Love this big reveal! Curiosity about the meaning I just gave something is the fastest way I know to short circuit my anger. Meanings said out loud hold some kind of magic. And are sometimes even funny.
A brilliant, searingly honest post, Johnny. I take exception with one thing that you said, though. When introducing us to the phenomenal Ren Gill, who I’d never heard of before, and will now go and investigate, you said that his art is art that helps, that could save lives. Sorry to ‘shout’m but ALL art can potentially save lives. Ren’s is very open about his illness (I’m a now retired psychiatrist, so I can hazard a fairly confident guess at what it is) but an artist doesn’t have to be so explicit to mean something to someone somewhere, which might also just save a person’s life. I don’t get Mark Rothko eIther, I prefer my art to be a bit more representational, but his colours clearly speak to people. And you never know, someone who is feeling well crap might look at a Rothko painting and feel magically uplifted. The point about art is that it’s value is always in the eye of the beholder, so it’s not possible to devalue a piece of art because it will absolutely, definitely, be adored by someone somewhere. Yes, we are all broken and fucked up in varying ways, and we all deal with that differently. Perhaps the real, and the best achievement is to keep going.
Hi! I actually think we're in complete agreement here. I re-read what I wrote, and because I was in the thick of writing about Ren (a tangible example that let me speak specifically, rather than talking in vague terms about "all art"), it did sort of sound like I was calling his work out as somehow more able to save lives than other art. It was just such a specific case, easy for anyone to understand. I agree that all art can save lives. It was just so obvious an instance when lyrics clearly talk about loosening a suicide noose that it sounded like I was singling this one kind out.
Yes, it does sound like we completely agree. Ren is brilliant, and also searingly honest. I see what you mean about his specific subject matter, and how it can really clearly speak to people who might be in despair. His songs are so good, that they stand on their own merit as good songs. It’s just wicked that he’s managed to turn the horrible experience of his illness into something beautiful. Oh, BTW, I remember’The Universe Doesn’t Give A Flying Fuck About You’, and thought that it actually made good sense. All this New Age stuff seems to me to be a replacement for conventional religion, which seems to hVe fallen out if fashion - well. the Christian variety of it, anyway. Hence the crystals, and astrology, and calling on The Universe, and... Whatever you call it, whether it’s God, The Universe, your starsign, your lucky charm bracelet, if it gives you comfort and doesn’t harm anyone (including oneself), cool.
Love this big reveal! Curiosity about the meaning I just gave something is the fastest way I know to short circuit my anger. Meanings said out loud hold some kind of magic. And are sometimes even funny.
Amazing how simple awareness can make a difference, right?
Yep. I don't wish the pain of getting there on anyone but recommend it for everyone.
A brilliant, searingly honest post, Johnny. I take exception with one thing that you said, though. When introducing us to the phenomenal Ren Gill, who I’d never heard of before, and will now go and investigate, you said that his art is art that helps, that could save lives. Sorry to ‘shout’m but ALL art can potentially save lives. Ren’s is very open about his illness (I’m a now retired psychiatrist, so I can hazard a fairly confident guess at what it is) but an artist doesn’t have to be so explicit to mean something to someone somewhere, which might also just save a person’s life. I don’t get Mark Rothko eIther, I prefer my art to be a bit more representational, but his colours clearly speak to people. And you never know, someone who is feeling well crap might look at a Rothko painting and feel magically uplifted. The point about art is that it’s value is always in the eye of the beholder, so it’s not possible to devalue a piece of art because it will absolutely, definitely, be adored by someone somewhere. Yes, we are all broken and fucked up in varying ways, and we all deal with that differently. Perhaps the real, and the best achievement is to keep going.
Hi! I actually think we're in complete agreement here. I re-read what I wrote, and because I was in the thick of writing about Ren (a tangible example that let me speak specifically, rather than talking in vague terms about "all art"), it did sort of sound like I was calling his work out as somehow more able to save lives than other art. It was just such a specific case, easy for anyone to understand. I agree that all art can save lives. It was just so obvious an instance when lyrics clearly talk about loosening a suicide noose that it sounded like I was singling this one kind out.
Yes, it does sound like we completely agree. Ren is brilliant, and also searingly honest. I see what you mean about his specific subject matter, and how it can really clearly speak to people who might be in despair. His songs are so good, that they stand on their own merit as good songs. It’s just wicked that he’s managed to turn the horrible experience of his illness into something beautiful. Oh, BTW, I remember’The Universe Doesn’t Give A Flying Fuck About You’, and thought that it actually made good sense. All this New Age stuff seems to me to be a replacement for conventional religion, which seems to hVe fallen out if fashion - well. the Christian variety of it, anyway. Hence the crystals, and astrology, and calling on The Universe, and... Whatever you call it, whether it’s God, The Universe, your starsign, your lucky charm bracelet, if it gives you comfort and doesn’t harm anyone (including oneself), cool.