Open Thread

Georges Lapchine, "Winter Landscape at Sunset" (n.d.)

@JohnPlunket sent me an interesting commentary about the modern art world. It's less about the art itself than it is about assimilating status. That explains why most of it is so bad.

Artistic quality isn’t an issue. Under the permissiveness of relativism, anything goes-as long it falls under the approved formulas of the establishment. Any aesthetic concerns are irrelevant compared to adherence to the agenda.
Scorn must be directed at the appropriate targets: God, organized religion, patriotism, free expression, Western civilization in general. Claiming grievance confers virtue and enables claims for retribution. Hostility must be displayed towards anyone who does not accept the priorities of the elitists, or rejects the march towards collectivism.
The culture industries are just part of the larger problem. Our establishment is enforcing a tyranny of oikophobia, the disdain of our heritage and traditions. From their strongholds in the media, academia, administration and the arts, they are applying their unified efforts to clear the slate of society for the Great Leap Forward: a jump right back into feudalism, where the new aristocracy of the well-connected will be secure in their unaccountable power.
But since the language of morality is used to disguise their authoritarian ambitions, it creates some confusing contradictions. Today’s establishment is a sorry display of hypocrisy. They are bigots for Tolerance, Anarchists for Big Government. They are so open minded they demand any dissenting viewpoints must be censored out of existence. The perpetrators acknowledge no paradox though, as the self-regard gained by espousing and conforming to the correct views overwhelms self-awareness.

When it's less about the art than it is about what I think about the art--pure subjectivity--the game turns into one of persuasion, with the winners enhancing their status. The art or the artist is simply a tool at that point.

Posted by: rdbrewer at 09:31 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1
Time to make the pasta!

Posted by: Lougie Fantanella at December 11, 2015 09:33 AM (OiFtZ)

2 Not pretty and that is all i will say

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, he's just a crazy Italian who drove a red sports car at December 11, 2015 09:33 AM (voOPb)

3 Kinda blurry.

Posted by: HH at December 11, 2015 09:34 AM (DrCtv)

4 The art world seems to have been on that kick for a while now. Tom Wolfe wrote "The Painted Word" almost forty years ago and was talking about the same stuff-- the Theory being much more important than the actual finished product.

Posted by: Secundus at December 11, 2015 09:36 AM (5NE9/)

5 Palette knife art work is an acquired taste.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at December 11, 2015 09:37 AM (Yti03)

6
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE Official Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COvnHv42T-A

Bet Singer had all sorts of fun casting Nightcrawler....

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at December 11, 2015 09:37 AM (kdS6q)

7 I shall name this "Hillary's Worldview (sans Stroke Glasses)".

Posted by: Georges Lapchine at December 11, 2015 09:37 AM (ukNFU)

8 Oh shit. Crap impressionism.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (E5UB0)

9 Brown acid dropped.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (5YE4e)

10 9th?

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (E5UB0)

11 Fuck.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (E5UB0)

12 Repost

If I am reading the headlines right, the SB attack could have been prevented if the government would have more closely monitored online speech.

And we'll need more monitoring as we bring in more Muslims. More monitoring or more attacks: pick one. I graciously reject those options.

Posted by: CJ at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (9KqcB)

13 a lotta anger in that picture

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (0O7c5)

14 I shall name this "Hillary's Worldview (sans Stroke Glasses)".

Posted by: Georges Lapchine at December 11, 2015 09:37 AM (ukNFU)

"Benghazi Consulate, 20/200 Uncorrected"

Posted by: Secundus at December 11, 2015 09:38 AM (5NE9/)

15 With the advent of photography, art to a turn to the imagination and abstract to separate itself.

Posted by: Max Rockatansky at December 11, 2015 09:39 AM (Yti03)

16 That pitcher is upside down I think.

Posted by: fly gal at December 11, 2015 09:39 AM (vLFsK)

17 I gotta get my reading glasses
Everythings blurry in that pic

Posted by: McCool at December 11, 2015 09:39 AM (nCSwS)

18 Oinkophobia?!

#PorkLivesMatter

Hiiiiya! **karate chops the haters**

Posted by: Miss Piggy at December 11, 2015 09:39 AM (H9MG5)

19 "Benghazi Consulate, 20/200 Uncorrected"

20/400. Trust me.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 09:40 AM (5YE4e)

20 pops in my contacts. Didn't help.

still while sedate and rather melty - fuzzy it might look pretty in a corner of the bedroom.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:40 AM (7Iwef)

21 Pfft. Needs water lilies.

Posted by: Claude Monet at December 11, 2015 09:40 AM (RU5ki)

22 21 Pfft. Needs water lilies.
Posted by: Claude Monet

Mr. Money, I don't think water lilies would help.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (5YE4e)

23 Alternate title: Winter Landscape Immersed in Milky Water and/or Bodily Fluids

Posted by: joncelli the Really Fat Police Dog at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (RD7QR)

24 That Ballsack person is still playing in the last thread.Be very quiet.

Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (8HTq1)

25 Really like that picture a lot; It's different.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (No/ki)

26 He dropped it in the cold water and the paint smeared, right? Right?

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (NOIQH)

27 It was this very painting that provoked the San Bernardino workplace violence incident. But don't worry, we'll find the painter and throw him in jail. You have my word.

*hic*

Posted by: Sir Hillary Edmund Rodham Clinton at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (RU5ki)

28 "oikophobia, the disdain of our heritage and traditions"

That's not the literal definition, but we sure could use a word for that disdain. It drives modern progressivism. The Left is great at creating terms and pinning them on opponents. We, not so much.

Posted by: CJ at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (9KqcB)

29 still while sedate and rather melty - fuzzy it might look pretty in a corner of the bedroom.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:40 AM

Right over the spot where kitteh ralphed up dinner all over the floor, amirite?

Posted by: MrScribbler at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (ykopX)

30 'through the looking glass after the morning after'

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (7Iwef)

31 "One of the first things I'd do in terms of executive order, if I win, will be to sign strong, strong statement that would go out to the country, out to the world, anybody killing policeman police woman, police officer, anybody killing police officer, the death penalty is going to happen," Trump said.

What say you, Trump supporters? See anything wrong with that statement?

Posted by: Phyllis Balzac at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (c8V4N)

32 Right over the spot where kitteh ralphed up dinner all over the floor, amirite?
Posted by: MrScribbler at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (ykopX)

i was thinking behind the armour, but trying to be polite.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:44 AM (7Iwef)

33 "One of the first things I'd do in terms of executive order, if I win, will be to sign strong, strong statement that would go out to the country, out to the world, anybody killing policeman police woman, police officer, anybody killing police officer, the death penalty is going to happen," Trump said.

What say you, Trump supporters? See anything wrong with that statement?

Yeah. Attribute is incorrect. That is someone for whom English isn't their first, second, or third language.

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (5YE4e)

34 This is something I actually like and would put in my home. I like the colors, especially the orange. Beats dreary trees any day.

Posted by: grammie winger, Isaiah 9:6 at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (dFi94)

35 Another new Hitler parody...Make Hillary fall down...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP-oDBCqaBw

Posted by: Colin at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (T3Tpd)

36 Morning, Glories!

I'm late to the races today. I'll go back and check for Vic News in the morning thread, though. Can't start the day right without VNN.

Day three since I did the roof patching, and no sign of water coming through yet.

Of course, we haven't had any rain yet. Tomorrow....

Posted by: mindful webworker - playing ketchup again at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (ATv6t)

37 but we sure could use a word for that disdain. It drives modern progressivism.

====

Kneejerk contrariness. I theorize its why Obama supports Shia muslims despite/because of having been early raised Sunni.

Posted by: Bigby's Eye Poke at December 11, 2015 09:46 AM (3ZtZW)

38 grammie, i will excuse that on the grounds you are living in wisconsin in the wintertime.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:46 AM (7Iwef)

39 That painting is a piece of crap. I wonder how can I use that to fire up my supporters.

Posted by: Trump's thought bubbles at December 11, 2015 09:46 AM (Yti03)

40 muslims are well-known for their oinkaphobia.

Posted by: Sir Hillary Edmund Rodham Clinton at December 11, 2015 09:47 AM (RU5ki)

41 "One of the first things I'd do in terms of executive order, if I win, will be to sign strong, strong statement that would go out to the country, out to the world, anybody killing policeman police woman, police officer, anybody killing police officer, the death penalty is going to happen," Trump said.

What say you, Trump supporters? See anything wrong with that statement?
Posted by: Phyllis Balzac

Nope, prying the FoP and IACP endorsements away from the Dims is worth any hyperbole. I don't think Trump is running his mouth, he plans this stuff.

Posted by: Jean at December 11, 2015 09:47 AM (fBkaR)

42 i was thinking behind the armour, but trying to be polite.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:44 AM

I'm not polite. And I've had kittehs.

Posted by: MrScribbler at December 11, 2015 09:48 AM (ykopX)

43 grammie, i will excuse that on the grounds you are living in wisconsin in the wintertime.

===

It matches the throw pillows!

Posted by: Bigby's Eye Poke at December 11, 2015 09:48 AM (3ZtZW)

44 Well, regardless of what happens today we're making gingerbread houses after school and nana's house. We do this every year, the grandkids and a friend or two. I think more candy is consumed than affixed to the house....

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2015 09:48 AM (NOIQH)

45
When it's less about the art than it is about what I think about the art--pure subjectivity--the game turns into one of persuasion, with the winners enhancing their status. The art or the artist is simply a tool at that point.

In the last college art class I took about *koff koff* years ago, the professor was obsessed with the "artistic process" over the end result. So as long as the artistic process was pure, that steaming pile of monkey crap a student dumped on his desk was valid art.

The same professor had us do an "experimental art project" where we all lined up shoulder to shoulder in the quad, each of us holding out a $1 bill. Yes, we had to provide the dollar. No talking, but we could make whatever sounds we liked other than speech, and if anyone took the bill, we had to give it up. *shakes head*

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 09:49 AM (gwpf+)

46 i often like winter scenes, i love the trees without their foilage, to see their bones, i love snow when i don't have to shovel it.

but i feel forlorn with this painting. It's as if it can't be this or that.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (7Iwef)

47 24 That Ballsack person is still playing in the last thread.Be very quiet.
Posted by: steevy at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (8HTq1)

You brought it back. Somebody hit it with a flyswatter.

Posted by: Ghost of kari at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (xuouz)

48 What say you, Trump supporters? See anything wrong with that statement?

====

ZOMG HITLER

/Godwin reached, close the thread.

Posted by: Bigby's Eye Poke at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (3ZtZW)

49 For something different, try American Landscape, Charles Sheeler, 1930

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (l3vZN)

50 I like how every assinine shoot from the hip statement from Trump is a 12th level ninja move strategy .

Posted by: Max Rockanstansky at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (Yti03)

51
grammie, i will excuse that on the grounds you are living in wisconsin in the wintertime.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:46 AM (7Iwef)
============================================

Thank you willow

Yes, when it comes to paintings, color is more important to me than form. It has to make me happy. I bought an August Macke print that I saw online - the colors were wonderful. Until I got it home and realized it looked brighter on the internet than it really was. Too dingy. Something with girls in hats, abstractly. It's in my closet if you want it.

Posted by: grammie winger, Isaiah 9:6 at December 11, 2015 09:51 AM (dFi94)

52 Just wait until he's not looking...

Posted by: Giant collection of water on webworker's roof, growing by the minute at December 11, 2015 09:51 AM (NeFrd)

53 Making a "piecaken" on local news - three layers (so three pies + cake) deep. The caramel sauce drizzle seems to be gilding the lily.

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2015 09:51 AM (NOIQH)

54 Lizzy, cool beans! i will miss that this year and haven't planned anything significant with the children. Please have an awesome time for me too.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:52 AM (7Iwef)

55
Alternate title: Winter Landscape Immersed in Milky Water and/or Bodily Fluids

Posted by: joncelli the Really Fat Police Dog at December 11, 2015 09:42 AM (RD7QR)

Squeeeee!

Are there Power Glutes???

Posted by: Sully at December 11, 2015 09:52 AM (gwpf+)

56 grammie, i will excuse that on the grounds you are living in wisconsin in the wintertime.

===

It matches the throw pillows!

Posted by: Bigby's Eye Poke at December 11, 2015 09:48 AM (3ZtZW)
============================================

Ha! You laugh - but one of the reasons I like this painting is because of the orange. And yes, my throw pillows are indeed orange

Posted by: grammie winger, Isaiah 9:6 at December 11, 2015 09:52 AM (dFi94)

57 rickb223:
9 Brown acid dropped.

Bruce Boehner:
10 9th?
11 Fuck.

Clearly, Bruce, you can blame it on the brown acid.

Posted by: mindful webworker - psychodelicious at December 11, 2015 09:53 AM (ATv6t)

58 Beats dreary trees any day.

Posted by: grammie winger, Isaiah 9:6 at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (dFi94)

You're not drawing them right.

Posted by: Zombie Bob Ross at December 11, 2015 09:53 AM (5JTgA)

59
Posted by: Phyllis Balzac at December 11, 2015 09:43 AM (c8V4N)

You don't come here for the hunting, do you?

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 09:53 AM (gwpf+)

60 If Trump wants to off Mumia, no tears shed here. Muslim blew a cops brains out at point blank range.

His head should have been on a pike decades ago.

Posted by: free range jihadist at December 11, 2015 09:53 AM (7v/r5)

61 I see little Eliza crossing the crick on those ice floes.

Watch out for the alligator lizzie!

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at December 11, 2015 09:54 AM (Xo1Rt)

62 >>Please have an awesome time for me too.

Will do, willow!

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2015 09:54 AM (NOIQH)

63 i often like winter scenes, i love the trees without their foilage, to see their bones, i love snow when i don't have to shovel it.

===

http://is.gd/6DdIEl

Posted by: Bigby's Eye Poke at December 11, 2015 09:55 AM (3ZtZW)

64 grammie i do have a Paris scene in my bedroom similar to that, so it will go.
With the Pillows, down comforter and sitting chair as Bigbys stated.

sticks tongue out at Bigby

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:55 AM (7Iwef)

65 It's also about an extreme lack of talent and the art world's embrace of that lack. (The talentless feel better about themselves when they see others without talent succeed.) So we get talentless art instructors who can't teach the next crop of talentless "artists" any talents.

Posted by: Dang at December 11, 2015 09:55 AM (2oWD2)

66 "Nope, prying the FoP and IACP endorsements away from
the Dims is worth any hyperbole. I don't think Trump is running his
mouth, he plans this stuff.

Posted by: Jean at December 11, 2015 09:47 AM (fBkaR)"

Interesting point. What other unions are fair game? I would guess the mine workers union who would probably like coal miners back at work. Probably also the construction unions who would like to work on the Keystone pipeline.

On the other hand, government worker unions are absolutely committed to the Dems so it would make sense to outsource as much of that work to private companies as possible. After all, they don't make F-15s in government factories. They put that stuff out and companies bid for the business. Let the companies throw in the sweeteners of locating their offices in the districts of key congressfolk and I think that there is a political deal that can be had. Bad news for property values in the DC area, good for the rest of the United States.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at December 11, 2015 09:55 AM (QHgTq)

67 I like how every assinine shoot from the hip statement from Trump is a 12th level ninja move strategy .

Compared to the milquetoast retard quislings that infest the GOPe, he's Alexander the fucking Great. It ain't a high bar to clear these days.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 09:56 AM (9krrF)

68 Georges Lapchine, "Winter Landscape at Sunset through dirty windshield" (n.d.)

FIFY

Posted by: V the K at December 11, 2015 09:56 AM (O7MnT)

69 Winter Landscape at Sunset, seen through the blurred vision of wymyn after beating raped and beaten.

Posted by: Feminist art critic at December 11, 2015 09:56 AM (kpqmD)

70 Millennials are fine with you going to Iraq...but not them

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=63210

Posted by: SMFH at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (zyIlW)

71 Donald Trump is like the comments at WND achieving human form and running for president.

Posted by: V the K at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (O7MnT)

72 What's wrong with western leaders?

David Cameron provides an example:

http://tinyurl.com/pz9za9c

"Too many white Christian faces in Britain."

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (BZAd3)

73 Phyllis Ballsack is a great gay American!

Posted by: Bitch McConnell with a Dick In His Mouth at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (u5gzz)

74 I admit that my favorite artistic technique is the ability to lay down splotches , streaks and splashes of paint that individually are just that but that the mind puts together to form an image.

Posted by: Max Rockanstansky at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (Yti03)

75 Probably also the construction unions who would like to work on the Keystone pipeline.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at December 11, 2015 09:55 AM (QHgTq)

I think construction unions would like work anywhere. I believe that 'close the border and kick out the illegals' strikes a chord with its rank and file.

Posted by: Zombie Bob Ross at December 11, 2015 09:58 AM (5JTgA)

76 Representational painting is boring. And raysis.

Posted by: Jackson Pollack, Laughing All the Way to the Bank at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (u5gzz)

77
Myopic Red Army Soldier On Sniper Search (1939)

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (gwpf+)

78 I admit that my favorite artistic technique is the ability to lay down splotches , streaks and splashes of paint that individually are just that but that the mind puts together to form an image.

Man, the analysts must love you when they break out the Rorschach blots.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF)

79 Modern art (and music) rejects the concept of natural beauty. Natural beauty is that which the human mind recognizes as beautiful and a great deal of this is biological in nature. Certain forms, shapes, and colors are naturally attractive to the mind and others are not. The same goes for aural tones. But modern art rejects this because it is leftist in its nature, and leftism at its core is a rejection of truth.

Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (JxMoP)

80 73 Phyllis Ballsack is a great gay American!

Me: "What do you think of Trump's statement that he can mandate the death penalty by executive order?"

Trump supporter: "You're gay!"

Yep, that about sums it up.

Posted by: Phyllis Balzac at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (c8V4N)

81 50 I like how every assinine shoot from the hip statement from Trump is a 12th level ninja move strategy .
Posted by: Max Rockanstansky at December 11, 2015 09:50 AM (Yti03)

check out Scott Adams' (yes, Mr Dilbert) blog posts on Trump's messaging. It's emotional, probably instinctive, and thrives on the fact that Trump is saying what people think in the face of cultural dogma.

The electorate is full of under-educated authority-cowed LIVs who marathon Big Bang Theory because they can't afford to spend more than two nights a week outside of their apartments.

And rational appeals to dogma aren't working. Gee fucking whiz.

He's fighting the machine. We might think we're smarter because we know about Fast and Furious and Sanctuary Cities and where Valerie Jarrett was born, but we marginalize ourselves by trying to fight this shit in the trenches. You can't fight a hydra with a sword. Donald is dropping napalm on it and you've decided he's no good because you don't like the color he painted his plane.

Posted by: Ghost of kari at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (xuouz)

82 Discussion about what is wrong with modern art is a well-trod field.

Yes, much of it is awful, and the elitism is stifling of talent. Of course, what passes for art often is junk that no ordinary person would consider art.

And that's the point. For some amount of time there, in western civilization, art was meant to be accessible to the masses. These people have effectively changed that. What is called "art" by the so-called deciders, is mostly about how they can see it as art, and you can't. That's the reason so much crep is out there today.

So all the outrage only feeds the problem. If you want to kill this concept of art, everyone should talk about how much they love it. Nothing kills modern art's artiness more than the extent to which it appeals to the masses.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (Dj0WE)

83 Bigby re essay; what a lovely way to spin the mundane task of facing snow hell ..

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (7Iwef)

84 Off sock.

Posted by: RickZ at December 11, 2015 10:00 AM (5JTgA)

85 What's wrong with western leaders?

David Cameron provides an example:

http://tinyurl.com/pz9za9c

"Too many white Christian faces in Britain."

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at December 11, 2015 09:57 AM (BZAd3)

Well maybe all of those white Christian faces will vote for Nigel Farage in the next election

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2015 10:00 AM (493sH)

86 Wow, y'all must've warmed up on the morning thread - this thread seems to be moving along very rapidly and/or I need coffee.

So, if I go check for Vic News, feed the pets, and make coffee - not necessarily in that order - I'll be 'way behind the conversation curve!

Somebody take notes for me, a'write?

Posted by: mindful webworker - call me zippy at December 11, 2015 10:01 AM (ATv6t)

87 orange pillows?!

it's like i never knew you!

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 10:01 AM (7Iwef)

88 Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF

Every Rorschach blot looks like a uterus to me.

Posted by: Max Rockanstansky at December 11, 2015 10:01 AM (Yti03)

89 SO, watched a little of Morning Joe this a.m., and they were discussing latest GOP pol numbers and how if Trump and Cruz start fighting, then Rubio has a good chance of being victorious in (I think) Iowa. Their eyes sparkled and their moods perked up as they kept going on about what a good thing it would be in Trump and Cruz started mixing it up.

Thought I had stumbled into a Hillary or DNC strategy meeting or something. I suppose we'll see reporters attempting to bait Trump and Cruz into insulting each other over the next few days...

Posted by: Lizzy at December 11, 2015 10:01 AM (NOIQH)

90 Trump's call for the death penalty for first responders already is the law in many states. The actual problem is that many of those states haven't put to death any one for 40 years for a number of good and bad reasons.

I would add this though: Any police officer found guilty of the murder of a citizen shall be put do death. Regardless of their following "procedure" and even if they went to the wrong address and that wasn't the fault of the officer. Dead is dead and no one should have immunity from killing someone unless they were a proven threat.

Oh and lets' add that loser pays in tort and criminal trials. This would keep DA's from piling on the charges in hopes of forcing a plea bargain on an otherwise innocent person.

And no more prison time for violation of regulations laws. Particularly if the laws are obscure and not known outside specialized legal organizations. Cut down on the everyone's a felon laws.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at December 11, 2015 10:01 AM (Xo1Rt)

91 "Man, the analysts must love you when they break out the Rorschach blots.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF)"

Hey, you're the one showing the dirty pictures.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (QHgTq)

92 Somebody take notes for me, a'write?

'K. Go!

Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (5YE4e)

93 Dad's lodge ring

My dad was frugal about some things-wouldn't spend much money oh himself. For instance, though he was devoted to his lodge, he wouldn't indulge in a lodge ring.But his love for his children-espsecially my brother Bob-was extravagant.

When WWII broke out, my handsome fearless brother became a Marine fighter pilot. Early in 1944 he died under enemy fire in the South Pacific.

Mother's faith sustained her, but my father aged before our eyes. He began missing work. He lost interest in everything and even stopped going to his lodge meetings.

As Christmas approached, Mother and I worried even more about dad. The holiday had been Bob's favorite. His Christmas surprises were legendary-a dollhouse made at school for me, a puppy hidden away for our little brother, an expensive dress for mother, brought with the first money he had ever earned.

Dad's grief continued to drain his strength. Mother and I prayed together, Dear God, help us through Christmas."

On December 23, an official looking package arrived-more of Bob's personal effects returned by the government. Dad watched grimly as mom unwrapped Bob's dress uniform. As she refolded it to pack it away, she automatically went through the pockets, "What's this? she murmured . Then with a little cry, she handed it to dad.

I'll never forget the look which transformed his face-a blend of wonder, hope and healing, as if Bob was still with us. In his hand, he held a neatly folded fifty dollar bill with a note in Bob's handwriting: "For dad's lodge ring."

Mary Sherman Hilbert

Shared in "His Mysterious Ways' Published by "Guideposts" Magazine, 1988-which if you can still get it (I found it at a church rummage sale) is a book full of love, wonder, faith, comfort. strength and yes-his mysterious ways. I think they have published quite few of these books taken from the archives of that column.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (No/ki)

94 Psst...somebody said Phyllis Ballsack is teh ghey. Pass it on...

Posted by: Karl Rove, Not Wearing His Moldy Leiderhosen at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (u5gzz)

95 Myopic Red Army Soldier On Sniper Search (1939)

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (gwpf+)

I think that's his head exploding in the middle of the painting as a result of meeting a Finnish bullet

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (493sH)

96 Oh Corgis...

BenK has dropped a News Dump.

Posted by: Anna Puma at December 11, 2015 10:03 AM (Wj6Ip)

97 I bet that painting would make pretty colors, burning in my fireplace.

(Now someone will probably tell me this painting sold for 6 bazillion dollars)

My favorite piece of art is that metal cube that can be disassembled then reassembled as a working gun.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 11, 2015 10:03 AM (gyKtp)

98
Man, the analysts must love you when they break out the Rorschach blots.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (9krrF)

Analyst: What does this remind you of?

Cur: Looks like an ink blot.

Analyst: (switches cards) And this one?

Cur: Smaller ink blot.

Analyst: (pulls another card) No, I want you to use your imagination. It's not an ink blot, it represents something. Tell me what it is.

Cur: It represents an ink blot.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 10:03 AM (gwpf+)

99 Me: "What do you think of Trump's statement that he can mandate the death penalty by executive order?"

Trump supporter: "You're gay!"

Yep, that about sums it up.
Posted by: Phyllis Balzac at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (c8V4N)

Yes it does. Thanks for stopping by, honey. Don't let the door hit your on your fat gay arse on the way out.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 11, 2015 10:03 AM (Dj0WE)

100 This one's for you, Ballsack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqgcDRskYTo

"...It sure isn't you!"

Posted by: Pappy O'Daniel at December 11, 2015 10:04 AM (IUDUd)

101 morning SMFH, hugs, i expect millennials eventually grow up and find reasons for fighting for their children futures if it is a worthy endeavor, with part of the leadership with no american ideals i would be hard to fight at this point.

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 10:05 AM (7Iwef)

102 Oh Corgis...

BenK has dropped a News Dump.
Posted by: Anna Puma at December 11, 2015 10:03 AM (Wj6Ip)

But of course. Because this one wasn't fresh enough.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 11, 2015 10:05 AM (Dj0WE)

103 That looks nothing like a tanker or a rusty hinge.

Not. Art.

Posted by: Chubbles Jhosnon High on Fruit and Water at December 11, 2015 10:06 AM (U+ZeC)

104 Posted by: Karl Rove, Not Wearing His Moldy Leiderhosen at December 11, 2015 10:02 AM (u5gzz)

Does this mean he's wearing pants, or that there's nothing below the dirndl?

Posted by: Ghost of kari at December 11, 2015 10:06 AM (xuouz)

105 "So all the outrage only feeds the problem. If you
want to kill this concept of art, everyone should talk about how much
they love it. Nothing kills modern art's artiness more than the
extent to which it appeals to the masses.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 11, 2015 09:59 AM (Dj0WE)"

Cutting off government funding would kill a lot of it.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-Hole at December 11, 2015 10:06 AM (QHgTq)

106 Every Rorschach blot looks like a uterus to me.

Posted by: Max Rockanstansky

/crosses off "ask about relationship with mother"

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at December 11, 2015 10:06 AM (9krrF)

107 a uterus or a pelvis?

Posted by: willow at December 11, 2015 10:07 AM (7Iwef)

108 Posted by: rickb223 at December 11, 2015 09:45 AM (5YE4e)

He's speaking to the bulge in the bell curve and journalists.

Jounalists like sound bite sentences. Allows them to quote without too much editing.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at December 11, 2015 10:07 AM (Xo1Rt)

109
Hey Ballsack, you do know that in most US jurisdictions, murder of a LEO already qualifies as a special circumstance for death penalty purposes? So what Trump's saying is that he'll expect that EXISTING law be followed.

That is, if he even made that statement in the first place.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 10:09 AM (gwpf+)

110 >>Donald is dropping napalm on it and you've decided he's
>>no good because you don't like the color he painted his
>>plane.

No, for me at least my concern over Trump is what airfield he's going to land at.

His history is that of a crony capitalist, of one who uses authority for enrichez-vous purposes.

We had a Celebrity Governor who said all the right things, and after a couple missteps hired himself a whole lot of left-Dem staff and went native, the evil climate crap in this state (CA, needless to say) was enacted into law under Schwarzhole.

So show me Trump believes what he says, that it's all a principled negotiating position (oh, he sucks on civil liberties .g. eminent domain, pure crony cap there) and I might buy in.

Posted by: JEM at December 11, 2015 10:10 AM (eR9jM)

111 >>>>So all the outrage only feeds the problem. If you want to kill this concept of art, everyone should talk about how much they love it. Nothing kills modern art's artiness more than the extent to which it appeals to the masses.

-------

This reminds me of an episode of King of the Hill in which the hipsters started moving into the middle class Mexican neighborhood because of their disdain for white suburbia. However, upon flooding into the neighborhood the traditional businesses went under and were replaced by trendy salons and boutique shops and the local residents could no longer afford the property taxes. To resolve the issue and save the neighborhood, Hank and the boys started going to the new hipster hangouts and talking about how much they loved the new neighborhood and wanted to move there, at which point the hipsters immediately fled and the previous neighborhood was restored.

Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at December 11, 2015 10:13 AM (JxMoP)

112 Waters on O'Reilly visited a gallery opening ... he was not well received really, except for Stallone. But Waters CAN be kind of a jerk frequently. But it seems the gallery types are required to be super "progressive", and they think it's because they are better than the proles.

I did a blue collar service for some galleries regularly for years in New Orleans ... nice folks, but I wasn't into politics back then. And I could never figure how they could command so much money for the stuff. Figured I just didn't have enough art appreciation, but maybe it was just crap. ha

Posted by: Illiniwek at December 11, 2015 10:14 AM (26Yu7)

113 Posted by: IllTemperedCur at December 11, 2015 10:09 AM (gwpf+)

I think the problem with that statement , if indeed he did make it, is again we see a disregard or no understanding of State rights by those that seek the Presidency.

Posted by: Max Rockanstansky at December 11, 2015 10:14 AM (Yti03)

114 That work of art would look good hanging...

on the refrigerator with the rest of the kids' finger paintings.

Posted by: db at December 11, 2015 10:15 AM (z4pSV)

115 BenK has dropped a News Dump.

Time warp!

Posted by: mindful webworker - space warped at December 11, 2015 10:18 AM (ATv6t)

116 Nothing kills modern art's artiness more than the extent to which it appeals to the masses.

Posted by: BurtTC

Great point.

A friend of a friend had a few showings and was selling his art for a while and would tell my friend how it was kind of a scam. Taking very rich people's money for some of the crap he made. He even told how he gathered scraps from the floor and the trash to make an "installation" so he could fill up the walls at a gallery showing. It was pathetic and there were all the libs eating it up. At least at the gallery, who knows what they said once they got in their cars. The guy is now teaching high school art.

Posted by: Dang at December 11, 2015 10:18 AM (2oWD2)

117 Ahnold Schwarzenegger taking a Rohrshach test:

Doc: This one?

Ahnold: It's not a toomah!

Doc: Mmmhmm, and this one?

Ahnold: It's not a toomah!

Doc: Yes, I see, and this one?

Ahnold: It's NOT a TOOMAH!!!

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at December 11, 2015 10:20 AM (NeFrd)

118 Looks like blood splatter.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 11, 2015 10:48 AM (r65B3)

119 This is actually a beautiful impressionist painting. If you can't see that you're a retarded retard who retards the retardifying retardedness of the word retard.

Posted by: Corona at December 11, 2015 11:06 AM (ragzU)

120 I used to believe it was all about technical skill: the ability to reproduce with the hand, what the eye sees. Jacques Louis-David of the linear school comes to mind. For a long time, that was the standard. Even Picasso, and Dali, proved they could draw, before they migrated to whatever it was they ended up doing. The impressionists could all draw, but they wanted to show that you could produce the same feelings with an impression of a subject, without absolute attention to detail. In the modern era, we have evolved an artistic ethic, wherein there is no technical skill, and in fact, technical skill is really no longer valued. Instead, we value "exploration"..

Posted by: macleod at December 11, 2015 11:44 AM (Qf5bp)

121 Used to be that artists apprenticed under real masters. Changing to a university setting has produced crap art. Do we have better art, music, architecture, literature coming from the universities?

Nope!
Is it the process, or is it that the faculty are overwhelmingly (i.e.
exclusively) Marxist assholes. Just off the top of my head it seems that the move to institutional instruction is contemporaneous with the rise of Marxist philosophy.

Posted by: Vlad the Impaler, whittling away like mad at December 11, 2015 01:19 PM (3Mimg)

122 Camille Paglia says that art internationally has been utterly sterile for the last 30 years. Coincidentally, she finds George Lucas to be an artistic genius, based on the closing fight seen in Revenge of the Sith. Of course, she also considers Robert Maplethorpe to be "avant garde"...So, who knows. If you can't draw, I don't consider you an artist..but that's just me..

Posted by: macleod at December 11, 2015 04:32 PM (Qf5bp)

123 Or let's compare it to comedy. When a comic starts dropping f-bombs right out of the box, I assume he's just not funny. If you can't make me laugh without "shock" value, then you're not very good at you job. In fact, the shock value lessens with each repetition, and if that's all you got, you're gonna fall flat fast. A comic who can craft a 45 minute set, without going "blue', and get laughs, knows what he's doing. And if he does occasionally go blue, it has a lot more impact. Or music. My 17 year old has been playing piano and drums since he was 6. He has zero interest in pop music, because he knows those folks can't play, and he can tell you in a couple of minutes of listening, which ones really can.

Posted by: macleod at December 11, 2015 04:59 PM (Qf5bp)

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