Out of curiosity, I watched parts of an episode of American Idol in which finalists were being judged in a war of attrition. And I was painfully reminded of how artless America has become. Musically, nothing about these contestants conveyed “unique” or “special” to me, nothing we haven’t seen— and heard-- before.
With the exception of one contestant: Sarah Mather. She exhibited the creative sensibilities of an artist in both song interpretation and stage presence, demonstrating an ability to improvise, cleverly playing between and around the notes to make an old song new and her own. Only this contestant -- daring to be different and original -- was chastised by all three judges (not because she was untalented, but because of her choice of song that night), though the others were praised. Not being a regular viewer of the show, I had never seen this woman until then, but so impressed was I with her presentation that I called in and voted— which is not something I ordinarily do.
We gotta support the arts, right? According to the latest reports, art programs are —unfortunately— grievously neglected, receiving less and less attention and support in many of our schools… by students and teachers, in addition to administrators.
But I digress. (Alas, as I expected, Sarah was voted out on the next
Episode.) Yeah, the contestants had talent. Sure, they all could sing. But the other performances were textbook and formulaic. Just going through the motions. And these are the finalists in this competition! Previous Idol contenders, a few who were even given recording contracts, were similarly uninspired.
All this illustrates a problem I see with most of the so-called music produced these days: unoriginal, cloned and clichéd. Even if you can sing like Whitney Houston, that’s all well and good… but we already have one of her. And freaking William Hung— the epitome of really bad karaoke-- inexplicably got a record deal! Holy Effing Christ!
William Hung?!!! That no talent hack! He was a novelty joke, and either didn’t realize or didn’t care. How sad and pathetic a commentary on American society is that? How desperate for attention and affection must he have been? How desperate for money the producers must have been. How desperate for entertainment his groupies must have been.
Curiosity also had me tuning into a show called Project Runway, which I stumbled onto while channel surfing; yet another in a ridiculously pitiful trend of “reality” shows. Contestants compete by designing and making women’s clothes for runway models. Indicative and representative of contemporary fashions I’ve seen in catalogs and on televised runways, the results are frequently banal and insipid, gaudy and garish, or imitations and variations of existing garment designs. Most of the clothes I see displayed on fashion shows are often mediocre and ugly, sometimes awkwardly and impractically ostentatious as well. I have witnessed more impressive and artful apparel created by the costuming departments of TV shows like Andromeda, Star Trek, and Farscape than I usually see in department stores like Aber Crombie, Old Navy and Macy’s.
There isn’t really much genuine variety, nor artistry, in clothes today -- especially for men. For centuries — during which time it experienced no substantial modification, the suit and tie, dress shirt and slacks combo — one of the most unattractive and uncomfortable outfits ever devised, continues to be worn, however unpopular it actually is, as some odd status symbol somehow denoting seriousness or refinement. An image proliferated by a foolish and nonsensical stereotype that needs to stop being re-enforced. This is perhaps the only attire besides the sari that has not evolved or gone out of style.
The necktie, indubitably one of the most pointless and idiotic pieces of clothing ever invented, is still in common usage— mostly and typically by males.
Why? How?
It is, I dare say, an anomaly… in psychology, and particularly in fashion -- which tends to change with social trends.
Speaking of TV, too many shows and movies recently are suffering from a severe case of little or no originality. “Reality” TV being a prime example. An idea (like dramas about police detectives or lawyers or doctors) becomes popular (and therefore profitable) and, if it is also easy & cheap to duplicate other similar shows are produced, trying to capitalize on its success. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Most often, studios jump on this bandwagon because they are motivated by and looking for money, not because they necessarily like the idea, or have a uniquely good idea and a desire to produce it for that reason— although sometimes that does happen, too.
Television shows and movies are, after all, let’s not forget, primarily a business, and only secondarily (if at all and if we’re lucky) an art.
And so instead of producers working to discover or create new, original ideas for films and on-air programming, we usually get unnecessary remakes and reinterpretations of previous movies and TV shows which have not much, if anything, new to say. Truly avant-garde concepts are rarely produced, because Hollywood type folks are generally reluctant to take or accept the financial or political risks in pursuing the new and different. Studios tend to prefer developing ideas that seem most likely to attract a relatively large audience, through which they can replenish money spent making it, and hopefully acquire financial profit in the process. They often seek to appeal and cater to the widest possible audience — even if they shouldn’t, which means mainstream, which inevitably causes a generalized dumbing-down of the material.
As a result, that which is produced is often unimaginative, simplistic and formulaic, mundane and somewhat safe. This is largely where, how and why Star Trek went horribly wrong. If the unusual or uncommon do reach public viewing channels, especially in the mainstream, they are almost always poorly supported by viewers and maybe even the studio management, and are therefore short lived, or are relegated, by design or by default to a non-mainstream or niche audience & venue.
If such unconventional TV shows fail to garner immediate financial success, they are canceled— prematurely and foolishly, not allowing them a fair and adequate chance to grow.
Another arena where there is a tremendous lack of innovation is the automobile industry. Each year’s so-called “new” model features merely minor deviations from the previous year’s model. Occasionally, a very few aberrations from the norm will come along-- like the Lamborghini, Volkswagon Bug, and ’57 Chevy— that are structurally unique.
Now, there is virtually no fundamental or significant visual distinction in vehicles made between 1975 and 2005. A 2003 Ford truck looks essentially the same as a 2004 Chevy truck. Hardly any difference exists in appearance between a 1995 and a 2005 Honda Civic.
Our American architecture, too, generally depicts little or no artistry, no sense of style or craftsmanship, no cultural characteristics or iconography. Predominantly and prominently, our buildings are simply boxes with windows, and our houses are commonly copies of each other. Rarely is there any attempt at beautification through ornamentation or design. Way more often than not, there is no integration of art into the form. The kind of traditional or idiosyncratic aesthetics historically incorporated into the constructions of London, Tokyo, Moscow, Rome, as well as Colonial America are mostly absent or sparse in today’s American architecture.
Has America, actually, no identifiably communal or prevailing national culture anymore?
Indeed, where are the artisans, the craftsman, among you? Hiding your talents away in shame and fear and doubt, in closets with the homosexuals? Does anyone take pride in the craftsmanship of their work any more? Do you even have work— and not necessarily vocational work— that you can, and should, be proud of, and may even regard as an artistic or creative endeavor?
Oh, yes, that’s right. Silly me. In America, a career in art isn’t generally considered profitable, or respectable, nor dignified. Commonly, art is frowned upon as pretentious or nansy-pansy or frivolous or irrelevant or juvenile or impractical or pointless.
Overall, America is not in the habit of encouraging or appreciating art or artists. Superfluous poppycock is what it is! America, the beautiful? Peshaw! I guess that just isn’t cost effective, not in the budget, unprofitable.
With a reputation and self-image as a Great and Glorious land, where dreams allegedly come true, is there, in fact, no room— no place-- for dreamers in America? If I may be so bold as to make an observation, Americans are suffering a collective failure of imagination. Is creation and creativity not in the essential spirit of America? So what of your creative spirit?
Is there a cure for this soul killing pandemic epidemic? Even so much as an antidote, or salve? Is this part of the American Dream? Is this what the Founding Fathers envisioned? Is this artlessness really the best Americans can expect or achieve, or expect to achieve? The best they are? The best they have to offer?
For a country that is so egotistically, schizophrenically and manically concerned with appearances, so inundated with superficiality, so insistent on emanating magnificence, it seems ironic and bizarre that America has evolved to look so remarkably… unremarkable. Where’s thy vaunted pride now?
