2 minute read
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
When attending school in Madison in the early 80’s, there was a t-shirt design that was circulating the campus area that said on the front: “WHAT IS ART?” And on the back, it said: “ART IS A WINDOW WASHER” with an illustration of a popular homeless man named Art that walked up and down State Street washing storefront windows for donations at that time.
What does this mean and why share this story? Well, on a topical level, it’s cute and a play on words. With more insightful thought, Art is anything you want it to be. Look at “The Calling” AKA the orange sunburst sculpture on the east end of Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee created by New York-based artist Mark di Suvero back in 1982. There’s plenty of controversy behind that thing. Love it or hate it, it’s Art. I just wish I thought of welding some I-beams together, painting it orange and getting paid $150,000 back in 1982!! Genius…pure genius. Shouldn’t that be considered recycled art since it was built with I-beams that were meant for other purposes? Sure. Why not?!
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Art has been a part of our history as humans since cavemen drew pictures on rock walls. Since then, man has created, criticized, and appreciated Art of all kinds. Some say Art is food for the soul and we need it to survive. What kind of Art do you hunger for? With this pandemic, a year in the making, a lot of us probably hunger to be together and share in the experience of Art on stage…in the form of a musical, a play, or a concert. I know I do. In a positive light, this pandemic has also allowed many of those artists to rethink their craft and put it onto a new canvas in order to be able to continue to express themselves. I say Bravo! We, at Footlights, are no different - ArtsScene would not exist today as a form of Art appreciation if it weren’t for the pandemic. How are we doing?
After you’ve pondered the question above, now ask yourself: What is EARTH without ART?… it’s just EH. Whether you are protecting the planet by recycling, making art, or reading a digital arts magazine… you’re keeping it green!
I hope you enjoy our edition of RECYCLED ART and you continue to hunger for more art in your lives.
The Calling. Photo credit: Mel Buchanan Art the window washer. Photo credit: Wisconsin Historical Society
