Artsy Schmartsy

Jonathan likes all things "Art." Art Carney, Art Buchwald and Art Smart's Dart Mart are among his favorite "Arts." He feels the same way about Art that he does about bacon: there is no such thing as too much.
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Artsy Schmartsy

Later skater, now move!

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jul 10 2008, 07:16 AM

And for those of you who don't watch television, just follow get over to the new Artsy Schmartsy now by going to www.artsyschmartsy.com .
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Art matters and matters of art

By Jonathan West
Wednesday, Jul 09 2008, 07:56 AM

I'm getting a bit reflective in my old age. Well, my middle age. And I always reflect on things when I'm losing a job (that being one as a blogger for MKE which will be bye-bye after this week). So, I went back and read my first post that I created...
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This is just naughty and maybe nasty, but...

By Jonathan West
Monday, Jul 07 2008, 08:41 AM

...I have to ask it: What one thing about art in Milwaukee would you like to destroy? (Gulp. I prayer it's not me.)
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With 3 comment(s)

Happy America!

By Jonathan West
Sunday, Jul 06 2008, 11:13 AM

Yep. The fireworks went off. Bang, bang. Makes me think about art. Here's my question of the day: What do you think is the most important thing happening artistically in America today? I'm not talking prettiest or glossiest. I'm talking important...
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With 1 comment(s)

Tell me some things...

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jul 03 2008, 08:54 AM

...I can do better. I will announce my plans for what happens after MKE shuts down next week, but one thing I do want to hear now is what I can do better. I still want Artsy Schmartsy to be a place where we can all sound off about art. And I still want...
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With 4 comment(s)

Something I don't get anymore, maybe you can help

By Jonathan West
Wednesday, Jul 02 2008, 08:41 AM

As a former artistic director of a theater company constantly in need of money, I know the language well: "Nearly half of our operation costs are derived from the generous contributions of donors like you. We hope you agree that ABC Art Company changes...
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With 6 comment(s)

Please let me know...

By Jonathan West
Tuesday, Jul 01 2008, 08:50 AM

...what you think about audiences. Are audiences passive in Milwaukee? Are audiences the same all around the country? All around the world? If you think audiences are dying, who is killing them? What do you think audiences want? What do you think artists...
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With 6 comment(s)

Let's cut to the chase...

By Jonathan West
Sunday, Jun 29 2008, 09:32 PM

...I'm voting for Barack Obama. Now, you might think this is an odd way to start my latest blog entry about arts in Milwaukee. And really, I'm cool with you voting for John McCain, or even for Rex Winsome to write in Peter Brook or Bert Brecht...
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With 3 comment(s)

This one is good, you all

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jun 26 2008, 10:07 PM

This one comes from Michael Moynihan. Michael has been around for a while. And Michael has ruffled his own share of feathers. I do like what he has to say in this one, and for some reason he's having trouble logging into the commentary thingamabob...
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With 2 comment(s)

Another one for you (or thou if you want to get all Shakespeare-y on me)

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jun 26 2008, 07:27 AM

See, a million bucks isn't going to solve anyone's problems. Money is the root of all this evil when it comes to art and theater. No, a million dollars isn't gonna solve the problems of the world. It isn't going to buy a building. It isn't...
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With 6 comment(s)

Okay, okay, okay...

By Jonathan West
Tuesday, Jun 24 2008, 02:41 PM

...so there's a heated debate going on here about art and business. Okay, maybe just theater and business. Okay, maybe just the business of filling theater seats. So, here's something to throw to the lions. Call it my million dollar question....
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With 20 comment(s)

Filed under: art, Money

We could write a book with all these opinions!

By Jonathan West
Sunday, Jun 22 2008, 08:30 PM

Track back over the last couple of posts and you'll begin to understand something: people have a lot of opinions about this old theatre thing and it's purpose. I'll admit, I'm surprised by the passion. I had begun to think that passionate...
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With 9 comment(s)

And so, I ask you theatre lovers out there...

By Jonathan West
Saturday, Jun 21 2008, 07:51 AM

I thought it was going to be kind of a Lincoln Douglas kind of debate between Rex Winsome and this meepos whom I supposedly know (come out from hiding meepos, the world will embrace you!), but then good old sven78 chimed in. Check out the commentary on...
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With 11 comment(s)

Filed under: Rex Winsome, Theater, Combat Theatre

I like what I'm hearing folks, bring more on

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jun 19 2008, 03:09 PM

This is a good discussion we've got started about the artist being a critic of his peers. It's just good to have a dialogue, and I hope you track back to see the couple of posts that were left by one reader I don't know, and, no surprise here...
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With 5 comment(s)

Time to get dirty like a lame duck, art fans!

By Jonathan West
Wednesday, Jun 18 2008, 08:08 AM

Well, you've probably heard. MKE is shuttering as of July 10. Sad, yes, but I like to think of this as an opportunity. I like to finish things with a sprint rather than a whimper. So, I'm not shutting my yap about art in this forum until the final...
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With 2 comment(s)

Filed under: Rex Winsome, Combat Theatre, Jim Fletcher, criticism

BIG MOUTH ARTSY SCHMARTSY is on vocal rest!

By Jonathan West
Friday, Jun 06 2008, 08:38 AM

BIG MOUTH ARTSY SCHMARTSY , the podcast of Artsy Schmartsy, is on a little vocal rest. And for good reason. Very good reason. The people have spoken through downloads and comments, and the general consensus is that BIG MOUTH ARTSY SCHMARTSY is a great...
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Filed under: BIG MOUTH ARTSY SCHMARTSY

HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA: It's time to break some rules, people!

By Jonathan West
Thursday, Jun 05 2008, 11:24 AM

These are my last thoughts from participating on a panel following Mike Daisey's performance of HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA. Final thoughts on that, but only the beginning of a further dialogue, I hope. Here’s what I know about theater failing America...
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With 1 comment(s)

Filed under: Mike Daisey, HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, URINETOWN

The horror! The horror! Women at war, fright films and music at the zoo

By jvince
Wednesday, Jun 04 2008, 10:15 AM

M ust be a full moon this weekend because there’s some crazy art happening ’round town. Present Music ZooMusic Roooooarrr! Yipppp, yipppp, yipppp! Tweeet! Tweet! Burp! Those are the lyrical sounds of the zoo — lions, tigers, bears and hippos belching...
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Filed under: Peggy Hong, Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee County Massacre, Present Music, Off-Broadway Theatre

HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA: I'm a big part of the problem, and so are you.

By Jonathan West
Monday, Jun 02 2008, 11:13 AM

I’m telling you the end of the story right at the beginning. American theater is really screwed up. Really, really screwed up. That’s the end point, but the connecting dots that get you to that, tell a little bit more of an optimistic tale. Don’t get...
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Filed under: Mike Daisey, HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, New York City

A girl behind glass, last chances and all that jazz: Hot picks around town

By jvince
Thursday, May 29 2008, 07:01 PM

Mucho happening for you art people. When will all this art cease? Never? OK, I can live with that. In Tandem Theatre “The Girl in the Frame” Have you ever looked at the family photo tucked inside the picture frame you pick up at Target and wished it was...
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Filed under: Milwaukee Public Museum, Body Worlds, Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, In Tandem Theatre, Walker's Point Center for the Arts, Jerry Grillo