a question of content

dignified_speck · Post by **dignified_speck** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:05 pm

what does everyone thing about playa social environment as it pertains to this theme?

see, if you were on the playa, and you saw something that disturbed your heart and mind that had to do with the american dream? (e.g. a gitmo prisoner, black bag on the head, lead by a marine) or violent realities in general, no so partiesk...

just wondering how that would make you feel..~

love ari

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:24 pm

Would the prisoner be clothed or naked?

The Marine is male of female?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:29 pm

I seem to recall both tortured prisoners and an airplane being flown into the whitehouse the last couple of years. None seemed shocking or out of place. Probably the only danger is if your work can be perceived as mocking the people being hurt.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:38 pm

If what your wanting to do is to spark a dialog, then be ready to chat with each any everyone that has something to say..... I think you will be greeted with all types of comments and I think you'll be safe... Be smart about it, read the crowd and be ready to head back to camp and ponder what just happened..... Good or Bad....

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:57 pm

i wouldn't think much of your example. it's just boring to me. I don't think the US Marine or the prisoner would be representative of either or their American dreams. They'd both be following orders.

..but hey, it's your 'art' just like it's my opinion.

i hope you have fun with it.

ragabashpup · Post by **ragabashpup** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:51 pm

I honestly don't know how people would react since I know there has been at least one "performance piece" like that here in seattle where they "waterboarded" someone. I didn't witness this but to my understanding the crowd really got into it and felt pity for the person being "tortured"

Not sure what the reaction on the playa would be though you might end up with a hooded prisoner wearing a tutu...just depends.

Good luck though.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:00 pm

Well, that has nothing to do with the American Dream. Realities maybe... but American Dream, no.
And if someone did that as a performance art thing on the playa, I'm with thirt33n, it'd be boring and I'd think nothing of it.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:11 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:Well, that has nothing to do with the American Dream. Realities maybe... but American Dream, no.
And if someone did that as a performance art thing on the playa, I'm with thirt33n, it'd be boring and I'd think nothing of it.

Captain, that would most likely mean that I'm aboard your yacht.

...I'm VERY sea worthy. You can count on me asking permission to come aboard within 114 days. I shall bring boarding gifts for you.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:12 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:Well, that has nothing to do with the American Dream. Realities maybe... but American Dream, no.
And if someone did that as a performance art thing on the playa, I'm with thirt33n, it'd be boring and I'd think nothing of it.

Captain, that would most likely mean that I'm aboard The Playa Cruiser.

...I'm VERY sea worthy. You can count on me asking permission to come aboard within 114 days. I shall bring boarding gifts for you.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:25 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:Well, that has nothing to do with the American Dream. Realities maybe... but American Dream, no.
And if someone did that as a performance art thing on the playa, I'm with thirt33n, it'd be boring and I'd think nothing of it.

Well said! What's so funny these days about being positive? Why is it that "serious" art, journalism, etc. has to be, by definition, negative? As far as Gitmo and waterboarding, last time I checked, this was instigated by the idiotic Bush Administration acting undercover and against existing laws. when this was uncovered,m it was not applauded by americans, but deplored. We hung our collective heads in shame. So, how would Gitmo and waterboarding in any way be part of the discussion of the American Dream? If the theme were the Bush Nightmare, then it wd be very appropriate.

ragabashpup · Post by **ragabashpup** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:24 pm

I think people misinterpret what the "American Dream" is. I think that it is your ideals and dreams as to what society should or could be.

The current administration is not my American Dream. Think of how many people come from other countries chasing the American Dream. I must agree that waterboarding isn't what they were thinking of.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:41 pm

Why is it that "serious" art, journalism, etc. has to be, by definition, negative?

Because it causes a reaction in the observer. It's very hard to achieve the same reaction in something positive so less people try. Somewhere along the line people decided that in order for it to be "art" it has to shock you which is how ended up with things like the Smeared-In-Shit-Virgin-Mary and the good ole Let's-Starve-This-Dog-To-Death exhibits.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:18 pm

I've seen worse.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:20 pm

like this?

twinwitin · Post by **twinwitin** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:25 pm

while you're promoting this idea, why not have a terrorist carrying around an american serviceman's severed head, I mean part of the "american" dream is equality, so if you show one side shouldn't you show the other. I don't mean to sound like a bitch, and I hate this war, but I think if any of us were one of their prisoners, we'd pray for waterboarding. Too bad you have to live here, in this country with our crappy government etc... where we can show our art without fear of imprisonment or death.
please excuse my rant, but alot of beautiful, wonderful, people I know joined the service with a true spirit of protecting this country's people and that would include the people who perform"art" that projects itself as hate towards those people. I truly, honestly wish you good luck with your statement.

chiefdanfox · Post by **chiefdanfox** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:26 am

Better to show the millions in starvation, exploitation and slavery. Best if you can pin-point it here in America. It will be found in poor communities, where fear rules and education is but a whisper. It will be found not where the dream lies unfulfilled, but where labor fails.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:51 pm

Sniff ...

... Sniff ...

...... Sniff ......

Eeeewwww ...

Someone stepped in Troll poo!