>> What bothers me most is the claustrophobic control they maintain over the
>> critique of the work itself. Ironically we live in an age where one can
>> exercise such control. The Christo's have paid to have Abrams to do works on
>> all their projects. But whether or not a Gallery or Abrams is doing the
>> book, the Christos control every word that is written about the project(s),
>> as well as the reproduction rights on any of his art. (Dune Arbus is the
>> same way, by the way, on both photo rights and the critical discussion that
>> occurs in the Random House book on her mother's work).
>> Needless to say his kind of control suffocates the independent critical
>> voice - and it mimics political regimes, Stalinist, Rovist, etc. that do
>> everything possible to control their "message." Sadly, authoritarian
>> control becomes the message.
>
> Is this then Fascist art?
I find it so somewhat. Here we are in the village gossiping madly about "The
Gates." No one shuts us down. Yet, gossip fades. And these controlled books
remain the official account. I understand not wanting to have Fox Network
eat one alive their dinner (i.e.. Michael Moore refusing to be on anything
but a 'real time', not post edited review. Or not being interested in
somebody repeatedly comparing the Gates to shower curtains, as it was on
Fox. But it is supposedly a democracy. And all of us dogs should be allowed
to run free - and may the best dogs rule criticism or whatever. At their
worst, the Christos like their dogs with one leg and an extended tongue.
(Whew, how's that for being bad? Forgive me.)
But I think Alison's story of controlling the view in the poetry world is
sometimes true.
Stephen V
Blog: http://stephenvincent.durationpress.com
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