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The art of authenticity

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  The Struggle for Authenticity in Art I want to speak today about authenticity . And about what we quietly give up to be accepted. We’re told that contemporary political art values autonomy . That artists are free. That inquiry sits at the centre of practice. But autonomy, in reality, is often something we *perform*— not something we’re allowed to exercise. Freedom is celebrated rhetorically, while legitimacy is granted only when work conforms to approved languages , approved theories , approved causes . Autonomy isn’t denied outright. It’s curated. This system doesn’t fail artists by accident. It functions mechanically. It rewards work that aligns with predetermined frameworks and filters out work that doesn’t speak the sanctioned dialect. Many voices are excluded not because they lack skill or meaning, but because they refuse to translate their experience into institutionally legible language. I’m not saying all excluded work is good. I am saying much of it is never heard. And ...
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The art of the obscure and meaningless

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  The hand that holds the glamour Between the flick of a lighter and the curl of smoke lies a story told in two parts: the hand that holds the glamor, Between the flick of a lighter and the curl of smoke lies a story told in two parts: the hand that holds the glamor, and the eye that chooses to believe it. The art of the obscure and meaningless In the realm of modernist art , exemplified by Eddie's deliberate embrace of abstraction and mystery , artists have increasingly surrendered their authoritative power of intent to a veil of meaningless vagueness, compelling viewers to co-create meaning from fragmented suggestions rather than receiving a clear, directive vision. Her scalpel-wielded dissections—such as her perforated self-portraits or obscured war images—eschew explicit communication in favour of elusive hints, as she professed a desire to remain "mysterious" and avoid revelation, thereby shifting the burden of interpretation onto the audience in a pseudo-spiritual a...
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The art of monetising fear

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  The art of monetising fear Script Politicians have long mastered the art of monetising fear, transforming societal anxieties into powerful tools for garnering votes, donations, and loyalty. By amplifying threats, whether real or exaggerated, they create a sense of urgency that compels the public to rally behind them, funding campaigns and endorsing policies that promise protection. This strategy not only secures their power but also perpetuates a cycle where fear becomes a lucrative commodity, much like how alarmist narratives drive engagement and profits in broader discourse.  So why don't more contemporary artists leverage or expose this political platform, given that power and art have always been symbiotic?  Be Creative and Innovative with Knowledge John Bennett - AKA JJFBbennett , is an independent artist. You can view and subscribe to my work via  Blogger , YouTube , Flicker , Facebook , Instagram and Deviant Art .  Subscribe to JJFBbennett's private...
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The Puppet Master

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  Puppet Master The narrow, high-walled passage swallowed the sound of my boot scraping a broken cobblestone, the echo sharp in the dry air. Above, a sliver of unforgiving sunlight cut down, carving deep shadows where the damp, mossy scent of the gully was now replaced by the smell of dust and ancient stone. I paused, looking not just at my gloved hand—the leather scuffed from my descent, but at what was attached to it. Thin, nearly invisible lines, like high-tensile wires , stretched from the articulated cuff on my wrist and disappeared into the air above the path. I tracked them with my eyes until they converged on a small, stone figure standing motionless in the centre of the walkway. It was a crude marionette , barely a foot tall, carved from the same pale, cracked stone as the surrounding walls. Dressed in a simple tunic, its blank, oval face held a radiating sense of expectant waiting. Its arms were held out, palms up. I held the strings. Yet, the feeling was not one of cont...
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Is Hollywood Rewriting History

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  Is Hollywood Rewriting History? Reflecting on Cultural Identity This video explores the potential distortion of historical narratives through a Hollywood lens. I grapple with questions of authenticity, colonial legacy, and the importance of preserving cultural nuances in storytelling. Join me in this discussion on representation and the power of who gets to tell the story. Keywords: Hollywood cultural appropriation Filipino history storytelling authenticity colonialism in film resistance narratives Our Hollywood Heroes are on Fire We dream of parallel universes where Hollywood heroes and colonial adventurers of the 19th century coexist. These adventurers were cultural conquerors, erasing borders and reshaping narratives to fit the dominant worldview. Hollywood continues this tradition, reworking stories to fit the familiar and shaping our perceptions of reality. We must question the stories we are told, lest we become complicit in subtly reshaping history and perpetuating distort...
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When Reason Sleeps

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  In the silence of shadows, when reason's light is dim, our neglect awakens. "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" unveiled the chaos born through neglected reason. As we slumber, the spectres of tyranny and fear multiply. Let us awaken reason and reignite the flame of liberty for all, vanquishing the shadows of infliction once more. From the Depths of Our Slumber Emerging from the depths of our slumber, we are confronted with the harrowing truth: Jupiter has devoured our offspring. When Reason Sleeps: Awakening from the Depths of Neglect YouTube Video Description: Dive into the profound narrative of "When Reason Sleeps," a video that pierces the veil of complacency to reveal the monsters that emerge in the absence of vigilance and reason. In the shadows of our collective neglect, the spectres of tyranny and fear thrive, urging us to awaken and reignite the flames of liberty and justice. 🌌 Video Highlights: The Silent Shadows: Explore the eerie silence that ...
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There is a hole in the wall

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Hole in the Wall video Hole in the Wall image There is a hole in the wall There is a hole in the wall Authorities are unsure who will enter through the hole in the wall Authorities are unsure who will exit through the hole in the wall Once seen the hole in the wall will be weaponized Nothing in itself, can be weaponized There is a hole in the wall There is a hole in the wall
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Godin Surveillance

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I'm listening to you. I never ever wanted to get this close to you. But I had to listen to you. I never knew the things I needed to know of you. Yes I wanted to. Why oh why do you not trust my knowledge of you. I can protect you. Your safety is all I ever wanted to protect. You cannot talk to me. It's what you say and do, that is ever so important to us. You cannot inspect me. Your data is secret and you may never know what I know of you. If we can save but one life, this surveillance is well-worth the money spent. If you have nothing to hide, we will take no action against you. Your data is safe, we place priority on your security. Our nation needs your help, to make your life safe from threat and hate. It is evil times, I am your listening for your own good. We are good, and we are determined to make good. We are working with you, to ensure your life is safe. We are listening to you, to ensure all know we are safe. We are a preemptive service, her...
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Turbull V Shorten Rabbit V Duck season

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Australian Political Leadership: pre & post elections 2016 Rabbit season Duck season Rabbit season Duck season Rabbit season Duck season Rabbit season Duck season
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EggHead Costello

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I could have been PM. I wanted to be PM. Unfulfilled ambition some say. End of a dream some say. Some say a lot about could have beens. What if I had of challenged Howard? What if I Howard had of stepped down? What if I had of snatch leadership. What if I was the victor? What if I was the PM of Australia. I lead Australia through crisis and through crisis. I lead Australia out of debt. That is no debt. That is leadership. You can insult me, but you will never understand my paradox. I am the good son. I have ethics. I have morals. I am proud. I have not exploited my position of power. I have not enriched or misused my entitlement of power. I have no scandles attached to my name. There is no dirt to my name. Forget honest John I am Peter the rock. The curse all Peter's must endure. It is a death foretold. I left because the decision was mine and I made it. You can decide if it is your loss. You can decide whether it is your gain. I have been described as the poor man's Keating. W...
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