No Sympathy for Artists

August 6th, 2007 admin Posted in Art on the Web |

Raise you hand if you listen to This American Life.

This American Life is a radio show, one with a hard-to-describe sound, millions of listeners, and a bunch of awards.  (that is what their web site says) ZAF622 draws inspiration from the show. Nowadays it has moved beyond the radio into television but I have yet to see an episode.

If you don’t know This American Life or have never listened now is a good time. The episode that was broadcast this week is all about art. And it asks some interesting questions. Here is a brief intro to the episode from TAL’s site:

“Foreign correspondent Jim Biederman reports from a cell phone inside the Louvre, in front of the Mona Lisa, on what people say while they’re standing in front of some of the world’s greatest works of art. It turns out to be pretty banal. People talk about dinner. And the price of the paintings.

It actually makes you feel bad for artists—a group most of us feel no sympathy for whatsoever. After all, it takes years to develop artistic skills; it’s intensely competitive; almost no one makes any money doing it; there are jealousies and unfair treatment; and then, if somehow, your work is recognized, and you end up in a museum like the Louvre, you’re even treated badly there. “

You can find the episode here. I believe it can be downloaded for free for a week after it airs. Then you will have to pay. So better do it now.