Thanks, Clifton, for another impassioned appeal for acceptance in a polarized world.
Back in the 90s I used to call myself a Sophisticon, being a cultured artist and also espousing many ideas shared by people like Dennis Prager, Larry Elder and Thomas Sowell.
Now I see my beloved arts suffused with a kind of totalitarian groupthink, while the conserva-sphere offers up Kid Rock and Erika Kirk dressed like Elvis.
What are Sophisticons to do?
We keep on keeping on, Clifton.
Looking forward to your one-man-show of Thomas Sowell more than I can say.
Keep creating your art too Zuby! We need your positive, constructive message. I sometimes use your music in my high school classes. They are yearning for constructive messages.
These comments are spot on. But Clifton, speaking as an admirer of your elegant arguments, what does “conservative” art look like? Throughout my life as a writer and performer, I’ve encountered several serious thinkers who believe “all art is political” and I appreciate why, given my 50 years of exposure to important playwrights. These writers explored “the human condition” searching for the universality of struggle, esp injustice and the abuse of power — the entire great range lived experience. When the uniqueness of different cultures (so celebrated in the late ‘60’s - ‘70’s) became reduced to tribalism, identity politics and victimhood, b’way pivoted to classics and cartoons— but thematically, there were universal messages. Do we get into trouble assuming conservatives only know what repels them, an “I know what I don’t like” intellectually lazy stance? One of my tv projects was optioned for two years then failed in LA for being too “wholesome”, even though our story lines dealt with the struggles endured by returning soldiers. My big deal agent said then that the pendulum, pushed by the audiences, was leaning toward serial killers and vampires. I said it was the agencies pushing the pendulum; no accountability.
That was 20 years ago. Are artists required to satisfy the wants of corporate-contrived art in order to survive, à la modern Shakespeares and Michelangelos? Is public subsidized art always at the mercy of an administration? Are high paying audiences looking for echo chambers? For we compelled to be in the expressive arts, is there only a one-lane road ahead? Clifton, is this the timeless dilemma? Thank you again for your eloquence and exasperation 🙏
True art lives in the margins. I think this fracturing will be a constructive environment for lasting art. I think we are hitting a breaking point. It is hard to be on the front line, but also most interesting.
Thanks, Clifton, for another impassioned appeal for acceptance in a polarized world.
Back in the 90s I used to call myself a Sophisticon, being a cultured artist and also espousing many ideas shared by people like Dennis Prager, Larry Elder and Thomas Sowell.
Now I see my beloved arts suffused with a kind of totalitarian groupthink, while the conserva-sphere offers up Kid Rock and Erika Kirk dressed like Elvis.
What are Sophisticons to do?
We keep on keeping on, Clifton.
Looking forward to your one-man-show of Thomas Sowell more than I can say.
Cheers.
Artists must continue to create. We've all been distracted by politics and culture war for far too long. Myself included.
Keep creating your art too Zuby! We need your positive, constructive message. I sometimes use your music in my high school classes. They are yearning for constructive messages.
I will. Thank you.
Keep doing what you are doing.
So looking forward to your Sowell play
These comments are spot on. But Clifton, speaking as an admirer of your elegant arguments, what does “conservative” art look like? Throughout my life as a writer and performer, I’ve encountered several serious thinkers who believe “all art is political” and I appreciate why, given my 50 years of exposure to important playwrights. These writers explored “the human condition” searching for the universality of struggle, esp injustice and the abuse of power — the entire great range lived experience. When the uniqueness of different cultures (so celebrated in the late ‘60’s - ‘70’s) became reduced to tribalism, identity politics and victimhood, b’way pivoted to classics and cartoons— but thematically, there were universal messages. Do we get into trouble assuming conservatives only know what repels them, an “I know what I don’t like” intellectually lazy stance? One of my tv projects was optioned for two years then failed in LA for being too “wholesome”, even though our story lines dealt with the struggles endured by returning soldiers. My big deal agent said then that the pendulum, pushed by the audiences, was leaning toward serial killers and vampires. I said it was the agencies pushing the pendulum; no accountability.
That was 20 years ago. Are artists required to satisfy the wants of corporate-contrived art in order to survive, à la modern Shakespeares and Michelangelos? Is public subsidized art always at the mercy of an administration? Are high paying audiences looking for echo chambers? For we compelled to be in the expressive arts, is there only a one-lane road ahead? Clifton, is this the timeless dilemma? Thank you again for your eloquence and exasperation 🙏
True art lives in the margins. I think this fracturing will be a constructive environment for lasting art. I think we are hitting a breaking point. It is hard to be on the front line, but also most interesting.