Art Review

Angelina Gualdoni review coming soon.

Keeping Company With Oneself (Arendt on Eichmann contra Kant) a lecture by JUDITH BUTLER

The lecture Judith Butler gave was a response to Hannah Arendt, furthermore on how Arendt attempted to understand the actions of Adolf Eichmann. Arendt in her writing discussed how Eichmann was condemned to death for the wrong reason, she proceeds to speak on behalf of a judge and herself in response to statements spoken by Eichmann during his real trial to explain on what true bounds Eichmann should have been condemned. According to Arendt Eichmann should have been condemned to death for lack of thinking. The idea of thought is the topic which Butler focuses on along with its relationship to oneself, judgment and humanity.
When Eichmann was being tried he stated to “have lived a life according to Kant”. Arendt uses Eichmann’s claim to Kantianism to show his failure to think and judge in practical reason and thus show a lack of value for human life. Eichmann according to Arendt took the decision in his own right with whom to share the earth and so no other being should share the earth with him. Thus came in Butler with the idea of the I and We and if we can separate the two or is judgment a plurality of the self because we are ourselves but part of a larger humanity which is what Eichmann failed to see. Eichmann committed a crime against plurality, so in the voice of plurality is that which she condemns him in her writing. Another main point in Arendt’s piece was that human judgment was not bound by existing law, questioning its legitimacy. In addition that sometimes the law is incorrect and is not an excuse for practical reason.
Being a part of a larger humanity Butler then came in to discuss the plurality of the self. Responsibility is the act of thinking and it is by thinking that we maintain company with ourselves. The self is redoubled and didactic. To think is to be in open and silent dialogue to have a conscience and responsibility. As splitting and division of oneself is a pre condition of responsibility. Having a split presence is being conscientious and the splitting off is the leaving of conscience. Thus those who rejected the Nazi were disobedient to the law but still had their conscience, as opposed to those we were obedient to the Nazis were divided with the self and to such a degree were not in conversation with the self which meant that they were NOT thinking and not being responsible. Eichmann was divided from himself and not thinking, he did not see himself as a larger part of humanity and committed mass murder. According to Butler in response to Arendt he lost his right to the plurality of being human and his right to live.
This lecture brought up the death penalty and whether it is a just means for punishment. Also in questioning the legitimacy of the law the question was raised who has the right to decide when to be obedient and disobedient. Is it possible for one to be in dialogue with oneself (to have a conscience) and firmly believe that one’s actions are justified? Are these not the grounds with which Holy Wars have been started?

Top 5

1.Glenn Ligon, White Series and Black Series

The pieces in the series are made up of oil stick on paper or linen where Ligon stencils in text. The pieces usually involve black text on white or black paper but he has been known to do white text on white paper as well. The pieces do a great job of appropriating text which is a characteristic of the art of writing into painting and drawing. The text becomes the piece but serves more than a single function. Ligon’s use of the text and sentences in the pieces also help bring up the subject of race. Race is brought into the work through the color of the text and background and the progression the text takes into formlessness. The pieces are a refreshing and different tactic to comment on race. Works that are hung on the walls usually involve minimal movement; some pieces of Ligon require the viewer to work if they really want to engage in the painting such as White#11 that was shown at the MCA in winter of 2008. This particular piece was black oil paint stick on linen and lacked a progression into formlessness; the whole piece at a glance was formlessness. Around 60 percent of the words and phrases could be made out if one took the time to engage in the piece by making multitudes of movements to catch the light. Glenn Ligon’s work is a great example of knowing the past of a medium as a departure for change and evolvement.

2.Dave Matthews Band

DMB, King of the appropriated term “jam”, the 90s phenom band continues to entrap individuals with its music to this day. While DMB is a band that “jams” it is not entirely a jam band as an overwhelming percentage of the band’s music is written and not improvised and thus is seen as a “jam-rock” band. Artists of all kinds draw on life experiences for their work and DMB is no different. The band presents its music in such a comfortable manner; the genre soft-rock really encompasses this sound. The combination of acoustic guitar, drums, saxophone, base and violin allow the audience a unique blend of sounds. The balance the band finds by not being too “extreme” or “chill” by no means takes away from the emotional connection that people tend to attain when listening to music. The upbeat tempo allows for an enjoyable listening experiencing while not lacking the capability to awaken the soul to the various aspects and experiences of life the band sings of.

3.Gravedigger, Some Devil Album by Dave Matthews

Death is an aspect of life we cannot escape; it is an end that will come to us all. Dave Matthews Band uses an acoustic sound with upbeat tempo to make the dark subject approachable. Death doesn’t discriminate, DMB’s appropriation of Ring Around The Rosie and listing of various spans and life aspirations of a multitude of people show this lack of discrimination. Despite the obvious talk of death the chorus is what gives the song some light. The chorus asks the gravedigger to make the grave shallow so that the rain can be felt. Rain does have the power to destroy but above all renews and is a staple for growth. With death comes new life.

4. The Shack by William P. Young

The main character recounts how his face encounter with God helped solve the mystery of his murdered daughter while at the same time helped him attain some peace after a traumatic event. Whether one believes in the truth of the book or not doesn’t take away from its great writing. Believers and non believers are explained and presented with religion and a faith in a familiar manor. People easily read and relate with the so many of the novels they read. The Shack takes this ease of a novel read and applies it such a controversial topic such as Religion. The Bible primarily written in parables, attempts to explain to the reader who God is. The Shack breaks down hard concepts such as the Divinity, bad things happening to good people forgiveness as well as other concepts that pertain to learning about God. The book is personable not in the tragedy that William faces but in the choice of vocabulary the book uses.

5.Lionel Messi, Young Phenom

The best player currently in the world, this young superstar has been mentioned alongside Pele, the iconic all time figure of the beautiful game. Lionel, like most Europeans possesses the passion and hunger for the game. Whether he is playing in a World Cup, Club or street match the intensity and love of the game is always present. His humility and technical talent only compliment this love and further his reason for being the best. His young age is not a downfall but rather reinforces his talent in outscoring, outrunning and out playing those who hold more field experience over him. His manner of playing only adds to the phrase attached to futbol (soccer) as being the “beautiful game”. Not only does he score goals to win games he upholds beauty and grace while doing so which is greatly appreciated and respected by the true connoisseurs of the game.