Originally Posted by
normanduke
Mademoiselle Posh,
I only ran across this scholarly oevre this afternoon. I wish I had an alert button for you on this site.
Once again I wonder where you find an outlet for those brains of yours. I doubt it was in the music business and BTW, Re Madonna, I don't confuse sheer ruthlessness for real intelligence. She's reminding me now of Norma Desmond, alive only when surrounded by her own image ( See ' Sunset Boulevard ', 1952 dir. : William Wilder ).
Sadly, since our Country installed the Patriot Act owners of these sites are under microscopic scrutiny by the government. Under the mission of fighting terrorism an oleo of various pestilences are covered, such as child pornography which is supposed to be rife....somewhere. I have yet to see an example.
I don't find the picture of Brook Shields pornographic at all.
I just finished a biography of Grace Kelly in which is included a snapshot of her and her parents and her family at the beach.
Grace, all of 7 years old is shirtless as is her younger sister.
Should this picture be banned ? No doubt some will say yes but really, America was much different, much more innocent years ago. I was there. As Anubis said, even everyday shots of kids are no longer allowed. Where are we heading with all this censorship ? No where good, that's for sure but we must play along to survive.
Nonetheless, you have functioned in a surrogate sort of way as Artist du Jour by forcing us to look at serious questions through fresh eyes. Bravo.
My own personal preference for Art ends with the Quatrocento, though of course I am not immune to later beautiful things so the name Richard Prince only rings a bell for a youth I met on the Naval base in Newport circa 1964, a long time friend of my cousin Art's ( deceased,alas ) whom he had had since living on the Coco Solo Base in Panama, CZ in the early 50's. Perhaps the same fellow.
I do know that he and my cousin were stark raving mad for cutting-edge things American, understandable for boys growing up American, yet so far from America.
I think the crux of your essay is that photography, for better or for worse, IS Art now.
It pains me greatly to name drop ( LOL ) but we're talking Art here.
I remember showing my self portrait to Andy Warhol. It was done very true to life, quite dramatic. I was at my physical best, a mere 19 years old and longed for approval from Le Maitre.
He said, very sweetly ( there wasn't a nasty bone in his body ) and a touch dismissingly : " Yes. But you know, photography made all of this obsolete."
I think my carreer in Art ended at that moment because he was right.
Do I take Richard Prince seriously as an Artist ?
No, but I take little that's au courant seriously as you shall do also after your odometer has the high miles upon it.
I think his 'Surfer Nurse' is beautiful...SHE'S beautiful, ideal. You could swim in her eyes, but it's an abberation in the style of a very nice illustration for an elite 50's magazine. And I roundly condemn him for taking a photograph of a photograph of little Brook Shields and showcasing it in a window in Greenwich Village.
That is theft, pure and simple. But that's modern life. We're looking back and only back. Rear view vision for a society which must dread what is ahead.
But thank you, Posh for ' going where others dare nnot to go.'
Art must provoke and in that sense you and Richard Prince have done a good job.
Norman
( BTW, 'Splendor in the Grass' is an excellent film and I endorse your seeing it heartily. Natallie Wood does a superb job of acting, really her performance is hyper-real.
I think Anjelina Jolie is attempting to trump her in her next film. I wish her luck.
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, comment. You make some great points though, ones I hadn't considered. Your unique take on things never ceases to delight me. 
I think it's incredible you got to meet Andy Warhol! I Shot Andy Warhol is one of my favorite movies. I'm sorry he shot down your dream though. Did he at least offer you some acid afterward? LOL
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