Too much Freud in art now?
Jul 1st, 2008 by Brad
Last November, I read a NYT article that said that Freud and psychoanalysis form a key part of humanities teaching, while in those same universities his teachings are virtually extinct in psychology courses. Read Patricia Cohen’s article “Freud Is Widely Taught at Universities, Except in the Psychology Department”
In the day, I took enough psychology to minor in it. Courses, at all levels, would spend a couple of weeks talking about Freud and then spend the whole rest of the course showing how science-flimsy Freudian ideas didn’t bare out. I’ll freely admit I don’t have the chops to argue with Psychoanalysts or Psychologists on that side of the debate, I do think that too many artist just rely on simple Freudian descriptions in their art (maybe that they learned from an art prof when they got their MFA?).
Over the past several year, I’ve seen too many references to Freud or Freudian imagery in shows in both New York and Portland. Freud isn’t the only well to go to, artists need to dig deeper and cast a wider net. It is like trying to only using the 4 Greek elements (Earth, water, Air, and Fiber) to provide the only vocabulary to talk about modern physics. … or only using Aristoliean art theories to create art.
…sure there are some classic ideas that are at the foundations of cultural thought, but my advice, don’t be lazy, read everything, there are some amazing new ideas in every field of study and thought.
This Saturday, 
Photographs have been tampered throughout photographic history. I created the phrase “Taking out the Trotsky” to describe removal of people through manipulation. Stalin had teams of people removing all evidence of Trotsky and others he disagreed with from photographs and writings.
Portland’s own Derby played at the 
The second half of the show featured different local musicians on nearly every song. Derby has a lot of respect from many of their peers in the upcoming Portland music scene. Scores of people joined them on stage. They were members of bands such as The Dimes, Tango Alpha Tango, Oh Darling, Dominic Castillo & the Rock Savants, Crosstide, Theopolis, Deepest Darkest, and more. While likely very fun for everyone on stage, in my mind this is where the show dragged down some. Even talented musicians need a few songs to get into the grove and the transitions cut down on the energy. This gave it the feel of a party at a warehouse studio jam session. Great if you are in an amongst everyone on stage, but less of a show if you are part of an audience. Crosstide and Climber opened for Derby.
I started off June First Thursday at 
Eric Franklin with have an First Thursday opening this week
