[iDC] Art, Lifestyle & Globalisation Questions

[J Rabie]

Le 1 avr. 07, à 19:21, Cynthia Beth Rubin a écrit :

> I find the use of capitalist terms to describe what we do as artists 
> intriguing.  If we go this route, we have to recognize that everything 
> that we do as artists and intellectuals is the result of surplus 
> capital- otherwise we would be in the fields growing corn.

The relationship between art and capital is fundamental. If capitalism 
is all about the creation of value, then art is probably the most 
successful product around. One can't really imagine any product that 
has seen its value rise over time as much as a Van Gogh, for example 
(value which the original producer saw nothing of, unluckily for him).

People buy food to fill their gut, and art to symbolise their social 
status, or their personal power. The possession of art externalises the 
possession of money.

The desire of artists to be subversive in our need to portray the world 
is a source of unease for those who need us, whether our patrons be 
political or financial. We must be allowed to produce value, but our 
irrepressible desire to express ourselves must be kept strictly under 
control.

Joe.