My friend (if he still is my friend), Kurt Strahm, seems worried that I may not be able to hack writing artists’ statements in 15 minutes at Winkelman this Wednesday; so, I offer to write him one on the spot—only he’ll have to wait ’till after I use the rest room. He insists (to toughen me up, I guess) that I write it before I go to the bathroom, so I grab a paper bag from the pastry section and do this:
I am not sure if I am allowed to share the text; I ought to get his permission first. But one part reads:
“Despite his efforts to give in to his own cynicism, Strahm ignores himself and continues to make art. Hence, his success is built on failure….” I explain to Kurt that I thoroughly expect to fail on Wednesday to write a really really decent statement in 15 minutes; I also explain that the ways in which I fail may be very empowering and instructive, both for myself (I’m pretty burnt out from this Recession) and for artists.
He’s not buying it. He thinks artists are all out for blood sport, and want to watch me crash and burn. So be it.
P.S. I only gave him, like, 5 minutes, tops. Ha HA!
Read Kurt’s amazing blog, www.restlus.com, and tell me if I’m not right about him!
One Comment
I am still your friend… at least until I can make out what else you said about me on that paper bag!