Monday, September 14, 2009

Classic Mad Rant Welcome Matt (Macri/Grolle)

"If you are passionate enough to express it then so be it and let it stand. It would be like destroying part of a work of art"
- I often "destroy" parts of my own art, the only difference is I call it editing (warning, I may do it here).
"One thing however is that if you wish to express how you feel have the courage of your conviction and at least level the playing field by not posting items anonymously."
-The Korean Mask Festival comes from a time when the towns people and farmers could question the nobility without fear of prosecution. Anonymity is an important tool to encourage the fearful to speak out. It unfortunately is misused at times (I'm guilty of that for sure, despite my honest efforts).
"As far as the original comments go, I initially chose to observe and not respond. Some of the comments hurt me deeply others were very fair and while perhaps not complimentary to my work certainly seemed to express how that person felt and while perhaps not the most pleasant experience for myself or anyone else being critiqued, it is their opinion and they are entitled to it. There are pieces I love that you might hate and vice-versa."
-I think this "critique" was of the character portrayed in the article, not you or your art. The best rebuttal is exactly what you've done; provide us with a clearer view of who you really are.
"My claims are not false, however I am - to my mind - not a pompous, arrogant, amateur “BS-er” who awards himself accolades or makes claims of exhibitions, sales, shows that are untrue."
- As I mentioned, you sounded very sincere on the phone, and I'm sorry for anything we might have suggested that was untrue.
"As I mentioned in our conversation, a piece created in a minute or a lifetime may be equally pleasing or abhorrent to the beholder, nonetheless does that invalidate the art or the sentiment?"
- ...I have seen works of art that were created in relatively short periods of time, which were meaningful or beautiful in a way that spoke to me. It CAN be done quickly, as long as the artist cares (and the stars align just so). I would say how valid something (art or sentiment) is, is highly subject to distortion from the perspective it’s viewed from, the perception. Also there are many levels and kinds of "valid". Commercial success valid, meaningful valid, quality valid, uniqueness valid, rebellious and conformed (traditional) valid and so on; It makes for a complex mix. When it comes to the commercial sales, and that measurement of success, the artists who create more quickly, with cheaper materials are at a great advantage.
I suppose I harbour a little resentment toward people who are in an advantageous position and act callously to those who are currently less fortunate. Coming to Winnipeg (discount city) and saying the suppressed artists of Winnipeg should “make their own success”, and not “just sit around and wait for it to happen" after a pile of name dropping and status saber rattling, including actual $ figures …this is so obvious, it’s why I took issue with the article when I read it. It’s even more mysterious when I speak to you and you seem so intelligent, conscientious, and nice. I don’t think my interpretation was way left field here either; many people came to me with the same idea.
"However Morley decided to write the article was up to him"
-To some degree, but he does have a certain responsibility (to readers) to be honest. The level of "spin" (as we've been putting it) is related to that honesty. Regardless of his creative license, I don't feel like he (Morley) portrayed you (Ludolf) accurately, based on our conversation. I believe it was not your intent to mock Winnipeg or its low income and emerging artists, but that this tone was put in place by Morley, for whatever reason (to make you look bad? Why would he do that?). Is this even what happened?
"However I came across or however you felt I was portrayed is just a question of perception and personal judgment"
-This is a lesson I've been learning everyday forever. Even so, I was not alone in calling this (article) a duck, and am lead to believe it must have been walking a bit like one.
"One important aspect was that it was not my intention to come across as arrogant, pompous or condescending. It was not my intention to come across as someone who hated Winnipeg or looked down on any of the art community here or anywhere else."
- Most people don't intentionally come across as arrogant, pompous or condescending. It's something that happens either quite by accident or ..."spin".
"I am not trying to detract, deny or brown-nose in this - I merely want to give you the chance to hear what I truly believe to be sentiments....directly from ME."
-This speaks to me the most. The fact that you've taken the time to come here and try and explain yourself amidst less than friendly critisms, that speaks volumes. You're brave.
"I know I have the courage of my conviction to disregard all other work and to purely paint, I do this to share my heart and my art for those who wish to enjoy it or view it; even for those who wish to discredit and mock it."
-Of course, thank you for sharing your ideas with us so passionately. You have stirred some very thought provoking discussions!
"It is not financially driven however if I do not sell my work I will not be able to pay my bills. Some feel selling art is wrong, I do not. Some feel that working at another day-time job and not dedicating yourself to being an artist is hypocrisy or wrong, I do not. Many will tell you that I am passionate about Art - not just my art - and that I try to help leverage the promotion of Art and in turn also try to do my little bit for the community."
- Not being able to pay the bills. Welcome to my world. I also don’t play by those “what an artist should do” rules. Honestly I would like to sell my art but am at a definite disadvantage making art that takes a long time per canvas, and not having any money to market myself, or buy materials (framing etc) at the beginning. I can have no gripe and do not complain about competing with a successful artist when I'm not even in the market. Conversely, I expect they would have the good sense not to rub my nose in it.
Of course you didn’t (mean to) do that! But how could an experienced writer like Morley not see the implications. I would have thought he would have a good knowledge of his readers including lower income earners involved in cultural production. Really sorry here, I don't mean to be accusatory (toward you or Morley or the Free Press), I'm just still working on my confusion.
"I was sad that there were “gatecrashers” or plans to sabotage my event"
- I assure you the ALFA blog members had no part in such plans.
"...and that no one introduced themselves"
-I've never introduced myself to the artist on an opening night (that I can recall). I'm not outgoing like that, but it's not underhanded at all.
"I have a hard time with those bureaucrats who wield the power of art in communities, those who may never have had a creative feeling or moment in their life other than deriding, negating, or generally being indifferent to those who keep them in their jobs. There are many “societies”, associations and the like who fly the banner of supporting the arts that are no more than mutual masturbation cliques totally self-indulgent with a disregard for all I stand for."
- I am not entirely opposed to self indulgence in art, but probably have the same distaste for the corruption (although I don’t normally see it).
"We do not always have to suffer for our art, but somehow we always do a little".
-Haha, total contradiction, and totally true
"I share my work as it comes from my heart, of course I want to be accepted and loved like many others HOWEVER if I have to never show my face and stay locked in my basement to do what I love, or if society or the community in which I live chooses to make me a persona non-grata or an outcast then so be it. I know what is in my heart and I will never stop painting, drawing, writing and creating. Thanks for allowing me this opportunity, I value it. There is so much more I could say and I want to say; however I do not want you to hate my writing as much as you hate my paintings."
-I don't hate your paintings. I REALLY wanted to hate them, after reading that article, but I couldn't do it (and I mean before I spoke to you, so based on the work, not you being a nice guy). Of course it's a lot easier to appreciate something when you know the person who made it, and why (they made it). The writing is a good way to bridge that gap.
“Know this, I admire and respect many well known, and lesser known artists in this community and elsewhere and yes whoever said “there are 50 guys in Winnipeg that would blow this guy out of the water” I agree. Geoffroy Ettienne Dextraze’s drawings, Ken Hildebrand, Lois Hogg, Jordan Miller, Rodrigo Pradel, Wanda Luna, Winston Leathers, Lorne Roberts, Linus Woods, Shawn Berard, Helma Rogue Raiders, Janice Kenworthy and many others whose work I have come to know and admire.”
-Some familiar names and some to look up (but not that Roberts hack =P).
“Please do not judge me until you have met me. and I will try to do the same. Say whatever you wish about my work, I will do the same.”
-Thank you, I look forward to meeting you, and being able to judge you more fairly; with empathy, as a human being. One of my favorite professors once told me in a blanket statement, ‘every artist in the world believes what they do to be true’. It may be uncomfortable to have that questioned, but hopefully it will lead to greater understanding and greater truths.
“I hope to meet you all one day, if I do not recognize you please say “hello” I will do the same.”
-Cheers
“…for those who made disparaging remarks about me personally and / or anonymously “BITE ME!””
-careful what you wish for ;)
(I just bought a roller)

Sincerely David Macri

10 comments:

The Smoky Tiger said...

Mr Grolle,

I heard a rumour that you are a high ranking member of the Masonic order. Is this true or just a rumour?

~ Ayn Rand said...

"Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong."

Ludolf Grolle said...

David thank you for the invitation - I think Quitamoanez had already sent me an invite. Thank you both.

To answer succinctly and as requested:
1. Were you ever a controller with the financial firm JP Morgan in Amsterdam and Paris.
YES I was MIPA Controller for JP Morgan[Bank] in Amsterdam and also worked out of Paris and Frankfurt.

2. Did you teach adults (subject?) in Europe & the United Kingdom - and (work as) an Extra-Mural Lecturer for the University of Wales?
Yes- I taught adult Litercy and Numeracy to give back to the community and French - Beginner, Intermediate and Advance for the University of Wales - at night school for adults.
I also ran Drawing and Painting Sessions in Amsterdam.

3. Is it true that you were a bank clerk (who) worked his way up the ladder? At his peak earning almost $250,000 a year.
I was a bank clerk but in a fast track undergrad/grad program and while I did not make that type of money in Banking but in the resultant positions...yes I did enjoy a package in excess of that amount in a couple of companies from 1995-2001.

I hope that clears that up - though it has nothing to do with my art at all - I would have done the same thing and probably sooner if I had earned less.

Ludolf Grollé said...

The Smoky Tiger said...
Mr Grolle,

I heard a rumour that you are a high ranking member of the Masonic order. Is this true or just a rumour?

Mr. Smokey Tiger - hi my name is Ludolf.
Now where might you have heard that? I am a Freemason - Yes. High Ranking? Not really - I am currently the Worshipful Master of Millennium Lodge [probably the largest Masonic Lodge in Winnipeg and Manitoba - therefore quite strategic]; I am also a 32nd Degree Mason and have been for over a decade - 33rd Degree is more or less the pinnacle. But seriously there are many much higher ranking Masons. I joined in the United Kingdom as a Member of the Grand Lodge of England and affiliated here and became a Member of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. One cool thing is that I have just been appointed the Creative Editor of their magazine Masonry in Manitoba.

Personally I feel there is a great difference between money, rank and power and there is no correlation with any of these to creativity, intelligence or happiness. Luck is probably a nice gift to posses. HOWEVER - the measurement of success is purely subjective.

Having said all that I have today, the bottom line is: I am a Landed Immigrant, who lives in a modest home, trying to survive selling my art and doing my best to learn more and be better.

I will tell you a Masonic Secret though - don't let it go any further: one of the essential pre-requisites for joining is that you must own your own {G}ROLLE-R! :-)
Sincerely "L"

D.Macri said...

Again, thank you for indulging me.

<3

It has more to do with my curiosity and understanding of Morley's article I think.

And the final question on the matter...If you would...

When you read that article and imagined the range of people who might read it, did you even once think it would be prone to misunderstanding or sense a subversive attack?

erm, one more question =/
Have you ready many of Morley's articles (in particular his disagreement with Diana Thorneycroft's work)?

PS. I'm going to go read "The Tragically Hip" review I just heard about. If it is as it was described to me, it will likely be the very last time I read one of his articles.

D.Macri said...

Haha! It's so terrible I want more!

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/the-hips--long-visit-good-for-business-58437932.html

D.Macri said...

I confess I have NOT read many of his articles, and am starting to see his interest in stirring controversy.

In the Hip article he calls Hip deafeningly monotonous, and their fans projectile vomiting druggies!

c-dog said...

Oh no, we have ourselves a Mason!!!

It's Smktgrs dream come true!

Ludolf Grolle said...

When you read that article and imagined the range of people who might read it, did you even once think it would be prone to misunderstanding or sense a subversive attack?
YES -TO PRONE TO MISUNDERSTANDING.
NO-DID NOT THINK ABOUT, DID NOT SENSE SUBVERSIVE ATTACK....UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST FEW COMMENTS. EVENTHOUGH WAS READ THE ARTICLE ONCE OVER THE PHONE I THOUGHT EXPOSURE MIGHT BE A SMALL COLUMN INSIDE THE ARTS SECTION MENTIONING DATE AND TIME OF SHOW.

Have you ready many of Morley's articles (in particular his disagreement with Diana Thorneycroft's work)?
NO - I HARDLY READ THE FREE PRESS, I MOSTLY GO ON-LINE FOR NEWS OR THE TELEVISION. MOSTLY READ THE NEW YORKER OR ADBUSTERS AND THEN ONLY SKIM UNLESS SOMETHING REALLY GRABS ME.

I confess I have NOT read many of his articles, and am starting to see his interest in stirring controversy.
HMMMMMM - PERHAPS I AM JUST BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND.


c-dog said...
Oh no, we have ourselves a Mason!!!
IS THAT BAD? DOES IT MATTER? THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OF US HIDDEN IN A LITTLE SUB-CULTURE BUBBLE.

I AM ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS TRUTHFULLY AND RESPONDING BUT I DO NOT WANT TO UPSET PEOPLE BY DETRACTING FROM THE "ART". FRANKLY, AND CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF I REALLY DON'T LIKE FOCUSSING ON "ME' TOO MUCH.

WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ALL OF YOU AND ALSO YOUR ART AND INSPIRATIONS & MOTIVATION.

"L"

cara said...

welcome L

looking forward to seeing more of your work on the blog.