Thursday, July 06, 2006

The Isle of Solitary Art

Imagine if you were arrested and convicted of 'Art Crimes' and your sentence was this:

You are to be placed , alone, on a deserted island. You'll have food, water, shelter and various other survival sundries- but you'll be alone.
Forever.

You can only bring one 'Art Thing' with you. This can be most anything- except the judge has ruled that any form of transportation -lifeboat, hot air balloon, milk-jug raft, etc is not considered 'Art'. (First thing I thought of- the Art of Sailing...)

Will you:

-Bring a book? Which one?

OR

-Opt for (limitless) pen and paper, although you know that no one shall read a single word you write, ever?



- Bring a music recording ( player included) ? Which recording?

OR

- Opt for a musical instrument, although no one will ever hear you play it?

These questions can be re-written to reflect any and all artistic pursuits, so don't limit yourself to the examples given.


( Note: Supplies are not an issue- paints, pencils- even welding tools for sculptors are permitted- as long as you don't build a pontoon boat and escape...)

4 comments:

Susannity said...

With the choices you give, I would bring the paper/pen or the musical instrument. Even the best loved song or book would get old after awhile, but the others are limitless - plus I'd have to learn how to actually use the musical instrument heh. I haven't touched a piano in years and never learned any other instrument.

I think if I could bring any art object, I guess it would be paints. The problem is, I would run out of all the paint supplies after some time, so perhaps an instrument would be better.

Citymouse said...

If it is a tropical island, I would opt for the sand and a stick. You see, I think I would rather be creative with what is there then to have something given to me by "the man" Basic tools would be good so I could make something out of nothing. Sculpt into the rock, make instrtuments from the plant life.

The book-- the bible-- only because it has it all-- greed death betrail poetry hope and love

em0 said...

I'd bring a guitar. Because I can't play it.

Or actually... I'd want the bigger canvas in the world. And limitless paints. Just painting every day. Because someone will find it. When I'm dead. And i would draw my life on it. And explain the meaning of life. And I would be immortal.

Allan said...

I like all these answers.

Susanne- I added the 'limitless supply' after your comment, so please, paint away! A piano! What if you want to move it? Still, I like it. Have you ever been deep inside a piano? There's all sorts of handy parts and pieces in there- You could build a right decent hut from a grand piano! Good choice.

CM- Plenty of sticks and sand to be had- sadly, most instruments are a composite of plants and animals- wooden drum/leather skin etc. I frequently threaten to use my cat's intestines for guitar strings...do they listen? Noooo...but I would if that were my only option. Maybe.
Something from nothing? That is a good approach.


Emelie- If you spend enough time with a guitar it will teach you how to play it.( I have never had a lesson-from a human- and you've heard the results)
I bet you would have a style uniquely your own- actually, you already do.
It's almost impossible to play guitar and NOT sound like someone else, but I bet you could do it.

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Perhaps someday we will all wash up on the Isle of Misfit Blogs and form a really cool band (w/ great album cover art- no album, just great art) - and no audience or contracts!