Herculean Pacience and Happiness

[commonpeople1]

Hercules & Love Affair
Originally uploaded by MaRus live photography

Can someone who is as thick as shit, badly-dressed, arrogant and an all-round dick head produce good art? I asked myself this question a few times on Thursday night during the launch party for an art project related to my job. The artist commissioned for the project delivered a great piece which will undoubtedly have an effect on the public space it was foisted on, but in person she's a nightmare to deal with: stupid, annoying, self-absorbed, unrealistic, smug and rude... I often run out of negative adjectives when I try to think of the best way to describe her.

She ruined the night for my colleague, shouting at her when the £300 open bar came to an end and she wasn't yet drunk. The irony is that she arrived too late to join her guests, who drank a lot, had a good time, and praised the work to no end; it was only her who got a meager free glass of wine and had to pay for the rest of the drinks. She shot herself in the foot by complaining out loud about us, right in our face - the people who gave her the grant and might be in control of her destiny the next time she faces a panel after a new commission. Stupid cow. I hope her art career is ruined for good.

I have no doubt that Hercules and Love Affair are unlike her - gods and goddesses of sweet beyond the beautiful music they create. Last night, they filled a small venue underneath London Bridge with people willing to get sweaty for a bit of their power 70s hypnotic disco. Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" with Vogue arms. Big phat beats (I can't believe I just used the word phat) that gave way to dance pop and a constant call for us to get our hands in the air (we did.)

Then a sound problem and most of the people who were there for the wrong reasons (art dealers from the Frieze fair only interested in networking; blokes who don't do much apart from stand around drinking pints) left, creating the space for the rest of us to spread out and really let loose when they returned for 4 stomping diva songs.

This video was recorded in Rome three days ago. Same gig vibe, same version of "Blind", same outfits. You'll get last night's feel:

Comments

[standardfeature.livejournal.com]

The media world breeds assholes like that too. I don't want to tell tales in school but there are some people I've met and some I've worked with who are the same. They look and sound good but they can't put two sentences together to save their life. But at least their ego has completely gone to their head so working with them is absolute torture but they get away with it because all the right people "like" what little they have to offer.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

The media world breeds assholes like that too.

Oh yes... I used to deal with theatre critics so I know that too well. I've also met plenty of TV people to put me off that world for life.

I just think artists in particular need to be careful because they are the ones that have the most to lose by being arsey. For every Tracey Emin that makes it despite a bad reputation, there are thousands that fail because people throw obstacles in their way due to their shitty personalities.

[kevyn-kronycles.livejournal.com]

Sometimes the greatest artists are the craziest ones...and if it weren't for their art, no one would put up with them at all.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I don't mind crazy at all. She wasn't that: she was plain ol' dumb and nasty. And very conventional and boring in person, beyond the nastiness.

[kevyn-kronycles.livejournal.com]

Too bad more people didn't like her art and gave her a taste of her own nasty medicine...on the bright side, your art project seems to have been a smashing success, congrats!

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Gosh, I hope I never become like that artist. I think it's really easy to let your ego get the better of you sometimes when you've produced something good and people have told you so but she sounds like a TOTAL nightmare. :(

I think you're right about H&LA being nice though. They were very giggly and silly between songs when I saw them in Soho.

Different line-up completely though - there were about a bazillion of them in Soho.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I got that vibe last night too from the way they interacted with us - especially when the equipment malfunctioned and they needed to fill up the emptiness with banter.

Awful Artist Lady

[noondaydemon.livejournal.com]

What a brat! There are so many artists more deserving of such exposure and opportunity.

Re: Awful Artist Lady

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Well, she ain't getting a second chance if some people have their say!

Re: Awful Artist Lady

[noondaydemon.livejournal.com]

If she's going to be ungrateful and cause uncool scenes at opening nights, she may get her just desserts. What a nightmare! Fancy making a ruckus because she arrived late and couldn't get any more free booze?? Has there ever been such a lady?:)

Re: Awful Artist Lady

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Or making a ruckus because the only free booze is wine!? It's like she had never been to an art opening before.