F the A

Where "A" equals "audience." This is Corso's idea. He gets full credit. But I'm writing it because when I write ideas, I try to write the reason why I think it might be useful or of some value. And that stuff is mine. I doubt Corso even really cares about that stuff. But the idea is still his. So props to that.

So, fuck the audience. A similar sentiment was made my The Kills in the aptly titled song "Fuck the people." I should perhaps have apologized in advance for the crass words. Lo siento. I suppose there are many reasons why artists would want to say something like this. I'm sure the primary reason is a complex cynicism that provokes ardent love from equally cynical fans who follow the thought all the way through until arriving at "Fuck me."

Me, I like it for the simple reason that it answers a post-modern puzzle that I've been angry at. That puzzle is the art for art's sake, writing in a vacuum, the can't escape some relationship to your own work as a product, as a seeking of the approval of a viewer. Of anyways, always having to consider the viewer/audience in some fashion, all of the time. Maybe this isn't a big problem for you, but it is for me. And I feel like it is or should be for everyone who wants to create art. I would find it hard to believe that someone who walks up to their creation station for art making already knows how they want to encounter the audience waiting patiently in the future to consume your art.

Corso's mantra is an option. And in my opinion one of the most liberating options possible. If you were to say "forget the audience" you'd be lying to yourself that such a thing were possible. "Fuck the audience" however gives you the freedom to look at them, scoff and then look back at your art work. Sure it is inherently negative and probably utterly elitist. But it might also be an answer. And sometimes that is all we're looking for.

I might break a blogging law and edit this cause I think the idea itself is way better than I can write about it. So if you see changes...just remember that you're still the audience.