the problem is the idea

today was a wonderfully surprising artist talk by wilfredo prieto garcia (hailing from cuba). this was the most interesting artist who i have seen talk in some time. he was young and accomplished, funny and generous and most of all really damn good. definitely one of those times that required a 'damn! i have to get my act together!' but in a good way.

his work was quite affecting, with elements of humour, an edge and a wonderful elegance. some pieces were monumentally simple and others bizarrely complex. the room full of white, blank books was darling and poetic as well as straight forward. (hell, when he talked about the people flipping through the blank pages, that is totally what i wanted to do) but the work i wanted to ask him about the most was the wheelbarrow piece. just the concept of him walking for five kilometres somehow spoke to me.

the idea of horizontal teaching was very interesting too. (quite beyond the hilarity of saying it outloud, which is fun). the idea of students and teachers being equal is wonderful and makes my heart (my art heart) all a flutter. the program he attended sounded really interesting. art and life in one! who would have thought! forming and deforming art students. now that is what the world need.

so, it was a pretty inspirational/challenging talk. on one hand i feel the pang of lack in my work. the whole that something is missing. the eternal something. on the other hand (thank god for the other hand!!!) it was also apparent that i am close. and the missing piece might be glorious.

and so, renewed and challenged, forward.