It has been an unusual week. It started with meeting relatives to see a Harry Potter film. I have judged these films to be mindless garbage without even seeing one. (or reading one of the books) Aside from the awkward – two teenage guys…one cute girl – dynamic, I had no idea what was happening, and I didn’t really care. (Oh, I forgot to mention…there is a cool Nick Cave song in the romance scene. I wonder if movie fans even noticed this? Maybe in the UK?)
I’ve been eating a lot of fermented stuff like kimchi and sauerkraut. I like kimchi with rice, beans and a fried egg. I eat sauerkraut plain by the bowlful. I guess the cold weather has me craving strange foods.
On Thursday, I went to the André Kertész: On Reading exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of art. I recommend checking this show out if you are interesting in reading, photography, or both. The show has humorous and poetic moments. It offers a nostalgia that will make you want to burn your Kindle.
On Saturday I went to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s performance (along with the The Mendelssohn Choir and world-renown vocalists) of Verdi’s Requiem. It is pretty impressive that a world-class event like this happens in Pittsburgh. I try to get to the symphony once a year. I’m always amazed at how something as precise and melodic as classical music can be celebrated by the primitive gesture of clapping.
Also this week, I did some reading on the Smithsonian censorship controversy on Modern Art Notes. It seems as though some conservative politicians are bent on promoting prejudice and fear. Public art museums are supposed to be forums for healthy discussion of difficult topics. They should not pander to the biased, ego-charged diatribes that we hear on conservative talk radio, in campaign ads, etc. It is ridiculous for art museums to make decisions based on the words or actions of politicians. (or in reaction to disgruntled visitors) Fortunately for the art world, David Wojnarowicz’s work is part of an international critical dialogue, whether conservative politicians like it or not.
Tom Sarver 