Tuesday, December 23, 2008

ArtVoices + December = Profanity?

One feature article (1,000 words) and one review:

Feature Berlin, Barcodes, and Back: An Interview with Christopher Hauck (p.11)

Review Jason Kofke: Everything Will Be OK and Ted Ullrich: The Wall
[Art House Co-op + Le Flash; October 24] (p.62)


On the Cover Lovely, anonymous people raising one hand in an unexplained gesture. I wonder what would dear Laurie Anderson say? (Or that fellow in Hal Foster's celebrated postmodern handbook?)

Sorry everyone—I broke my own rule and published a transcribed interview, instead of first translating it into a more rigorous piece of interpretive criticism. Although it's a more or less "straight up" interview, that is, one without crushed ice or even vermouth for flavor, I hope you'll at least find some value.

The title of this post refers to the use of profanity in the December cover story. In a giant, bold-face pull quote, Terrence Sanders speaks for many artists living and working in the South:
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, WAIT WAIT FOR ART IN AMERICA OR ARTFORUM TO COME DOWN HERE AND COVER ME? FUCK THAT.
Keep in mind the context: these words are pulled from an interview and, further, an informal moment caught on tape. For me though, you could easily replace the "cover me" in Sanders' quote with "cover us."

The article mystifies me; this may be the first issue worth analyzing at length (which I may do at a later date). For now, I'll at least make my general opinion clear: Terrence Sanders' art does not appeal to me, but I respect what he's doing with ArtVoices and think that braver, more comprehensive arts coverage is what we need in this region.

We all know—thanks to Bob Dylan—that "love" is just a four-letter word. More unorthodox types, however, still insist on spelling it with an F, followed shortly by the letters U, C, and K. This is a man who loves his home. Terrence Sanders is either a high-functioning madman or an unhappily reincarnated Persian Immortal (as envisioned by Frank Miller). We hope for good things in the future.

Also in ArtVoices December: "Will Castleberry Hill Ever Become Atlanta's Version of Chelsea?" by Philip Auslander, a short history and exploration of the challenges facing the arts district.

I'm not familiar with this writer; along with other yet-to-be names, his byline continues in ArtVoices during my absence. (After the upcoming January issue, I take a break from A&E freelance until the end of this spring's legislative session.) Can anyone vouch for the guy?

And with that, Ghostmap signs off for the New Year.

Luv,

::: )

*ArtVoices is a full-color monthly based in New Orleans. You can order a subscription here or, alternatively, a very inexpensive, digital subscription through Zinio for a mere $20. Consider it an effort in tree conservation. (Advertising and distribution requests should be directed to: sanders_410@hotmail.com)