The following is a true story. The names of the individuals involved have been changed to protect their identity.
While a routine BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts - University un-named) space check, a student stands patiently by his artwork while three instructors examine it. His friend who shares the space with him stands off to the side, awaiting his turn. Two of instructors give the usual and expected comments, technique, form, and such. The third is silent for a while, observing the work. When there is a quiet in the conversation the third instructor speaks up.
"But it's not funny," says the woman.
The student chuckles a little, thinking this is a joke, only to discover, much to his horror, that this woman is serious.
"Well it's not supposed to be funny. This body of work has a very serious message", replies the student.
"People don't like it when it's not funny. It needs to be funny," spouts the instructor.
To this the student had no response. His friend was just about tearing his hair out in anger as the poor student stood dumbfounded. The other two instructors continued on with a few more comments and then they moved on.
This story, ladies and gentlemen, is the pinnacle of what I am fighting on a daily basis. It is, for the most part, an uphill battle. Comedy is the new cop out for art. If we are presented as funny, we won't offend anyone. We won't come across as "heavy". We won't depress anyone. I can not stress it enough that seriousness is what we need right now. Comedy is killing us. There are things that need to be said and those people need to be taken seriously. No more laughing it off. Suck it up and face the goddamn music.
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