abvg,
I'm a bit confused by your somewhat curt reply to my last post. (I've read through my last post again to make sure that my memory of it was correct). My account of my university painting professor - just to set the record straight - in no way constitutes my "assessment of minimalist thought". (I did give a reference to an essay which I said confirms my experience with minimalists and views of Minimalism in general - if anyone cares to read it.) Further, I understand completely that you "do not actively seek minimalism in life, nor do (you) advocate it" - but remember, you originally brought up the term "minimalism" (not me). I'm glad you agree with my thoughts concerning the over-distillation of complex ideas (maybe the term "over-simplification" fits better). What I have trouble understanding, however, is your sentence: "Understand, though, it is an error into which I fall." Am I only supposed to "understand" (overlook) that you fall into the error of the over-simplification of complex thoughts? Or am I only supposed step aside while you indulge in an even more self-indulgent personal tendency toward over-simplification at the expense of the entire discussion? (which is, as far as I'm concerned, precisely what you did in your last long post). You have, of course, the right to fall back behind your own personal errors (if this is what you're doing). But the question I have to ask myself is whether it's worth the considerable time and trouble I invest in writing my posts when I more than once have the impression that you mainly sidestep the larger issues and themes that I raise (as was the case with my last post). In other words, if I want to have a conversation with myself, I don't need to go into the internet for it.
Quite frankly, I'm disappointed. I'd hoped for a discussion over "The Death of Painting". But this hasn't materialized. BRAIN WARS à la Betty Edwards? (you really can't be serious with all this nonsense). If you want to throw around simplistic half- and quarter-truths over left-brain/right-brain functions (in lobotomized brains, yet!) in a manner elevating such "insights" into THE ANSWER which explains everything about The Condition of Human Art, you'll have to do it without me. (But then, perhaps this is your ultimate aim.)
In closing, I'll leave you with one last thought. My "golden rule" is to completely forget how it looks, smells, feels or sounds: think for yourself, question authority, look behind every appearance and always keep in mind that ALL governments - as well as reductionist thought systems - lie.
- David
