QUOTE

“I believe that humanity is largely motivated by a sense of belonging to something we haven’t quite seen yet but can almost remember. Being awkward is a part of life.” -Brian Kershisnik

Just a thought about artists and I guess people in general

It's often that I get annoyed by musicians when they tend to go off in their own music world. You'll be at a show and loving it, but then the performers will just go crazy and do a 20 minute instrumental section that seems to be disconnected noise- hello indie music. I remember one time I was at a show and afterwords one of the people I was with was all giddy about meeting the band (it was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah a few months before they were in Rolling Stone). I asked him why he was being so geeky about it and his response was, "They know music, and that means they know me." I always thought it was the douche-iest thing I'd ever heard, and I still find it entertaining, but I think I get it now.

I do the same thing with art. Musicians get obsessed with sounds (Sufjan Stevens) and sometimes it seems like only musicians like it because they "get it." I have created several paintings that are just about paint. I think every painting should be partly about paint, like music should be partly about the music, but art (in all forms) can't always be just about the medium.

I think it's this line of thought that is helping me appreciate Cy Twombly's art for the first time ever.
Sometimes it's okay to paint about paint, and sometimes it's okay to have a song about music. I imagine that giant bobble-head of a person must have felt the way I feel when I look at a beautiful painting about paint. When I can tell the artist is getting something I get, and in that moment where I'm looking at their art we have a Zion.

Sometimes the art is about the medium and sometimes it's about the subject, but sometimes it's about both. I think a successful work of art can be about the paint alone, but it cannot only be about the subject. If all you want to say is, "Here is the subject," take a picture. I guess it's the same with music. If you just want to say something, a disregard the musical merit of it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0) than just say it, don't even bother with the music.
What I previously saw as a musician-snob trait, I now see as an everyone trait. Scientist do it, visual artists, lawyers, educators, writers, musicians, performers, doctors, salt and pepper shaker collectors- they all have their own shop talk, and they all do it. I guess the point is that I should stop separating the musicians and getting mad because they do what I do in my own way all the time. Perhaps part of my frustration is rooted in jealousy. I want to know what they know, and I don't. But there's hope! I've felt that same feeling of "getting" a brushstroke or painting, only with music! Example: Sufjan Stevens. I really felt like I got what he was saying at his show I went to- maybe that sounds dumb and maybe I didn't get it, but it all fit so well. The lights, the graphics, the music, the lyrics- I was lost in it all and I felt that I knew just where it was going.

I'm falling asleep and once again I've written a disconnected and raw post- enjoy.

Retraction

In case anyone caught my last last blog, ignore it. I was having an existential freak-out of sorts. I don't want to stop blogging. I do agree with what I said though...because I said it? Anyway, more blogs to come...and definitely more freak-outs.

Enjoy: toothpastefordinner.com
(This makes me miss Sister Crystal Turner!)
Oh no! Toothpastefordinner isn't so funny anymore...now it's just vulgar and whiny...if you do check it out go for the old cartoons, like circa 2003ish

My last blog

I've decided to stop blogging. I guess I just got tired of writing in my journal and making it public. I can't put in any of the juicy details or personal bits, and well, maybe it's just a sad attempt to get views or try to validate my owns opinions. I'm not trying to harsh on anyone else's blog. There are some great blogs out there and I really appreciate keeping up with friends, but my blog isn't about that anymore.

For my last post I want to mention some lessons I've learned over the last year, and in true Laura-blogging form, I'll present it as a list.
1. This lesson supersedes all of my other lessons. I can't teach anyone anything. I can't make someone know something. I can't give anyone sufficient answers. So many people are searching for complex answers to complex questions, but the truth is- that's all crap. You'll spend years, and probably your lifetime, searching for answers in vain, when the truth is you already know the answers. The truth is simple. We want someone else to do the work for us and to give us satisfying answers to life's conundrums, but only we can find the answers for ourselves. I've learned so many lessons this year, none of which I can begin to explain on a blog. I can't give your the answers- that's up to you and God, whoever that is to you (I can't tell you who that is either).


Okay, so I wrote several more lessons, but then I realized it was all pointless to share. Lesson one says it all. So here's a reading list, take it or leave it :)

The Life and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith by Truman G. Madsen
Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage
Anything from Hugh Nibley
My favorite quote
The Joseph Smith papers
The King Follett Sermon
The Fisherman and his Wife by the Brothers Grimm

If you're doing what you should be doing, then you'll be doing what you should be doing. The more good you do, the more good you do. You always find what you're looking for.