Hard Cold World: A Music-Video Blog

In order to partially preempt the sort of low- or no-brow “art-criticism" which accumulated under my recent posting of two photographs by Dorothea Lange, I may as well point out what would already be obvious to intelligent readers…

This video is more like a political appliance than the sort of art I usually make, and it’s just another more or less desperate attempt to exercise even an infinitesimal (but nevertheless non-zero) influence on the course of events, a fantastical ambition which many of us progressive bloggers share…

But with 34,000 more American soldiers on the way to Afghanistan, huge profits for Goldman Sachs and their Wall Street brethren, double-digit unemployment, climate negotiations in the toilet, and waves of foreclosures reminiscent of the Great Depression rolling over formerly prosperous zones like Marin County…

It’s time to admit that our project just ain’t happening, and try something else.

So I made a music video blog, entirely DIY, and it was a very educational experience.

Posted by Rutabaga Ridgepole
November 9, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink

Highbrow, lowbrow--all you can do is lay it out there, see what develops, and maybe even be ready to take a look at your own assumptions. (For extra karma points.)

What did you find educational about it?

Posted by erica
November 9, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink

What did you find educational about it?

Good question!

During the process, I had the impression of learning something beyond minimal proficiency with four new packages of software, synchronizing drums and occasionally breaking down the loop, and squeezing out that annoying mid-range rezo-filter which my battered bass pedal apparently adds to everything that comes out of it...

I had the impression that I was learning something beyond all that small-time wonky audio and video manipulation, but exactly what that something was...

I really don't know.

Posted by Rutabaga Ridgepole in reply to a comment from erica
November 9, 2009 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink

Hopefully, you learned the difference between a 50' and a 30' fall.

Man, that joke has legs. Har!

Posted by quinn esq in reply to a comment from Rutabaga Ridgepole
November 9, 2009 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink

Well, the 50' joke, just like the 50' Jesus, has broken legs. And I'm holding you responsible. Got a complaint? Go tell it to the Pope, see if he'll give you an audience.

Posted by Desidero in reply to a comment from quinn esq
November 9, 2009 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink

"And what's that tiny, moving dot at the bottom of the cliff?"

"It's probably just quinn, waiting year after year for a herd of buffalo to fall on his pointy little head! Let's dump a big load of buffalo offal on him, and watch him squirm!"

"Can I poop on him instead?"

"Yes!"

Posted by Rutabaga Ridgepole in reply to a comment from quinn esq
November 9, 2009 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink

the fragility and preciousness of human life?

Posted by AJM
November 9, 2009 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink

I love it, Rootie. Thanks for making it.

I like the flipping back and forth from the past to the present, like flipping through a deck of cards. After watching it a few times, I can see how you paired some of the images, like the dead guy covered with flies followed by the guy who has what looks like a crucifixion wound on his hand. The Madonna and child images with the baby sacrificed for our sins at the end.

I also like the clips of video interspersed with the stills that you zoom in on. Beautiful textures.

Wish I could make out all the words. Are you going to post the lyrics?

Posted by readytoblowagasket
November 9, 2009 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink

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