Los Angeles California,
Monday, August 12th, 2013
Recently, Marina Abramovic was called, “tacky,” for offering, “an embrace,” in exchange for donations for the Marina Abramovic Institute. This week Lady Gaga demonstrates nude how one might train at the woodsy studio, in a bid to attract MORE ATTENTION to Marina’s cultural mojo. Now, I ask you… What is wrong with this picture?
Well… first of all who are these people? The French visual and performance artist, Orlan filed suit against Gaga for copyright violation not too long ago… I wonder if they settled. Here is a Forbes article on Lady Gaga’s creative lifting strategies in relation to the artist, Colette.
NOW, I admit that I gave both Abramovic a fair amount of attention, including that I am writing about them here and now. WHY?
Well because I’m fascinated by what WORKS, what doesn’t, and how does one draw the line between truly tacky and simple business tactics. EVERYONE and their mother has a kick-starter project now. I don’t butt, I’ve certainly thought about it. LOOK, there is a donate button right on this page. I’ve asked for “donations,” for open ended art trips and other “extravaganzas,” on Facebook mostly (not the best medium, I know, I know…). Anyway, the fact is I have no problem with Gaga/Abramovic. I bet it is FUN to DO the outrageous successfully rather than merely flirt with the idea of being OUT THERE.
Over this very real taste for the pushing the envelope, I’ve lost so called “friends,” yes. I’m cool with that because my policy is that I only wanna chill with people that really GET me and are on board for reciprocal relationships, long term. Anyone that actually knows me, knows me to be about giving. I’m hospitable and generous. I planned my life around those two traits. My actual name, “Caridad,” means charity. Thus, I’ve attracted my fair share of free-loaders and opportunists. I enjoy their company to a point. They can be very entertaining, engaging, and talented people. Butt, the best way to rid yourself of these types is to publicly, ask for money. Every time, I’ve done this I’ve shed “friends.” (I’ve also attracted some support from individuals that believe my contribution is worthy.) This works to magically expose the people that are hoping I might be the source of their FREE RIDE.
Creativity is a funny thing, because when you experience it, it is always a gift. You never know when or where a golden idea will drop into your lap, from the intricate web of your brain perhaps. Butt, anything that ends up in the glowing lobes of gray matter comes from somewhere. We all lift, rift, and ride on each other’s knowledge. I know it. I do it. Yet, when one steals an idea and uses it commercially without permission or profit sharing that is THEFT. How does ONE catch and transform a novel concept into an actual commodity?
That requires teams of people working tirelessly to create the illusion of individuals doing their “own,” thing. The complex negotiations and decision making that must have gone on between the Gaga/Abramovic camps must be high powered meetings because, at the end of the day, both women are representatives of multinational thinking that engineers their every fart to appear spontaneous.
Well, the model for raising money is forever changing and the boundaries between what is, “Begging, or Fundraising,” is fuzzy. For some artists the boundary is razor thin, sharp, edgy. They play with the risk of alienating some, thus, capitalizing on the outrage their actions illicit.
Me?
I’m OK with it. I am the long term publisher of Pretense Magazine. I love performance art and thrill in the work of all artists, good BAD naughty and in between. Besides, I’m not donating any money to Marina, either. Just by writing about her, mentioning her name, I am helping her cause.
Best regards,
Frau K.