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From: linda@amdcad.UUCP (Linda Seltzer)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Rape - Another Solution
Message-ID: <2665@amdcad.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 14:03:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: amdcad.2665
Posted: Thu Aug 15 14:03:10 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 22:39:32 EDT
References: <2402@amdcad.UUCP> <1079@ames.UUCP>
Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 37
Summary: Alternatives to violence in the arts

> 
> 	Do I correctly understand that you are against the portrayal, not only
> of violence, but of "suspense, fear, suspicion, and emotional intensity"? If
> so, you don't seem to leave the artist much leeway.
> 
> 	I wouldn't mind at all if films more often tried to show us a better
> world than the one we live in; I'm fond of optimistic stories. But without
> conflict there *is* no story. Nor, I think, is there any way to curtail the
> popularity of adventure and suspense, short of censorship. I agree we should
> vote with our $$$ for films we like, but we can't expect everyone else to
> always vote the same way.

Your reply, and the notion that there always has to be a "story" shows
just how limited many people's views are because of the influence of
mass media.  In film, for example, look at the work of Stan Brakhage, such
as his "The Text of Light", an hour and a half of pure visual images,
pure abstract film.  Each frame is said to be a masterpiece in itself.
Now the mass media classifies this as "experimental" (i.e. esoteric and
not important) film.  The New Age movement in the arts in the US has
been dismissed by critics as "minimalism" - but luckily Steve Reich and
Meredith Monk have gained acclaim in New York, at least.

Now let's look at even the enlightened city of Berkeley.  Two weeks ago
there was a concert by the students of the Ali Akbar Khan school of music.
These people have obviously found a fascinating alternative to violence -
learning to play the sarod and the tablas, and composing music which
combines Western and Indian instruments.  Yet only about 75 people
attended.  How many people read the arts listings in detail and really
make an informed choice?  They look at for the most widely hyped-up and
publicized works instead.

Furthermore - why don't people organize their own entertainment -
playing music together, hiring a model and doing life drawing,
etc. ? (Some people do, but not most).

Even the most highly educated people turn 30, start making a little
money, and turn their brains off.