Art I Like

Robin Hely

Whatever his shortcomings as a human being, he's undeniably an amazing artist. And his sociopathy and his genius kind of go hand in hand.

"As an artist, I have a big problem," he said to me once. "I don't really like art. I just love fucking with peoples' heads."

Yeah.

"Interventionist performance art", he's calling it now. Previously known as "interactive public theatre". I still like "reality art". Whatever it is, it's something else.

Interesting review of "Sherrie". Origin of the spycam. Missing Person --> Who Is Robert Henley?. Oh, and then there's this. Changed my life, y'know.

I miss the evil bastard. He's never dull.

(Previously.)

Cults As Art

The previous two posts inevitably bring to mind of a certain other individual whose work I've admired. But can he be legitimately classified as an Artist?

In my terms, absolutely. But then I think everything people do is recognisable as art. (And that all institutions are recognisable as cults..)

What about this guy?

The Church of Scientology was not intended to be art in any conventional sense. Its purpose was to make money and slaves for Mr Hubbard, shoring up his rampant god complex.

"Writing stories for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a creative man wants to make a million dollars, the way to do it is to start your own religion." Etc.

But however venal its objectives, it's also a bizarre, byzantine and beautiful creative accomplishment - and LRH is recognisable as a Reality Artist of jawdropping genius. (A greedy, sadistic, megalomaniacal cunt, sure - but that's neither here nor there. He got his. And genius in ugly forms is still genius.)

These speculations stem largely from my experiences with this singular beastie - the most extreme example I know of a mind control cult which was, covertly but very explicitly, created and maintained as a legitimate Art Project.

Distinctions, eh.

Boyd Rice

See previous. Also linkable, in a way, to Korine; it's all about the Unified Aesthetic.

It doesn't really matter whether he's making noise or pictures, mounting exhibitions consisting of random objects found in thrift stores, appearing as the official advocate of Satan in surreal TV chat show debates, reminiscing fondly about his youthful pranking exploits, writing books about Rennes-le-Chateau and the "place where history and myth intersect", spearheading eccentric and uniquely tasteless underground art movements or designing Tiki bars - his real Work is simply being the entity called Boyd Rice, and doing whatever the hell it is that Boyd Rice is wont to do. And it's fucking great.

Illuminating 2004 interview with Brian M. Clark:

BRIAN: Do you personally do things like that?

BOYD: I do certain things like that...

Marilyn Manson

From The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell:

Marilyn Manson was the perfect story protagonist for a frustrated writer like myself. He was a character who, because of his contempt for the world around him and, more so, himself, does everything he can to trick people into liking him. Then once he wins their confidence, he uses it to destroy them.

For better and/or worse he remains a huge inspiration and influence.

I can't figure out whether I haven't listened to Eat Me, Drink Me yet because I'm afraid it'll be crap, or because I'm afraid of what it'll do to me. But I suspect the latter. Which means I will, and suggests that (all evidence to the contrary) he's still got it.

He's beautiful, fascinating, complex, disturbing, amazing, and a laff riot to boot. And I don't care what anyone says about his paintings. I think they're nice.

"I'm not trying to shock or scare you. I'm just a threat."

(Link of particular note in this context: The Nachtkabarett.)