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Splashing Paint On a Canvas

Splashing paint on a canvas
   Is that visual art?
   Does it constitute anything resembling design?

A huge swastika as a backdrop 
for an Israeli Jew crushing a 
Palestinian Arab baby under 
one of his jackboots -- in a cartoon
               in a picture, in a film
   Is that art?
   Is there any redeeming value in it?

And what constitutes creativity?
Filming a series of loud farts, made
by breaking wind or by pumping one's
underarms against one's sides  
   What is creative about that?
   Is there anything new created? 

Filming the strewing of the rancid contents
of a dumpster over a marble ballroom floor
   Is that creative?
   What on earth does it create?

And is there anything new under the sun?
   "What has been is what will be, and
    what has been done is what will be
    done again, and there is nothing new
    under the sun"  (Ecclesiastes 1:9)  



         February 19, 2019
 Entry in "Creativity in Visual Arts" contest
        Sponsor: Line Gauthier

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Line Gauthier

Date: 3/5/2019 6:36:00 PM

A poignant write with vivid imagery, Gershon. Most interesting to question where to draw the lines of art.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 3/6/2019 11:10:00 AM

Thank you, Line. Very special of you to take time to comment on an entry (like this one) which didn't even place in your contest. Appreciated! Best wishes, Gershon

Bobby May

Date: 2/19/2019 9:48:00 PM

This is GREAT my friend!!!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 2/19/2019 10:47:00 PM

Hey Bobby, much appreciated. (soupmail). ~ Gershon

Alexis Y.

Date: 2/19/2019 9:11:00 PM

Hi Gershon, Your title alone caught my attention. You asked some good questions in this piece. Creative art is one thing but being offensive is another. In my opinion each so called artist were posers . They used offenses and labeled them "creative" art. I don't think is anything new under the sun. Great poem and entry for the contest. I wish you the best of luck:-) Alexis

Gershon Wolf
Date: 2/19/2019 10:47:00 PM

Thanks for going on the offense in support of the poem, Alexis! :) gw

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 2/19/2019 8:53:00 PM

Excellent piece for Line's contest! It reminds me of someth'n that plagued my little brain back in art school, what could I possibly do that Picasso hasn't. ;) Good luck in the contest! xomo <3

Gershon Wolf
Date: 2/19/2019 8:57:00 PM

First, thank you for the encouragement...Second, a comment on your comment: You wouldn't be 'plagued' any more with blips on the screen like Picasso were you in art school today, as your 'little brain' has grown into a creative dynamo! Poetry hugs, Gershon