F, why I?
A personal note from the new Culturephile.
Posted by: Anne Adams on May 26, 2010 at 06:00PM
5 Comments
“Culturephile.”
The name precedes me, as does this space’s status as a haven for arts-lovers. Walking in from the wings, mid second act, what can I bring?
Motivated self-starter with working knowledge of HTML. Check.
But beyond that, I want to offer experience and understanding—the ability to empathize for both artist and audience, because I’ve been both. Even here, in the critic’s chair, my role will be twofold: audience member for new local arts, and would-be entertainer, hoping to curry favor from Culturephile readers with a fluid flow of prose.
I don’t want to direct your attention to my personal arts endeavors, except to assure you that I have them, so I “get it.” I’ve been through the creative grind many times—from inception, through development, to delivery. Sometimes I’ve killed a room; sometimes I’ve killed the mood. Sometimes I’ve had all the supplies, and sometimes I’ve had to improvise. Trust me, I get it.
Does that suffice? Or should I share personal details too, so that my character is humanized? Very well: I live in in Inner Southeast, drink coffee constantly, and own as many vintage dresses, as there are weeks in the year. I’m honored that PM has tagged me for Culturephile, and I’m taking it so seriously that I have to laugh at myself. I’m often moved to tears by works of art, but I’m not overly sentimental—in fact, I constantly recalibrate my BS detector, just to be sure it steers me right.
I want you to benefit from my efforts. I want Culturephile to give you choices, but also to whisper some hints about what to look for, and whether to bother. I know you’re busy, and it’s for the value of your time, that I fritter away some of mine.
OK; I’ve made my case. Now I’m going to write more Culturephile. Please email me, and share comments. This is an experimental, interactive, post-modern piece. So I’ll be watching you, watch me.
Tags: bio
Welcome aboard Anne! Thus far I’m liking what I’ve read.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, flash. I’ll keep on the project!
Hey Anne! While I think Lisa left some pretty big shoes to fill, I’m impressed thus far—you bring the “high” AND “new” brow in equal parts—bravo! Are you excited about the Gories coming for Music Fest NW?
Thanks, Faith.
You just gave me a listening assignment! From the sound of them, The Gories fit right in the Bar Pilot’s pet niche :) And it seems they have a storied, patchy past, which is always intriguing.
“I want to offer experience and understanding—the ability to empathize for both artist and audience”
I welcome your rigour combined with humility. The previous writing began to feel distended and a bit entitled, which is quite different than confident. I often felt more of a sense of the writer’s ego than a sense of the work they were discussing. Isn’t the point the art work, not showing us a clever collection of quotes and waving a wand of approval or disapproval? Good review is some parts documentation, educated opinion, illuminating description, advocacy and provoking critical discourse. We also have an over abundance of irreverence with a lot of the “review” here coming from our weeklys. I am excited for someone who is not afraid to care, as well as know and challenge.