doing something important at the time. He was talking to a "homeless" man about our art careers!
The line to see "The Starry Night" progressed like a presidential funeral. When I got close to the picture, I saw it was under a glass protection and had two flanking guards. There "lT" was, IN PERSON, "The real McCoy"! I could even hear the melody of that "certain song" playing in my head. One does not give an opinion on how the painting looks, you just "pay your respects" and move on. I met up with Dave out front again and he told me he got some great advice from his new acquaintance. His "new found friend" said it would be better if we had brought some actual paintings to show the gallery owners (sound advice!), so we went home, smarter than before!
I would now like to refer to those two important words, "logic dictates", to make my next point. If you think "logically", a certain moment in time actually occurred. That moment was when Vincent Van Gogh put the last brushstroke on his painting, "The Starry Night". The painting was probably propped up on an easel and Vincent was sitting right in front of it. He added that "one last star" and felt it was done. The next moment in time that occurred may have gone like this. Vincent carried "The Starry Night" (still not totally dry!) down to his local art gallery. He opened the door to the gallery, the little bell on the door "tinkled", he walked in, and we all know what the response was. The manager of the gallery looked at the owner of the gallery and said; "Oh no, its' Van Gogh! You talk to him this time!" The owner said; "All right, my turn, but this time I'm going to lay it on the line!" Vincent Van Gogh approached the two men, held up his painting and said; "This is my latest work, I call it, "Night of Many Stars". (Just go with it. You don't actually believe he called it... lets' continue.) What do you guys think?" In case you don't get it, "logic dictates", Vincent Van Gogh, THE MAN HIMSELF, held up the same painting that is now in The Museum of Modern Art, under glass, with two flanking guards, beyond comment, that you file past like a presidential funeral, humming to yourself the song, "Starry, Starry Night!" He just held up quite possible THE GREATEST PAINTING IN THE WORLD for, dare I say, critique by some "art critics"! The owner of the gallery, based on all his artistic knowledge at the time, said; "Vincent, we like you and your commitment to art, but your work is "amateurish". You paint like a "madman"! You need to slow your brushstroke down. It looks like you paint with a knife! I suggest you go down the street to the local university and take some painting classes. They will show you how it is done. (No comment!) Despondently, Vincent leaves the gallery. The manager comments to the owner; "Did you see that one! I think it was the worst one yet! I think Vincent is insane! The gallery owner comments back; "Insane, I think he's PSYCHOTIC!" (This is good!) I think everyone can see the point to be made here. The "tragedy" that can occur for every artist and the "greatest artwork in the world" (potentially), is the fact any artist's "new" creation can be deemed insignificant by any "art critic" at any time! Does anybody really know how to perceive or judge "new" art at all?
To instill another point, I must hypothetically continue our story of the scenario in the gallery. Let us imagine we have at hand, in pristine working condition, a "TIME MACHINE". (The typical kind we see in the movies with all the "bells and whistles".) A few of us step into the time machine and are amazingly transported to the exact gallery we spoke of, at the exact time, Vincent Van Gogh showed up. The manager of the gallery and the gallery owner say; "Who are you people and where did you come from?" We say; "Its' a long story, we'll explain later!" Just then, the door opens (the bell tinkles), and Vincent Van Gogh comes in holding, "Night of Many Stars"! He comes up to all of us and says; "What do you think?" Those of us from the future let out simultaneous screams and say; "Its' "THE STARRY NIGHT"!" The owner of the gallery says; "I thought it was, "Night of Many Stars"?" We say; "Its' part of the long story, we'll explain later!" Vincent Van Gogh says; "THE STARRY NIGHT! I like it, can I use it?" We say; "Sure Vincent, "have fun with it"! We will even sing the song that goes with it! Don't ask, its' a long story! In fact, we would like to buy it from you. Would fifty million dollars be enough?" The owner of the gallery says: "Maybe you better tell me this "long story" now!"
It is obvious in the hypothetical scenario in the gallery that we would treat the situation differently since we would have knowledge of what was to come in art history. Therefore, the point that we should instill in each one of us is to give every artist their due! Before passing judgment on any artist's work, REMEMBER VAN GOGH! Remember what happened to him and for a "brief moment in time", let any "new" art that is created be the next, "Night of Many Stars"! If it has any merit at all, you will know it immediately. It will stand out on its own! It will be "PSYCHOTIC"!
Hopefully, with all this instilled inside of us NOW, let us give "Psychotic Symbolism", along with "The Theory of Artistic Relativity", its DUE! For that brief moment in time, let us ask the question, "What if?" What if "Psychotic Trees Grabbing Petals for Their Branches" was the next "Night of Many Stars"? If you think I am comparing myself with Vincent Van Gogh, you haven't been paying any attention. I'll reiterate. (Now brace yourself!) If you remember, I am trying to go beyond Van Gogh and all the other great artists, by using them as "stepping stones" to create that totally unique "new" art form! Remember, "Logic dictates". If you think on that level, you will attain that level!
To go beyond Vincent Van Gogh, you had better "get your game on" and come up with something EXTRAORDINAIRE! It would have to be something really "off the wall"! (To be put back ON THE WALL!) In reality, Van Gogh had it easy. He packed up his art supplies, went to a field, "set up shop", and painted exactly what he saw. For an artist that's as easy as it gets. On the other hand, let's compare. I devised, "the theory". (That was somewhat easy.) I had to come up with a "new" category of art. (That was not that easy.) I have to create a "theme" for each picture based on what insanity goes on in the world. (How does one choose from so much?) Now that's NOT EASY! Remember our "super computer" thought concept of creating the "greatest artwork" in the world? Although it is "just a thought concept", that's NOT EASY either. Just ask yourself, "What would I come up with?" (Let me know in a lifetime from now.) You will need something with a lot of SUBSTANCE! You're not going to make with a blow-up picture of a "CAMPBELL'S SOUP CAN"! (Remember, I did say SUBSTANCE!) Sometimes, "fate", will not step in, therefore, you must "create" your own particular kind of fate!
In ending, I simply cannot let the "art critics" of the world decide the fate of my work. I must at least tell the world to give my work that certain "brief moment in time", or else, I would be just like Vincent Van Gogh when he was leaving the gallery, closing the door behind him for good, with the little bell "tinkling" for the last time! "For Whom the Bell Tolls" will not be the song that I hum to myself. Instead, I will try to save my art, just like a parent who would save their offspring in a dire situation. Just as a "parent" (artist) saving my "offspring" (art) from a dire situation, so that everyone hears and understands, I must tell "my story" myself. For as the last line of that famous song goes, the line I always "hum", the line that always haunts; "They're not listening still, perhaps they NEVER WILL"!