Welcome to The Art Idiot (Volume II)!
Did ya miss me? Don't tell me; my ego doesn't need either answer.
Welcome back to The Art Idiot!!! Volume II is officially here.
While the hiatus was brief, it felt long, yet it went by in the blink of an eye. I’ve lived 1000 lives since the final issue of Volume I; I’m moving a million miles a minute as I write this first issue of Volume II. The ability to write, poetically and thoughtfully, unlike the ability to ride a bike, is something that is easily rusted; pardon me as I stumbled back into practice.
There is something about the Summer that is so social, yet I long constantly to return to being reclusive.
Perhaps it is the approach of my solar return, my 25th dance around the sun, which prompted my Summer of Sex and the City, which also turns 25 this year. As I binge each episode for the first time, metaphorically dragging a cigarette and being selfishly self-reflective like Carrie Bradshaw, I can’t help but wonder: is my life at all original? Each plotline plays out not only between the four, fictional friends but also in my everyday reality, among my very real, nonfiction friends. Just like that, the quarter-life crisis ensues.
As a mass consumer of media in many forms (i.e. movies, tweets, music, etc.), there has been an extremely increasing prevalence of timelessness in the drama that we experience. Life’s problems, the “canon events,” of a young adult are the same in 1998 as it is today, in 2023. Are we a product of the times and environment that we are born into? Astrology, and HBO’s ability to remain on top of the television world, would agree.
Since the last time I plopped in your inbox (should this be our first tango, thank you for being here), I’ve watched countless films, started a new job (hence the hiatus), read several books, and enjoyed some top-of-the-line quality time with my friends and with my family. “Featured Films,” “Some Sound to Go,” and “Quick Critiques” are going to make their return, too, but here’s a quick recap of the places I’ve been and the art I want to share with you, broken down by city:
NEW YORK CITY
New York, New Yuck! Goodness, the air is bad there (edit: karma got me, and Chicago, for this one). The magic still manages to make its way through the smog.
The Fotografiska Museum in New York had an exhibition, Hip Hop: Conscious Unconscious, that was recommended to me by a dear friend, a friend I trust dearly, so I put aside my prior hesitations about photography and went. In a similar fashion to the way I approach most of my endeavors, I went in blind; I want to know as little as possible to avoid my easily prompted, preconceived notions. Beginning with a compilation of archived interviews from Video Music Box, then wandering floor to floor, immersed entirely in the intense, impactful culture of Hip Hop, through photography, a medium I hadn’t given much credit to until that moment. It is beautiful to see Black culture begin to make its mark on the art historical canon.
A favorite substack of mine, The Drip, also visited and wrote about the exhibition around the same time, at the peak of Spring. Ironically, as I walked through the exhibition I thought of Elspeth Michaels’s writing, as I love her comparisons that span music and culture, with a focus on the genres and works that I am biased to. It is lovely to experience such coincidences, to feel reassured that your interests and opinions are “valid” through the mutual feelings expressed by others, specifically those you admire.
A day later, I booked it to Brooklyn, expeditiously, to catch the final days of the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Exceptional artistry doesn’t even skim the surface of how breathtaking each artwork was. Mugler’s recent collaboration with fast-fashion brand H&M also leaves me breathless — but for other reasons. It is the perfect case study as to why certain art is, and should be, expensive; how could such mastery, mastery found in a museum, get watered down to the H&M storefront window mannequin? The fruits of one's labor, hours and hours and hours (and hours) of labor, deserve to be honored, and in our society, art’s value unfortunately stems from its price tag. Mass production, naturally, decreases price. I am all for accessibility, it is a pillar of The Art Idiot’s purpose, but ownership, greed and desire, are destroying our standard for quality and willingness to see value in the works of others — in the art world and otherwise.
Other excursions included a Godard film at MoMA, an overly-priced gander through the Guggenheim, and a trip to Yankee Stadium. Hate to admit it, but I’ll undoubtedly be back.
MINNEAPOLIS
I chose to travel by train, knowing that I’d lose a whole day and arrive late, knowing that I’d be able to finish my book and start the next. I am so grateful to have had the time to take it slow.
I’ve always imagined an exhibition that showcases an artwork juxtaposed with some other rendition. When I learned about art conservation, I imagined a painting and next to it, its x-ray; Art in Bloom, hosted at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and also occurs in other cities, poses artworks next to intricate and temporary installation-like designs from florists.
Not only is there a juxtaposition of two art pieces of (very) differing mediums, but there is also a side-by-side of the past and the present, old artists next to contemporaries. Yet again, timelessness weaves its way into the narrative. Furthermore, I frequently find myself missing my days during undergrad working at the local flower shop, Sunshine Floral, it was so wonderful to see my past life collide with my current.
For my Minneapolis friends, don’t get caught MIA when it comes to the MIA; their collection is quite impressive for such an underwhelming city.
SAN FRANCISCO
When on the West Coast, a place where creatives are constantly called to, it comes with ease to be conscious of the beauty in every form. Unlike the big cities that scrape the sky with their excessive glass, there is so much color, particularly in their architecture. My local guide, my good friend and fellow artist, Macy Hembd, knew exactly where to bring me. The de Young Museum was currently showing Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence. Kehinde Wiley, a household name of contemporaries (the painter of President Obama’s portrait), takes his life-sized paintings to a new level, going bigger, and more sculptural than ever. We grabbed an audio guide and set of headphones and embarked through the stories being told; stories that are bigger than the individuals being depicted.
OAKLAND
My Moneyball dreams came true; The Coliseum was absolutely empty. Holding onto nostalgia as its saving grace for any chance of increased attendance, I am so lucky to experience the Athletics in Oakland before they follow suit of the NFL’s Raiders. My scorecard, a beer, one of my besties, and a special appearance from a full rainbow was priceless. How can you not be romantic about baseball?
CHICAGO
In May, I was recognized by the Chicago Film Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes as an emerging critic (The Art Idiota herself is (kinda) certified fresh!). Through this, I received a pass to the Chicago Critics Film Festival which was held at my beloved Music Box Theater. Fellow recipient, and now friend, Zachary Lee, and I watched our faces flash across the screen prior to every show. As soon as I received this affirmation of the work, the work I’ve been diligently committed to, the imposter syndrome set in; my fingers cramped up; my voice went from floating to croaking. I started my new job and shoved writing aside; I became the writer who only talks about writing, one who never put pen to paper. These capsule reviews are long overdue of the thirteen films I watched.
All films are released in 2023 unless otherwise specified and are listed in order of viewing, individually ranked for the first time.1
Blackberry - 3.5/5 stars
I try to avoid making nods to other movies when attempting to describe the film at hand, but there isn’t a better way to describe Blackberry other than to say that it’s The Social Network for smartphones. Lead actor and probable antagonist, Glenn Howerton, carries the film, and director and co-star, Matthew Johnson, also contributes to a number of belly laughs. Should tech-bro movies not suit you, please at least enjoy this clip.
Sanctuary - 3.5/5 stars (2022)
Sanctuary nails the single-setting story, probably because of the beauty and chemistry of Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley. It is not often we see well-written depictions of non-traditional relationship dynamics; it was almost like a mini thriller trying to figure out what comes next for the duo.
Dark City - 3/5 stars (1998)
A movie flat earthers probably went crazy for back in 1998. Dark City was named one of the best movies of that year, which falls exceptionally short to the 1999 best science-fiction release, The Matrix.
Afire - 2/5 stars
Would it be bogus to completely disregard a review for this movie? I don’t care to waste my time on it anymore, and I truly don’t care to waste yours. Next!
The Unknown Country - 3/5 stars
Like Nomadland, I was confused for a while on whether this was a fictional movie or a slow-burning documentary, but there is something about that style of movie – one that follows around a character simply living through the human experience – that is so beautiful and resonating. This film in particular somehow mixes these two genres together. Soon-to-be big(ger) star, Lily Gladstone (who starts in Scorsese’s upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon), leads The Unknown Country gracefully, and director, Morissa Maltz, thoughtfully and intentionally includes the stories of every day (real) people.
Birth/Rebirth 4/5 stars
This movie is not for the queasy, but my gosh it is good. What would you do if the power of science could bring back a loved one?
Brooklyn 45 - 2/5 stars
Brooklyn 45, obviously set and based in Brooklyn, was filmed in Chicago. The inauthenticity of this small detail was hard to get out of my brain; it seeped into the plot and performances as well. Credit to the creators for the unique plot but not much more.
Master Gardener - 1.5/5 stars
Would it be bogus to completely disregard a review for this movie, too? Again, I am always aware of and appreciate my audience’s time. Next!
Passages - 2.5/5 stars
Another movie, another awful main character. Why is it becoming the norm for the main character of good shows to be such a nuisance? I power through but struggle to find the good, but perhaps that is because the lead actor, Franz Rogowski, played his role so well. Character qualms aside, I really enjoyed the mixed use of multiple languages in this film; it really highlighted the disconnection and discrepancies in the relationship dynamics at play.
Waiting for the Light to Change - 3/5 stars
Another slow-burner, which may be obvious from the title. This is the first time I felt truly connected to the portrayal of friends growing apart, due to age, due to distance. Director Lihn Tran does wonders with such a small budget and crew; I’m eager to see how her filmography grows.
Past Lives - 5/5 stars
Currently showing in theaters, and slated in permanent marker as my top movie of the year, which is a bold claim to make with the highly-anticipated, block-buster lineup coming out the rest of 2023. Past Lives is a must-see for everyone, and this is a hill I will die on. More of my thoughts here.
Brother - 3.5/5 stars (2022)
Oh brother, I really wanted to like this one, and I did, but I wanted to like it more. Perhaps my hesitations come from the simply sad storyline or the fact that there was a glaring prop error when they featured a modern laptop, despite the film being set in the early 90s. Although it wasn’t my perfect cup of tea, I still feel strongly that this film deserves recognition and broader distribution, because it is a sad story that deserves to be heard.
Theater Camp 4.5/5 stars
Comedy is back! The genre took a big blow once streaming platforms became production houses, but Theater Camp restored my faith. Theater kids, as we all know, are a certain breed, but their fabulous flair, commitment to the bit, and ability to laugh at themselves are what makes them (and this movie) so iconic. In theaters July 14th!
The Art Idiot Goes on Audio…
From special guest to Co-Host, as if I needed to blab about movies more than I already do; I’ve officially joined my film friend, Kaveh Jalinous, to create Kaveh & CK’s Screening Room. Our first season together has been nothing but spectacular, thus far, despite our difficulty to have a linear, single-subject conversation.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Am*zon, and check out our newest episode where we recap June’s blockbusters and television releases.
I’d keep going, but I’m afraid I’m beginning to overstay my welcome. Now that we are reacquainted and caught up, I can’t wait til next time.
That’s all for this issue, folks! Stay tuned as The Art Idiot continues to grow and evolve to bring you the best recommendations.
Read, watched, ate, or experienced something worth recommending? I’d love to add to my “to-do” lists and feature your suggestion; please use the comment section, or reach out to me directly, to share.
This is not the proper use of a footnote, but it’s my newsletter, my rules. Movie posters were omitted from this issue because of space limitations.
Well done Cortlyn. What a gift you have. Keep growing your passion.
Loved this Cortlyn!! <3