WHEN ART REFLECTS THE ARTIST

Welcome to my Nightmare
By Alex Ness
November 29, 2021

When Art Reflects Too Well

A number of readers wrote to ask what my take upon the recent accusations towards Marilyn Manson.  In a way, I think we are misdirecting our aim. Whether the celebrity in question is a sports star, an actor, a poet, or rock star, there is a false notion held by many that somehow the people who create arts, have athletic prowess, invent or design things, are made instantly moral by their fame. I'm absolutely not saying anyone is or is not moral, whether famous or not. I'm not saying anyone is more moral than anyone else. I am saying that if you are looking to a celebrity, of any realm of fame, for their great life of morality, I think that the celebrity will fail.

Whatever the reason, we are not saints, and even if there are no outer flaws, there is within us all, moral flaw. This isn't meant to say we are all the same, evil doers one and all, nor is it meant to forgive all "sins".  It is to say, that however we might try, none of us are sinless, by our nature we are imperfect. Those who demand moralist or perfectionist standards in their heroes are elevating them to a place where they are almost certainly unworthy of being. Eventually they will fall. This isn't in any way saying we should ignore all moral transgressions, if they are well known. In the end we will learn of a famous person's flaws.

Marilyn Manson, formerly Brian Hugh Warner, has created an image of a character within his work. He portrays himself as a dark soul narrating the underworld, realms of hurt, malice, and amorality. His music featured dark themes, and he celebrated being a societal outcast, as often as he seemed to desire fame or fortune as well. In reading about the accusations against Marilyn Manson, I've found suggestions that he is a person who has many moral deviations, being abusive, sexually aggressive and one who violates the dignity of others. I know there are people who will say, yeah, that is what he says he does, because of the music, so how is this all a surprise? But that isn't the truth. He created a character who says and does all the things on stage. In real life he has said in interviews that he is somewhat conservative.

There will always be debates over motives of celebrity. There will be commentary about who really committed the crime or error, the creator or his character, but we don't get very far if we don't look behind the mask. Alice Cooper (Vincent Damon Furnier) created a dark narrator character, but he himself is/was a flawed but distinctly different person than his character. And he has mentioned being the child of a pastor, and grandchild of a pastor, and is a born again Christian. The members of the band KISS are similar. Gene Simmons, the Kabuki demon make up member of the band, has said he doesn't touch alcohol or drugs. Demon Kogure is a Japanese creative artist, a musical talent and commentator, who avoids showing his undisguised face, and is quite funny.  

My point isn't to forgive or forget whatever happened, it is to point out that the character on stage is often different than the person beneath the make up who goes home and lives a different life. In the case of Manson there seems to be many people who have been hurt, and many reporting their experience. I'm not suggesting that you should not like Manson's music, or dislike what and who his character portrays. At this point, though, I think we have reason to know better in the case of Manson. The conversation is one that a reasonable person cannot say it was the character doing it, rather than the artist. I've argued for accepting art for art sake and I will continue to still do that. But sometimes the art reflects more upon the creative talent creating it than we might like to accept.

About Getting Reviews from Me

First off, I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email at Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. I no longer have a post box, although I regret that.  It was a crushing defeat to no longer have a p.o. box, when I came to realize I was getting so little product it made no sense to pay for the privilege to not receive mail at both my home and at the post office. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.

MY LINKS:
My Poetry Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html
My Amazon Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess
Lovecraft Styled Horror CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com
Atlantis and other Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

I have an email list for my poetry blog, AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com  If you are interested please send me an email asking to join the list.  I have 3 new poems appearing daily.  When or if I have new books, the first people to know will be on the list, and I offer deals there for new products. Send an email toAlexanderness63@gmail.com to join the list.  I promise never to sell the list or share it.

All works and art remain the property of the owners/creators and nothing more than fair use is asserted.

Final note: Please remember, there is no such thing as wild or tame. Every animal in the wild can be your pet, so long as you don't mind the bite marks, claw marks, the bleeding, the loss of limbs, poisoned wounds and instant death.

Thankful

By Alex Ness
November 11, 2021

The Season of Thanks

I write for my occupation. My parents would not have seen it as having worth. They were alive in the Great Depression era, and while they both survived it, the lessons from that time and their generation's experience gave them an ethos of work and life. They perceived the world as one where family life could be made more difficult in a brief moment, and one must be prepared.  Also, that art or any activity that didn't make money or enough of that, was frivolous. My point there is, I get to live while creating art, and I am grateful for that, because to some it would seem I do not work. I do know some people who like my work and don't think it is frivolous to write it. Therefore, my labors do have value. Writing poetry, dark or bright in content is my lifeline to escaping the mire of depression.

I'm also grateful to those who support my work, buy my work, and make my work better by editors doing their job, artists from the past who illustrate my work with public domain awesome art, and publishers who inquire if I would please submit or query.  I don't do the last thing on the list any longer.  I find way too many publishers do very little in exchange for very much. I guarantee, if my work sells 12 copies through a publisher, I'll make less money than if I sell 6 copies through self publishing. So I am grateful for the internet that gave me a venue for my works, and Amazon who really was a pioneer in self publishing made easy.

I am grateful for family, my two cats and all of my friends. I'm grateful to have health insurance and the best damn doctor anywhere on the planet. The world is one that isn't made for introverts, so I thank those who do not judge my inability to engage, but help me engage or recognize my limits in that area and don't force me into situations I can't do well within.

Current Affairs and Politics

I get asked often if I am happy with the US political system and current occupants of the White House.  As I have advanced History and Political Science degrees, there are a number areas found in the US political realm that I do very much have interest in. However, as much as I have interest in the system, and historical impact that government can make, I think the flaws are what compel me to dig deeper.  My academic life was one I enjoyed, but I don't enjoy the daily lectures. I prefer to do research and write papers than lecture. Pursuing knowledge, for any reason, I think benefits a human universally in their mind, spirit and aim.

Primaries-

I find the primary election period to be similar to watching sides of beef being turned into hamburger.  The process is one that destroys and makes the candidates focus on power sources rather than fight for their views to be heard. When you have too many voices there is also a tendency to focus on the person being heard in the clamor, rather than the person politely giving his or her reasons for their candidacy.  Someone like Donald Trump didn't get the nomination by being kind and polite. This is a problem. We should try to elevate the best candidates, not the person able to be heard.

Great candidates who never ran

I've watched as certain people with intellect and ability refuse to run for president, or other political office, due to the abyss of public opinion, the mud slinging of modern US politics, and the loss of privacy. Brilliant speaker Mario Cuomo is one who never ran, but could have been great, that is, despite the relative failure of one of his sons.  Colin Powell was a highly talented bright man who could have run as either Republican or Democrat and perhaps win. There are many others but this isn't a what if or if only idea, it is simply saying that there are those leaders who do not aspire to reach the highest office. 

Democracy

I don't entirely believe in direct democracy, at the moment, but it isn't due to not agreeing with it. I think it could work. The reason I have to say not yet is that Americans are so ill informed as a group, that giving them the ability to directly vote on policy would be madness. Now, I absolutely think America has great college professors, judges and experts who are well able to inform, understand other nations, and even a number of politicians. We might even excel in that. That number is very small.  Numbers count, as in the will of the people might be to kill Jews, as happened in Nazi Germany, it was an accepted idea.  The will of the people in a devastating drought and famine say we should eat the seed grain because we are hungry now.  Which would mean death in the near, near enough at least, future. I would worry about the masses, not for assuming them born stupid. People often focus on the policies that reward them, or punish others who they do not like.

BUY THESE BOOKS

Below is an image of books that would give any reader of Weird Fiction joy and happiness reading and viewing.  I have some of them, but I thought it could be seen as an starter set for anyone interested.  Click to enlarge.

About Getting Reviews from Me

First off, I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email at Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. I no longer have a post box, although I regret that.  It was a crushing defeat to no longer have a p.o. box, when I came to realize I was getting so little product it made no sense to pay for the privilege to not receive mail at both my home and at the post office. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.

MY LINKS:
My Poetry Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html
My Amazon Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess
Lovecraft Styled Horror CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com
Atlantis and other Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com

I have an email list for my poetry blog, AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com  If you are interested please send me an email asking to join the list.  I have 3 new poems appearing daily.  When or if I have new books, the first people to know will be on the list, and I offer deals there for new products. Send an email toAlexanderness63@gmail.com to join the list.  I promise never to sell the list or share it.

All works and art remain the property of the owners/creators and nothing more than fair use is asserted.

Final note: Please remember, there is no such thing as wild or tame. Every animal in the wild can be your pet, so long as you don't mind the bite marks, claw marks, the bleeding, the loss of limbs, poisoned wounds and instant death.

Questions and being Mindful of the Muse

November 15, 2021
By Alex Ness

Email Q&A

I used to receive a lot more email regarding my blog's content and I also used to receive over 100 review items a month. I can live with fewer emails and review items.  I can focus better upon that which is sent. And reviews, well, I try to cover what I am offered, but sometimes I can't find a way to address something. That's not trying to say anything, as you can get a lot of emails or review stuff that is less than awesome, that lack is made up for by the few really good pieces.  I received a few really nice emails asking interesting questions recently, though, while I don't have the answer to everything, or perhaps anything, over time I will try to respond here as I am able.

Q1 How do you determine who is going to be featured in your interview week projects?  I've never really seen such a wide span of content.  I'm also blown away that despite asking 5 or so questions you are able to cover so much ground.  Who is in your next project?

A1 I don't try for the mix of genres and media, it just kind of happens. Since I think most genres and media are equal in worth, that might be why there is such diversity. I think that I might cover more in interviews than I do in reviews and commentary because I can't afford to buy many things. As such if I only reviewed or made comments on what I buy, or what is sent, I might have an article that is thin and limited. That is, I get to ask a lot of questions whereas I don't tend to buy or receive a lot of things. I've two very talented creative people being interviewed right now, but I've somewhat run into a wall due to health and issues regarding that.

Q2 Could you tell us who didn't answer questions that you were hoping for? Why do they not send answers if they said yes to an interview?

A2 I wouldn't post such a list, as it feels indiscreet, and honestly, I'd rather get nothing than answers blown out one's ass. I did at one time have a list of interviews that, despite all parties working hard to make it happen didn't. The most disappointing one was with a big big name author, what we had was about 13k words, but he had asked for final approval of the thing, and since I wouldn't and hadn't asked anything that anyone would find offensive, I felt fine about giving them that right. They said I just don't think it turned out liked I'd hoped. It was about 20 hours of work, and that was more of an issue to me than the final work not being accepted. I still like the creative talent's work and him too. Who wants an interview that was not happily given or shared?  Not me.

Q3 While on twitter I saw a situation where in a promotional tweet of one of your interviews, someone replied and said they didn't know you. You commented how they'd been a douche bag but either you or twitter deleted the comment. What happened that led to that? Who are the bottom five comics people you've ever dealt with?

A3 I allow this question here to deal with it quickly. A person interjected themselves into promotion of an interview, and they'd been, in person, an anus towards me, my work, and even my son. I accept that people can change or have had a bad day. But without an apology by them it isn't going to just fade away. However, I don't think it helps anyone or anything to name names. So that is what happened and all I am going to say. And no, not going to do your requested list either.

Q4 Why do you say everyone you review or interview are a friend? Do you ever review or interview people you dislike or product you dislike?

A4 First off, I don't. However, I do try to connect with what I write about, so since I prefer not to be annoyed or offended I try to find what I like inside of that products four corners. I therefore usually trend positive in what I report. Some products work less well and some people don't interview well, regardless of how bright or talented they might be. So, yes I review some things I like less than most, and I've certainly interviewed non friends. I've done over 450 interviews since the year 2000, and I've done far more reviews than that since then, so it becomes simple math.

Q5 I know you watch football, you've mentioned it on your facebook and elsewhere.  What did you think about Aaron Rodgers not being Vaccinated?

A6 I know that sports is entertainment every bit as much as reality television shows or drama. We try to fool ourselves by asserting anything otherwise. Various teams and leagues make decisions that are in accord with the entertainment aspect of the business even more than is admitted to being true.  The Colin Kaepernick situation was a challenge to the perceived audience of the NFL's political and cultural allegiance. I think you could reasonably argue that that is exactly why Kaepernick chose that method of protest. That the NFL is a sport, though, means that there are mathematical, that is, statistical and factual reasons for some important decisions. Athletes use their bodies and are exposed to violence and danger, by choice yes, but still, the lives and health of athletes are exposed, and they are compensated for their risk and result of their athletic gifts. 

The vaccine mandates are being challenged at some level, as they require mass adherence to a certain standard of health and medical attention. Many people across the country have made their own personal choices, and paid a cost, and various people in the NFL, from coaches down to fans in the stadiums make choices, in the face of a penalty from those who control the sport, or business. And there is also another player in the drama, the government and the rule of law in our sort of society. 

I've been told Aaron Rodgers is popular. He makes a great deal of money. And his popularity is based upon his participation in a sport that has rules. He chose to not be vaccinated, and obfuscated efforts to discern his position on the subject. That is, he made a choice to behave a certain way, and he was exposed for lying about it, and therefore cheating the rules. I don't care if vaccination is right or wrong here, that isn't the issue. He received a paycheck for how he performed, but also, how he conformed his behavior to the rules. And he failed in that.

There are a lot of people who want there to be nuance in how Rodgers is treated. I've heard many saying he must be suspended or forgiven. To me it is clear, if there are rules, he has violated them, he must be punished. We should also acknowledge, that as a society we don't know everything, he has right to not be vaccinated, but if he is to choose his right over obeying the law or rules, he has no right to make money in his profession. Whenever anyone brings up sports stars cheating, there is a cynical attempt to say that the person demanding conformity to the rules doesn't like the player or his team, or that they would be perfectly moral in the same situation. All I'm saying is this, that there are rules, correctly written or not, and he makes a ton of money to participate in a league that has rules. I know what I'd do, don't care if people think that his team is being punished for being too good or any baloney like that.

Q7 What people are on your wish list for future interviews?

A7 Easy one... Billy Corgan, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott and Tim Burton.

THE DARKNESS MUSE

I've written over 5000 poems in my life, and possibly over 6000 poems. I've lost many during hard- drive crashes, as well as my burn rather than keep nature of record keeping. And someone who was impressed with my prolific writing asked me "What is your muse?".  I've often joked that my muse is beautiful women or desire for fame.  I promise, whatever effect beauty has upon my poetry is not the genesis of my poetry. More truly, no poet in the present becomes a poet seeking fame. Obscurity is more common than even acceptance or appreciation. Most people mock a person who says they are a poet, for a profession. A few years after the first question I was doing a book convention and someone who I respect as an author came to my table, said it all looks impressive.  I said thanks and they said, "Your muse is obviously pain or darkness. Not that you like it, but your work comes from that." And I must say, that was dead center, target hit! 

Over time there have been people who create, and do so from a source that isn't happy or hopeful, however much they try.

William Wetmore Story was a sculptor and poet.  His work was very good, but it came to the notice of others, and was roundly appreciated with his Angel of Grief statue, that was inspired upon the death and burial of his wife.  The image is still used, and strikes awe in those viewing it.

One of my favorite songs, that is also dark, came from the life experiences of a song writer, Rodger Penzabene who experienced the events of the song, and made the lyrics come alive with his sorrow.  The song was put out by the Temptations, on the Motown label.  And before the song was recognized and became a hit, he killed himself.  The pinnacle of his artistic work was from a muse of darkness, betrayal and sorrow.

Masahisa Fukase was inspired, as a photographer, to collect photos he took, of ravens and human isolation as sadness, in response to a divorce between he and his wife.  The photos were recognized immediately for their power, but he was not able to enjoy the rewards of his expression.  He fell down a flight of stairs, was paralyzed, and lived decades in a persistent vegetative state.

I am not herein suggesting that the muse of darkness is a good one to have, or even a bad one to have.  Only that it exists, and maybe if you listen with your heart, or view with your eyes, you'll see that the work isn't dark just for the darkness, but that it is a representation of life from a place that is very honest, and necessary to acknowledge. 

Getting Reviews from Me

First off, I can be found on Facebook, Twitter or through email at Alexanderness63@gmail.com. I accept hard copies, so when you inquire at any of these places, I'll follow through by telling you my street address. I no longer have a post box, although I regret that.  It was a crushing defeat to no longer have a p.o. box, when I came to realize I was getting so little product it made no sense to pay for the privilege to not receive mail at both my home and at the post office. If you send hard copies for review I will always review them, but if you prefer to send pdf or ebooks to my email, I will review these at my discretion. I don't share my pdf/ebooks, so you can avoid worry that I'd dispense them for free to others.

MY LINKS:

My Poetry Blog AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com
My Published Work  AlexNessPoetry.Blogspot.Com/2007/01/My-Work.html
My Amazon Page Amazon.com/author/AlexNess
Lovecraft Styled Horror CthulhuDarkness.Blogspot.Com
Atlantis and other Lost Worlds AlexNessLostWorlds.Blogspot.Com  

I appreciate your support.  All images are copyright their respective owners, and all use here is fair use asserted.

Final note: Please remember, there is no such thing as wild or tame. Every animal in the wild can be your pet, so long as you don't mind the bite marks, claw marks, the bleeding, the loss of limbs, poisoned wounds and instant death.