[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

30095: Morse: Refelections From The Red Zone (fwd)





oloffsonram@aol.com

My initial art education came from my parents; the blood line. Richard M. Morse, scholar. Emerante de Pradines, Artist, Teacher.

The second phase came when I moved into New York to live with my girlfriend back in 1984, and then it continued into my early days in Port-au-Prince. I'm no longer a student.

Blair Townsend (my girlfriend) introduced me to the idea of concepts behind art.

Jean Michel Basquiat taught me that you can be a great artist and still be a sleaze ball.

Keith Haring taught me that you can be a great artist and still be a nice guy (similar in a way to Jonathan Demme)

Francesco Clemente taught me that you can concentrate to the point of being mystical. He could literally make a room vibrate when he worked.

Kenny Scharf taught me that if it works, run with it, even if its Fred Flintstone (an idea that I don't hold true to).

Andy Warhol taught me how to take a picture of myself with a hand held camera.

Bianca Jagger taught me that some times you just sit and name drop.

Steve Rubell, who was daddy to every one, taught me how to combine the business world with the art world, which in a way is what I've done at the Oloffson.

Ian Schrager, well, we didn't talk much. He got along better with Blair. He now runs the empire.

Selden Rodman taught me that some people just have a special eye.

Stephenson Magloire taught me; don't sell your art to some one you don't want to.

Gerard reminded me that its ok to walk.

The Haitian Ministry of Culture has taught me that if you work for the government you can act like a condescending fool.

Gerard came to see me the other day. I haven't seen him in probably 10 years. We stood looking at each for a bit and he asked me if i wanted to buy a painting. I said no but I could tell that wasn't why he came over. He bent over, reached into a plastic bag a pulled out a plaque. He said "They gave me this plaque". I looked at the plaque. It was an honor and merit type thing from the Haitian Ministry of Culture and some other group. I said "did they give you any money?" He said "They said the plaque would last longer" and he chuckled. I'ld say it was about a 250 gourde plaque. We shook hands and went our separate ways. His hands are soft but his insights are sharp. Razor sharp.

The Haitian government taught me that they feel they have the right to TRY and kill you if they don't like your art.



________________________________________________________________________
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.