In the 1990s I drew my early artwork listening to Nirvana and techno. Now in the late zeroes there is only reggaeton left. In this age of no creativity and obsessive repetition of oldies, in this decade of the zeroes that couldn't even secure a name for posterity, in this decade that was unable to add cultural value, music and art are hybernating in wait of better times.
It was comparatively easy for Michael Jackson to excel as he stood over the shoulders and creative background of previous artists of the 1960s and 1970s. Today's artists don't have tools available to recover the lost sociological ground, that is beyond our scope. Hopefully in the 2010s or 2020s someone new we don't know yet, through his or her success, will vindicate the silent effort of those of us who could at least produce some early 21st century mediocre work. But at least us, the mediocre artists of early 21st century, can be credited that we did not let art die in an age where the credibility of national politics in any country is dead.
There are plenty of technological content sharing devices but little content to share. Humanity has become too robotic, which increases the probability of someone pushing the famous red button. A global bored society is losing the perspective of its legacy. (Rubén Rivero Capriles - Caracas, December 20, 2009)
Comments:
"You know what? You are right. The other day we were listening to 1980's music (classics) and were amazed on the difference... so many hits and now? It is hard to tell. I am glad that we enjoyed those good times and keep it in our minds and hearts. We try to pass that on to our kids... and have a good music collection of those good times. The red button issue is worrisome and scary. I hope we will react before it gets too late." Paula Asbun (from Bolivia/Texas)
"I fully share these thoughts. The number of human problems growing on synchronous to the development of science and technologies. Such statement is objective and for arts too." Alexander Lipsky (from Ukraine)
"I agree, Rubén. Perhaps we should get back to basics, to what makes us more human, without forgetting the good we can make and achieve during this post-modernity. After all, even though it is already overstated, it a correct use of resources is more important than resources themselves. We have emphasized the creation of countless media to produce new things. We must equally think about avoiding the loss of our human essence during this process of creation and development, how to continue being humanely technological instead of technologically human." Omar Rodríguez Álvarez." (from El Tigre, Venezuela)
"The 20th century was an outpouring of creativity specifically because of a number of social and technological factors. Now, we in the 21st century are living in the fading echoes of this monumental upheaval. Historically, new music styles, such as jazz, blues, gospel etc. were the result of fusions of cultures - African slaves imported to America, making sense of the upheaval. Much of the later 20th century music was really theft and adaptation of those new sounds.
As a result of this, now music styles and themes have become largely set. Marketing execs for the media companies have learnt that brand and image is everything - hence artists' images and appearance are more important than their music. Rap is only "credible" if sung by people with criminal records, for example. It's very difficult for artists to buck a trend with really good music, such as Coldplay. Creativity is very often now in the hands of the audio mixers and backing composers, who make the music compelling. The Black Eyed Peas' latest offerings are very poor in actual talent, but rich in audio effects. Ever since Cher came out with that "Do you believe in life after love" song, digital distortion became vogue, but in reality bands were mangling their audio tracks since the 1970s.
It could be argued that other media is suffering from the same problems. TV is simply pepped-up cliches, and even video games are churning out reams of near-identical sequels such as Halo: ODST (making it the 4th Halo incarnation)." Troy Campbell (in Japan)
"Interesting comments Ruben, I must be the last person on earth to get an ipod (thanks Santa) and am looking forward to loading it with good music from today. Seems I dropped out of current music somewhere in my thirties. I take your comments as a challenge to see if anything good has been created since my records started gathering dust. hmm might have to call in my teenage relatives to help. Take care and God bless." Peter Bender (from Australia)
"I do not totally agree with you ... when you say <<But at least us, the mediocre artists of early 21st century, can be credited that we did not let art die in an age where the credibility of national politics in any country is dead.>> That means you catalogue all artists of the present time as mediocre... the first one I think he is not mediocre in the present days, is yourself... and besides, if you, if we, do not know those excellent artists... for sure there are real artists, they exist... The humanity has always produced excellence in the arts, even the production of unknown people. Writers, Musicians, Painters, Architects, Sculptors... all the Art Branches, and today's digital artists, are producing works, even if we do not know them... and among those, masterpieces... I do agree with you on the following topic in the same lines : <<can be credited that we did not let art die in an age where the credibility of national politics in any country is dead.>> I do agree with you as I think: It is a shame how politics develop nowadays, all over the world, with exceptions... It is a goal to find out, in the present world's period, where are the great artists of nowadays and who are they. Keep on with your writings and paintings, most interesting..." Maria Christina Famelart (from Venezuela/France)
