Welcome back to The Art Idiot! It’s been too long; how I’ve missed bringing critiques to your inbox.
Alright, my art idiots, I see that a quick lesson is needed in music listening. While there is no “right” or “wrong” when consuming art, there are particular, proper parameters in which one should listen to music — similar to the rules of “how to look at an artwork.” Now, your preferred methodology and the correct method may differ, but all that matters is you understand and accept the difference. Here are the results of the poll that prompted this brief lesson:
Firstly, I want to clarify that one should not feel shame for their preferences, however, to misconstrue an artist’s intention is quite rude and potentially ruins the big picture. To give an alternative perspective, imagine a new season of Netflix’s latest flopping show is released; episodes are watched in order, from start to finish, not shuffled, because then the plot, the story, simply wouldn’t make sense. This is similar to the construction of an album; a story is told in an intentional order.
Although I am a huge advocate for albums and the art that they are, I understand that there are certain genres that ultimately have better listening methods. Some of rap’s best songs come from absolutely terrible albums, and because of the subjectivity of the matter, as mentioned before, there will never be a concrete “right” or “wrong” way to engage with music.
Additionally, it must be acknowledged that there are many new-age issues that come with music and art consumption. Algorithms, snippets, TikTok sounds, and streams are all major factors in the method by which artists create their work. The more streams, the more fans, the more revenue, the more tours, the more merch, the more “success.” I want to change as the times do, but I can only imagine (and somewhat experience) the frustrations that come from the constraints of modern-day media and its impact on creatives.
Again, listen as you please, but also listen as intended.
Featured Films…
In Theatres & VOD (video on demand)…
Babylon - 3.5/5 stars (1st watch) 4/5 stars (2nd watch)
The iconic duo, Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz (LaLaLand, Whiplash), return, and if expectations for the duo aren’t already high enough, they’ve gathered an all-star cast to raise the bar even more. As the phrase goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. However, Babylon acknowledges, and the plot circles around, the fact that at some point, stars dwindle, the industry changes, and one must bask in their glory but not grasp it too tightly. While Chazelle is taking most of the brunt for the box office flop, Hurwitz, yet again, crafted the most beautiful score. “Did you have fun?” I asked my bestie once the credits rolled, and despite its long, chaotic plot, Babylon is fun.
Netflix…
Afraid to begin therapy? Many folks are, but perhaps Stutz can begin to lay the psychiatric groundwork that many folks need. It is rare that I take notes during a leisure watch, but there was so much to gain and take away. Jonah Hill’s intention is pure, even if its execution is slightly jumbled. To experience something so moving that it invokes the desire to share it with others, is a beautiful thing. To share knowledge, knowledge that is typically quite expensive to access, is a step in the right direction towards equity, especially when it comes to mental health. Emotions and feelings, for me, often need to be backed by logic or have some sort of “evidence,” and renowned psychiatrist, Phil Stutz, brings that logic and evidence to the light, through digestible explanations and also visual breakdowns.
Disney+...
Fire of Love - 4.5/5 stars
There is nothing like a love on fire: intoxicating yet fueling. For Katie and Maurice Krafft, they took this quite literally; the couple met and married through their mutual infatuation with volcanoes. Although Fire of Love is more of a slow burn, the footage they compiled from Krafft’s archives is spectacular, even on your home’s television. It is inspiring to witness passionate people engage with their niche obsessions. Beautiful visuals, beautiful soundtrack, and a beautiful love story: what more could one need from a documentary?
HBOMax…
8 ½ - 4/5 stars
8 ½, a film I ironically watched 8.5 days into the new year, is another directorial reflection, another ode to movie-making and the madness of the industry. With some surrealist dream states portrayed, I sometimes felt lost, dazed, but perhaps that is what director, Federico Fellini, wanted his audience to feel. Falling under the labels, “foreign” and “old” further pushes the fever-dream narrative. 8 ½ is “raw, honest, critical” as I stated in my Letterboxd review; “art that is reflective and introspective, yet relatable in any facet, is good art.”
Other Film things….
Check out this resource from the City of Chicago that lists every film and television series with filming sites located in or around the city of Chicago: Chicago Film List
For those reading from Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts a film fest focused on architectural movies. Screenings are going on February 1-5; check out the lineup and tickets here.
Valentine’s Day is soon approaching, and before you get bitter, maybe consider giving yourself a bit of the love that you are longing for!
There is love all around you; there is no better art than art created from and about love. I implore you to make the day about you. Buy yourself flowers, take yourself to dinner, treat yourself as you wish to be treated. Never forget that love is cool!
As a Chicagoan, how is this this first time i’m hearing about the Chicago Film List site? Craziness. Loved reading this! 💕