The maxim applies also to our understanding of challenges faced by 20th century art forms, including Modern Art, Jazz Music and Modern Dance.

Ever since I began dancing (in the 1990’s)  “modern dance” has been stumbling over what to call itself – part of a larger struggle to figure out how to maintain the soul of a reactionary art form now integrated into the mainstream. (Can something I just created be “modern” if something modern was created a hundred years ago? )

The American composer William Billings once wrote that “every man should be his own carver.” The revolutionary spirit embodied in that statement is incompatible with the maintenance of the arts industry, and we don’t do ourselves any favors pretending that it isn’t. Artists are/need to be trained. Agrippina Vaganova, famous for founding ballet’s Vaganova Technique, was exceptionally attuned to the importance of well-rounded study. Juri Slominsky in his 1945 article “The Soviet Ballet”, described Vaganova’s insistence that,

“Prospective ballerinas and their partners study the history and theory of the theater and particularly the ballet, they become familiar with the history of painting, delve deeply into every style and epoch…. What is demanded of the ballet dancer today is a standard of culture that would permit him not only to independently solve choreographic and scenic problems in the spirit of historic and artistic truth, but also to actually take part together with the authors in the creation of the performance, to assist them in their tasks and to perceive their blunders and fallacies if such there be. To do all this, the dancer’s knowledge must be on a level with that of the choreographer and the author of the libretto. He must be able to understand perfectly the tasks put before him by the choreographer and not only dance well in the traditional style.”

Technique and composition are best taught alongside history. Too many of our teachers lack the training to do this. As we lament falling audience attendance we should consider how arts education, at every level, has failed to adequately encourage the growth of perceptive artists, and audience.

We’re best served working within the system, but if we’re not prepared to challenge today’s failures we encourage a race to the bottom that fails the artists of tomorrow. As with education reform in general, preserving players within the system is less important than ensuring that a system exists to truly serve students.

In the portrait at the top of this post the subjects are seen only distantly, in the mirror at the back of the room. The painter himself, their children, dog, and attendants are more clearly in focus. Finished works of art are indistinguishable on the walls. All this to say that in the art world those who don’t study history are unable to repeat it; the next generation of Velazquez’s can only emerge from a system that values truly rigorous arts education.

I think he’s right in many ways, but wonder how many priorities an administration can have. We do need to prop up the existing economy.  The United States has benefited from its acceptance of free market principles. Im actually uncertain how were getting around some parts of the WTO with giving aid to our auto industry. Isn’t giving aid to industry (be it agriculture, steel) illegal with the WTO?

(Anectdotally, I went to the Senate chamber in 1994 and witnessed the WTO vote. Shout out to Shifter and IAD.)

Would it be smart right now to raise the minimum wage? Or increase business contributions for health care? Friedman is correct that raising the gas tax would be a nifty way to encourage transition, but I’m not certain that it’s the efficient choice right now. I’m so pleased we (are about to) have a smart man in the White House who chooses for us.

Obama/Team One America did a few things lately I really respect.

Getting Clinton out of the Senate was really smart. You’re talking someone who still wants to run for president, and who REALLLLY does not agree with everthing on Obama’s domestic agenda.

She would have taken every opportunity to fight. I had the thought some time ago (about Pelosi) that this will be a real measure for her as a politician – her ability to evolve.

You lead a minority. A minority fights. You manage a majority.

And all of a sudden she has an administration she isn’t fighting with. That means she has to manage her majority. Wonder how she’ll do. Am pretty sure Obama made it easier for her by removing Clinton.

Another smart move by Team One America: inviting the schmuck Warren to speak at the inauguration. It guaratees a full, nationwide hearing on certain issues in a non-threatening way. (If you click here you’ll got warren’s site… check out number 8.)

No legislation is proposed at the inauguration. Nothing is really at stake. But the people who work the platform with the new president are gonna get a lot of profiles, and attention. Why would Obama give a major platform to someone who I’m sure he doesn’t agree much with? I think he trusts the judgment of the population. The more that U.S. citizens hear that the strongest critics of gay marriage are the people who think humans were kicking it with dinosaurs in the land of Cain and Abel a few years back, the more likely a coalition can be formed to create real change.

I’m pretty sure Clinton didn’t want don’t ask, don’t tell, but it was the best he could do. Politicans don’t get the luxury of having only one fight. Obama can’t lead where the country can’t follow. Part of the job is helping us – as a nation – follow. And I’m very encouraged with the management of issues that we’re seeing. Hope it continues once the live fire starts…

Here is an incomplete list of governors whose states border foreign countries. The bios given here are actual excerpts from each politician’s official website. I was surprised at the range of competency, experience, and inspiration reflected in the group I surveyed.

Maine

Democratic Governor John Baldacci. At 23 became a member of Bangor City Council. 1982 – joined Maine State Senate, where he served for 12 years. Elected to US House of Representatives in 1994. Elected Governor in 2002.

 

New Hampshire

As the President and CEO of Knoll, Inc., a national furniture manufacturer, Governor John Lynch transformed a company losing $50 million a year into one making a profit of nearly $240 million. Gov. Lynch has also served as chair of the University System Board of Trustees, where he worked to keep tuition increases to a minimum; as director of Admissions at the Harvard Business School, where he made ethics one of the criteria for admissions; and as president of the Lynch Group, a business-consulting firm in Manchester. Working his way through college, Gov. Lynch earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1974. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

 

Vermont

Governor Jim Douglas was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1972 – the same year he graduated from Middlebury College. His influence as a legislator increased quickly, becoming assistant majority leader in his second term and majority leader in his third term at the age of twenty-five. The Governor is past president of the Council of State Governments, chairman of the New England Governor’s Conference, a member of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Local Advisory Council, and vice chairman, and lead governor for energy policy, for the Coalition of Northeastern Governors.

 

New York

At the age of 31 in 1985, Governor Paterson was elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate, becoming the youngest Senator in Albany. In 2003, he became the minority leader of the New York State Senate, the first non-white legislative leader in New Yorks history. He made history again in 2004 when he became the first visually impaired person to address the Democratic National Convention. He became New York’s first African American Lieutenant Governor in 2007 and is now New York’s first African American Governor.

 

Wisconsin

Governor Doyle attended Stanford University for three years, then finished his senior year at UW-Madison. He is a 1972 graduate of Harvard Law School. 
Inspired by John F. Kennedys call to public service, after college the Governor and First Lady worked for two years as teachers in Tunisia, Africa in the Peace Corps. After he graduated from law school, the Governor and First Lady moved to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona to work as an attorney and teacher, respectively. Governor Doyle was elected Attorney General in 1990, and reelected as Attorney General in 1994 and 1998. He was elected as Wisconsins Governor in 2002 and reelected in 2006 with more votes than any candidate for Governor in Wisconsin history.

 

Idaho

C.L. “Butch” Otter was elected Governor of Idaho on November 7, 2006. He previously served three terms in Congress representing Idahos 1st District (2000-2006). Governor Otter is a father of four and grandfather of five. He is married to the former Lori Easley. They live on their ranch near Star. Governor Otter was born in Caldwell on May 3, 1942. He graduated from St. Teresas Academy (now Bishop Kelly High School) in Boise, attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University), and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the College of Idaho (now Albertson College of Idaho) in 1967. Governor Otters 30-year career in business included membership on the Board of Directors of the J.R. Simplot Company. He also served as Director of the Food Products Division, President of Simplot Livestock, and President of Simplot International. He retired in 1993.

 

California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a world-famous athlete and actor. He was born in Austria in 1947, and at 20 became the youngest person ever to win the Mr. Universe title. He came to America shortly after, winning an unprecedented 12 more world bodybuilding titles. Challenging both his body and mind, he earned a college degree from the University of Wisconsin and became a U.S. citizen in 1983. Three years later he married broadcast journalist Maria Shriver.

 

Texas

Rick Perrys political career started in 1985 as a representative for a rural West Texas district in the state House of Representatives. He was first elected to statewide office in 1990, and served as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture for two terms. Governor Perry hails from Paint Creek, a small farming community north of Abilene. His father, Ray Perry, served as a Haskell County Commissioner, school board member and a World War II tail gunner. Between 1972 and 1977, Governor Perry served in the United States Air Force flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He is a 1972 graduate of Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a junior and senior yell leader and an animal science major. The younger of Ray and Amelia Perry’s two children, Governor Perry is an Eagle Scout and lifetime member of American Legion Post #75.

 

Florida
(maritime border – cuba)

In May and November, Governor Crist lead trade missions to Israel and Brazil. In Israel, Governor Crist worked toward completing a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Florida and the government of the State of Israel on bilateral cooperation in private sector industrial research and development. In Brazil, Team Florida learned from its number-one international merchandise trade partner more about ethanol production from top experts in the field. Approximately $300 million was anticipated to come into Floridas economy as a result of the trade mission. Governor Charlie Crist was born in 1956 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, but his family soon settled in St. Petersburg.

Governor Crist began his government service as state director for former U.S. Senator Connie Mack before later returning to the private practice of law with the Tampa firm of Wood and Crist. In 1992, Governor Crist won a seat in the Florida Senate. For six years in the Senate, Governor Crist served as Chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee and as Chairman of the Appropriations Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

 

Alaska

Prior to her election as governor, Governor Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor/manager of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry. She has served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska’s most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska’s communities.

Just for good measure:

History

Vice President Dan Quayle was born on February 4, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana. After spending much of his youth in Arizona, he graduated from Huntington High School in Huntington, Indiana, in 1965. Dan Quayle graduated from DePauw University in 1969 and received his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis in 1974. Dan Quayle’s political career began when he was elected to the United States Congress in 1976 at age 29. He was elected to the United States Senate at age 33. On January 20, 1989 he took the oath of office as the 44th Vice President of the United States at age 41. On February 9, 1989, President Bush named Dan Quayle head of the Council of Competitiveness, which worked to ensure US international competitiveness in the 21st century. He made official visits to 47 countries, was chairman of the National Space Council, and served as President Bush’s point man on Capitol Hill. As a leader in causes from legal system reform to deregulation to the renewal of basic American values, Dan Quayle developed a large national following and became one of the most admired Americans of his time.

Very simply — Vice Presidents can have a major impact. Consider our most recent Vice President. We know that there is little authority, but there can be tremendous influence. There are several other governors I’d rather have as our country’s co-pilot.

Who else is looking forward to the debate tomorrow night???

This poem describes being in a gas attack, and watching a friend die in front of him. The phrase Dulce Et Decorum Est, Pro Patria Mori translates roughly as, ‘How sweet and just it is to die for the motherland.’

Dulce Et Decorum Est

By Wilfred Owen

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devils sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, –
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro Patria Mori.

image of Owen and his regiment

Joyce was a little prickly. A little arrogant. She looked about my age. She was in fact twenty-three. I was eighteen. The prior spring she had graduated with her PhD in Biochemistry from Duke. She was brilliant. Loved the outdoors.

Sometimes after dinner wed gather and study in the main building. If you were to imagine a 1960s version of the Hogwarts School for Wizardry, built by rock-climbers, youd have a good idea what this place looked like. The massive wooden door snapped open when you pressed the nose of a large dragon that curled around in the door-frame.

Joyce was very focused, and a bit distant. One night she opened up. A year earlier some friends of Joyces had arranged to go on a two-week trek in Nepal. Last minute one of the friends got sick. On two days notice, Joyce filled the empty spot. Most of the group hiked around a base camp at 16,000 feet, but some of the group were trained mountaineers, and they would leave camp for days at a time, and summit peaks in the vicinity (K2 and Annapurna were both accessed from the camp.)

Three days into her trip, an unrelated mountaineering party came through the base camp. They were led by a Nepalese Sherpa named Pemba Sherpa. I learned from Joyce that many of the Sherpas take the last name Sherpa. She explained that the locals make money carrying all of the gear for the tourists/mountaineers. As Sherpas get older, they end up going higher and higher on the mountain, and make more money for this. While the Americans, or French, or Portuguese, are struggling up the mountains with small backpacks, sucking oxygen, the Sherpas are hiking behind with massive bundles, unaided. Some Sherpas actually even summit with their employers – at this point, they become guides. The most talented and experienced Sherpas eventually become head guides, organizing the other sherpas, and leading the foreigners from bottom to top and back. This is what had happened with Pemba. Joyce said that by age sixteen he spoke six languages, all learned while carrying bags up and down the sides of the Himalayas.

Pemba and Joyce fell in love. When I met Joyce, it had been a year since they had been together, which was also when they had met. Joyce was troubled by their lack of communication. Its hard to communicate with someone who spends most of his time between 16 and 23,000 feet. She had spoken to him by phone, briefly, twice. She had written letters and gotten few back. She was scared, and was wondering if she was being played. She was questioning her judgment. She told me in years to come that I was the only person who counseled her to believe. To stay. I still feel very good about that.

Over the next two years Joyce and I hiked together a lot. She introduced me to the Western United States. Joyce didnt mind driving huge distances, so we would take a week or two and go where-ever, starting in Salt Lake where she had taken a job as a bio-medical researcher. She didnt mind being in the car for twenty hours to get to a place that would be lovely to hike in for three or four or five days. I was sort of along for the ride with Joyce, and I didnt mind. She was my friend.

One night Pemba called Joyce, and apologized to her for not being in touch. Then he asked her how far it was from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. He was in the San Francisco airport. They were married that spring in Arches National Park. I visited them once, shortly after the marriage, in this little apartment they had in Salt Lake. They moved to his village in Nepal a few years later and I havent heard from her since.

Laura Lee was actually my roommate at the EMT School. I arrived the day the training began, and we were supposed to be there the night prior. Each room in the dorm had four bunkbeds, and all of the rooms were full except for the one on the end of the hall on the 2nd floor, which was totally empty. As I was unpacking, Laura Lee showed up. She had driven directly from base, having been discharged from the Army less than 24 hours earlier. She had been in the Gulf War (Desert Storm.) She did not mind sharing a room with a man. We got along well, but retained a distance even as we grew more familiar with each other. Laura and I were from very different worlds. I had just graduated from a prep school outside Boston. She was from Alabama, and had just gotten out of the Army.

Laura was amazingly strong. Every morning she got up at five am and went running. And were talking New Hampshire in December. The rest of us were just exhausted from studying. When a mutual friend called and told me that she had killed herself nine months after our graduation I was black in a way that I had never been. Lauras suicide was the first time I experienced that kind of depression.

She had really loved these jeans I had when we lived together. She had indirectly asked me for them. When we said goodbye I had not given them to her, but had felt badly about that, and meant to send them to her. At the time they were only pair of city pants I owned. The night I got the call that she was dead, I had written her a note. It was really a follow up note to the note I had written months earlier that was in an unsealed package with the jeans. I can remember when I packed for college just not finding the time to actually send the package. It lived on my desk in my dorm room until I got the call. I still feel sadness, and some shame, about that.

Fifteen years have passed since I met Joyce and Laura. I still think about them, and wonder about the differences in their lives. The songwriter Josh Ritter says we need faith for the same reasons that its so hard to find. I cling to that, and the memories of my friends.

“Fate to Love” Copyright Robert Bettmann
Original May 20, 2006, this edit Sept 18, 2008