…it would be with an iron gonzo fist. I’d be terrible as the head of the NEA, directing monies to titanic, doomed-to-fail projects by outsider artists, crackpots and old friends, terrorizing the office with my constant demand for Earl Grey tea at exactly the right temperature and when forced by congress to testify in defense of my regime, I’d probably show up dressed in David Bryne’s suit from Stop Making Sense (to symbolize the 80’s – probably the last time anyone knew what was going on in the arts, and we knew that it was going downhill). Oh, and my department of “unlimited funding for Ralph Bakshi projects” would probably not go over all too well, either.
Since my ideas are neither good, nor defensible, you’re better directed to Lisa Fung over at the LA Times who has asked a bevy of folks, ranging from education maven and performance artist Sandra Tsing Loh, b-ball icon Kareem Abdul Jabbar, wordsmith Edward Albee and building polisher Frank Gehry to “publisher enabled imbeciles” Joel Stein and Ann Coulter to give their nickel’s worth on the future of the newly cash empowered agency.
Technorati Tags: LA Times, art, NEA, Federal government, Obama Administration
and I would have H.R. Giger design the freeways
And Metroline stations.
All outsider artists get to design and do whatever
They want in government buildings.
Also have a large public park inspired by
Arthur C. Clarke and Heironious Bosch.
And zoos without fences or enclosures.
if i ran the NEA, i’d have a slurpee machine.
[...] “If I ran the NEA…” (Marshall Astor.) [...]
I couldn’t believe they asked Ann Coulter, of all people. I mean, honestly, Ann Freaking Coulter?
Now, if I ran the NEA, oh, things would be different my little minions…
things would be different…
I think media outlets think that they’re going to get lauded for providing “equal time” when they showcase nutjobs like Ann Coulter, but really what they’re doing in a piece like this is dragging down the level of debate, by equating the perspectives of cultural icons, leaders and experts with the perspectives of pundits and dabblers. I think it’s a shame that neither print or TV news seem either willing or able to play host to serious debate, without having to throw in some “zinger” to give the story a “look at me” quality.
I’d actually put Ann Coulter a step or two above Joel Stein – I think she’s a very smart cultural manipulator and intellectual opportunist, but Stein is simply an empty suit with an equally empty head.
why not Mr.Rogers?
or Ray Bradbury?
or Brian Wilson?
You know, people who have lived in L.A.
and don’t rove around on the radar as
Michael Savage in S&M drag with anorexia
As a result from huge amounts of bath tub
Meth.
Unfortunately, Fred Rogers has passed away.
i’m really curious what kareem says. how random is that?
hey marshall – did you get my email earlier this week??