interview

I asked mademba to interview me since nobody has done it yet. I originally ran across his LJ somewhere and found we had some similar interests. So, here it is…

1. What is your definition of art? Art is the manipulation of materials by a human being for aesthetic purposes. (Things of beauty or otherwise, made by nature or God or a Divine Force is not art by western cultural definitions even though we mistakenly use that terminology.)

2. If there is one art collection or museum that you would base a “crash course on art” in, which collection or museum would you hold it in? I know in NYC there are many museums that such a course could be taught with however, I’ll use only a museum I have actually been in. That museum would be L.A. County Museum of Art. I was there last summer and talked to the education dept. about obtaining slides for my art appreciation courses. Even though they feel their collection is inadequate, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, FL., doesn’t have a collection that comes close.

3. I’ve always enjoyed your book selections. We even have a shared interest in the works of W.E.B. DuBois. Which of his works would you suggest for the beginner to his studies? And why?
The Souls of Black Folk
is his definitive work. Written almost one-hundred years ago, the book is still a work that touches so much of what’s going on in the U.S. today. This is one of the most important books of the 20th century.

4. You’ve been to Italy. From what I read, it was an incredible journey. For those of us who have not read this journey on your site and in your journal, why would you consider this a trip worth taking for any of us? For a person that has never traveled outside the U.S. (or any other non-European country) making Italy your destination is an easy choice. Even if you don’t speak Italian, the people are most generous, the food can’t be beat, the region is perfect (Treviso, Padova, Venezia). The weather is not so bad in the summer and winter’s get cold but not usually heavy snow when it does. This area is flat up to the foothills of the Dolomites. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking. I was racing bicycles at the time but if a person wants to do a bike tour of the region I know people that set up camp there during the summer. (Let me know if you’re interested.)

5. Name five pieces of music that you listen to make a bad day better. Normally, I have the inner fortitude to get through bad days with or without music. I don’t think of playing music to make a bad day better but, I will play music to make a good day better. Here are my five selections based on how I feel today:
Bartók: Six String Quartets

Kronos Quartet – Webern: Movements Op5; Berg: String…

Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme

Miles Davis – Nefertiti