"A New Way of Seeing" is overrated.

I keep hearing that it is very important to demonstrate a “New Way of Seeing” in one’s art to be relevant. I would take that issue to task. That is simply NOT how historically movements in art have been written. Yes, somebody does create an important break from the status quo, but then, other artists must recognize that value and subscribe to that vision, and create the “movement.” For example, Cezanne was considered the “Father of Modern Art” (and a few other things) so that means that HE was the one credited with breaking away from the status quo, and everyone else (his cronies) went along with the idea. THEY did not create the new way of seeing....only HE did. And they followed in tow. I think, for the bulk of us artists, if we attach ourselves to a contemporary movement - that would be sufficient. And if you do something entirely renegade? Chances are you will be considered just that - renegade - and lost in time.

Revising History

I thought we were liberated. I thought this was The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave? REALLY?
How is it that it looks more like we are mind controlled and cowards in 2011 when we are driven to perform acts of censorship on great pieces of literature? I am referring to the "N" word from Mark Twain's great work Huckleberry Finn. I am disappointed that we are not up in arms over something so revolting as a rewriting to a American Literature.

It is appalling that the word "Nigger" - I am not going to whitewash this, (no pun intended) is being replaced with the word "slave." I am dumbfounded that artists and writers - of all walks, are not outraged that a historic piece of literature is being REVISED to be made "APPROPRIATE."

What is next? Putting clothes on Botticelli's Venus for school kids? Removing curriculum of World War ll Jews from having been gassed at Auschwitz? Pretending Indigenous Americans weren't killed in genocide by the Spaniards and Americans? Being in denial that Slavery didn't exist at all?! Why are we burying that which brings discussion? We are opening the door to removing the unpalatable and suppressing the distasteful....in other words, CENSORSHIP.

What is the justification to rewrite Mark Twain? Is it that the word is too harsh a term? That children shouldn't "hear" or "see" or "read" or "understand" the degradation of African Americans and how violent and cruel is our history as Americans? Is it to remove a modicum of guilt existing today? Is it so children won't be made aware that an awful blemish existed in our gene pool? Is it because we are embarrassed?

There is no good excuse to ever rewrite the literature as it was written; to pretend it is something else. A quotation comes to mind: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' (George Santayana, 1905)

If the material is not age appropriate in its original form than DON'T MAKE CHILDREN READ UNTIL IT IS. It is that simple. Give them other literature. But don't rewrite Mark Twain to suit political agendas. This is censorship in a hideous disguise.

In the end, I shake my head. Age inappropriate? Are these the same kids that are playing violent, sexual, edgy video games, exposed to everything on the internet and T.V. (which I sometimes close my eyes because it is so explicit!) When South Park could say "shit" on TV and cable could use the "F" word, as a culture - we "got over it." Children are streetwise at young ages today. What can possibly be wrong about teaching children about the revolting parts of our past and providing them with some truth? When is a lie appropriate?