I'll be off blog for much of the day, so here's a random exercise to occupy you: go look at this painting, and then suggest the perfect song to accompany it. I'll nominate Mansard Roof, by Vampire Weekend, which is what I was actually listening to when I went looking for it the other day. There's something about an afro-caribbean-ish beat sung by a bunch of white boys that seems to go especially well with that painting.
If anyone else but me finds this intriguing, I'll make it a standing feature.
Tim Finn, "Death of a Popular Song"
It reminds me of something out of A Clockwork Orange so I'll say Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
I think a tune from INXS' Listen Like Thieves called Three Sisters The sample is on that page, but I couldn't link directly. It's the odd instrumental by them...
Obviously The Prelude to Bizet's Carmen
The first thing that popped into my head is the band Mogawai, so I don't know anything off of Young Team I guess, so like "R U Still in 2 It?" maybe.
You do you like that for a definitive answer?
This is probably tainted by your choice of Mansard Roof, but I'll go with Haiti by The Arcade Fire.
The Giants' theme from Wagner's Rheingold.
Why?
I have no idea.
To make a meta-commentary on this exercise, Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F Major, allegro ma non troppo.
First thing to mind:
Fighting In Built Up Areas - Ladytron
I think it is perspective based, approaching the modern monstrocity from the peace of the woods.
I am in the forest looking through the clearing up at the window on the third floor. I am mouthing the words to "Together Alone" by Crowded House. She can't hear me though.
I turn and walk back into my pagan forest, and to my people, who greet me mournfully in song.
Megan:
Thanks so much for linking to this painting. Unfortunately, your question is inappropriate for this work of art. Any music designed to accompany it only serves to distract from the stunning visual message that this work displays. Painting is a visual media. Thinking some twit (like me!) could select music to go with this painting is wrong on spiritual, philosophical and artistic levels.
This "contest" reminds me of all of the morons I see everyday plugged into ipods while jogging and hiking in nature. As if this wonderful earth were not enough for them, they must disconnect with nature to enjoy it.
The only kinds of paintings that might benefit from musical stimulation are bad art, like Kinkaide and all of that deconstructionist crap hanging in MOMA or the Whitney.
Once again, thanks so much for the link, it is a stunning and moving piece.
Horst Graben wrote: Unfortunately, your question is inappropriate for this work of art. Any music designed to accompany it only serves to distract from the stunning visual message that this work displays.
...for you.
Others are free to differ. Why not let them differ? It's not like the painting is about single-payer healthcare or something.
Oh Horst, critical to a fault, ossified with hardened views that peak to a ridiculous judgementalism, and side by side with valleys of banal insight. Rigid as the mental rock inside the head of Friedrich Braun's son in law.
Mouse:
And I am free to differ as well? My music selection was no music. Most times the null hypothesis is the correct answer.
Finn:
Love the clever response, I hope that works for you in your endeavors. You sound like one incapable of thinking visually, don't you think it might be worth it to give it a try? I understand that silence can be frightening, but life is not interesting in the ipod cocoon.
"reminds me of all of the morons I see everyday plugged into ipods while jogging and hiking in nature" - Horst
how pedestrian of them to enjoy their lives with music...
"Unfortunately, your question is inappropriate for this work of art. Any music designed to accompany it only serves to distract from the stunning visual message that this work displays."
Contrasts interestingly with the statement:
"And I am free to differ as well? My music selection was no music."
Don't hold back Horst, it's apparent that you think everyone should do exactly as you say. Don't cloud the strength of that sentiment by backpedalling when the statement is right there to see.
It's almost as if you fear that no-one will turn down their music long enough to agree with you.
oh, wait...
"Nice Legs, Shame About the Face."
Nice trees, shame about the building.
D, it is beneath pedestrian to "enjoy their lives with music" It's self inflicted "treatment" that turns them into a clockwork orange. But you could be right, the adult ear pacifier may be an enhancement. It is certainly more "normal" than people with shinny plastic ear covers muttering to themselves in grocery stores. And it is perfectly natural for the isolated, self-involved to think they can enhance a lovely work of art. I suppose you love the arm-chair critics who prattle on in movie theaters today enhancing the work for the rest of the audience.
This is just my opinion, not a command. Of course, since it might cut a wee bit close to your insecurities, then I understand your feeble response.
Have any of you bothered to look at Doig's other paintings? They are uniformly crappy with the exception of white canoe, which is pretty good. Kudos to Megan for selecting his very best work. It confirms that beauty and taste are not random, but can be evaluated objectively based on standards. The painting is very Hofmann-esque. If one were to only produce this painting and nothing else, that is a monumental accomplishment.
"Of course, since it might cut a wee bit close to your insecurities" -Horst
heh, project much? a least self inflicted treatment is self intended, rather than your intention of having your ideas of art externally inflicted... do you like Beethhoven's 9th?
This "contest" reminds me of all of the morons I see everyday plugged into ipods while jogging and hiking in nature. As if this wonderful earth were not enough for them, they must disconnect with nature to enjoy it.
Your "post" reminds me of all the morons I see everyday who are so intolerant of others they get their panties in a bunch about the other non-destructive ways people choose to enjoy things like nature and art. Does the fact that not everyone walks around listening to the rustling of leaves really spoil your enjoyment of it?