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[adamantlyardent]

There is a cruel comfort in knowing that trying to talk to self-declared artists is, regardless of realm, an exercise in patience quite hard to master. I desperately do not care if one has crafted a pinwheel out of garbage, nor shall I be inclined to call it art, thank you very much.

Dare I even send this thought into this void? Perhaps I'll just be inadvertently drawing more of these sorts, eager to fuel some unconscious need to be offended and fight for their honor; it seems to be the way out on the street, in the magazines, and everywhere else...

There must be truly something to the notion of being "spoiled for choice" -- this world seems the absolute perfect example of it. Do parameters of quality even MATTER anymore when there is just so damn much of anything and no one can seem to agree at all?

Sure, why not. The ink you accidentally dripped onto your shoe is now "art."

Gods help me. Rather, someone else just kindly mark a map for me so I know how to avoid these weird avenues in the future and spare us all.

Comments

[adamantlyardent]

[OPTIMISM???? in MY chilis??????]

I'm fairly certain any merit my opinion has on anything in this world is almost exclusively due to the fact that I am NOT from this world. No matter how many appear, those of us labeled as imPorts are destined to be valued more as novelties, and any opinions of actual value are secondary.

I could always exploit that to my benefit, of course, but I'm not THAT miserable yet.

[batgirl_babs]

But they're still valued, even if secondary. Frankly, given the overall very tiny artistic circles, your opinion is going to have an outsized effect without you even having to DO anything. Other than having it.

You don't need to exploit anything, you just need to say it and have it heard.

[adamantlyardent]

And then wind up with odd-smelling acolytes. I've been down this road -- it is unpleasant and full of madmen.

[batgirl_babs]

[She can't shrug via text, but...]

So are most public buses - and I don't think America does acolytes anymore, unless you're a politician or a religious leader. Which is pretty much the same thing, a lot of the time.

[adamantlyardent]

I hear this kind of argument in relation to tolerating dogs, honestly. I'm still not convinced I should put up with either in any regard -- the buses or the animals or whatever other foul nonsense wants to encroach upon my space.

[batgirl_babs]

Well, what are your choices? It's either "well, this is life" or you go for the "I'll show them, I'll show them all" approach, at which point it's just villainy waiting for a cape.

Well, no, you could go full hermit. But then how will you have opinions about art, so it's a bit of a bind, there.

Also, what DO you like?

[adamantlyardent]

I like a number of things.
I hesitate to elaborate, as I find myself so often shredded to pieces for my interests or opinions; it's easier to lean into the things that bother me and have a chance at common ground that way amidst the mess.

She's like a pleasant terrier.

[batgirl_babs]

Shredded to pieces? Are all your friends art critics?

Please tell me you haven't been just on the internet. Nothing good comes of comment sections.

So, since the idea of anybody leaning into negatives just to avoid something worse - judgment free zone, right here. Free shot, no shredding risked. Scout's honor.

So what do you like?

just don't shed on my nice furniture

[adamantlyardent]

Can you elaborate on what a "Scout's honor" even entails? What is the metric for trustworthiness?

[batgirl_babs]

It's an informal Earth saying. It means it's a solid promise. Honestly, you can choose to trust it or not.

But honestly, what could you lose? I'm just some schmo - (a hypothetical ordinary person) - so what would my opinion matter if I DID disagree with you?

[adamantlyardent]

I suppose it depends on how deep your connections go. It's hardly a DIRECT offense so much as trying to learn from experience and avoid oversharing to strangers and assumed allies alike.

[batgirl_babs]

Hah, connections. I'll let you know if I get any.

And I'm Barbara Gordon. There, I'm not a stranger anymore. :) Just a curious busybody who likes to know stuff.

[adamantlyardent]

[a stranger with a name!!!]

To what end?

[batgirl_babs]

To get to know people better. I don't know anyone here, I sure as heck like the arts (you can take the girl out of the piano and cello lessons, but not the piano and cello out of the girl?) - and who knows, the answers might be interesting.

[adamantlyardent]

I see. So that means you are one of the newcomers, fresh to the fray?
Are congratulations or condolences in order?

[batgirl_babs]

Well, introduce yourself, maybe I'll have someone to talk to whenever I figure that out?

But yes. Freshest produce on the shelf, that's me.

[adamantlyardent]

Cecelia Ardenbury.
My tenure here is well over two years now, though I'm hardly the longest lasting. I'm not sure where to scale that in terms of vegetables, however...

[batgirl_babs]

That's a lovely name! Also, best to just drop the produce metaphor there. It only works at either end, and down the far end is not the sort of thing I want you to take from this.

So let's do something small. If a Cecilia Ardenbury were to have any painting in the whole world in her home, it would be...?

[adamantlyardent]

[after a delay:]

Perhaps something of the Silver Grove, were that possible. It's not a place of this world, however.

[batgirl_babs]

Well it SOUNDS beautiful. I'm sure it is. I take it that the place means a lot to you.

[adamantlyardent]

It has personal significance, yes. And in any case, it's a sight much more enjoyable to behold than most of what the cities here have to offer...

[batgirl_babs]

Yeah, modern architecture isn't my thing. I grew up a city girl, but it was an Art Deco city from top to bottom, really hung on to its history. If you ever see Tullio Crali's 'Cityscape', it's how I always see home.

[adamantlyardent]

If I'm recalling what Art Deco entails, then at least it includes SOME notions of nature in its design, yes? Not just concrete, glass, and steel?

[batgirl_babs]

Supposedly - the city was certainly designed with a variety of park features. Which definitely qualifies as 'some.'

[adamantlyardent]

Hopefully a better showing than what passes for a park in these cities...otherwise, perhaps, you are missing out as well as everyone else here.